Hello, March

Turning the calendars for the third time this year says  days are moving by quickly. 

Weren't we just celebrating Christmas and New Year's?  

Is it age that makes time seems to fly faster than ever?

I don't know that answer, but I do know that we're already in to March. 

February didn't end as well as we had hoped.  

We're in a war, and two Bulldog teams had great starts yesterday only to meet defeat in the end. 

I'm sure it's the same with Gonzaga, but with our Sandpoint Bulldogs, the final score did not tell the whole story. 

Sandpoint's team members played their hearts out against Vallivue.  Vallivue did the same. 

When the final buzzer went off in a game where a faulty clock hampering the flow of the game, played a role, Vallivue had grabbed the lead. 

Debbie and I went to yesterday's game in Grangeville yesterday.  It's a town about halfway down the State of Idaho. 

We saw the effort and we saw the emotions as the season for a group of talented, passionate players ended on a sad note.  

The experience was poignant, to say the least. 

There were side stories to this game too.  

We bought freeze-dried treats from a young man who was working on his senior project at Grangeville High School, also home of the Bulldogs. 

But, then we forgot and left the treats on the bleachers.  

We also bought beverages at another concession run by the school choir which presented one of the most pure and beautiful a cappella renditions of the "National Anthem"  I've ever heard. 

I found a You Tube video link to another of their performances, sung in a different venue, and will share it to demonstrate why we were so impressed.

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=306149675578818

 

I loved the beautiful springlike day because it involved another fun road trip with Debbie.  We always enjoyed a great time on these trips. 

Our noses detected at precisely the same moment the "smell" above Lewiston and its paper mills. 

It had been several years since I'd experienced that smell, but its sulfurous familiarity gave me no doubt where we were. 

We enjoyed the green fields of the Palouse with dustings of white snow.  

We also agreed that the coffee at the Winchester convenience store was among the best convenience-store brands we had ever tasted. 

That place had a couple of other distinctions:  "No Firearms" signs on the doors to the restrooms and no door on one of the stalls in the women's room.

I've never seen a "No Firearms" sign on restroom doors. 

I have seen a lot of restroom stall doors that don't latch but can't remember too many doorless stalls.  

Brave Debbie opted for that one, and I warned a lady in line that someone was in the stall with no door. 

Speaking of restroom stall doors, the folks at Grangeville have done a masterful job of sharing inspiring thoughts to at least the girls at their school. 

All the doors were there and they latched AND each had an attractive and nice message. 

I also enjoyed yesterday's opportunity to meet a few more of the players' parents---all nice people with great stories.  All are thoughtful, supportive, gracious and definitely devoted to their kids. 

Debbie and I topped off our day trip by stopping for dinner at Sweet Lou's in Athol. 

While munching on barbecued chicken sandwiches, we sat in a booth and watched the first half of the Gonzaga game against Saint Maries.  

We were feeling pretty good that first half just like we had during the first half of the SHS Bulldogs game in Grangeville. 

We all know this morning that it didn't end well for the ZAGS last night----a great boon for the third time in 31 games this season for armchair quarterbacks to share their coaching expertise. 

Being associated with a team and knowing all the variables that go into every single game played, I have learned that there are several not-so-obvious layers involved in any one game. 

Spectators see action and the final scores but not the other forces that determine how any situation will turn out. 

In their loss and their sadness yesterday, I saw so many positive dimensions to the Sandpoint High Bulldog players which made me proud and happy to be associated with them, their parents and their staff.

Who said that line about how it's not whether you win or lose but it's how you play the game. 

These young men provided a smorgasboard of exciting basketball for the fans through most of their games this year, but more importantly,  off the court, they are remarkable and fine young men. 

That's what counts in the game of life.  

An annual and fun benefit for the Bonner Community Food Bank. 

More beautiful, one-of-a-kind bowls coming your way for our Empty Bowls Fundraiser.

Join us March 6, 2026 at 12:30 PM at Marigold Bistro.  

$20 suggested donation at the door.

Come choose your bowl, enjoy handcrafted soup, and help feed our neighbors.

Mom Love and Debbie Love on an excellent road-tripping adventure. 

I visited with the Meekers from Bonners Ferry yesterday.  Their Bonners Ferry Badgers played in the second game of the afternoon.  

I heard from a good source that the Badgers defeated Weiser and earned a trip to State.  

It was a day of disappointments, yes, but like any day those moments are blended with some amazing stories, events, people or scenes. 

And, that's the spice of life. 

Happy Sunday and welcome, March. 

Saturday Slight

 

Who needs AI art help when you can go to the carwash???

I drove the car through the HWY 95 Carwash yesterday, captured a few photos and nothing broke. 

I still have a little PTSD from the first time I tried the Gas and Go Carwash way back when and almost destroyed it. 

Mike Williams was directing me through the new facility in town, and, for some unknown reason, I didn't completely believe his hand signals.  

He may have signaled me to go left, and I went right instead OR maybe it was the other way around. 

All I know is that Mike's facial expressions suddenly took on a slightly fearful look, while, inside, the car felt like I'd maybe run over a boulder. 

