Another beautiful sunrise is upon us and ushering in what should be a fun and memorable day. One set of my Washington cousins is having a sisters' reunion this weekend.
They're coming to Sandpoint to ride the chair lift at Schweitzer.
Since I'm a chicken when it comes to heights and won't ride chair lifts, we're planning to get together afterward for lunch somewhere in Sandpoint, yet to be determined. I'm sure we'll enjoy good food and a great gabfest.
Then, I'll be meeting with other family members, living here in Sandpoint, who will be fishing and picnicking at a favorite family gathering spot.
At long last, it's one of those days focused totally on fun and family, which to me is very special.
With today in mind, I turned into a "domestic goddess" yesterday, spending a good portion of the day in the kitchen. As you'll see in one of the photos below, it was a pretty productive pursuit: fresh hamburger buns and bread and new jars of plum jelly.
All turned out okay.
As I was about to put the pectin in my plum juice, I noticed Lefty putting on a dramatic show in the front pasture. Usually Lefty runs the fence to protest his disappointment at not getting to go to the hay field like Lily. After all, there's a lot more green grass down there.
Which is precisely the reason Lefty doesn't get to go to the hay field for pasture just yet. Lefty has chronic weight problem, so his diet needs to be consistently restricted.
I thought at the time that it was awfully late in the morning for Lefty to still be galloping through his protest. Then, I notice that he would whirl around and then focus intently on something in the southeast corner of his pasture.
I stepped just outside the door and saw that something was moving over by the big flower bed. The something was dark and furry, unlike the usual deer who wander through the place all day long.
On closer inspection, I realized there were several furry four-legged, making their way toward our lawn near the dog run.
Sure enough, as they came around the corner, I recognized the next-door neighbor to the west's alpacas----the whole herd.
I went to the barn, grabbed a whip which would be useful in convincing them to turn around and go back home----or so I thought.
After snapping a few photos, I stepped closer to the herd and then one started walking my way. Since I don't have any relationship whatsoever with these alpacas or any alpacas ever, I thought it wise to step back. After all, I've heard they spit at people and strike.
Eventually, one turned around and, as if they were tethered together on invisible string, much like puppets, they all turned around and floated on down the trail back into the woods.
I haven't seen them since, but I was very happy that the dogs happened to be in the garage at the time.
Quite an interlude in the midst of jelly making, to say the least. Life around here is never dull, even when there's jelly in the saucepan.
This morning when I went outside to take the horses to their pastures, Lefty was putting on another show. This time he was focused on Gary Finney's pasture, and instantly, I could see why.
Gary has added his white horse to the trio of black Percherons in the pasture. As I've said many times, horses are THE very best watchdogs.
Any time anything is slightly out of its usual order, horses will acknowledge the change by putting on a great show of prancing, bucking and even some rearing. It's kinda pretty to watch and then to discover what the heck set them off.
On another note, yesterday we all learned that our former governor Cecil Andrus had passed away. His passing reminds me of a time before he was ever elected governor when he would drop in at the Radio-TV Center at the University of Idaho where I worked during my college days.
Always gracious, always personable, always a true gentleman. Cecil and my boss Gordon Law were good buddies, so we would see him from time to time, never imagining that some day this good man would serve as an exemplary governor and Secretary of the Interior.
Cecil Andrus was definitely one of the great examples when it came to politicians----respected and admired by folks from both sides of the aisle.
I read a wonderful remembrance of Gov. Andrus written for the Idaho Statesman in today's Spokesman-Review and invite you to check out this link. It's definitely worth the read.
http://www.idahostatesman.com/opinion/readers-opinion/article169467262.html
I also read in the paper this morning that this is National Dog Day, so sending out a salute to all our canine best friends around the world. Good Dogs! Love! Love! Love!
Finally, if by chance, the blog does not appear tomorrow, it's due to some technical difficulties, which, with luck, will get worked out Monday. Thanks for your patience.
Happy Saturday.
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