Tuesday This and That

 

I've seen lots of leaves and cleaned up thousands so far in my annual ongoing fall yard work chore.  

Sometimes individual leaves just make a point of being seen. 

This one planted itself in the seams of the deck not far from our front door. 

For some reason, the leaf spoke to me, seemingly saying, "Take my picture." 

After all, it's a handsome leaf. 

Unlike the leaves on the ground, it may be a while before this leaf is swept up and taken away. 

So, it can remain, standing proudly in its spot, greeting everyone who comes along. 

How 'bout those biscuits and gravy at The View Cafe on HWY 95 across from Cocolalla Lake!

Ruthann was pleased. 

I noticed that a few black boxes with lunch goodies for another later meal went home after yesterday's lunch.

Below:  the dessert selections at The View

 

We have a few basics with each of our monthly classmate gatherings. 

We tell stories and catch up on current body problems.  

We eat. 

We laugh a lot.

Sharon takes responsibility for getting the group to shut up for a minute while we plan the next gathering.  She helps us find a date and then records it in her phone. 

We also ask our server to take a picture.  

The server is happy to accommodate us, and while the photo is being taken, we often bark out orders about the wrinkles and the double chins, etc. 

Yesterday, after the photo was taken, a new twist was added to the luncheon. 

"Do that AI stuff and make us look good," a classmate suggested. 

"Okay," I said. 

So, that's what I did.  

My instructions were to heighten the color and put the "Sandpoint High Class of 1965" in a script font. 

I DID NOT TELL MY AI ASSISTANT TO STICK GLASSES ON MARIANNE.

After all, how would the assistant know who Marianne was.  

Oh, gosh, why did I ask that question?  

Facial recognition IS one of the basics of Artificial Intelligence. 

Still, I did not order glasses to be put on my face for the group photo. 

Remove the wrinkles?  

Yes, I would have requested that facial improvement, but I have had my cataracts removed, and I do use readers for closeups, but I do not wear glasses for photos at this "golden age." 

Well, the AI assistant did not care. He or she or it put glasses on me and left everyone else's face alone. 

Here is where I have to confess something about another AI enhanced photo and will not show evidence to prove it. 

Last week I was asking AI to enhance a family gathering when we all got together in my living room for a Gonzaga Final Four game a few years ago. 

My instructions were basically the same as yesterday's picture except the script involved something about Gonzaga. 

From a distance, the picture looked pretty neat, but when I looked closer and saw a beard on an unnamed female in the photo, I wrote back to the assistant asked to have the beard removed. 

The assistant sent back quick response and told me I'd used up my options that day and to check back in 24 hours when a new round of free AI would be available to me.

I needed the photo for that particular day so it was discarded.

Like the Internet or Facebook or other social media, AI has its good points and its bad. 

Seems that yesterday it was aiming its dirty tricks at me. 

So, if you can see those glasses on my face, you know why.  

Anyway, our classmate group will meet again in December.  

During the gathering, someone will remind us that a group picture must be taken, and it could be that no one in the group asks for AI, cuz they may be next in the AI "add a little extra" category. 

I saw this in a farm field along Jacobson Road.  

I think it's a duck blind, and I'm wondering how many birds fly over during hunting season. 

I met these two young men the other day while driving the Upper Gold Creek Road and stopping occasionally to take photos.

I was focusing on some pictures of the Western Pleasure horse herd, when the young men came by, stopped and rolled down a window to ask if I needed any help. 

No, I said, "just taking pictures."

"It's a beautiful day for that," one said. 

We all agreed, and then they wished me a nice day. 

It was a very brief but nice meeting on a country road. I don't know who the boys are but someone raised them right. 

Below:  I always wish I had a longer lens when I see eagles perched in trees. 

This one was proudly overseeing activity along Jacobson Road the other day. 

Have a great Tuesday AND

💙💚💛💜💙💚💛💜💙💚

What a Ride!

 

Janice Wood Schoonover of Gold Creek deserves center stage this morning. 

She's a World Champion. 

I think her daughter Danielle may not be far behind after their recent success in Fort Worth, Tex.  

The two took their horses to compete in their first ever "bright-lights, big-stage" horse show. 

It's called the Appaloosa Worlds, and when they rolled into their home at Western Pleasure Guest Ranch yesterday, a World Champion trophy came with them. 

Riding her colorful gelding Ned aka Get Smart on Friday, Janice won her championship in Novice Non-pro Ranch Rail Pleasure.

 She also took a first place the Appaloosa Ranch Horse Association first-place novice non-pro Ranch rail pleasure sweepstakes.

Danielle, riding Fawn aka Palis Little Smarty,  won a couple of Top Ten Ribbons and earned finalist status in two classes. 

Together, with husband and dad Roley, the mother and daughter set off for Texas two weeks ago in hopes of fulfilling a dream but never dreaming that they would come home with a World Champion status. 

Well, dreams do come true, and, along with them horse show loot, new fancy engraved jackets and a whole bunch of hugs and cheers from friends and family at trip's end. 

Janice, Danielle and Roley returned yesterday to a quickly organized welcoming committee. 

Turns out they pulled in to Danielle's home before the cheering committee got organized on Gold Creek Road, but that was okay.

It was still fun greeting them as they brought the truck, the trailer and all the loot back to the lodge. 

I'm sure they slept well last night, and that there will be many sweet dreams and memories to savor in future years about this monumental experience. 

Congrats to all. 

                                                  ----Courtesy Photo from the Show

The champ and her family and friends. 

Seated:  Danielle Schoonover Otis and Janice Wood Schoonover.  Janice's granddaughter Emily Otis, right. 

Standing:  Sherry DeRosier, Landon Otis, Amy Peterson, Barb Rhodes, Roley Schoonover, Kim Dana, Zeke Schoonover, Isaac Schoonover, Laurie Tibbs, Barbara Tibbs and Gabe Otis. 

