Monday, May 06, 2024

Monday Miscellany

 


Such beauty from something we generally consider a nuisance. 


We drove away from the rain yesterday.

It did finally start here after a dry, cloudy and pleasant morning.  

I was surprised to see it coming to us from the east, which is not very common.

Usually our storms come in over Schweitzer. 

We had already planned that if it was pouring rain, we would take off for a drive. 

By the time Bill arrived home from church, the rain had begun. 

So, we loaded up and decided upon taking the Bull Lake loop, which yesterday included driving along the north side of the lake through Hope and Clark Fork and then into Montana. 

When it was time for the dogs to have a potty break, we stopped at a boat launch/picnic ground next to Bull River.  

And, the rain let up. Doggies enjoyed sniffing and Bill read the signs, which he's probably read several times before. 

Then, it was on through Bull Lake country and Troy where the rain had completely stopped. 

We noticed all along the highway that there's a library election over in that area, and the signs promoting the facility are ubiquitous. 

If it's the library in Troy, I actually spent some quality time there for a book event several years ago. Good luck to the citizenry.  I hope the library issue passes. 

Upon our arrival in Troy, we drove to Roosevelt park, which is a well designed, pleasant and pretty multi-use area along the Kootenai River. 

People, dogs and Canada geese frequent the area. The people and dogs are much more discriminant about where they leave signs of their presence, so lots of meandering around goose poop piles. 

  We were rewarded with the sight of a mother goose and her crop of goslings. 

The family, along with Dad, entered the river and actually swam over my way.  Mom and Dad had to do some directing, but the babies did okay in the water.

Our Cinco de Mayo was topped off with a bite to eat and a beer at Kootenai Brewing Co.  Plus, we enjoyed some great visiting with longtime family friend Cal who has run Boundary Tractor forever, it seems. 

Cal also volunteers substantial time to the Boundary Museum. It's always great to see the guy who remembers every detail of long ago happenings and visits.  He also has good stories to tell about the Kubota tractor he sold my dad---first one in the area. 

I believe I'm correct in telling that Cal sold that tractor several times after Harold was finished with it. 

A little later, the Brisboy sisters came into the restaurant.  I hadn't seen Debbie for nearly 50 years.  As former Cedar Post staff members at Sandpoint High, we swapped a few journalism stories and caught up on life in general. 

The visits at the Brewing Company added a nice bonus to an already pleasant, relaxing and almost-rainless day. 

We were mostly successful in driving away from the wet stuff until we headed south from Bonners Ferry on HWY 95. 

This morning it continues, but, as I walked the dogs in a cold, wet wind this morning, I thought about 70-degree temps coming up in just a few days. 

I also thought about lilacs blooming and iris bursting open with their beauty and finishing up the planting process for veggies and other posies. 

My morning and evening routines will gradually change as I get the horses' tummies acclimated to  green grass instead of hay.  

That may start as soon as tomorrow.  When it does, they'll get a big breakfast of hay in the barnyard and then, with full bellies, go to pasture. 

We always have to be very careful in the spring to see that they don't suffer colic from the change. 

Soon, the routine will involve the six trips a day up and down the lane, leading a horse each time.

And, since I'm dealing with another knee-pain flare-up, I'm hoping those trips go well. 

Busy and even more colorful times ahead. 

Happy Monday. 

 




Bridie schlumps, just like her mom. 

Just kidding. 

Bridie purposely placed the piece of horse hoof on her paw to take a break from chewing. 



It will be nice to not have to push a cart full of hay around the barnyard when the horses go to pasture. 







Our beloveds, enjoying a Sunday outing. 

They're well-behaved kids.  No fighting in the back seat. 





When you live on a dirt road, and it looks like this in May, life is pretty good. 


All dead leaves have finally vanished from the oak tree to make way for new and gloriously beautiful life. 




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