Window Wednesday

 

Today Bill and I hope to relive the feeling we experienced after having our cataracts removed. 

This time we won't need to use eye drops for several weeks afterward. 

Instead, we can just stand at the kitchen sink and gaze at the pastures and horses and Schweitzer and behold the enhanced beauty of all. 

This afternoon someone from Selkirk Glass and Cabinets is bringing us a new garden window pane to replace the current one which has been somewhat foggy and basically unwashable for years.

Over the years, more urgent projects got the nod and we simply dealt with the disappointment of no clear views through that window. 

A while back, we had some screens that needed to be repaired, so when Jim Webb, the Selkirk representative came to pick up the screens, I asked him to give us an estimate on how much it would cost to replace the window. 

We were pleasantly surprised, especially when he said it probably wouldn't take more than a couple of hours to do the job. 

So, hopefully, by day's end, we'll be singing "I can see clearly." 

Can't wait to enjoy a crystal clear view of Schweitzer. 

 

In other news, I received some unexpected funds in the mail yesterday.

Seems I was part of a class-action against Avis-Budget, filed in 2016.  

The prosecution won, so the company gave out 19 million dollars to those involved. 

Apparently, it was a BIG class.  

My check amounted to a little over 11 dollars. 

Not much but still nice to have little surprises like that every so often, especially when I want to buy maybe two pounds of hamburger. 

  

 

This is not just another pansy.  

It's the very first bloom from my pansies started from seed in our living room. 

So, to me, it's a reallt special as well as a somewhat unique bloom. 

Always a good feeling to sow the seed and enjoy the satisfaction of the results. 

We had another nice rainfall overnight, so the vegetation has received some generous moisture AND the hoses won't be busy today. 

That's good because as soon as hose dragging and horse leading season began, I seem to have tendonitis in one of my ankles.  It's not really painful, but painful enough to remind me of the fun of old age. 

I'm doing some therapy exercises in hopes of getting past the pain.  

So, when I don't have to drag hoses, that's a good thing. 

They say we'll be in the 90s tomorrow.  The rain followed by warmth should be great for all things growing. 

Happy Wednesday. 

Reclaim Idaho

It's one of those organizations that truly advocates for the people of Idaho to have a voice in governmental decisions, and it was started by two Sandpoint High School graduates, Luke Mayville and Garrett Strizich.  

Knowing that it will be celebrating its tenth year of existence makes me shocked that time has sped by so quickly since those first gatherings at people's homes here in Sandpoint AND that the organization has staying power. 

Lots of great stories about its grass roots beginnings, including that old green motor home. 

Better yet, lots of important stories to come about its influence in the years ahead. 

Keep up the good work, Luke. 

Idahoans appreciate you. 

Dear Supporters of Reclaim Idaho,   We’ve come a long way since May 2017, when we founded Reclaim Idaho in Bonner county.   During the past 9 years, we’ve done some big things together: we spearheaded a campaign that expanded healthcare coverage for 85,000 Idahoans, and we secured and defended $1 billion in annual federal investment in Idaho healthcare—$4.5 billion total so far we filed a landmark lawsuit that restored the ballot-initiative rights of 1 million Idaho voters and established the citizen initiative process as a right guaranteed by Idaho's constitution we successfully pressured Idaho’s legislature and governor to make historic investments in Idaho education, including $235 million in career training along the way, through victories and setbacks, we activated over 4,000 Idaho volunteers and built communities of engaged citizens in towns and cities across the state A year from now, we'll be celebrating the first 10 years of Reclaim Idaho.   In the meantime, we're laying the foundation for the next 10 years. Earlier this month, we collected hundreds of survey responses about what the next big campaign should look like. We'll have more updates soon, but for now let me say this:   For the next campaign cycle and for the next decade, we envision an agenda that doesn't just change policies in our state but also inspires thousands of people to join Idaho's political process. Through bottom-up engagement, we intend to change our state's balance of power.  Over the next few days, as we continue the work of laying the foundation for the next decade, we'll be rolling out several announcements.  Today we're happy to introduce our new logo.

