As Time Goes By . . . .

If I could save time in a bottle
The first thing that I'd like to do
Is to save every day
'Til eternity passes away
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

If words could make wishes come true
I'd save every day like a treasure . . . . 

                          ------from "Time in a Bottle"  Jim Croce

I mentioned yesterday that the election turned out to be a mixed bag.

Seems like this entire week has kinda gone that way.  It's generally been the best of times, and I've definitely seen several bags filled with a mixture of leaves.  

The good news:  I can now put my lawnmower away.  

Whatever leaves want to fall from our trees, let them be. 

Happily, most are chopped up and now residing in piles around the place.

And, by golly, there are a LOT of them. I'm now betting those billions I estimated earlier may reach to the trillions.

The seemingly never-ending marathon Lovestead leaf pick-up did end about mid afternoon yesterday. 

Afterward, I stood several times admiring various parts of the lawn, each time feeling a deep and welcome sense of relief, knowing that this will all happen again----next year!

For now, the lawnmower can get a cleanup and then go to bed for the winter.  

Bill and I also wish to announce to all travelers and "turists" that we are taking NO NEW RESERVATIONS in 2018 for the travel trailer out behind the barn.  

That will happen again next year too. The trailer went to Lake RV for its annual winterization session.  When it comes home, it will reside in the shop for the winter. 

And, we will think of the good TIMES associated with our unique Lovestead accommodations as folks we love and some we hardly knew but now do love came and enjoyed all the comforts of home not far from the manure pile (always enhanced with colorful flowers for summer visitors. 

This week also involved some good times for some of our family members as they attended a Gonzaga women's basketball game.  And, some got to sit in prime time seats near mid-court right near the officials' stand. 

Will Love, now head coach for SHS girls varsity basketball and Duane Ward, now assistant coach for SHS girls varsity basketball, secured that prime seating, thanks to one of their former players who has started for the Montana Grizzlies the past couple of years. 

Along with the coaches and their lovely wives were Bill Love, father of Will, and Emma from Germany who attended her first-ever ZAGS game.

Coach Love also got to spend some time visiting with an SHS grad who plays in the Gonzaga band. 

A good time was had by all, 'cept maybe the Grizzlies who were defeated by the Lady ZAGS. 

We have been blessed with beautiful weather this week which has meant much-appreciated time spent in my yard, definitely something I LOVE to do. 

Again, I was surprised that flowers are the deck were STILL blooming, but I don't even want to look this morning.  We've had two hard freezes, and there's a light snowfall predicted today. 

The extended flower season was definitely a bonus.  It's sad to see them go, but next year all that will happen again. 

For now, I just say thank you to Mother Nature for all the good times you've dished out for us weatherwise this year. 

Those good times have meant even better time spent enjoying the beauty around us. 

One more thing:  some good times will be had for a while starting today.  SANDPOINT MAGAZINE is hitting the streets.  Be sure to pick up a copy. 

Happy Friday.  May you have good times, worthy of being stuffed in a bottle or maybe etched in your mind. 

Duane and Marilyn Ward