Mothers' Day Album

 

Lovely flowers on the deck, sent by Annie. 

This photo was a while back when Annie and I spent time together in New Zealand where she was on a college exchange. 

We've had a family joke among the Love's since I turned 75 in Stoneyford, Ireland. 

We were there because I had seen a concert announcement about a band called "Blessed (one syllable pronunciation) Ireland). 

The band would be playing at Malzard's Pub on June 25, 2022, the same day I would be turning 75.  

So, with Blessed Ireland in mind, we planned the trip around being at Malzard's that day. 

The day came as did concert time.  One of my first observations:  I was probably the oldest person, by far, in the crowd. 

When the band came to the stage, a few announcements were made, and it was obvious that this band was not set up to play for the geriatic generation. 

Nonetheless, we actually had a blast, especially after the realization that it might not have been best that I invited the leader of the band to consider coming to The Festival at Sandpoint. 

They are very good, but most likely for a different audience than what I had anticipated. 

Anyway, because of that experience the kids like to tease me any time they see the word "Blessed." 

Annie had a sighting in Seattle just a couple of days ago and shared it with us. 

With that on my mind, I realized that when thinking of the band, I truly am blessed with those kids who like to tease me. 

Mothers' Day reminds us moms how blessed we are with our kids. 

Of course, when I think about that, I can't help but chuckle to myself about "Blessed Ireland" and the zany memory that connects us all. 

  The word works both ways:  in some cases triggering a smile about a band; in another, touching the heart with thoughts of our beloveds. 

Of course, I think I have the best kids in the world, including our daughter-in-law Debbie Love, and I love them all very much. 

So, thank you, Annie, Willie, Debbie and, of course, Bill and the doggies for a wonderful Mother's Day. 

I am blessed.  

In this photo, taken by Debbie yesterday,  Willie and I are keeping track of dogs and admiring the view of Porthill across Boundary Creek from where we enjoyed Willie's cooking and once again, had the picnic area all to ourselves 

As we drove the road along Boundary Creek yesterday, we were treated to some neat sightings:  a herd of elk and a yellow-headed blackbird.

 

Mother's Day; Crawfish

 

To all who nurture:  Happy Mothers' Day. 

🌺🌼🌻🌷

Bill wore his McNeese State University hat. 

Yesterday was the annual Crawfish Boil at his alma mater in Lake Charles, Louisiana. 

But wait, with gas prices and airline tickets sky rocketing, he did not have to go a couple of thousand miles to enjoy a crawfish boil. 

Instead, we drove to Callen Crabb Road in Sagle, to be exact.  

For 26 years, Tim and Sherril Hartzog have been hosting crawfish boils, almost all in Omaha, Neb. where they lived until moving back "home" last year. 

With their house built and having settled in to their new digs, it was time to start the crawfish tradition in Sagle.

Bill and I were fortunate to have been invited.  I figured I wouldn't have to ask Bill twice if he wanted to go to an event featuring some of his Louisiana culture. 

In fact, Bill was so enamored by the idea that he took along his annual invitation to the Lake Charles crawfish boil to let Tim and Sherril know that he had passed it up in favor of their Sagle version. 

I told Bill that we probably wouldn't know too many people and that was okay.  There was a pleasant surprise in store----I knew many of the other guests and even taught a few of them. 

So, for me it was a crawfish-oriented reunion, involving lots of conversations about the good ol' days at Sandpoint High. 

The event was also low key, comfortable and laid-back as folks stood around visiting and Tim stirred the pot. A few of the crawfish about to meet their demise even met some of the guests. 

I don't know what was more fun, the food or the visiting.  It all blended for a wonderful evening with a fun family of hosts. 

AND, with the help of a few nimble, experienced fingers peeling away at the main dish , I even sampled my first two bites of crawfish.  

I liked it. 

Thanks so much to Tim and Sherril and family for including us in your annual event.  It was a delightful evening from start to finish. 

I know Bill enjoyed it because he was telling me about viewing some You Tube videos this morning featuring crawfish farms. 

Happy Sunday and blessings to all the moms. 

 

Bill showing Tim, Sherril and Sherril's mom Sharon the McNeese State Crawfish Boil invite. 

No minimum age necessary for sampling crawfish. 

Saturday Slight

 

First columbine bloom for the year. 

They are all about to burst open, and it will be so pretty with the pinks, ambers, purples and whites. 

They are such artistic blooms.  The architect of all flowers does a magnificent job, and columbine blooms are among the best. 

The "beaut-y" goes on with new flowers coming alive each day and putting on a show. 

This morning I'll pick up my deck flower baskets.  This year I decided to purchase them from the Gold n Grouse 4-H Club so they may be a bit different from past years. 

Can't wait to pick them up and hang them up. 

Left to right:  Will Love, Debbie Love, Marianne Love, Bill Love, Cindy Wooden, Marcia Pilgeram and Chris Moon. 

The Friday-night dinner plan started with just one friend joining us, but then I got to thinking and decided that two other friends needed to meet this one friend and vice versa. 

So, Cindy Wooden, recently retired from her Papal journalistic adventures; Marcia Pilgeram, local food columnist and travel consultant; and Chris Moon, retired Pacific Lutheran professor, all joined us four Love's for dinner last night. 

It soon became evident that they knew people who knew people, so they connected quickly and the evening featured a lively potpourri of story-telling and sharing some of the highlights of each others' lives.

I loved it all as three women friends whom I really admire and enjoy are now friends with each other. 

Such gatherings are among the truly fun benefits of living in one's hometown. 

No introduction was necessary as Marcia and Cindy met for the first time.  

Marcia's daughter Ryanne and Cindy's niece Francie grew up together in Sandpoint and are still friends, living in the Moscow area. 

So, the Marcia and Cindy wasted no time getting acquainted.

And, by the way, welcome home Cindy.  Nice to have you back in Sandpoint after all these years. 

The horses lived through Day 1 on the pasture, but they looked pretty weary with those full bellies after a couple of hours on lush green grass.

They'll be whinnying soon to nudge me into taking them to pasture. 

So, Happy Saturday. 

Enjoy the beauty and all the blossoms of May.