Humphreys’s hometown project is inviting, a reminder of Thoreau’s wisdom that: “It matters not where or how far you travel — the farther commonly the worse — but how much alive you are.”
Now seems like a ripe time for neighborhood micro-exploration: In winter, the landscape is denuded; each segment of tree branch and skyline available for scrutiny.
--New York Times Newletter, Feb. 3, 2024
https://www.noemamag.com/a-single-small-map-is-enough-for-a-lifetime/?src=longreads
As an opener this morning, prove that you are not a robot.
Which pictures were not taken in North Idaho fog?
Okay, with that assignment done, we'll move on to the fact that my daughter Annie took some of the photos.
She flew to San Diego yesterday for a weekend adventure with geocaching friends.
Not the best time to go to San Diego, at least, with this weekend's major wet-weather event.
She apparently was not washed away because later, while I was sloshing through wet grass and some major puddles in our pasture along the lane, I sent her a text, telling her to take some good pictures that I could steal for today's blog.
"Haven't seen a ton today," she texted, "It was raining off and on leaving San Diego."
"Looks better than mud, snow and fog," I responded.
Annie was actually escaping the rain and headed to Yuma, Arizona.
And, so my afternoon interlude of walking the soggy, wet pasture included connecting with the outside world hundreds of miles away.
The rain had stopped, and it was fairly warm as I walked and looked for anything that might make a decent photo.
Sometimes, what we deem as ugly because of weather, actually turns out okay as a picture for telling our daily stories.
And, I did enjoy myself out there for those few minutes in spite of the fact that it wasn't filled with postcard perfect visuals.
This morning when I saw the quote above, I thought about my time outside yesterday and how I did enjoy all the little things I saw while walking on squishy ground or sloshing through standing water.
There is a benefit to those times because they tend to enhance our powers of observation, thus evolving into little mini adventures for an otherwise blah day.
I love our 20 acres of earth because of just that.
Opportunities lie right before our eyes, if we just take time to look.
So today, I did read the story mentioned in the New York Times newsletter (link above), it reminded me of the times I go outdoors to reinvigorate my senses.
Adrenalin flowed as I read each sentence and took time to absorb each little nugget of wisdom and adventure in Humphrey's documentation of an adventure taken not far from his home in England.
The experience didn't cost him much, except a banged up car from going off a road, but the visuals he came upon and possible stories to go with each were invaluable.
The piece is beautifully written and rich with artistic, wonder-filled images popping out of a seemingly nondescript landscape.
Well worth the read.
Also, this morning, another fun read about one of Willie's basketball players.
Lily has been an automatic favorite of mine, simply because her name is Lily---like my mare and my grandmother after whom my mare was named.
Her name also seems apt for this vibrant, talented and fully involved young woman with her beautiful and automatic smile.
Since we have a family member who graduated from a service academy, it's always fun to read about the next locals who will have the opportunity.
Enjoy, and Happy Saturday.
https://bonnercountydailybee.com/news/2024/feb/03/local-sets-sights-on-naval-academy/
For quite some time, ZAGS player Ben Gregg's dad Matt has been posting childhood pictures of his "Little Ben Gregg."
I thought today's version was especially worth sharing because we've all got to flex our spirit muscles for tonight's game between the ZAGS and the St. Mary's Gaels.
At this point, it's probably the most meaningful game of the ZAGS' season. In the grand scheme of March Madness opportunities, the stakes are high for both teams.
BTW: Little Ben Gregg has Sandpoint connections. His uncle Karl Dye served as a county commissioner and executive director of the Bonner County Economic Development Corporation before moving to the Tri-Cities.
Karl's wife and Ben's aunt is the former Tiffany Dowling, a Sandpoint High graduate and daughter of my favorite banker ever, Bill Dowling.
Tonight's game, which will be fought out in the Kennel in Spokane, begins at 7:30 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN.
GO, ZAGS!!! And, Little Ben!
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