Saturday Slight

Waking up this morning to the news that Mohammed Ali has died definitely signifies a monumental event for those of us who have followed him since our childhood and the days when he was known as Cassius Clay, "The Greatest."  

At our house when we were kids and just getting introduced to television---black and white, of course, there were the regulars that we watched every week:  "Gunsmoke," "Dragnet," "The Lineup," "Lawrence Welk" and the "Friday Night Fights." 

Our dad was a big fan of boxing, and, at the time because of its popularity, one Christmas boxing gloves for my brothers appeared among the gifts under the tree.  

I think the front box stall in our barn on North Boyer served as the ring where Mike and Kevin could punch it out with Harold acting as referee. 

Like cigarette smoking among the masses, the horrible physical and mental toll of boxing on young athletes eventually diminished the sport in importance as far as the American viewing public was concerned.  Of course, other sports like football and basketball took its place in popularity.  

While growing up, I was not a big fan of Cassius Clay because he was cocky and bragged all the time. Granted, he was very good looking and admittedly great in the ring, but that bragging was just not impressive in my mind. 

If I recall correctly, Floyd Patterson and Archie Moore and Sugar Ray Robinson reigned as our boxing heroes in those days.  

Over the years, however, the bragging and the controversial name change from Cassius Clay to Mohammed Ali seemed to be forgiven, leading to an overall acceptance and embracing of his greatness as an phenomenal world-renowned athlete who had stood for principle.  A kinder, gentler beloved former warrior and world icon had emerged.

So, his passing is both sad and monumental, seeming as if a beloved segment of our babyboomer history has broken off and slipped away. 

In other Saturday morning news, I have heard from one of our family icons who has a mere 354 miles left in her walking journey across Northern Spain.  

She also seems to be in a more chipper mood today as opposed to yesterday when overnight accommodation plans hadn't gone exactly as planned----and yes, more of those beautiful photos can be seen on her blog in this morning's edition. 

She even posted a selfie with some fellow pilgrims at an artistic stop along the way.  So, go check it out  https://adventuregirlannie.com/

It's difficult resisting the temptation of getting on a plane and going over there to experience some of that phenomenal beauty.  

Around here, however, animals, grass and growing plants of all kinds constantly demand attention.  

A new experiment has been added to the manure pile garden this season.  This morning I stuck about two dozen sweet potato starts in the barnyard dirt pile and then fed them a rooting enhancer.  

I made the mistake of purchasing two clumps yesterday (one more of a bush and the other a plant), only to learn that the clumps are like onion clumps with a whole lot more individual plants than anticipated.

So, some more planning will be necessary to figure out where they'll all go.  Once that's done and a few more tomatoes have moved from the greenhouse, I'll be putting up a temporary fence in preparation for nocturnal invasions. 

Yesterday involved a netting project with the blueberry bushes.  With last year's constant evidence that deer will eat anything, including pumpkins, tomatoes and blueberries, I've taken a proactive approach this year in hopes of harvesting the stuff before they steal it.

Once the barnyard garden is sealed off and presumably safe from invasion, gardening activities will be minimized to weeding, watering and eating (exclusively human consumption, of course).

That will be nice. 

Bill is going to Timberfest today.  The logging/woodsman event has been revived after a 15-year rest.  Later, I'll be joining my sisters who are headed to Post Falls to pick up their new travel trailer.  

Should be a fun day.  Happy Saturday.