Libby Schoonover was not in the photo because she was off doing some filming for a movie.  

Danielle and her hubby Landon. 

Janice's grandson Zeke rides horses and bikes. 

Always a proud and patient Roley. 

The Wood family brand on the barn at Western Pleasure Guest Ranch. 

Chit chat among the fans. 

Two babies. 

Some of the Western Pleasure Guest Ranch horse herd in a large field below the Lodge amidst November color. 

Sunday Mutterings

 

I announced to Bill yesterday afternoon that the north lawn leaf clean-up was essentially done

This morning, I'm seeing that is not at all true. 

We still have one partially dead but very leafy poplar clump on the north side of the driveway, so the leaves continue to fall. 

The good news is that the north part of the north lawn is essentially done, but I'll still be making passes around the poplar trees with the lawnmower and bags for the next week or so. 

And, of course, the oak tree will continue to deposit its leaves for most of the winter. 

All that said, this year's leaf pickup continues to be so much easier and less time consuming than any other time in the past 20 years.

For some reason, I don't miss the million-plus poplar leaves that managed to find their way to spots all over the yard. 

My day was divided into three parts yesterday:  poster delivery, leaf pickup and sports. 

All were fun, especially the poster delivery because it often involves some good visits. 

Sports was fun too with Gonzaga, looking more and more polished and exciting, as they knocked off a scrappy and tough New Mexico State. 

The best news about that game:  lots of 3's.

The worst news:  a player named Alonzo Metz with bright red hair went into the game in the last couple of minutes and lost a tooth. 

He kept playing and earned respect and a few chuckles from his teammates  

We also watched the Notre Dame-Miami game, which eventually saw Notre Dame defeat the nation's No. 1 team.

I've always been a Notre Dame fan so I liked the win.  I also liked seeing portions of the Idaho-Eastern Washington game, where the Vandals from my alma mater pulled off a big wind. 

I'll admit that I don't talk about Idaho Vandals sports much, but when they're winning, it's pretty neat. 

I forgot to mention that our day was topped off by some tasty chicken from the barbecue.  How many times has Bill barbecued in November? 

Not many, so it was a nice change of pace having dinner from the grill. 

A good weekend so far. It would be nice if the Seahawks have a good game today against Arizona. 

The week ahead looks pretty mild, so still lots of outdoor activities will be on the agenda. 

I like it. 

Happy Sunday.   

https://www.thecoolist.com/goodbye-to-toilet-paper-in-2026-a-new-option-has-arrived-for-bathrooms-that-is-already-trending-worldwide-h2r4-ag2/

My brother spent a career in the paper industry, specifically toilet tissue. 

He made the decision to go that direction because he felt confident that we would always need toilet paper. 

Guess nothing in this world is totally immune from change.

Having done an interview with Viggo for Sandpoint Magazine a couple of decades ago, I'm always thrilled to see that he enjoys contributing to our community. 

Saturday Slight

 

It was Debbie's 'almost 50th,'" one well wisher from the food bank noted.

Volunteers, board members and staff for the Bonner Community Food Bank packed a room at the Eagles Lodge yesterday afternoon to celebrate their executive director Debbie Love's birthday. 

Actually her birthday was Tuesday, Nov. 3, but Kat, one of the organizers, said not that many people would show up on a Tuesday.  Plus, it was election day. 

So, several individuals associated with the food bank teamed up to put on the party, and it was a fun event. 

They love their leader, and they gave her a very nice party. 

I'm anxious to see what they do when she turns "really 50." 

Bill's wood piles in the winter storage area and out in the woods are always neat as a pin.  

He's been doing a lot of clean up and burning, which make the woods look that much neater. 

I knew what it felt like when Nikole stuck those sticks in my mouth but wanted to know what it looked like, so I took a selfie. 

It takes four shots to numb one side of my teeth, and I'm amazed (as a needle fraidy cat)  that I've endured 8 pokes over two appointments to prepare my jaw for deep cleaning. 

The process is done, and Nikole says my gums look pretty good. 

Above:  "Outlaw" and food bank volunteer Kirsten Thompson raises a glass and calls for a toast honoring Debbie at yesterday's birthday party. 

Below:  Kat, a food bank staff member, who masterminded most of the party.

Birthday Girl speaks and says thank  you to her staff, board and volunteers. 

Below:  Birthday Girl's hubby Willie.  

I took his picture cuz I don't get to see him very often, and he lives just three miles away. 

Coach Love will begin practice this week for the 2026-2027 Sandpoint High boys basketball squad. 

We actually get a chance to see him more often when the games begin. 

Above:  Cindy Wooden, now retired from jet setting around the world, reporting on Popes, follows a regular volunteering schedule at the food bank. 

Below: there are a few "outlaws" at this table. 

It's GAME DAY. 

Things are falling into place for Gonzaga Basketball. 

Bill brought home the posters after attending last night's ZAGS women's game. The Lady ZAGS lost, but, as a University of  Idaho grad, I wasn't too upset because it was a Vandal victory. 

The posters are smaller than usual, but they do include the full slate of players---at this time, that is.

I want to extend a heartfelt thanks to Gonzaga assistant athletic director for marketing and creative services  Kyle Hoob who made an extra effort to see that my posters were counted out and available for Bill to pick them up last night. 

Very appreciated.   

Today the men take on New Mexico State in the Kennel at McCarthey Athletic Center. 

Tip off is at 2 p.m., and the game is available for locals on KHQ-TV, Channel 6 or streaming at ESPN+

Loved the Purdue game; let's notch Win No. 2

GO, ZAGS !!!

🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀

Lookin' like a nice day out there. 

Happy Saturday.