Slight Detour: A Three-Bob Day; Ponderettes, Wolves

“I also think that, personally, less is more. I think we see so much today of people ripping their clothes off and eating each other, basically, that it doesn’t mean anything anymore. I think we’ve become inured to that.

What’s most powerful is sometimes the simplest.”

--Actress Glenn Close

Glenn Close was talking about her friend "Bob" during a CNN interview yesterday.

She had been asked by Brianna Keillor about "the kiss," in the movie The Natural where she played opposite Robert Redford.

Apparently at some time, the actress had referenced the moment as the best kiss ever in her career, so Brianna asked her to comment.

I loved her response and chuckled.

That was the first "Bob" of the day.

Later, after the interview, I heard the doorbell ring.

Nancy, who works as a senior companion, stood on the deck at the door and announced that Bob Gooby was here. She had brought him for a visit.

So, I grabbed some chairs, and we sat in the shade gabbing away for about an hour. It was SO good to see Bob looking so good.

He has had a rough few months after a branch "clotheslined" him while he was mowing his lawn. The impact caused an injury to his spine.

So Bob spent considerable time in therapy and wearing a brace. Happily, the problem has healed so he can take the brace off whenever he wishes.

During our conversation, Bob told me that he'll be 90 next week, Sept. 23, to be exact. So, anyone reading this who knows Bob, send him a card. I know he'll appreciate it.

Plus, I think his brother Pat needs to acknowledge the occasion in one of his one-liner letters to the editor. Tell Pat that Marianne says he has an assignment.

I've known Bob and his Gooby family since I was a little girl, so every time I get to visit with him is special. And, to see him doing so well was really special.

The third Bob came wheeling into the driveway on his bike and wearing his florescent vest around dusk last evening.

Twas Bob Libbey who lives over on North Kootenai Road. I had Foster on the pickup tailgate, clipping his nails when I heard, "Hi, Marianne," and looked up to see Bob.

Bob and Ginny Libbey and I started working for Bonner County School District 82 in the fall of 1969. The Libbey's had already taught a couple of years, while that was my first year.

We worked our way through our careers in our respective schools. Bob and Ginny were elementary teachers, while I taught high school.

Years later, after our move to Selle, we ended up in the same neighborhood.

Bob and I visited for a while, and then I sent him on down the lane to visit with Bill who knew Bob well because of his Northside School participation in the annual State Forestry contest.

And, so ended a three-Bob day, all dealing with really good Bob's too.

Bob and Nancy during our visit yesterday.

I’m sitting at the boys’ varsity soccer game and the dance team performed at halftime. Derek D announced that the team has gone nostalgic and renamed themselves the Ponderettes . . . . I love our small town.

--Melanie Almeida

After seeing the last "Bob" of the day, I went inside and checked my iPhone where the message above appeared in my email.

Of course, Melanie, a former student, knew that I had spent several years as the Sandpoint High Ponderettes drill team adviser, so she thought I'd enjoy the news she had witnessed.

Yes, I did, and I told her that all past Ponderettes will be thrilled to know that their group name has been revived.

Also, I'm looking forward to sitting back and watching some Ponderette performances, totally stress free as a "former" Ponderette adviser.

The garden is still producing. This was yesterday's harvest. I pulled only a few carrots cuz I want the rest to keep growing and avoiding any vole cropping.

And, Mama and her baby are still passing through the yard pretty much every day.

I've been spending some time at my "Wolf Crossing" sign given to me many years ago by the Book family. It still brings a few smiles when I think of why they gave it to me.

There's a story in my second book Postcards from Potato Land, which features a few members of the Book family who came to the rescue after I thought I saw a wolf on a rainy day while delivering "Inlander" newspapers and getting stuck in the mud while pursuing said wolf.

You just have to read the story to appreciate the full meaning of the sign.

Anyway, it's on a post next to the new power pole Northern Lights installed a few days ago. I've been removing the dirt pile and watching out for wolves.

So far, no sightings but a lot less dirt to clean up.

Happy Wednesday.