When It Rains . . . .

We have one patch of snow left in the yard this morning, and, happily, that means all the slippery ice is gone too. 

The scene below pretty much depicts yesterday from start to finish:  WET. 

We ventured outside several times for short times because it was so wet.  We found that the woods was the best place to be because of the tree canopies filtering out a lot of the wet. 

I did go to my garden (above photo) to see how the lettuce covered with Costco jars was doing. 

It is growing slowly, but it has not been affected by freezing temperatures---so far, that is. 

It will be neat in a few weeks to pull up a jar and see if we can snip off some fresh lettuce--mid winter. 

The forecast this week calls for high percentages of rain, but Mother Nature is taking a break this morning, and it's been pretty pleasant outside. 

Also, we must have missed the intense wind storm.  We had more of a breeze, and maybe it was enough to blow away most of the standing water. 

Bare and almost dry ground looked really inviting this morning. 

These are definitely "rainy-day" gingersnaps, as I spent a couple of hours baking and frosting them. 

The cookie supply for Christmas gift plates is almost complete.  

I might bake one more batch and then call it good.

 

Bridie headed down the lane this morning.  Green grass has once again emerged.

Update on Foster:  the little guy is improving every day but still has a tilt and occasionally walks in circles. 

 We are thrilled with the care that Dr. Kelly from Center Valley Vets has shown us, even calling on a Sunday morning to see how he's doing and providing us some additional meds that may ease that tilt to his head. 

This photo was taken the afternoon before he had his sudden attack of idiopathic canine vestibular disease aka old-dog vertigo.

This bout has meant a lot of TLC, which little Foster appreciates.  As is customary for him, he's a trooper, and we're happy to see him getting back to normal. 

Speaking of the importance of "man's best friend":

from the New York Times morning newsletter

When Japanese children have a 

milestone birthday, many go to a shrine. It’s a rite of passage called Shichi-Go-San, or 7-5-3, for kids turning those ages.

Now, dogs are being honored, too. At some Shinto shrines, pets even outnumber children. Japan has one of the world’s lowest birthrates, but pet ownership is booming. 

A shrine in Tokyo now welcomes more than 350 pets for the ceremony each year, compared with about 50 children.

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Today's history column in the "Daily Bee" seemed like some of it could be yesterday's news. 

50 Years Ago

Sandpoint News-Bulletin

and Sandpoint Bee

Dec. 9, 1975 – RAINFALL BRINGS PROBLEMS 

About an inch of rain has fallen in the Sandpoint area, causing deterioration of roads and swelling of streams. 

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Wayne Likens ordered that children from Rapid Lightning, Gold Creek, and Upper Pack River be transported home this morning, after County Commissioner Henry Samuels advised him of culverts washing out on Gold Creek Road, and mud making travel difficult on Rapid Lightning and Upper Pack River roads. 

One bus driver said “if it stays like this, there is no way I can make it up Rapid Lightning tomorrow.”  

•••

BLACK ICE CAUSES ACCIDENTS 

Idaho State Patrol and the Bonner County Sheriff are investigating at least four vehicle mishaps as a result of hazardous driving conditions created by black ice. 

At least one was injured near Careywood when a car overturned, landing on its top. Other accidents were reported at Nesbitts [sic] Curve on Hwy 200 east of here, on Hwy 200 three miles east of Laclede, and at the Sagle Road/US 95 junction.  

•••

SANDPOINT MEN IN EXERCISE IN GERMANY 

Army PFC Rudolph J. Truppe, 19, son of Mr. and Mrs. William R. Truppe, 1501 Main, and Army Capt. Richard L. Olson, a 1963 SHS graduate and the son of Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd H. Olson, 422 S. Boyer, were recent participants in exercise Reforger in Germany. 

Pfc. Truppe is a truck driver in Co. D,  9th ENBN in Aschaffenburg, Germany. Capt. Olson commands Co. C, 13th COSCOM, 16th SG BN, Ft. Hood, Tex.  

  

75 Years Ago

Sandpoint News-Bulletin

Dec. 9, 1950 – NEWS FROM MORTON 

Mr. and Mrs. Bert Searfus and daughter and Mrs. Frank Searfus of Wrencoe were Thanksgiving guests at the James Peterson home. Mrs. Frank Searfus is a war bride from Germany and is now staying at Wrencoe while her husband is in Korea.  

Johnnie Fox and Glen Judge attended the sale of registered Shorthorn cattle at the O.K. stockyards in Sandpoint on Friday. 