The logo represents several distinctive features of our organization. The flag symbolizes our determination to reclaim this state as ours and to restore its best civic traditions.  The camper calls back to the 1978 Dodge RV that we drove across the state to launch our movement. The forward momentum of the vehicle represents our commitment to keep plowing head, through victories and setbacks, knowing that the work we do, though difficult, can win a better future for our state. Click here to donate $1 and, as a gift, receive a sticker with our new logo! And stay tuned for the next announcement later this week. Onward! Luke Mayville Executive Director, Reclaim Idaho Fund

Weekend Wrap

Another Memorial Day weekend is in the books. 

For Bill and me, it was a great weekend. 

For others, not so good. 

My heart goes out to the victims who died and to those who were injured in a head-on vehicle accident south of Sandpoint yesterday afternoon. 

I'm sure most of the community is hurting today, thinking about this loss, which touches many layers. 

So sad for all involved, and hoping for the families associated with both vehicles to feel the love and caring that are such key ingredients to this community. 

As one who experienced just that kind of outpouring when our house burned down more than 40 years ago, I know firsthand how helpful community support is both financially and emotionally. 

I see that a GoFundMe has been established at the following link. Pass it on. 

https://www.gofundme.com/f/donate-in-memory-of-coy-josh-after-tragic-car-crash

On a different topic, Bill brought home some forest-fire protection yesterday. 

He always goes to the North 40 bag sales, but I don't think he was able to put this tank and its accessories in a bag. 

