Thanksgiving 2025 Album

 

We took the easy route yesterday.  

We drove to Bonners Ferry for our Thanksgiving dinner. 

It was a nice and relaxing time at the Kootenai River Inn where many others had chosen to enjoy their holiday feast. 

One of Debbie's friends and colleagues, Susan, joined us and took the photo above. 

Bill and I had enjoyed our morning hours by packing up the dogs, leaving behind snow flurries and wind, to enjoy some relatively calm, dry weather and some nice walking at the Clark Fork drift yard. 

A few bird hunters were there also.  

There was plenty of space for all to enjoy their respective outings along with some beautiful scenery.

I have a feeling that our group also did some quality snoozing after a lovely dinner. 

We agreed on our trip home in the dark that it sure felt like bed time AND it was only 4:30 p.m.

Turkey and plentiful eats will do that to you. 

I know that I nodded off a few times before finally giving up and going to bed. 

Overall, it was a nice day. 

Happy Friday. 

Let the Christmas hubbub begin!

⛄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄⛄

Happy Thanksgiving

 

On this 27th day of November, 2025 aka Thanksgiving Day, I give thanks and heartfelt appreciation for the following, in no particular order: 

Little Foster who turned 14 today. 

My friends and my family, whom I cherish. 

Our beloved ZAGS.  

We all can agree that this week it was the best of tournaments and the worst of tournaments, but today is a new day and the ZAGS will continue to provide us joy. 

Congratulations, Michigan. ZAGS will bounce back.

This beautiful area in which we live and our little slice of Heaven on Earth called the Lovestead.  

To be so lucky. 

All who still know the difference between right and wrong and who courageously remind us and give us hope through their inspiring examples and their thoughts.

Those of different trades and professions who make our lives better, whenever needed, through their skills, their knowledge, their labor and their vision.

The good-hearted, the generous and all those who care deeply about and do good for their fellow man, the earth and all its creatures. 

The opportunity to create and experience precious memories. 

The four-legged and winged creatures which co-exist with us, which educate us and remind us constantly of the beauty and the glory in the natural world.  

A special shout-out to our beloved Lovestead dogs and horses. 

The gift of laughter. 

Optimism. 

It's a good life overall, and for that I am grateful. 

Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving. 

Snow, Ball and Lavender

 

It was perfect timing. 

Winter prep projects done. 

Over the river and through the woods time. 

Plus, it was a perfect beginning for winter with just enough snow to make it pretty out there but not enough to make walking difficult. 

The dogs and I have already been out in the first snow of Winter 2025-26 twice, and I'm not complaining. 

It is pretty, and the scenes this morning with the new snow are almost magical. 

Plus, the snow helps get us in the mood for holiday fun. 

As long as it doesn't get carried away . . . !

Bill and I attended the first game of a basketball jamboree last night.  We arrived home in time for the ZAGS to have taken a 10-4 lead over Maryland.  

They finished with 100 points to Maryland's 61. More about that later. 

The first game/scrimmage of the Jamboree pitted Sandpoint against Lake City. 

And, what a way to start off a season, even if it wasn't an official game. As you can see from the scoreboard below, the Bulldogs did well in their two 8-minute quarters. 

We left as Lake City and Post Falls were warming up for the second match-up.  

Willie texted me overnight that their second game vs Post Falls was a tough one, so they finished the night at 1-1. 

There were lots of referees in town last night because, as with basketball teams, the Jamboree also offers them some dress-rehearsal time to work out the kinks before full-fledged season games begin. 

We didn't stay long, but we enjoyed every minute spent in the gym, especially seeing some familiar faces at the scorers' table and meeting a nice family who sat behind us. 

Ask enough questions, and you usually find a connection.  Before our conversation ended, I learned that they know our old neighborhood fairly well because they're connected with our old neighbors, the Readers. 

I'm looking forward to getting to know them better as the season unfolds.   

Anyone who shops at The Flower Farm on Selle Road should recognize Akasha who has worked there for several years. Her knowledge of plants and plant care is amazing. 

Yesterday my friend Akasha stopped by with some lavender spray refills, with contents prepared right here in the neighborhood where Akasha tends a lavender farm. 

