Slight Detour: New Chapter; TBT

Some call it horse boarding, while I tend to think it could also be known as "assisted living OF horses" FOR elderly horse owners.

Whatever it's called, a new era has begun.

I've already received a brief report from Roxane that CB thought he might die when Lefty left him, but with some dinner, CB was okay.

The two had been together in a pen since mid-afternoon at a new place.

Lefty had stayed at Roxane's before when he was younger and she spent a couple of weeks riding him.

Lily stayed in a pen by herself and did her best to assert her authority over the horse in the pen next to her. The resident horse didn't seem too fazed.

So, Lily, Lefty and CB made it through the night, and I've enjoyed my first morning of extra time.

Twas a good morning for not having to do chores because some substantial rain came overnight and continues to fall.

I told Bill that boarding the horses at a facility where others board their beloveds kinda reminded me of the first day at college, when all the sudden you are meeting other people's horses and the people themselves.

And, you're joining a new "tribe."

Two other horses came about the same time we hauled ours over to Roxane's.

Their owner is 77, and she's boarding for pretty much the same reason I am: her body will no longer stand for cleaning stalls and fighting the winter elements.

Janet moved to a beautiful farm in the Selle Valley about seven years ago from Houston. Yesterday she brought her purebred Egyptian Arabian and her half-Arabian-half Paint. They know the territory at Roxane's because they've stayed winters there before.

Both are handsome horses, and Janet seems like a very nice lady. She told me that boarding her horses has been very positive for her emotional and physical well being.

I'll be spending the next few weeks attaching names to faces of both horses and their owners, and I'm looking forward to the social aspect of being part of a boarding facility.

One of the family outlaws has even mentioned coming and riding with me over the winter, so I think it's gonna mean a new lease on life, especially for winter time.

This morning, Bridie and I went outside a little later than usual and walked around the shop. I promised her that tomorrow, if it's raining, I'll bring her ball along.

So, we're adjusting and it's all good for all concerned.

I'm actually almost looking forward to the winter months for the first time in years.

In other news, while the two-legged trick or treaters were getting their candy, the four-legged Bambi's were doing the same.

Yesterday I found one pumpkin on the ground next to the manure spreader.

Deer do a pretty good job on carving out the innerds of pumpkins.

I'm anxious to see this morning if they continued where they left off.

With the rain today, I'm planning to peel some apples and maybe make an apple pie or two.

It will be a great day for catching up on other indoor stuff. Part of Bill's "to do" list is to set out the mouse traps.

I saw one scurry across the garage when I opened the door this morning. We're assuming the rain drove them inside, so we'll do our best to cut the numbers and deter any other invaders.

Thursday Throwbacks from the photo library.

Coach Duane "Woody" Ward, Coach Will Love and Coach Bobby Knight

With the death of college basketball legend (some good, some not so good) Bobby Knight yesterday, it seemed appropriate to include this photo.

Coaches Duane Ward and Will Love got to meet him at a coaching clinic in Las Vegas a few years ago.

I remember receiving the photo via text and had no idea that Willie had gone anywhere until responding to the photo.

"What's Bobby Knight doing in Sandpoint?" I texted back.

My brother Mike posted some thoughts on him on Facebook overnight:

RIP, Bobby Knight. On his passing, I prefer to remember the good things about Bobby Knight.

He was a basketball genius. I've never forgotten his Army NIT teams...teams which competed credibly against the best college teams in the nation.

One game that I've never forgotten was the Army--San Francisco game at the 1966 NIT. Army's tallest player, Mike Silliman, was 6'7". He was our star.

In the second round of the NIT, Mike tore a ligament in his knee--a season ending injury. Our next tallest player was Bill Helkie at 6'5". Bill was an outside shooter, but this was before the days of the 3-point shot.

Our next game would be the Dons. They started two players at 6'10". Without Mike Silliman, most of us were resigned to a coming San Francisco slaughter.

Another Classmate by the name of Bob Siegle was our starting point guard. Knight was not in the least intimidated by the obvious advantages of the San Francisco team, then ranked in the top five in the nation.

His demeanor was one of absolute confidence. Ten minutes into the game, Army was leading 19-2. Madison Square Garden was in total shock.

Classmate Bill Helkie shot the lights out, finishing the game with 36 points--mostly shots that would be three-pointers in today's game. The final score was Army 80, San Francisco 63.

Thanks for the positive memories, Bobby Knight. RIP!

These gals were "spring chickens" when this photo was taken at a Women of Wisdom luncheon in 2011.

They turned 95 last week.

Happy Birthday, Mary and Marcella.

Mother with the Zavala family. Sally, who's my hairdresser, had styled Mother's hair that day. Sally's husband Joey is our plumber.

Sisters with Mother that same evening: Barbara, Marianne, Virginia and Laurie.

I'll never forget the barbecued ribs luncheon that used to be a part of the Mennonite Christmas crafts and baked goods sale near Bonners Ferry.

This guy truly enjoyed his ribs.

Above: Laurie's VW convertible.

Below: the Laumatia family at one of Willie's basketball games.

Above: Bill's first retirement. This was his party put on by the Idaho Dept. of Lands.

Bill likes to say that he retires every Friday while working for Inland Forest Management.

But they don't throw a party for him.

Below: one of Bonner County's historians, Marylyn Cork from Priest River. She's researched and written many a story.

Above and below: fun at a Western Pleasure family wedding a while back.

A Sandpoint High gathering a few years ago with Kari, sister Barbara and Jeralyn. All three are former students. And, Barbara eventually ended up being a colleague.

We three sisters didn't make the "records column" of the Daily Bee, but we still had fun during our brief time in jail.