Just Some Fun with TBT's

When it came time to take some mug shots of one of my subjects for a magazine article, I suggested her house, noting that the photo would be taken outside and maybe some trees would make a nice background.

She said we'd have to climb over a lot of snow to get to the trees.

So, I said, "Come to my house."

Later, I started looking around my house and realized that inaccessibility was also a problem around here.

  Trees are surrounded and iced in with snow. In what are usually wonderful possibilities for pictures, yesterday's potential was nihil.

Okay, I thought, there's a wall at Pack River Store which makes a nice rustic background for a mug. 

So, we agreed to meet there.  As I pulled into the parking lot, I noticed that wall was snowed in.  My mind went into immediate troubleshooting mode.

It's good at such things cuz I seem to run into lots of troubles with my planning.

I saw my friend standing on the deck of the store and while walking toward her, I also spotted a packed trail leading to the wall. 

Thanks goodness.  It all worked out, and we enjoyed some good visiting inside over a cup of coffee. 

Later, while snapping some photos of the Pack River, I thought about the dramatic contrast we see at this beautiful spot between February and July. 

The scene goes from wintertime absence of activity and stark silence to sometimes wild and crazy scenes of recreationalists floating down the river from wherever they put in miles to the north. 

And, that lilac bush outside the store in May sure does add to the serenity of a much-beloved country restaurant setting. 

Yup, it's quiet along the Pack, but maybe it's nice that the river gets a rest from its constant use in summer months. 

Yesterday's juggling of locations for picture taking reminded me of how all-encompassing and limiting this winter with all its snow and ice has been. 

Having had fairly light winters prior to this, we take for granted the ability to walk up to pretty much any place we wish. 

But we got the job done yesterday, thanks to whoever packed down that little trail to the fence.  

 

Some of my Thursday Throwbacks today could be called "shoe-box history."  

I have a box filled with black and white and a few color snapshots taken decades ago, long before digital photography came into our lives. 

The box has been collecting dust cuz I haven't looked at its contents for about three or four years. 

But last night while thumbing through the photos of our early lives, most spent on the North Boyer farm, I saw dozens of pictures of my younger sisters all gussied up in their Sunday best, a whole bunch of different-sized and shaped Hereford cows, bulls and calves, including me with a trophy for my 4-H cow-calf project with Millie and whatever bull calf she had that year. 

I also thumbed through horse-show and fair photos from the old fairgrounds and some from various Appaloosa shows in the region when my folks were involved with the breed.  

Lots of photos of our stallion Fancy Pants and various stages of development of my mother's beloved and beautiful mare Cricket, always noticeable with her four white stockings and the wide white strip in her face. 

There were family gatherings and birthday parties always accented by balloons and beautifully decorated cakes.  

The box included Christmas scenes and not-so-good scenic snaps of road trips to Montana. 

Last night's experience gave me yet another opportunity to go back and smile about oh so many good memories with our family and friends. 

For today's Thursday Throwbacks, I picked out a few from the box and added some more from a scrapbook. 

Longtime locals will probably recognize some of the stars of these photos. 

Ardis Racicot on world famous Appaloosa foundation stallion Toby I ApHC #203. 

My stepfather Harold Tibbs owned Toby and showed him at the first National Appaloosa Show, taking home some of the major awards. 

Later, when he married my mother, Harold gave Toby to Ardis, who lived about half a mile from us on North Boyer. 

Ardis continued to show Toby. The stallion died in his 30s and is buried on the ground where Racicots had their small farm. It has since turned into a development property. 

This was Cricket as a baby.  When our mother passed away, we used photos of her riding Cricket for her memorials. 

She loved that mare and always rode her with a great sense of pride. 

What else can I say?  They're dang cute and they are ours:  Annie and Willie. 

May I say I'm proud of them?

I am. 

My niece Maureen. Love this photo of her in her pretty red dress. 

I always said she reminded me of Laura on "Little House on the Prairie." 

This busy little farm girl became a world traveler:  Annie Love

I love this photo of my two older brothers, Kevin in chair and Mike standing. 

I'm not sure if it was taken when we still lived on Euclid or if it was after we moved to North Boyer. 

The shoebox of history held this class photo from Lincoln School's third grade class with Miss Young. 

Most of these kids graduated from Sandpoint High in 1964.  

Recognize any of them?

Just couldn't resist this photo (I think it was part of a Christmas card) of the little "angels" of our extended family.  

I don't know if these first cousins, the Skelton's, are still angels who kneel down in their PJ's  to pray every night, but they are nice people. 

Lots of photos taken at different times when brother Mike was attending West Point, where he graduated in 1966. 

Finally, Pearl. 

Just loved this lady and spent some quality time with her at Arabian horse shows.  She was the most beautiful rider and had unbelievably beautiful parade saddles and bridles. 

She was also very funny:  Pearl Irwin from Hayden Lake and later, Careywood.
    
Finally, it's GAME DAY!

6 p.m. PST on CBS Sports Network  

158 DISH or 221 DirecTV

GO, ZAGS

The paper says ESPN2, so check there also.