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.