Good Bye, August

Last day of August, first day back for teachers here in Lake Pend Oreille School District 84 AND a revival of the "Ha! Ha! We don't have to go to school" potluck for SHS retired staff. 

Life is moving on rather quickly this week with something going on every day. 

We visited with my brother Kevin and his wife Joyce last night.  

My cousin from Chicago is coming tomorrow night and I'm finishing up on some details of the story that has kept me busy for a couple of weeks.

This is truly a "not enough time in the day" kind of week, but it's all been and will continue to be fun. 

Yesterday afternoon I took some time to drive up to one of my favorite spots for picture-taking:  McArthur Lake along the highway to Bonners Ferry.

As I drove closer to the turn-off, I could clearly see the plume from a forest fire up to the northwest. Seems Boundary County is getting its share of fires. 

Of course, we're all hoping the hot, hot days ahead don't lead to any more.  We've been so fortunate this year to have a relatively quiet summer in the fire and smoke department.  

 Foster came along with me, on the afternoon getaway. We left the car and walked down a trail on the east side of the lake where the lili-pad show and glistening water were both breath-taking.

When we came back, a white pickup had parked near the car.  I could see two guys preparing their fishing gear.  

As I stepped closer to the Subaru, one smiled at me, so I said hi and asked them what they'd be fishing for in the lake.  They said probably bass. 

As the conversation continued, one mentioned that they were stationed at a military base in Washington and that they were medics. 

I asked if they were from Fort Lewis, to which they said yes. 

So then I told them my brother Mike, a West Point graduate lived near the base in DuPont. 

Immediately, one responded with the fact that he and his wife also live in DuPont.  

It's a small bedroom community, so I told him about Mike's daily dog walks around DuPont.  

"Does he wear a broad brimmed hat?" the soldier asked.  

"Yes," I answered. 

"I always see him out walking his dog," he said.  Then he asked if I had a picture of my brother, just to make sure.  

When I found one and enlarged Mike's face, my new friend said, "That's him."

Another small world experience, and I'm sure Mike will be meeting a new friend one of these days when he's out walking Molly. 

The brief visit with the two very nice young men reminded me of the great and wonderful spontaneity that random life moments can bring.  

And, when I'm out taking pictures, these interludes usually unfold in the best of ways. 

Plus, McArthur Lake provided its usual beautiful scenes. 

As noted, it's a busy day ahead.  

Enjoy the photos.  Also topping off today's post is a video shot in 2017 offering a pretty nice "feel good" moment.  

Enjoy. 

Happy Wednesday. 

 

Booking at Pack River Store

 

My cup runneth over with oodles of fun with this wonderful group of new/old friends last night. 

Almost a year ago, friend Charity Russell asked if I'd talk to her book club about my most recent book Lessons with Love.  

Charity sets up the book club schedule for the entire year, so she suggested that I join them for a gathering at the end of August, since the school year would be starting. 

Since I hadn't done a book event in probably five years or more and because the date was such a long way off at the time, I weakened and said yes. 

My reluctance to do these events stems from a number of situations---always a nervous stomach beforehand and just too much time anticipating and stressing out over the need to do a good job. 

But it was Charity who had asked, and, though I haven't known her long, I know her family history very well and have totally enjoyed our chance encounters over the past few years. 

So, that's why I agreed to talk about the book which includes a collection of stories about my teaching career.  

In the early days of promoting the book, we said it included "the good, the bad, the ugly and the hilarious of teaching." 

Up until late afternoon yesterday, I was feeling pretty laid back about the gathering.  The calmness was a total surprise to me, but, lo and behold, around three o'clock, the good ol' anticipatory anxiety and nervous gut teamed up, making me wonder why I ever said yes. 

Well, such unnecessary stress it was, I found, the minute I arrived at Pack River Store and met Charity and her daughter Kendall. 

It would be okay, Charity assured me, adding that "most of the group is my family."  

Well, that revelation put to rest most of my concern Then, as they filtered through the door, familiarity reigned supreme and all worries were forgotten. 

The glass of Chardonnay helped too. 

So much fun from start to finish as Zanthia Thompson Timblin introduced herself to me. We both agreed it had been 57 years since we last saw each other.

 Zanthia attended Lincoln School, as did her brother,  Craig, one of a long line of boys I thought might be nice to marry during my adolescent years. 

Zanthia, a nurse, and her husband lived for several years in Alaska but now reside in Hope. 

Kitty Timblin Russell (Charity's mom), Kitty's sister Mary and Mary's daughter Haden (pictured directly below) walked into the restaurant.  Probably another 80 years combined since I'd seen those two sisters. 

