Saturday Slight

Terry Wood Photo:  Herman, the friendly pig, lives with his human family up the road from Terry's place.  He likes being neighborly. 

Mile No. 16.

That’s where we live on Chris’s route today.

“Put the Gatorade behind that white post . . . I’ll be coming by around 7.”

Those were our instructions for this Saturday morning.

Overnight, the fruit-punch Gatorade sat on the kitchen island.

Since the “wolf crossing” sign is nailed to that white post, one never knows if a thirsty or ravenous wolf might come by in the night and decide to bite into that plastic bottle.

So, we decided to keep it in the house.  The bottle went its assigned location just before I started off on my morning walk.

 

The brilliant morning sky almost matched the contents of that Gatorade bottle---wine red.

Our morning Gatorade assignment certainly added a little interest to the mundane morning activities around the Lovestead, and we were happy to oblige.

After all, our friend is training for a marathon, probably next month in Kansas, and it appears that he’s put considerable planning into his training schedule.

As I write, it appears he’s a bit behind schedule because the Gatorade was still sitting behind the post just before I sat down to do this post.

Bill figures the darkness may have delayed his start, but by the time I go outside again, he’ll probably have passed by and grabbed some energy.

In the meantime, Bill has left for a day of celebration.  He’s headed to the Fitchett property up in Gold Creek where the longtime local family will be honored as "Idaho State Tree Farmers of the Year."

Besides a tour, several people will give talks during the morning gathering, including Bill talking about the Humbird Lumber Co. which once owned the area before the Fitchetts arrived several decades ago.

The Fitchetts are a wonderful family, and we figure nobody could be more deserving.

Rusty Fitchett and his sister Ruby work together managing their forest and harvesting timber.  Bill says 14 family members will be on hand for today’s celebration.

This morning, after taking horses to pasture, I gathered up the last of the pumpkins from the massive plant next to our barn.

 

All sizes and a few weird shapes, but that makes it more fun.  Yesterday, the four largest among the patch went to the front of the house to create a blend of summer and fall with the flowers still flourishing after the big freeze.

This morning a cartful of pumpkins joined their siblings---mainly for a photo op.  I’m thinking it will be kinda neat to have a nice assortment of sizes for fall decorating.  Later, some will go in the oven for the winter supply of goodies for pumpkin desserts and breads.

A brisk breeze is blowing outside, and it added a different tone to the morning walk---quiet but soothing as I enjoyed having the road to myself.

I’m wondering if some morning I might meet up with Herman, the neighborhood socialite.  Herman talks only “Oink, oink,” and he’s been showing up at folks’ homes just for a visit.

 

Yesterday, the friendly pot-bellied mini porker decided to visit Dan and Terry Wood’s farm up the road.  Of course, Terry posted a photo and later her sister-in-law Janice introduced the rest of us to Herman, who had visited her home a week or so ago.

“Very friendly,” Herman’s hosts maintain, along with a caution for everyone to watch out for Herman and make sure he doesn’t end up on someone’s breakfast plate.

Never a dull moment out here.  

I wonder if Herman will be out and about when marathoner Chris trots down the road.  If the two should meet, it could be that Chris may be wondering what all’s in that Gatorade.

Happy Saturday.