Saturday Slight

It seems this morning that my blog post has a lot of images involving love, and that makes me smile. 

I've never ever taken our last name for granted. 

A deep responsibility goes along with it. 

Live the love. 

I'm enjoying doing just that this week. 

It's not always easy to live the love, but when we do, there's a special feeling and definitely a healthy sense of gratitude.  

Obviously, pretty scenes of a Border Collie and a red barn with newly washed green grass on a Saturday morning turns on my love switch. 

A lady in far off Ireland, whom I'll refer to as Brenda from Belfast, sent me the second photo early this morning.  

The first big smile came to my face when I opened the post and saw a scene of one of the happy places in the happiest place I know. 

It's taken from the window of the Seaview Tavern and Restaurant in Malin Head---northernmost point in the Republic of Ireland. 

Apparently, Brenda, whom we've seen twice on our stays at the place, is there visiting this weekend.

So, she sent the photo.  

I told her to give Caitriona, Maura and Michael and the rest of the Seaview gang a hug. 

Then there's the photo of the group in front of the Kodiak, sometimes called the SUV of the skies and manufactured at the Daher Aircraft Co. off from Great Northern Road. 

The group is from Sandpoint High School.  The photo was taken yesterday and posted on Facebook. If you look at that big guy in the black jacket about 12 people over, that's Willie aka Coach Love. 

When I saw the photo, my first thought was that Willie probably really enjoyed the visit yesterday with his fellow educators.  After all, he spent his childhood a few hundred feet away on our 10-acre farm. 

Our family was moving to Selle the day the very first Kodiak took off and landed.  We watched from our barnyard. 

Lotta love associated with the farm where we lived for 30 years, the plane and the new life we were able to live out here in Selle when the aircraft company, formerly known as Quest, bought our farm. 

The love rolls on as you scroll on. 

Twas Empty Bowl Day yesterday at Marigold Bistro in the downtown Columbia Bank. 

The "village" got together for this wonderful annual event.  

The "village" involved folks from the food bank, including their beloved executive director Debbie Love. 

The food bank and subsequently the folks in need of food assistance in our community would be the beneficiaries of this event. 

Loving hands of students in the Sandpoint High art department, along with their mentor, created colorful and unique bowls for the event. 

Several restaurants and professional entities in Sandpoint generously chimed in with the food and beverages and silent auction items, etc. 

And, the tables in the Bistro's meeting room were filled to the brim twice. 

After Sandpoint High School's faculty and staff enjoyed a bowl of soup, a roll, a cookie, some coffee, lemonade or water, a slew of efficient volunteers went to work clearing the tables and replenishing the food offerings. 

After all, an endless line of community volunteers would soon be forming for the second act of Empty Bowls 2026. 

Among them, a group of my dear friends and one new one named Laurie, showed up, each donating $20 to enjoy the food and each other. 

Again, a lotta love flowing through that room, and maybe even a record turnout, according to Debbie. 

I don't go to too many community events, but I'm guessing this has got to be one of the favorites for those who live here.  

Later in the day, Bill and I had another taste of something we love to do on Friday nights.  It's called Friday Night dinner (often at Sweet Lou's cuz I can eat the barbecued chicken sandwich). 

We never really know how many family members will show up.  Last night it was my sisters, Barbara and Laurie, and we enjoyed a great visit. 

So, yes, it's not even Valentine's Day and there's a rather unpopular war going on, but in the midst of it all LOVE is still in the air, and we are blessed here to witness it in so many forms. 

Could the world please work a little harder to replicate this feeling?  

I think everyone would LOVE that. 

Happy Saturday. 

Enjoy the photos. 

That's our Debbie Love!

I saw Becca for the first time in 23 years yesterday.  She was my student teacher during my last year at Sandpoint High School.  

Becca has had a wonderful career teaching English, etc. at Clark Fork High School, and every time she submits a letter to the local paper, I know it's going to be a good one. 

GREAT seeing you, Becca.  You look spectacular. 

Friday Yaak-it-y Yak

Bill and I picked up a hitch hiker yesterday and took her to Yaak.  

We should know better, but we weren't concerned.

Our new friend Cory, who lives off the grid near Yaak, was on her way to work at the River Bend Restaurant, a steak house north of Libby. Cory said the place serves the best steaks in Montana.

It was the restaurant's opening night for the season, and all the employees (Cory says they're like family) were showing up for the occasion. 

Cory's long drive to work fell short a few miles south of Yaak.  Her car just stopped moving.  She had just enough warning to pull it to the side of the road.

When we came along, Cory had her hand out, letting us know she needed some help. 

Soon, she had squeezed into the back seat with the dogs, and we continued on our way.  

Cory told us the mechanic was at the bar and to drop her off there. 

The bar is connected to the Yaak Mercantile, a very nice and homey convenience store where manager Angie has a jar of doggie treats for the local pups who come through the door. 

We said good bye to Cory.  She thanked us and headed inside the bar.  I soon followed because I knew where the restroom was. 

When Cory was sitting at the bar, I asked Kelly, the bartender, if she knew La Rae Kistler (a former student and owner of the Silver Spur in Troy), and before the words came out of my mouth, Cory said her full name. 

Cory had worked for La Rae for a while. Seems like it never fails in these parts; someone usually knows someone that we know. 

After using the restroom, I walked into the Mercantile where I met Angie. 

Within moments, another small-world situation emerged. Angie told me she had lived in Libby for a while.  When I asked if she knew Doug and Dolly Crum, sure enough she did. 

Her husband is Dolly's farrier, and her father-in-law, a trainer, had worked with Dolly and her horses. 

