Slight Detour: Great Help, etc.

These two young men, Zak and Tyler, are amazing as workers and as genuinely nice human beings.

One can tell that when they walk into the barn and immediately go down the aisle to pet the horses.

Last year they worked for us and even came trick or treating. Plus, they're good conversationalists.

They're twins, upcoming juniors at Sandpoint High, and they are Idaho State-ranked high school wrestlers.

Yesterday, after working all day for Wood's Crushing and Hauling, they helped us out by loading and unloading a ton of hay, which I had purchased from Jack Filipowski to supplement the horses as our pastures dry up.

Very efficient operation and fun visiting with them.

To their parents, Scott and Tami, great job!

Overall, we feel blessed because, over the years, our family has enjoyed help from some wonderful young people in our neighborhood.

💙💚💛💜💙💚💛💜

Yellow carrot!

Oh my!

Maybe there are more waiting to surprise me beneath the ground.

I'm grateful that the underground pests have left the carrots alone so far.

This is the first time in years that I've planted them in the ground. The last time at least one third of every carrot had been eaten.

So, fingers crossed.

While I'm at it, does anyone have the best and most successful way to keep carrots over the winter, or must I freeze them?

Congratulations to Silken Thomas in Kildare, Ireland. We are thrilled that they won the award noted below.

For the past few years, Bill and I have stayed at Silken Thomas every time we've gone to Ireland.

In fact, the establishment in the center of Kildare (home to St. Brigid's Cathedral, the Curragh race track and plain and the Irish National Stud) will provide our accommodations on the first two nights of our next trip.

The staff, especially Beata and Caroline and Sean, are all so nice and in tune with our every need.

With each stay, as busy as they are with this popular hotel, restaurant and bar, staff members welcome us and take time catching up with our lives and sharing about theirs.

Love this place and its staff!💚💚