Music, Friends, Spirits Oh My!

 

We have some snow this morning. 

On both of my trips outside, the snow couldn't decide if it wanted to be slush or if a frozen version would be better. 

The in-between state was just fine in my mind because I could walk through it with relative ease and avoid getting my pant legs wet. 

Bill figures that slush will win out as the day unfolds.

Seeing the snow made me happy that I had raked up the majority of residue covering the lawn area after last week's wind storm. 

Nothing like doing yard work in December.  Seems like I may have made the same remark last December when we had another open winter. 

Anyway, maybe we'll have a white Christmas; maybe a green.  Who knows at this point. 

One of the highlights of a busy day yesterday was spending some time with my former colleagues and longtime friends, Rick and Ann Gehring. 

Rick has been dealing with health problems related to a stroke for some time, so it was uplifting to see his wonderful smile and enjoy some friendly banter with him. 

He was wearing his Gonzaga t-shirt and was visibly thrilled to see the ZAGS poster.  

We had a wonderful visit. 

Also, yesterday, while checking in on the ZAGS-Ducks game, it was for Bill, Annie and me to spend a couple of hours at Pour Authority in downtown Sandpoint listening to some amazing, seasoned musicians yesterday. 

Along with the music came the friendly faces, many of whom I've known for decades. 

Our niece Laura even walked in and surprised us. 

And, to my sisters:  Connor says to say hello. He's the one in the sweater sitting with Annie in one of the photos below. 

His parents, Ed and Karen, are principal members of the music group who offer three hours of Celtic music at Pour Authority on Sunday afternoons once a month. 

Connor had both of my sisters for teachers.  He's now a professor at Alford College in Upstate New York, and he's come home to spend a few days with his parents.  

Mike, on the base fiddle, used to ride horses with me when we were teenagers. 

Below:   Karen and Ed Robinson.

One of the co-owners of Pour Authority, Erin Brannigan. 

Below:  dogs are allowed at the beer hall. 

This one seemed to enjoy the experience. 

Ed took a break from playing to do some visiting.  He served as Bill's boss at the Idaho Department of Lands.  

He's also a talented artist who can be found with his paints, brushes and easels in the great outdoors capturing nature and accompanied by his Border Collie. 

Niece Laura who was up for the day from Plummer and her cousin Annie. 

Dr. Talitha Neher

She's a veterinarian and a gifted writer. 

Back in the 1990s, she endorsed the back cover of my first book Pocket Girdles as seen below. 

Below:  Jill, Nancy and Tom, all fun folks. 

As always, it was a great experience enjoying the music and mingling with numerous friends at Pour Authority. 

Today we have an inspector coming to see how the wood framing above the hole in the ceiling is drying. 

And, we'll get together with Willie and Debbie for a family Christmas evening.  They'll be going south to Boise where they'll spend Christmas with Debbie's family. 

Lots of hustle and bustle in between all these happenings. 

Happy Monday.