The snowplow was busy plowing roads Saturday night but so much snow fell Sunday that everyone will be glad when the plow goes through again.  

Mrs. John Springer returned home Friday after a week in Sandpoint with her daughter, Mrs. Kenneth Coulston. 

Mrs. Coulston has a new baby daughter that is so tiny she must remain at the hospital several days longer before she can be taken home.  

•••

CATERING SERVICE OFFERED HERE 

Mrs. Bernice Piatt and Mrs. Ethel Kalb-Brown are opening a catering service in Mrs. Piatt’s home, 325 Euclid. Orders for small luncheons to full course dinners prepared by the partners will be delivered to the hostess. 

There is ample space in the Piatt home for small club meetings. To introduce their service, Mrs. Piatt and Mrs. Brown will serve Christmas shoppers luncheons at the Ann Foster gift shop on Saturdays through Dec. 23. 

They will also sell their specialties: homemade fruitcakes, candy and pastry.

For more information, visit the museum online at bonnercountyhistory.org.

John O' Neill and Annie

John O' Neill aka "Irish John" to us has met our family members in numerous settings. 

He knows Annie and our niece Iusitina through their Camino de Santiago experiences. 

Bill and I met John on one of our trips when we stayed in Drogheda, Ireland. And, we met again on another visit. 

Last April John met all immediate Love family members when we had dinner with him in beautiful Blackrock, Ireland. 

To say he's special would be an understatement.  How many newfound friends will sing "Shenandoah" a cappella in a dark car parked behind a restaurant? 

John did that solo performance for Bill and me the first time we met him. This spring he sang "Summertime" for the whole family after dinner and a Guinness at a Blackrock restaurant. 

John has sung at the Vatican and in several venues around Europe. 

When we saw him this last time, he had just returned from Belgium where his choir, the Clermont Chorale, had performed.  

Some people at the table nearby recognized him because they had attended the concert. 

Besides his musical talents, he is a very, very nice man. 

Well, you can imagine how excited Bill was yesterday morning when he found a link to the RTE Lyric FM Choirs For Christmas 2025 competition, which includes John's choir. 

Here's the link for the Clermont Chorale from Blackrock in County Louth, Ireland, singing for this year's competition.  

If you look at the photo, you'll see a blue arrow pointing to John. 

Also, the story below provides a nice overview of the group's impressive success. 

It's always a thrill to discover, while surfing online, the neat activities and accomplishments of our friends from Ireland. 

Hope you enjoy the choir. 

Happy Tuesday

https://www.rte.ie/radio/lyricfm/clips/22563036/

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Clermont Chorale is a community choir based in County Louth, drawing singers from Louth and neighbouring counties. Founded in 2003, the ensemble comprises 35–40 members and is led by Music Director Ronan Dennedy.

Over two decades, the choir has established a strong reputation for musical excellence, performing widely throughout County Louth and releasing a CD featuring highlights from its concerts.

The choir has enjoyed significant competitive success, notably at the Cork International Choral Festival, where it has won multiple awards across Contemporary, Church, and Jazz categories. It has also claimed the Tavanagh and Anderson trophies, as well as the John Watson Memorial Cup at the Portadown Festival, and achieved honours at festivals in Navan, Limerick and Derry.

Internationally, Clermont Chorale earned Silver at both the Verona (2008) and Prague (2010) International Festivals, and has completed acclaimed tours in New England, Germany, St. Petersburg and Rome.

In celebration of the choirs 20th anniversary, they commissioned a new work from emerging arranger Laura Shields, setting Peadar Ó Doirnín’s poem Úrchnoc Chéim Mhic Cáinte to music.

Recent highlights include participation in the 2024 Derry International Choir Festival and serving as chorus for Opera Collective Ireland’s production of Jonathan Dove’s church opera The Walk from the Garden, performed in cathedrals and churches across Armagh, Newry and Dundalk.

In December 2024, the choir won 1st Prize in the Community Choir category of RTÉ lyric FM’s “Choirs for Christmas” competition. In March 2025, Clermont Chorale performed in Belgium for St Patrick’s weekend, appearing at the Irish College Leuven, the Menin Gate in Ypres and the Island of Ireland Peace Park in Messines.

Clermont Chorale performs a wide range of repertoire spanning musical eras and styles and has frequently presented Irish premieres of contemporary choral works.

Its achievements over the past twenty years reflect the dedication of its founding members, the many singers who have joined since, a committed committee, imaginative artistic vision and, above all, a shared love of singing. Choir Director: Ronan Dennedy