Big Easy, Memory Lane, Etc.

Oakdale High School Class of 1968 classmates and longtime family friends, Gene Ann Dixon, Margaret Love Cowan and Bill Love at yesterday's 50th class reunion. 

Bill has had a pretty adventurous month of October. 

He's racked up thousands of air miles, traveling to Ireland and back, staying home two days and then taking off again for New Orleans.

He'll be back home this evening after spending the week with his twin sister Margaret, enjoying the sights, sounds and famous flavor of the Big Easy before moving on to his hometown of Oakdale, Louisiana, for their 50th high school class reunion. 

On the same day that Annie Love was snorkeling in Maui to celebrate her 40th birthday, her dad and her aunt aka the Love twins, were attending yesterday's Homecoming festivities  and the big game at Oakdale High, home of the Warriors.  

I don't know who won the game, but it looked like the Class of 1968 had a rollicking good time with the day's activities.   In Oakdale, all past grads return for Homecoming each fall, and classes hold their respective parties.  

This week's festivities mark the first time Bill has attended any of his class reunions, so he had some major visiting to do. From all reports, he accomplished a lot during his reconnecting time. 

Prior to Homecoming, Bill and Margaret spent some quality time taking in the culture of the French Quarter which boasts some lively Halloween decor. 

I must admit to envying the fact that they visited the world famous Cafe Du Monde French Market Coffee Stand (1862) twice for breakfast during their stay. 

Too bad beignets don't keep for several hours on an airline flight after they've been fried and smothered in powdered sugar.  

There's nothing quite like them fresh off the fryer while sipping that dark coffee with chicory.

New Orleans has always been a fun city for our family members.  

In fact, Bill and I enjoyed a great experience several years back when two couples whom I know through teaching spent some time in the French Quarter and on a riverboat cruise along the Mississippi. 

Remember that adventure, Ann and Rick and Tom and Sharon?

While the Love twins continue to reminisce in "Luzianna," we are greeting yet another beautiful day here in North Idaho.

This is also the day for the grand opening of Matchwood Brewery in the old Co-Op complex where bands will play, food will be served and special ales will get sampled. 

The other day before visiting with a friend at Evans Bros. coffee house, I stepped inside the new Matchwood facility, which will feature a community meeting room. 

The bar is something to behold, even the smooth touch of its beautifully finished surface.  It was crafted from a 130-year-old white pine from Western Montana. 

Best of luck to Kennden and Andrea (both very nice folks) as they see their dream come to reality. It will definitely be a beautiful addition to Sandpoint.  

The sun will be peeking up over the Cabinets soon, and the gift of another beautiful fall day awaits. Gotta make the best of every moment cuz this extended lovely weather will be gone too soon.  

Happy Saturday. 

Bill's hotel room in the French Quarter