Slight Detour: Reflections of a Busy Week

This scene, taken yesterday of Taylor's field, across the road from us, shows that the fall colors are still in their beginning stages in many places down here on the flats.

In the next few days, however, Gary Finney's forest in the background will come alive with red and golden leaves.

This has been a week of taking opportunities to admire the seasonal color, having fun with dogs both at home and away, dropping off ZAG posters, enjoying some brief visits with a variety of friends and completing some projects in preparation for winter and for next spring.

I now have 105 new daffodil bulbs in the ground and ten new hyacinths. Thinking about the excitement of an enhanced spring color show around the yard will be helpful from time to time as the leaves disappear and the landscape turns blah until covered with a blanket of snow.

Today's photos portray some of the fun moments from this week. In short, I found beauty in many places and within many beings this week.

Hope you enjoy! Happy Saturday, and safe travels to my sisters as they begin their road trip with Dusty and soon with brother Kevin to the Arabian Nationals, which begin later next week in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Happy Saturday.

A true-blue buddy and a character. Liam has a personality all his own, and we love it.

Bill gets acquainted with just a few of the the Border Collies at Norm and Vickie Close's home south of Coeur d'Alene.

We visited again this week so Bill could see Liam learning some basics about herding from one of the nation's best, Norm Close.

Liam will probably never compete in trials, and the likelihood of his ever having a herd of sheep around the Lovestead is pretty slim.

Still, an occasional herding experience is good for the dog and great fun for his owners.

After our lesson, Norm took Dorothy, Jim, Bill and I on a tour to meet all the dogs and to hear a bit about their respective stories and their personalities.

Doesn't matter what color size, hair coat, talent comes with most any Border Collie, they inspire a lot of love.

A face that pretty much anyone could love. If I recall correctly, this beauty come originally from Brazil. Norm also has another dog in the kennels from Wales.

Meeting Gail, the 11-year-old golden girl who keeps track of all the young' uns around the Close Kennels, felt a lot like hanging out with our Kiwi.

Norm had pretty much the same things to say about Liam during this week's lesson as he did first time around: a handful, lots of stamina and does not hold a grudge when disciplined.

"Give him a lickin' and he keeps on clickin'," Norm said after a disciplinary moment.

For the record: Liam tends to do what he's told in his own time. Sometimes, his responses take a while.

As time went on, however, Liam settled into his job with a little more discipline.

My friend Dorothy arranged for our lessons, and she saw great progress this week with her Ben, enough that Norm turned the sheep over to Dorothy and Ben for some practice.