Soon, however, Angie wanted to share with me---since I was a horse lover---highlights about the week that she and her daughter had just spent at the Art of the Cowgirl gathering in Wickenburg, Ariz.

Ironically, earlier in the day I had seen a FB post from my friend and former student Kari who had attended the same event and loved it. 

https://westernhorseman.com/the-editors-loop/art-of-the-cowgirl-2026-recap/

Angie showed me some of the swag that she had brought home.  

The event was envisioned and founded by one of her friends, Tammy Pate, from Montana. 

Sadly, Tammy died from cancer in 2023, so, according to Angie, she never really got to experience her dream. 

But Tammy's memory moves on through this amazing event, and from what I've heard and read, it sounds like an event that every girl who loves horses would enjoy experiencing this event.

I really enjoyed the brief time spent in Yaak, as I did the entire drive.  

Bill and I took the dogs on a couple walks, one alongside the Yaak River falls and another in a campground just down the road. 

We learned, before leaving Yaak, that our hitch hiker Cory was in good hands, as the mechanic would be coming soon to figure out what was wrong with her car and the restaurant had found someone to cover for her. 

We don't normally pick up hitch hikers, but yesterday's experience led to some new friends and great stories. 

 

It's almost always a "must-stop" for Bill to stop at Sturgeon Station north of Bonners Ferry for a Sonic milk shake, and yesterday was no exception.

At Sturgeon Station, you can get those shakes and drop off your bear spray cans.   

******

Anyone can shift your understanding. 

But there’s always underlying detail to examine as well, along with other data that helps paint a clearer picture of what’s actually happening.

******

I saw the item above today in regard to a news commentary about job numbers, which are supposed to be posted today. 

After reading the comment, I thought it was good advice for life in general, especially these days. 

Searching for and absorbing valid data is still helpful when arriving at most conclusions. 

Sadly, it's not easy in this time of Artificial Intelligence and lyin' lips, so we may have to work a little harder to have a firm grasp on the events of the world. 

Just sayin'.

In other news, soup's on the menu today at the Empty Bowl luncheon. 

Should be fun and helpful for the Bonner Community Food Bank. 

Happy Friday. 

Thursday This, That, TBT

 

It's definitely a time for the birds, as we receive more moisture---especially for those who like water. 

Neighborhood domesticated ducks and wild ducks and noisy geese suddenly seem ubiquitous. 

Hard to look anywhere here in the countryside without seeing or hearing them. 

Add to that a lone turkey, which I saw this morning quietly walking along the fence line between the Lovestead and the Meserve Preserve. 

My first thought:  hope it doesn't procreate and decide to take up residence here.  

I had enough of turkeys last year and wouldn't mind a break this spring, summer and fall. 

The only consolation, if they pick our place as their home, is that Bridie has become fairly adept at chasing them off.

We've been gifted two more lovely days---today and tomorrow, and I don't want to sound like a broken record, but it's been fun working outside. 

More of that today. 

Tomorrow, though, I'll be doing some socializing, as you'll read about below. 

By golly, my friends Becky and Ann and daughter-in-law Debbie made the front page of the local paper this morning.

Becky and Ann attended the Empty Bowl luncheon last March, and they'll be coming again tomorrow. 

Below you'll see a link to a wonderful story about the annual project designed to raise money for the Bonner Community Food Bank, where Debbie has been the executive director for a number of years. 

You'll notice at the end of the article some information about where and how you can donate to the food bank if you can't make to tomorrow's festive affair.  

Several groups within the community, including the Sandpoint High art students who crafted the bowls and numerous restaurants, are collaborating this wonderful event. 

Becky Reynolds, Debbie Love and Ann Gehring. 

https://bonnercountydailybee.com/news/local-news/

I had to take a picture of the cute little guy below.  It's the first pine squirrel I've seen at the feeders. 

Usually the town squirrels dominate. 

Throwback Thursday:  An assortment of past moments from my photo library.  

Enjoy the photos and do enjoy some music while you scroll. 💚💜💙

The whimsical Balloon lady at a Bonner County Fair a few years ago. 

Bill in Chicago. 

Naomi Wood and her mother-in-law Virginia Wood. 

My friend and former student Mitch who recently celebrated a birthday. 

Always a fun lady. 

Bob. 

We first met Bob when we visited my friend Jean aka Mow in Kansas City back in the early '80s. 

For several years he has resided in Palm Springs with Mow. 

He sometimes joins in on our telephone conversations. 

Debbie and Annie on a yacht in Chicago. 

Chef extraordinaire Shelley who has delighted many a tastebud at the old Garden Restaurant and at Western Pleasure Guest Ranch. 

Most of the Brown family cousins a few years back. 

When Annie brought her Seattle friends for an ICE (Idaho Cultural Experience) weekend a few years ago, several had the opportunity to learn how to use a gun and do a little target practicing. 

Some Chicago family on a Lake Michigan cruise a few years ago. The cruise was part of a wake for two family members. 

Below:  Mauri Brooks Knott who grew up on a farm in Priest River.  She now lives in Moscow. 

These two were helping Jim and Virginia Wood celebrate a significant wedding anniversary a few years ago.  

I think it was their 70th, and now the Wood family patriarch and matriarch have celebrated 75 years.  

Below my Bill and my brother Kevin enjoying some fly fishing near Ephrata, Wash.

The lady on the left, Wilma, was celebrating her 100th birthday. 

These signs, which are all over Ireland, have always been almost misleading:  leading me, the bathroom queen, to think there's a toilet near by.