Somehow, Mike worked me through the dilemma without any severe damage to my car or to the the brand new carwash track. 

Yesterday when they said to put it in neutral and keep my foot off the brake, I had a difficult time believing everything was gonna turn out okay, especially when I couldn't see anything in front of me, thanks the the busy brush and all those suds. 

It did turn out, and I have a nice clean bright blue Equinox, which Debbie will drive to Grangeville this morning while I ride shotgun. 

Speaking of shotguns, what a nice Saturday morning surprise to find out that we have a war!   

Never a dull moment in our lives these days. 

If you're not showing how tough your are and picking on people in your own playground, why not try someone else's!!! 

Toughness!

It keeps us all on our toes.   

Gasp! Groan!

Debbie and I will try to forget that little news tidbit and concentrate on what's currently important in our lives:  a win for the Bulldogs in Grangeville.  

It would be so nice for Coach Love and his team and for the Sandpoint faithful. 

As you can see in the promotion below, the game starts at 1 p.m.  

Willie says it's available on the NFHS network. Others say that you might find it on You Tube. 

Hoping for a great outcome.  

All that aside, it's supposed to be a beautiful day for a drive, and to go south, where it may even look and feel like springtime, will be a treat.

Happy Saturday.  

At Friday night dinner last night, Debbie tried the Restaurant Week three-course menu at Sweet Lou's.  

Besides oxtail stew and spring rolls, she topped off her meal with teramacu dessert. 

She enjoyed her choices. 

Another big Bulldog day:   Sandpoint's Bulldogs and Gonzaga's Bulldogs both have crucial games to win.  

In their final West Coast Conference league game, the visiting  ZAGS tip-off against Saint Mary's at 7:30 p.m. PST.

The game will be broadcast on ESPN. 

Good Luck to all Bulldogs.  

GO, SANDPOINT!!! 

GO, ZAGS!!!

🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀

Happy Times at Sandpoint High

 

J.D. McElroy, SHS resource officer extraordinaire. 

It was, indeed, a happy and fun-filled night at Sandpoint High School last night as the final, final home men's basketball game of the season ended with a solid victory over the Moscow Bears.

That win means that the Bulldogs will get up early on a Saturday morning tomorrow to board a bus bound for Grangeville.  It will be a five-hour drive both ways.  

In between those rides, the Bulldogs will seal their fate on going to State one way or the other as they take on a strong Vallivue team (18-7) from Southern Idaho at 1 p.m. 

This will be either the final final game for the 12-12 Bulldogs or it will signal the beginning of at least, two more games at next week's State Tournament in Boise. 

Naturally, they'd love to play three more games at Boise (the championship). 

Fingers crossed that the bus ride home will be a happy one.  If so, I'm sure they won't mind another bus ride to Boise about twice as long.  

There was the game with its fast action, highlighted by some dramatic dunks and "new kids on the bench" getting a chance to play and even score a point or two. 

And, then there was all the other ingredients that make going to the game fun---the band, the cheerleaders, the fans, the floor sweeper, statisticians and best of all, the big smile on the face of school resource officer J.D. McElroy.

All contributed to the total enjoyment of a high stakes high school basketball game. 

After the game, old-home week surrounded me at the door. 

First, I saw one of the Gunter triplets I'd written about almost 15 years ago. They're now freshmen at SHS, and this particular triplet, the only boy, knows Mr. Love and says he loves Mr. Love. 

That made Mama Love proud. 

Then, came some late '60s-'70s grads, and that erupted into some lively and good-natured banter.  

I told John Scott that I still have my student teaching grade book with his grade average in it.  

He was a student in my first-period English class that year, and he's the same John Scott who likes to needle people, and, of course, expects it back. 

Then, there was Pat Gunter, tricycle-riding star of one of the Drill Team variety shows and always a cyclist.

 He has the distinction of riding his motorcycle up the stairs or the old Donkey Jaw or someplace near that downtown bar.  

Who cares about facts these days----I just know that Pat went where no one had ever gone before on that motorcycle. 

I hear he has slowed down a bit, but I'll believe that when I see it. Monica keeps him in tow, I think. 

Dwayne and Karla told me they had moved to town just before Christmas, and they're excited to be able take walks around town. 

Jim Nieman, who proudly watched his grandson Asher, a bench newcomer, get some playing time. 

It was a nostalgic and feel-good few minutes, filled with laughs. 

I went to the game by myself and actually drove at night for the first time in a number of years because Bill had gone to the Gonzaga women's final home game---those Bulldogs won their game too. 

It was pretty neat to learn during the drive home that my cataract surgery a couple of years ago did the trick on making driving in the dark not bad at all. 

So, a good evening all the way around and lots of precious memory snippets to tuck away for later reflection.

Best of luck to the Bulldogs tomorrow. 

Happy Friday.   

from Max Preps:  

There's no place like home for Sandpoint, who bounced back after a loss on the road on Tuesday. They blew past the Moscow Bears, posting a 72-44 win. 

The victory continues a trend for the Bulldogs in their matchups with the Bears: they've now won seven in a row.

