Happy Anniversary, Lovestead

As we turned the calendar over to July, we did some reminiscing this morning.  It was a hotter day five years ago but a nice day like today. 

We had to wait until early afternoon to begin the move because the Stewarts were still wrapping up the loose ends of transporting a bunch of their possessions, including a horse trailer full of goats and one donkey.

They were bound for their new home in South Dakota, where a week later, the temperature shot up to 114 degrees.  I felt sorry for Jolene.

I felt really sorry for Jolene, having to leave this gorgeous piece of property but not sorry enough to still feel the giddiness of knowing that we "get" to live here. 

Today is the 5-year anniversary of our move, which included a few past members of the menagerie.  Rambo, Casey, Charlie and Lonesome are no longer with us, although most of them sleep eternally on this beautiful plot we call home.

Since that move, Kea, Lily, Lefty and Heather have joined the ranks of official Lovestead residents AND a whole lot of birds (I'm reminded as I type by the cooing of the mourning doves who moved in this spring and have hung around). 

I've written this next line several times since July 1, 2006:  I'm still pinching myself.

I probably pinch more on the beautiful summer days because this is truly a heavenly existence.  The long, long winter months are a bit tougher, but we still find ways to appreciate our home on South Center Valley Road. 

I noticed yesterday that the same pink rose bush on the east backdrop of our front lawn had begun blooming.  It was putting on a full show the day we moved in.  

In five years, we've grown to love the neighborhood and the people living in it.  Someone told me that the folks out here pretty much mind their own business, and that is true---but, have something go wrong, and they're there to help.  And, that is true. 

While reading the paper this morning, I heard the daily honk.  That was Gary Finney driving by on his way to work.

Actually, the daily honk happens several times a day, any time Gary is headed to or from home in any of his fleet of rigs ranging from big truck to big tractors to motorcycle to the white Blazer.

Gary and I have known each other most of our lives; we're ten days apart in age.  I'm older. Darnit!

But Gary has become a good friend and neighbor since we moved out here, and we've come to appreciate each other much more since 2006.  Gary likes his Christmas plate of goodies as do the others surrounding us.

Jim Taylor fell some trees over across the road last year.  One brushed against our already sagging mailbox.  Jim thought he caused the sag.  I told him it had sagged before that tree fell.  

Still, Jim has felt a responsibility to fix up our mailbox stand with a more sturdy foundation.  He drove a big pipe into the ditch a while back and plans to complete the overall rehaul this summer.

We did not expect him to do such a thing, but that's what rural neighbors are like, and we sure do like being in a rural neighborhood. 

Five years ago, Laura, Sefo and the gang of Samoans helped us move into and organize our home.  Sefo has since helped Bill with a section of the extensive board fence which has been constructed to replace a great portion of electric wire. 

The green vinyl storage shed, which caved in three winters ago, now lies in piles out in the loafing shed, and the beautiful shop that replaced it has made such a difference in looks and convenience. 

Much has happened since that day Willie surprised me when he flew in from Boise to help with the move.  Since then, the Border Collie population has increased with the grandpuppies and Kea. 

Willie no longer lives in Boise.  He and Debbie have been here in Sandpoint for almost two years, making a difference in the lives of young people.  And, the grandpuppies spend a lot of time with me.

In fact, on this morning five years after the move, grandpuppies have arrived with Willie.  Grandpuppies will stay the day while Willie and Debbie take their friends Andrew and Alicia on a trip to Canada.  

So, with that in mind, I'll end this reflection of five good years here at the Lovestead.  Cuz I've got pups to watch and gardens to water.

It's a good life here at the Lovestead, and I'm sure we'll celebrate our good fortune every July 1 for years to come.