First time for Haden, and, later, when I mentioned that my daughter Annie works for the company that runs the geocaching website, Haden said one of her friends with whom she'd worked at the Woodland Park Zoo did something with geocaching and travels a lot. 

A text message to Annie revealed that Haden's friend works with Annie.  

Kitty and I had some catching up to do because she and her husband, the late Jack Russell, lived in my folks rental house on the old Harney dairy.  

When Kitty married Jack and came home from her honeymoon, she saw a sign on the outside of the little house, indicating it was now "the Long Branch Saloon." 

I also met Charity's cousin Bridget (second photo below), who works at the Bonner County Daily Bee, and two women, not related to the Timblin family, with the exception of the book club. 

Mary Jo works at Schweitzer with Charity and Wendy, a former researcher at the University of Idaho who skis at Schweitzer, rounded out the group. 

The evening sped by quickly with introductions, reminiscing and tales of people's individual lives. 

Oh yeah, we also enjoyed some lively discussion about the book.

This morning I'm thinking back on the gathering and wondering why those nerves always drive me so crazy before an event because afterward, I'm always so thrilled with the experience. 

Thanks so much, Charity, for all your planning and your phenomenal hospitality. 

Twas a wonderful evening, and, as always, the food at Pack River Store was excellent. 

Happy Tuesday. 

Beautiful Upper Pack

 

The stars lined up.

Well, we couldn't see too many stars in the brilliant blue and white sky yesterday afternoon when we drove to Upper Pack River, but we sure all agreed that conditions were close enough to perfect as we could get. 

No smoke. 

No wind.

Not much dust. 

No gray, hanging clouds covering the spectacular rocky peaks of the Selkirks.

Not too hot; not too cold.  

A whole lotta PRETTY. 

Even some waves and smiles from 4-wheeler passengers and other rigs on the road. 

In fact, I'd say Sunday, Aug. 28, 2022, had to be the prettiest time I've ever experienced in Upper Upper Pack River. 

Plus, we brought a few huckleberries home. 

Berry picking was the original mission but "pretty" got in the way. 

Bill wanted Barbara and Laurie to see the Beehive, which, we both believe, really oughta have something about wasp nests in its moniker.

That's okay, though. 

The peak, a huge rock slab, accented with neatly arranged alpine timber rising from a skirt of rich, green grass, put on a spectacular show, so there was plenty of buzz down below from the folks eyeing its magnificence with awe. 

We walked down a tricky trail and stood by a crystal clear creek. 

We took a lot of pictures. 

We picked a few berries. 

Bill and I picked fewer than Barbara and Laurie because we were sidetracked by a mama grouse and her three babies. 

She didn't seem to mind our presence, nor did the babies.  Mama simply found a good perch to watch over her kids, occasionally speaking to them in a quiet warble. 

All the while this strange thing with two legs and camera inched closer. 

It was a nice photo session in the midst of thick brush and rocks and lots of clandestine spots to trip an old fart.

But I managed to stay upright throughout, even IF I was wearing two different brands of hiking shoes.

Guess I'd better get that cataract surgery cuz I thought I grabbed a proper pair from the closet. 

What an afternoon! 

The more I think of the sheer beauty and pleasure of the outdoors which we experienced yesterday, I'm getting speechless. 

So, will leave it at that:  a gorgeous day in the mountains and a few berries in the buckets. 

Happy Monday. 

B-r-r-r-r!

 

It's cold outside, and I've turned the heater on next to where I'm sitting.

No frost but definitely cold enough that I wished I had worn my gloves outside this morning. 

The cold is temporary, though, cuz I see that we have a couple more 90-degree days mid-week. 

Mother Nature is just giving us a reminder that it's cold a lot longer than it's warm around here. 

I'll just take moderation, please.

This has been a writing weekend for meeting a deadline, so I don't have a lot to report. 

Sit at the computer, read information, then write.  When the brain has had enough, go outside and do something.  

Later, come back to the computer, read more information and write some more.

These routines happened several times yesterday. 

My go-outside and do something sessions involved mowing the lawn, cleaning up a saddle and just walking around enjoying what turned out to be a pretty pleasant day.  

I'll probably do some of the same today, but there's enough light at the end of the writing tunnel that Bill and I may go to the mountains this afternoon. 

To make up for nuttin' much to say, I've included a few tidbits of Irish humor and wisdom, sent by friend and editor Helen. 

Hope you enjoy. 

Happy Sunday.  

 

My big roping saddle has been collecting dust this year, so I spent some time removing most of the dust yesterday. 

These iphone cameras, though, pick up more details than we can see with the naked eye.  Looks like another cleaning in the artistic nooks and crannies is in order.