Debbie always lures her professional friends and food bank volunteers to the games.  

Some keep coming back, so they must enjoy themselves. 

Mike, Jamie, Debbie and Mandy (Better Together Animal Alliance). 

Last night marked the last time for this season for me to snap a photo of scorekeeper Bob and his grandson as I walk by the desk. 

More photos of Bob next season. 

It's a family affair with this young man, his folks and his two sisters.  

Mom is the team trainer and Dad sweeps the gym floor at halftime, with help Little Sis.

Nice family. 

Retired educator and former colleague Terry Iverson spent part of the afternoon at our house working on the ceiling repair.  

Then, he and his wife Edna headed to the game. 

"Signs you are a Sandpoint Kid" came to mind as I spent some fun moments with these folks after last night's game. 

I taught some of them A LONG TIME AGO. 

Monica Travers Gunter, Pat Gunter, Dwayne Sheffler, Karla Stilwell Sheffler, Jim Nieman and John Scott. 

Fun folks and all definitely true blue Sandpoint kids. 

Oh Deer, Horsin' and TBT

She's back---just about every day, in fact.  

Yesterday she decided that the feeder on the west side of the house looked the most inviting.  

And, for the most part, the movement on the other side of the sliding-glass door didn't faze her from cautiously nibbling away at the feeder. 

I see these two on my way over to Roxane's.  

Sisters and CB. 

Laurie (below) spent about an hour riding CB and working on his gaits yesterday afternoon. 

On one direction around the arena, he had some trouble remembering which lead to pick up on the canter.

Eventually, after several stops and starts, he caught on.  Laurie decided, with this positive moment,  that was a good time to quit.  

"Do you want to ride him?" she asked.  

I hadn't planned to, but then thought, "Why not?"

So, I climbed aboard (above) and Laurie guided me through what to do with my hands, seat and legs. 

I've always been a rider who basically, and most of the time, simply stayed on a horse, i.e., no polish. 

Her tips made me realize that a few riding lessons would go a long way with my equitation. 

It was a fun experience, and CB was very good to his ol' mom. 

He's a wonderful horse. 

Thursday Throwbacks:  Assorted images from the photo library. Always fun to play the video while enjoying the photos. 

Some of my longtime friends, Francie, Glory and Linda. 

The gym at Sandpoint High School is named after Francie and Linda's dad, Les Rogers.

******* 

Which brings to mind that the Sandpoint Bulldog Men's Basketball team will play one more game in that gym tonight at 6 p.m., when they tip off against Moscow.

 

The winner moves on in the road to State, playing a team from Southern Idaho in Grangeville on Saturday. 

Good luck, Coach Love and the Bulldogs. As they say, "You've got this!!!"

🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀  

 

This little gal's dad is a former student and now a local physician. 

A speaker at Waterfest, an annual program that focused on bringing water-related knowledge to elementary students. 

This young man is, I believe, a senior at the University of Idaho. 

His name is Caleb. 

Selle Valley Creamery on Selle Road offers hamburgers and the accessories on summer nights.  

These gals were enjoying the goodies. 

NBA standout Domantas Sabonis in his ZAGS days. 

Below: a roll-yer-own specialist up the Yaak in Montana. 

This gentleman was sharing the ways of the frontier days with elementary students at Waterfest. 

Fun at the Waterfest (above) and fun at the WOW luncheon below. 

My sisters-in-law, Joyce and Mary. 

I will always miss this wonderful Border Collie named Liam. 

The Kennel on Craziness Day. Great ZAG win of the Portland Pilots last night on Senior Night. 

Annie Love of Sandpoint, Idaho, still plays soccer in Seattle and seldom misses a Sounders match. 

Below:  Willie with a famous Sounders goalie. 

Steve Smith found himself a giant jawbreaker while we were on a journalism trip to Colorado. 

He and his wife Mandy (also on the trip) now run a food truck concession business in Denver. 

Dennis and Kandy James.  Dennis, a retired commercial pilot, is one of my classmates.

Forever friends: we taught the children---and more than enough fun at it. 

Below:  another teaching friend and her family when her granddaughter came to meet and ride Lily. 

Finally---wishing a very happy 90th birthday to my cousin Bill Cantrell. 

It was a year or two ago that Bill and several other relatives from Kalamazoo and Battle Creek, Mich., came west and spent some time with our family on North Boyer.  

Maybe about 72 years, in fact. 

While hanging out at our farm, Bill climbed aboard Mother's mare Adare's Countess Largo. 

She had bought Largo as a yearling in 1949 from Dub Lewis. 

And, Mother, being from the Midwest spent more time riding an English or "flat" saddle and using double reins.  She eventually converted over to Western riding gear but always loved her English tack. 

I've never seen Bill since their visit in 1954, but we always kept in touch with his mother and father, Woody and Dorothy Cantrell. 

Just a few years ago, I did some sleuthing and finally connected with Bill who now lives in Virginia with his lovely wife Virginia.  

They have a nice family, and I'm sure there will be a grand celebration today to honor Bill. 

Wishing you the best, Bill. 

💚💛💜💙💓💜💛💚💙💓