I have been using her lavender spray for the past year or so as a sleep aid, and I swear by it. 

She was the first to tell me how lavender can serve as a calming and healing agent. 

When she told me that it improves your dreams, I wanted to know more and decided to try a bottle. 

Let's just say I'll be asking for refills from this day forth because, as a longtime insomniac, I've had some of the best sleep ever after spraying my pillows before going to bed. 

If I have to get up in the middle of the night, I'll spray again and almost always get right back to sleep.  And, yes, the dreams are weird some times but not bad. 

I have found her very affordable and attractive bottles of lavender to be reasonably price.  In addition, once purchased, each bottle can be refilled. 

It's a great and inexpensive gift or stocking stuffer. 

If you wish to know more about her lavender spray and other products, check out her website at 

https://www.etsy.com/shop/SelleValleyLavender?dd_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fsearch.yahoo.com%2F

If you want to talk to her directly, click on the "contact." 

🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀

Tonight at 6:30 p.m. PST, Gonzaga will tip off against Michigan in the championship bracket of the ERA Tournament in Las Vegas. 

It's complicated, but the two teams had win and had to have a good record, along with some adequate point spreads in their wins to become eligible for this championship game. 

Gonzaga's second win in the tournament, with a spread of 39 points, secured their spot in the championship game. 

There's money involved too. In addition to their schools winning big bucks for participating, the champions will earn even more: a million for tonight's game winner and $500,000 for the loser. 

We Gonzaga fans never think much about the money.  We just love our team and love to watch them play their beautiful ball and win any time and anywhere.  

BUT if Gonzaga wins $1 million tonight, we won't complain. 

It should be an exciting game, as both teams in the championship scored 100 points yesterday. 

6:30 p.m. PST on TNT Channel.

Great Day

 

Morning grass is glistening. 

Stars are sparkling. 

It's a window-scraper morning. 

And, oh, what a beautiful morning for all who love nature's artistry AND for all who love the ZAGS!

What a show, and what a win!  

Gonzaga's men delivered on both last night, taking on the Alabama Crimson Tide in what the commentators dubbed a "heavyweight match."

And, that it was, as neither team showed signs of submission from start to finish.  Even 10 points behind near the buzzer, the Crimson Tide were still giving it their all. 

In my mind, it was one of the most beautiful ZAGS victories ever with its athleticism and its artistry. 

It's a great time to be a ZAGS fan, and may the season continue to bring joy to the players, coaches and ZAGnation! 

The lawn is white with frost this morning, but this was how it looked yesterday after I said "The End" to leaf pick up, removed the bags from the mower and drove it to the barn where it will remain for the winter with the other two mowers. 

It felt somewhat symbolic as I shut the barn door and said good bye to another season of going round and round, constantly grooming the lawn. 

I love mowing lawn but will be content to wait a while before starting another season. 

Besides, that time could eventually be filled up with shoveling snow.   So far, no snow, and I'm not complaining as long as the mountains get what they need. 

Walking around the entire farm admiring the beauty without heavy boots on weighting down my old feet feels just fine, thank you.  

Bill and I are excited for Willie on this morning of the day when he and his SHS boys varsity basketball team do a soft start to their season. 

Tonight they'll be working out some kinks by scrimmaging in a jamboree featuring two other North Idaho teams. 

At 5:45 p.m. this afternoon, the Bulldogs take on Lake City at Les Rogers Gym.  These games feature two 8-minute quarters.  

Later, after Lake City and Post Falls play each other in the same venue at 6:30 p.m., the Sandpoint will tip off against Post Falls at 7:15 p.m.

The Bulldogs play in their home and season opener this coming Saturday, Nov. 29 at 7 p.m. when they host Bonners Ferry. 

I'm sure the home team would love to see hometown fans show up and fill the gym for any and all of these games. 

Good luck to Willie, his staff and the Sandpoint Bulldogs.  May it be a great season for all. 

We can look forward to another ZAGS game tonight for this Thanksgiving  college basketball Feast Week.

Tonight at 6:30 p.m. PST the ZAGS take on the Terra Pins from Maryland. 

The game will be telecast on truTV.

GO, ZAGS!🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