Thursday This and That and TBT

A little of this and a little of that on this April Thursday.

I spent some time in town yesterday, scoping out some possible settings for a group photo. 

I'm always drawn to the ceramic mural on the side of the community restrooms.

Yesterday, I took some time for up close and personal inspection.  It was disappointing to see that some parts of the images have broken off over the years. 

Still, it's a pretty and bright attraction in the town square. 

Today is another big day for our world traveler Annie. 

She's taking off this afternoon for two weeks in Southeast Asia, with plans to visit Thailand, Vietnam and South Korea. 

Lord only knows if that Sounders scarf is gonna show up at the demilitarized zone.  

We hope not!

She will spend the majority of her time in Vietnam where her Uncle Mike spent two years.  His stay abruptly ended in June, 1972, when his Cobra helicopter was shot down by a Surface to Air Missile (SAM). 

Peace reigns these days in that country which defined so many lives of my generation. 

It will be fascinating to follow her travels vicariously as we do so many times, and I'm sure my brother will enjoy seeing Annie's perspective on the country.

With luck, she may even connect with one of my former students who now teaches English at an International high school in Saigon.  

Another interesting aspect of this trip is that she'll be flying in and out of Bangkok, Thailand, where Mike and his family lived when he was working in the paper industry and where my niece Laura graduated from the International High School. 

Lots of memories for other family members, and again, Annie's take on Thailand will be interesting. 

Godspeed, Annie, and have another time of your life!

Thursday TBT's, many taken five years ago:

It does rain in Ireland.  I took this photo when I spent a day on my own in Dublin as other family members did some touring north of Dublin.

I can't remember what I needed at a nearby store, but I did notice an umbrella display right next to the door. 

Another rainy day at Farragut when Bill showed my cousin Rita and her husband (from Tri-Cities) the basics of geocaching. 

I just like the expressions in this photo of Foster and Festus. 

Just happened across this panoramic shot, which made me  anxious to see dry roads and green grass. 

This is the Elisabeth who cares for our critters whenever we travel.

This was back in the day when we still had a magnificent Lodgepole tree for folks to join the Lodgepole Society. 

Mr. Scotty Fitchett, one of Sandpoint High's most beloved teacher, his wife Sage, his mother-in-law Deb and his daughter.

This was taken at a school assembly, where another beloved teacher named Love got fed some messy stuff (photo below). 

A moment with doggies and their peeps at St. Stephens Green in Dublin. 

Isaac, Libby and Cari at the Celebrate Life Fun Run/Walk. 

Doggies along Boundary Creek near Porthill on an Easter Sunday. 

I received a note this week from the local museum coordinator, wondering about the history of a house at 2800 Great Northern Road.

She noted a plaque on the door suggesting that a house had burned down and the community had stepped up to help.  Then, she mentioned something about a Love shack sign.

She had no idea that she was writing about our home for 30 years, which even a few years ago  after we had moved to Selle had taken on a different look.

I went there one day and took these pictures just to remember the good times spent as our kids were born and where they spent their childhood.

It was kinda neat to write what I knew about the place and explain to her that this house was built by John Knowles in 1985 after our former home burned down just before Christmas in 1984.

As for the shack sign, Bill had painted a sign "The Love In" and nailed out at the end of the driveway. 

After all, we moved there in the '70s.  Later, the sign went to the barn.

I found out later that the folks at Quest, who bought our home, wanted to know some history.

I think that is nice of them. They were always so nice to us.

This is how we like to do Easter, if the weather permits!

This was taken at the Fish and Game property near the Canadian border.

We take a picnic lunch (with ham, of course) and our dogs and happily enjoy the outdoor wonders.

Maybe we can do this again in 2019. 

This young lady named Riley is in Kaui (I understand half of Sandpoint is there this week).

That's her dad Amos.

Riley is a soccer star who recently went to Mexico to play soccer with other stars her age.

She'll be playing for Eastern Washington University in the fall----if she gets the mud off her feet, that is.

A photo of Riley, her cousin Grace, her mom Julie and Grandma Carrie appeared on Facebook this morning with the muddiest sandals and tootsies I've ever seen.

I think they were on their way to one of the waterfalls in Paradise to wash their feet. 

That's all. 

Happy Thursday.