Seeing Green; Et. Al.

 

Where's Foster in that sea of green?

We love our Border Collies 24-7 all year long, but we feel the passion even more while watching them run and play across green fields. 

Those opportunities are increasing by the day as the grass begins to grow and turn green. 

Bill has been gone since Sunday.  He's attending his annual Family Forest Landowners gathering in Moscow. 

He'll be home tonight.

Meanwhile, the dogs and I have enjoyed some bonding time both indoors and outdoors. 

Lots of snoozing for them indoors while I watch TV.  Last night's television viewing involved women's college basketball, which was topped off by Gonzaga playing Utah. 

Bill watched from his venue in Moscow, while Willie and Debbie were in the Kennel for the game. I watched from the couch. 

What an epic game it was!  

As the commentators noted, the best from both teams showed up and played their hearts out. 

It's just amazing to watch the skill and ease demonstrated by Utah's Alissa Pili as she methodically attends to her job and hits basket after basket from under the rim and and from far outside. 

She scored 35 points in last night's loss to Gonzaga.

  The ZAGS ran on all cylinders last night sinking three-pointer after three pointer in a packed and loud McCarthey Athletic Center. 

Two great teams duked it out, and, happily, for the ZAG Nation, the Bulldogs now move on to the Sweet Sixteen, just like the men. 

Bill told me this morning on the phone that both teams play Friday.  Let's hope both teams will play after Friday too. 

For now, we fans are prouder than ever of the program that develops these players, sticks with the plan and entertains us throughout the winter months.

Gonzaga basketball is an amazing treasure for the Inland Northwest and beyond.  

And, then, this morning, we read about the dark side of the local NCAA tournament. 

According to reports, after one night, the Utah's women's basketball team had to switch to a different hotel in Spokane after experiencing a series of racist comments aimed at the team at their original hotel in Coeur d'Alene. 

In her post-game press comments, the Utah coach Lynn Roberts expressed dismay and shock at these incidents. 

"For our players and staff to not feel safe in an NCAA tournament environment, it's messed up . . .so we moved hotels . . . it was a distraction . . . upsetting and unfortunate . . when it is supposed to be a joyous experience.  

To have such a black eye on the experience is unfortunate." 

This is both sad and maddening to learn that once again a portion of our population here in North Idaho feels the need to perpetuate the reputation for hateful behavior that has permeated this area for years. 

I'm sad because such incidents are so unnecessary, unproductive, disturbing and downright despicable. 

My first thoughts:  will we see this area hosting NCAA tournaments in the future? 

It is definitely an unfortunate black mark on an event that brought so much joy in so many ways to Spokane and the surrounding area. 

Just my opinion, but I don't think I'm alone.

From Australia . . . photos by Annie Love

Annie spent most of the day driving, so her range of photos is a bit limited today.  Tomorrow, she hikes in the Snowy Mountains. 

Today was mostly a driving day through some beautiful countryside. Did stop to grab an EarthCache at Three Sisters before leaving the Blue Mountains. Saw lots of warning signs for kangaroos, wombats and even koalas, but have only seen roadkill versions of each so far.

Stay tuned.