Slight Detour: Friday Florals/Fun: "Good News" Stories Featuring Sandpointers

I'll just call her "Bessy of Filipowski Cows."

Bessy had something pretty heavy on her mind as I passed by her pasture at the Leedy farm last evening with my camera.

I had not planned to take a drive, but THE MOSQUITOES all around our yard drove me crazy. So, I had no choice.

Fortunately, they left me alone long enough to take a few photos of the beautiful blooming show around the Lovestead.

Twas that last photo of lilacs in the north lawn that finally drove me to the car and up the road to snap a few more photos.

I actually drove almost to the end of North Center Valley Road before turning around. In that stretch, a brief visit with one of the residents who was out biking led to an agreement that the mosquitoes seem worse than ever this year.

More of them and more aggressive than usual to suck our blood.

As usual, there was pretty stuff along the road during that golden hour for photography. And, when I returned to the driveway, the mosquitoes held off from attacking me in the car so I could take a few photos of the evening Chuck-it session.

As usual, Liam was letting no grass grow under him, and Kiwi was content to run "shotgun" with her ball between her teeth as Liam raced and leaped for his ball.

This morning, I've included three links toward the bottom, which all deal with "sons of Sandpoint." Each link describes an impressive accomplishment.

In regard to the first link, I don't know much about his new book yet because I haven't heard back from James Martin (also originator of the North Idaho Fishing group site on Facebook).

Was hoping he'd be on Facebook this morning and see my note, asking for some highlights of how his newly released book evolved.

So, there's the cover and there's a link to Amazon where you can order the book.

Bill and I have known James since he was born, and we've enjoyed the various phases of his life as a Boy Scout, English student, talented musician, college professor, fishing aficionado and a whole lot more.

Well-rounded seems insufficient for describing him. Plus, he's a really nice young man who truly loves and admires his family and their family roots.

Congratulations, James, and, of course, Mama Jean, you must be very proud!

The second link involves a rather ambitious project taken on by two Sandpoint High classmates Luke Mayville and Garrett Strizich. Maybe you've seen mention of them before!

Well, Luke and Garrett and Garrett's wife Emily, along with a thousand new Idaho friends have officially crossed the threshold with their efforts to have a Medicaid expansion initiative appear on the Idaho General Election ballot this fall.

News came out yesterday that more than the minimum required signatures had been validated stateside.

So, once again, congratulations to these positive minded visionaries and good luck as you continue your quest to see this Initiative pass in November.

Finally, one of the earliest of the native sons to appear on the national front will be returning to Sandpoint High School today.

Green Bay Packer legend and Hall of Famer Jerry Kramer will present official documentation of his recent selection to the NFL Hall of Fame today at 1:15 p.m.

Jerry has relatives down the road who compete with me in the "yard beautiful" annual campaign, and I promised Janice that I'd try to make it to the program.

So, check out the last link below.

It's definitely another day when we can chant, "We're from Sandpoint, and we couldn't be any prouder."
Congratulations to all these folks who have worked hard and with honor to make good things happen.

We are proud of you!

https://www.amazon.com/Banana-Cowboys-Company-Corporate-Colonialism/dp/0826359426/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1527257689&sr=8-1&keywords=banana+cowboys

New Release by Sandpoint native and Montana State University professor James Martin.

The iconic American banana man of the early twentieth century--the white "banana cowboy" pushing the edges of a tropical frontier--was the product of the corporate colonialism embodied by the United Fruit Company.

This study of the United Fruit Company shows how the business depended on these complicated employees, especially on acclimatizing them to life as tropical Americans.