A Two-Trip Day; All Good

 

When you win a basketball autographed by Gonzaga All American Graham Ike and he's right there beside you to share in your good fortune, it's a joyous moment, indeed.

When the name "Debbie Love" was announced after a drawing last night, the occupants at our table let out a cheer rivaling the zeal we display in our living rooms pretty much any time a 3-pointer is scored by our beloved ZAGS. 

Plus, how neat it will be for that basketball to reside in the home of Sandpoint High men's basketball Coach Love and his lovely spouse!

Thanks to Debbie and Walker's Furniture, Bill and I enjoyed an unexpected treat last night in Spokane. 

It all began just as I had pulled into my sisters' driveway where Barbara was about to hook up their horse trailer which would be going to Stateline to pick up CB from his boot camp with Monty. 

My phone showed a message from Debbie.  She was inviting Bill and me to go along with her, Willie and John Rinck into Spokane to meet Gonzaga great Graham Ike. 

Why does everything have to happen at the same time?  

That was my first thought, knowing there was no way we could go to Stateline, pick up CB, drive home and then head back to Spokane. 

Well, there was a way, and it seemed iffy, but, by golly, it turned out.  

My sisters and I drove to Stateline, picked up CB, and drove back, arriving at the Lovestead around 2 p.m.  By that time I had learned that Debbie planned to leave Sandpoint at 4. 

I also knew it would be possible for us to take the dogs with us because she assured me the program would not last long. 

So, after unloading CB and watching about three minutes of barnyard dynamics with this reunion of CB, Lily and Lefty (including Lily herding CB away from Lefty), there was time to take care of evening chores, freshen up and get back in the car with Bill and the dogs for our next trip.  

Walkers, which first started with a tiny store in Spokane in 1980, was hosting a meet-and-greet reception for selected nonprofits from each of the communities where the company now has its chain of stores. 

The star of the gathering was Graham Ike,  whose likeness and personal talents as a spokesman help promote Walkers business interests. 

Last night's reception also included formal notification and recognition of donations to the nonprofits throughout the area who benefit from Walkers' generosity.  

Bonner Community Food Bank received $1,000. Debbie and food bank board member John Rinck attended the event to accept the donation. 

Willie, Bill and I came along for the ride and, of course, the thrill of standing next to a very tall young man--a ZAG--whose vibrant and friendly personality fills up that frame and makes perfect strangers thrilled that they had the opportunity to meet him. 

Talking for 30 seconds or so to Graham Ike felt like talking to someone I'd known forever.  Of course, the subject of ZAGS and basketball, which we all love, made this wonderful opportunity easy. 

Graham Ike's positive and happy presence easily lights up a room, so having this opportunity definitely made for a moment to remember. 

Thanks to Debbie, Walker's Furniture and Graham for this precious memory. 

As for the dogs and the horses, everyone seemed to do just fine with this abrupt change in the day's schedule. 

Dogs slept in the back seat and then went for a nice walk in the area around Walker's. 

Horses have settled into their normal routine, and I'm sure Lily is happy to have her CB back. 

Bill and I stopped at Sweet Lou's in Athol and reflected on what a great evening it turned out to be. 

Lots of miles yesterday but great memories to go along with the travels. 

Thanks also to my sisters for transporting CB home.  I appreciate your help.

The Two-Trip Day turned out A-Okay.   

    

I'm 5-7. 

Willie is 6-3. 

Graham Ike is, indeed, tall. 

I had three ZAG hats, of varying ages, autographed last night. 

At least two, with the Ike autograph will land in Irish pubs this fall if we make it back to Ireland. 

Thursday This, That; TBT

Small cheer and great welcome makes a merry feast. 

                                      ----William Shakespeare

It's William Shakespeare's birthday. 

April 23, 1564

It's William Shakespeare's death day. 

April 23, 1616

It's also the day CB comes home.

April 23, 2026

So, I anticipate a bit of small cheer---maybe even some big cheer and maybe even dancing and running and bucking and kicking and whinnying---when Lily and Lefty see their beloved friend step out of the trailer. 

And, then, for sure the gang of three will have a merry feast, knowing the herd is once again complete. 

CB just left one day about a month ago and never came back.  

I often wonder what goes through the minds of horses when their friends leave them and there's no guarantee they'll ever see them again. 

Well, this exit has a happy ending because the friend will come back, and all will be copacetic, for a while anyway. 

It will be a beautiful day to ride with my sisters to the training stable at State Line where CB has been in "boot camp" with Monty.  

He's probably all slicked off and pretty, which is a shame because yesterday's steady rains added more mud to the barnyard. 

It will be a week or so before the three horses can leave the barnyard and go to clean, green pastures, so we'll just have to deal with the dirt and the last of winter hair shedding. 

It will be nice to have CB home and know that all the beloveds are where they need to be. 

It did rain most of the day yesterday, and after I came home from doing some errands in town, I ate my lunch and then nodded off. 

I soon awakened, realizing I had nodded off.  Then, I looked out the window at the rainfall and thought, "Why not?"  

So, 'twas back to nodding.  

Those extended naps every so often are nice.

 

Thursday Throwbacks: priceless images from priceless moments.  Enjoy. And, do scroll through the photos with the music.  

Twas our 45th anniversary and we went for a family hike up in the Grouse Creek drainage. 

Emma, from Germany, was living with Willie and Debbie at the time. 

Hard to believe she'll graduate from the University of Montana next month. 

Time flies. 

This photo has been on my desktop for the past year.

We last visited on the phone one year ago today.  

I miss you, dear friend, and so does the blog.  

Fast Forward a few years from this photo and look below:  guess who our grand nephew got to meet this week.  

Pretty cool opportunity, Jacob. 

Yay, Joe, our grandpuppy.  

He turned 10 last week, and he's still chasing windmills. 

 We do miss Kiwi, our very first Border Collie who loved to attack the snow. 

Hail, Hail, the gang will all be here tonight.