With all of his forestry background, which includes serving on wildland fire teams and as a former Boy Scout, he likes to be prepared. 

~~~~~

 

 I saw the suggestion below this morning and thought, "How true!"  

One time my chivalrous hubby Bill walked my pocket knife back to the car in the parking garage when we were passing through TSA inspection at Spokane Airport. 

 Consider adding a pocketknife or multitool to your everyday carry. It's quite a lifestyle.  

Just don’t forget to leave it home when you go to the airport or a hockey game.

I can tell you from my own experiences that once you carry a pocket knife, you miss it when it's not available in your pocket. 

Yesterday was a "mow the whole lawn and then some" day. 

The "then some" includes a pathway across our hay field. It's already a beaten-down path, but tall grass has been growing, and when I take the dogs out early in the morning, I like to walk across the hay field without getting my shoes wet. 

So, the lawnmower and I went for a pleasant afternoon trip across the field.

We actually do the same most years with the brush hog, but knowing the lawnmower could do the job too made my day.  

This morning, my shoes were relatively dry after that first morning walk. 

We received some rain overnight, so Bill won't have to use his portable water tank today, and I've heard that more is coming. 

Whenever there's a break in having to drag hoses around, I don't complain. 

So, let it rain.  

Wishing the best to all on this Tuesday.

  

A Day for Remembering

 

Ode for Memorial Day

Done are the toils and the wearisome marches,

Done is the summons of bugle and drum.

Softly and sweetly the sky overarches,

Shelt’ring a land where Rebellion is dumb.

Dark were the days of the country’s derangement,

Sad were the hours when the conflict was on,

But through the gloom of fraternal estrangement

God sent his light, and we welcome the dawn.

O’er the expanse of our mighty dominions,

Sweeping away to the uttermost parts,

Peace, the wide-flying, on untiring pinions,

Bringeth her message of joy to our hearts.

Ah, but this joy which our minds cannot measure,

What did it cost for our fathers to gain!

Bought at the price of the heart’s dearest treasure,

Born out of travail and sorrow and pain;

Born in the battle where fleet Death was flying,

Slaying with sabre-stroke bloody and fell;

Born where the heroes and martyrs were dying,

Torn by the fury of bullet and shell.

Ah, but the day is past; silent the rattle,

And the confusion that followed the fight.

Peace to the heroes who died in the battle,

Martyrs to truth and the crowning of Right!

Out of the blood of a conflict fraternal,

Out of the dust and dimness of death,

Burst into blossoms of glory eternal

Flowers that sweeten the world with the breath.

Flowers of charity, peace, and devotion

Bloom in the hearts that are empty of strife;

Love that is boundless and broad as the ocean

Leaps into beauty and fullness of life.

So, with the singing of paeans and chorals,

And with the flag flashing high in the sun,

Place on the graves of our heroes the laurels

Which their unfaltering valor has won!

Paul Lawrence Dunbar -- 1896

💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔

A few memories from yesterday on our adventure to Hall Mountain.

 

We went looking for a carpet of wildflowers on a vast hillside overlooking the Kootenai Valley, but the dominant lupine have not bloomed yet.

 

Glacial lilies were putting on a show as were other varieties.

 

The big mountain color show will improve when the wild lupine pop out.

 

Though we were a little early for the wildflower show, the valley below, with it's meticulously prepared farm fields,  the meandering Kootenai River and surrounding snow-capped mountains offered a splendid view of Idaho, Montana and Canada. 

The best part:  we had it ALL to ourselves.  We met one car going up when we were coming down. 

It's a spectacular place and definitely one which inspires and reminds us of the magnificence and joy of life, simple gifts and of special memories in a natural world. 

From the monuments we saw, it's obvious someone else feels the same. 

Enjoy the music, the photos and memories of those who have gone before you. 

 

Essence of Memorial Weekend

 

The lawn still looked presentable, a little rough around the edges but not quite ready to be mowed again. 

My sister Laurie and I had enjoyed a nice visit while taking home-picked flowers and placing them at family graves in the two cemeteries.  

Mother and Harold are buried at Pack River Cemetery, while our sister Jeanne Marie, who died at about two months of age in 1950 is buried at Pinecrest.

With this solemn task completed and with more than half the day left, I asked Bill if he wanted to go for a drive. 

"Where do you want to go?" he asked, then suggesting Boulder Meadows. 

Too many mosquitoes, I said.

It took me a while to decide where I wanted to go, but after throwing some hay to the horses an idea came to mind. 

I suggested that we drive a portion of the high drive which goes through the mountains along Lake Pend Oreille south of Clark Fork.

We hadn't taken that road in at least 15 years. There was a time back in the '70s when my friend Chris and I drove the route and other roads all around the lake twice weekly.  

We put out traffic counters for the Forest Service Engineers and conducted two-day traffic surveys at Johnson Creek near Clark Fork and on Bunco Road on the south end of the lake. 

We knew the roads very well, but I must say that a 15-year break has allowed significant tree and vegetation growth.  

Most dramatic for us was driving to the vista, on a side road about four miles up the road,  which overlooks the lake to the west and the south along the Green Monarchs. 

A travel trailer was parked in the official vista itself, and trees have grown tall, blocking some of the wide-open dramatic view of the lake we used to enjoy. 

Some areas still allow an abbreviated view so we enjoyed the moment but not the mosquitoes.  They were pretty thick, and I wasted no time breaking down and showering myself with spray. 

We passed by the ultimate of Memorial Day recreation while on that trip---, busy convenience stores with bags of ice and beverages purchased, boats on the river, 4-wheelers aplenty, travel trailers, motorcycles, pickups with campers and tent camps.

Like us, most folks brought their dogs along for the fun.  In one case, we chuckled as a 4-wheeler passed us.  

In the passenger seat, a little dog sat in a lady's lap while a small trailer behind carried a doggie crate with its canine inhabitant having to tolerate the dust blowing up from the mountain road.

With the delightful weather, overall, it was a perfect day for summer to begin, and peeps took advantage.  

Bill and I called the five-hour our brief staycation, and we enjoyed it so much that we're thinking of using another segment of this Sunday to drive to a spot with a big, wide view and, if we're lucky, a hillside of alive with magnificent wildflowers.  

It should be fun.  

So far, this weekend has offered  both solemnity and a summerlike sense of escape and freedom. 

Hope everyone else is enjoying the weekend also. 

Happy Sunday.