Ahhh, Friday

 

I could see blue sky in the dawn this morning, as well as tracks.

Some nice weather ahead after all that rain. 

It's cold enough out here in Selle that the little bit of precipitation overnight turned white. 

And, it's not that bad. 

So, it's gonna be a great Friday. 

Bill will go to Panhandle Special Needs today and pick out this year's Christmas tree. 

I realized that I could put the tree up any ol' time since it will be outside on the deck. 

When the trees are inside, they don't go up until after Dec. 15.  With our wood heat, they dry out quickly and the carpet eventually has a new carpet of needles.

So, with the improved weather, I'm looking forward to spending some time outside with decorating today. 

Yesterday was "teeth floating" day at Roxane's. 

Talk about meticulous organization. The retired Marine sergeant and the vet team knew how to keep the action going like clockwork.

 Not much more than a blink or two, it seemed, and two of my three horses had their teeth smoothed up, and Lefty even received a nasal cleanse for his runny eyes. 

Lefty and CB had their first-ever floating while Dr. Grace said Lily can wait until spring. 

The best part of the day was the realization of more of the benefits of boarding at Roxane's.  

Not only does she take an extraordinary interest in all the horses, but the horse owners at the stable are fun, caring and helpful. 

Everyone pitched in, it seemed, leading horses here and there, into stalls and out.  

In addition, everyone had a good time gabbing while Dr. Grace, her tech Suzie and a soon-to-be veterinarian Eli from WSU veterinary school teamed up to prep and to do the dental work on each horse. 

Dr. Grace worked as a mentor to Eli, a Western Washington native who grew up on a dairy farm.

Twas a fun and fast morning filled with satisfaction about the horses care and excitement of meeting new and old friends who are regulars at the stable.

As I said to one owner friend, this is just like assisted care for horses and people. The horses get the care while the people get to socialize with their contemporaries.   

 

In other news, our resident flicker had to be rescued the other day.  I'd like to know its story of just how it managed to get inside the greenhouse, but it did.

We could hear and see that it was downright frantic as we walked by the building. 

As with birds in the greenhouse on past occasions, the crazy captives have a hard time figuring out that when the door is open, they can go out. 

Each exit is prefaced by several scenes of birds bouncing off the walls and the ceiling. In some cases, I have to actually catch them and let them loose outside the door. 

A bird the size of a flicker, beak and all can be pretty intimidating as it darts back and forth past the human trying to rescue it. 

I admit to being a bit nervous about the possibility of that flicker aiming right at me.  I've seen what those beaks can do on the insulation inside our shop. 

Fortunately, the bird figured its pathway out, and all was well.  

Eli and Suzie from Sandpoint Area Veterinary Emergency (S.A.V.E) and Lefty. 

I loved this scene late yesterday afternoon on top of a roof on Baldy Road. 

Multiply what you see by about three, and you'll have an idea how many turkeys were hanging out in a field on my way to town yesterday. 

Bill brought this gorgeous wreath home from the office this week.  It's hanging on the garden fence so we can see it out the kitchen window. 

Lots of Santa sightings these days.  The Santa below resides at Sweet Lou's in Athol. 

Finally, today includes another Sandpoint High girls basketball game AND another big test for the Bulldogs. 

The team, now 4-0, tips off against Post Falls, another 5A school, tonight at 7 p.m. in Les Rogers Gym.

The more the merrier, and the Bulldogs will love seeing lots of fans in the gym.

GO, BULLDOGS !!!