Slight Detour: Thursday This, That; Throwbacks

It's the last time we'll see much of the 20s for several days. Right now, it's 22 and snowing. The high for today will go to 24, and at noon, it will begin to drop.

By tomorrow morning at this time, the thermometer could be reading minus 14 degrees.

So, these are the beginning hours of the Big Freeze of 2024.

This is when I'm loving our wood stove because if we keep it fed, the stove keeps the house nice and toasty.

I'm also looking forward to taking pictures over the next few days. Clear and COLD may be uncomfortable, but it's also a perfect time to catch some amazing winter photography.

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In other news, I spent a little time over at Roxane's yesterday. The original aim was to take a sack of grain and go say hello to the horses.

BUT some of the "ladies of the barn" were there, and they insisted that I go get one of my horses and join them in the arena.

"I'm not quite ready to ride them yet," I said, knowing that they're still getting used to the indoor arena with all the mirrors.

Helen said I could just lead one around and visit with Mary Jo and her, so I did.

CB was waiting at the gate. Lefty came to the gate and was feeling a bit miffed when CB got the nod.

So, I enjoyed another brief segment of my new life of visiting my horses and the added benefit of visiting with some really nice and welcoming people.

Then, it was back home for a while waiting for Debbie to pick me up and take me to the game. Bill had a Trout Unlimited meeting so he would join us later at the game.

Once again, it was a fun experience, especially because Emma and Brandon came. It's been over a year since I've seen them so 'twas fun catching up.

Brandon has completed his Bachelor's and is starting on his Master's Degree at the University of Montana, while Emma who got a later start is halfway through her classes for a Bachelors with a 4.0 gpa.

Brandon, who played in Sunday's FSC college National Championship game, says he'll be playing one more year for the Grizzlies.

I also spent some time with a Bonners Ferry fan, whom I've known from afar most of my adult life. We're the same age and we both spent a career as educators.

I knew Dan Meeker's late sister Pat personally (wonderful lady) and always knew of Dan as I saw him at athletic events over the years.

It was fun to sit with him for a few minutes and do a little individual family bragging.

Dan's grandson plays on the Bonners Ferry boys team (ranked second in Idaho in its division) which defeated the Sandpoint boys last night. Of course, I loved telling him about Willie.

And, for my Bonners Ferry friend Linda Alt, we had our picture taken.

The girls' game went very well for Sandpoint, and our behind-the-bench cheering section enjoyed its usual good time.