Surviving Ugh Times!

I actually managed to snap a few decent photos yesterday, which was quite an accomplishment on what had to be the UGLIEST day of winter and definitely the ugliest so far this year.

All but one of those above were taken yesterday afternoon on my way over to my sisters' farm.  A turn down Woodside Road often provides me with some nice material, and yesterday was no exception.  

As far as the cowboy with the Appaloosa, I took that casual portrait a few years ago while working on a story about area horse activities for Sandpoint Magazine. 

The cowboy?  That's Leonard Wood who runs Red Angus  cattle in the area where yesterday's photos were taken.  I'm figuring those are some of Leonard's cows out there enjoying their afternoon meal. 

Leonard has also ridden a horse or two during his life and has passed a lot of his horse and trail riding knowledge on to two younger generations in his family.  

He's always been a good friend, and since this photo never made the magazine, I'm guessing it needs to be featured on "Slight Detour" as a Throwback Thursday shot. 

Yesterday, we had wet snow followed by an abundance of wetter than usual rain, which made picking walking routes difficult at best.  

At one point, while stepping out of my sisters' barn, I made a bad choice, sinking down through the snow to a lake which poured into my boot.  Fortunately, I was coming home, so the soggy socks came off soon. 

The really bright spot of the dreary day ironically occurred because of the misery outside.  Horses at my sisters' stayed inside, and when I went to visit CB, his blanket was off. 

So, he enjoyed a thorough grooming and some fun time playing in the indoor arena.  My sisters claim he has a little Pomeranian in him cuz that cute little tail goes up the minute he takes off in a trot. 

CB is SO mellow, however, that one has to wave a whip at him to get him to move.  He would prefer just hanging out, but when he does move, he's a pretty boy. 

While inside the indoor arena, I forgot completely how gloomy and wet it was outside.  Nothing had changed when I walked out the door.

These ARE the times that test our patience to the max, and we have to work hard to find diversions from ugly January weather.  I've noticed that some of those come in the Letters to the Editor column of our local paper.  

Topics usually have an edge this time of the year, probably because people are cooped up and mad.  So, that grumpiness often starts showing up bigtime in January and February.  

I know. I know. I've said this before, but this IS the time of year that I always remember my dear friend Joy O'Donnell.  Now, Joy had an edge herself, and with her longtime observations of the area where she grew up and taught for most of her career, Joy liked to share a rather perceptive annual observation.

When February comes, she'd say, it's time for the All Bonner County Rock fight.  In Joy's mind, everyone who had an axe to grind could get out on the walking bridge across Lake Pend Oreille and throw rocks at each other.  

I think the "letters to the editor" column and watching the way they often settle squabble in Middle Eastern countries gave Joy that idea.  

We never have had an All Bonner County Rock fight, but, like the WALL, it sits on the table for a rather dire way to take care of issues that make us mad. Hopefully, both will never happen. 

Which brings to mind a letter in the paper today (the day after the ugliest day of the year) where a writer responded to my longtime friend Pat Gooby who often submits folksy letters, often with a hint of "tongue-in-cheek."  

Pat has gotten to the stage of sage, and I'm thinking a lot of folks kinda enjoy his take on things.  There's usually a hometown observation and a hint of humor. The last letter submitted by Pat hinted that the art on the roundabout down by Super 1 might be just a bit inefficient cuz drivers don't have time to sit and admire it. 

I really don't think Pat hates the art; instead, I do believe he was making an observation that Pat, who has lived here FOREVER and with his unique hometown voice would make. 

Well, a letter appeared in today's paper where the writer decided to respond, gently reminding Pat that there is a lot of nice art around Sandpoint, which he may enjoy seeing.  

The part which made me chuckle, however, came when the writer subtlely lectured Pat on Sandpoint, informing him that this is an art town. 

I told Bill that this writer needs to realize that Pat kinda knows Sandpoint and that she also needs see some of Pat's art, which involves beautiful and fine woodcraft. I think she'd be impressed. 

That said, I totally appreciated the writer's passion for community art, and I do believe that art at the roundabouts is very nice.  

Eventually, if we go around those circles often enough, the creations will become etched in our minds.  I'm really excited to see what eventually enhances the roundabout on Schweitzer Cut-off Road.

Just an observation from another old timer. 

Finally, we've heard a lot griping about "free trade agreements" and how the United States often comes out on the short end of the deal in world trade.  

Well, I'm pretty excited about a trade that took place last night between the United States and Switzerland.  

One person and his entourage flew to Switzerland.

At the same time another person without her entourage took off from Switzerland, bound for the United States and eventually to Colburn where she'll be staying for the next several days. 

We think we here in the United States got the better trade.  

Welcome back, Swiss Miss!  

I instructed her that when she passes through Spokane from the airport tonight to yell out "GO, ZAHGS!"  

The ZAGS will be playing at precisely that time, albeit in Portland in their second matchup with the Pilots

8 p.m. PST --  ESPNU

Happy Thursday.  Today already looks better than yesterday!

Yay, Swiss Miss.  Welcome!