It's dirt day again here at the Lovestead.
It's also mowing day.
My friends, Rick and Ann, will be over later this morning for a load of our black gold.
I told them to expect just one load because my sisters and I have also been reinforcing garden and flower beds with decayed horse apples.
It's rich stuff, and any amount is helpful.
Once they get their load, I'll be pushing the manure pile-in-waiting over to make room for this winter's raw stuff.
Good ol' black dirt comes from several turnings of manure over the course of at least a year.
The horses will once again add to the supply come fall when they spend nights in the barn.
Unlike aging dirt, we all know that lawn-mowing cycles move much faster.
It's once again time for six hours of chopping off dandelions and manicuring the Lovestead grass.
Happily, each time I mow, the dandelion population continues to diminish.
~~~~~~~~
Also, on this day, I can't help but think of "Profiles in Courage," and when I do so, I think of President John F. Kennedy and of my former student Tony Bottarini.
Both were shining heroes in my lifetime.
Both died far too young.
If my memory serves me correctly, both were born on this day in May.
Much has been written and remembered about JFK, and, happily, much of what is remembered, including his book "Profiles in Courage," is poignant and meaningful and, especially, in these times, the memories of the eloquent, charismatic, handsome, brilliant President make us wistful.
JFK and his rhetoric, which inspired reaching toward a higher purpose, ignited my lifelong interest in politics and government.
I can still shed a tear thinking about that awful November day so long ago when he was assassinated.
I know that I'm not alone.
I can also, and have this morning shed tears, thinking about Tony Bottarini.
Obviously, not as much has been written about Tony, a brave, funny and inspiring young man who fought off cancer from junior high through his last month of high school.
Still, there are a few writings, one of which I'll share today, and there are the memories.
Every single student and staff member associated in any way with Sandpoint High in 1986 clings to the memories of Tony and to the great honor of knowing and loving him.
So, please today, enjoy the photos of two heroes associated with May 29, and it's okay to shed a tear or two when you read the story below.
After all, your tears surely bring smiles in Heaven on the face of a very special young man.
As for JFK, we could use another figure of his kind to inspire us once again.
Maybe it will happen again in our lifetimes.
I hope so.
Happy Wednesday.
Enjoy the photos.
Student Taught His Teachers About Courage
Sat., May 25, 1996
Panhandle Pieces, Spokesman-Review
I’ve been thinking a lot about Tony
Bottarini lately. His 1986 senior picture sits on my living room
windowsill. Every day for two years he occupied an ugly old chair known
as the “throne” in my English classroom.
Ten years ago this week, Tony was crowned king of the Sandpoint High School Senior Prom.
A few days later, my principal, Jim Wilund, and I flew to Portland to give him his high school diploma. The small ceremony took place in his hospital room just after Tony’s arm had been amputated because of a cancerous tumor.
Two weeks later our young friend died at his uncle’s home in Phoenix, Ariz., after a seven-year fight with cancer.
I had the honor of helping plan his memorial service. The Catholic Mass in our high school gym was an uplifting experience filled with music, memories and hundreds of colorful balloons.
And when it ended, 700 people formed a large circle outside on the school lawn and sent the balloons soaring toward the heavens. Tony Bottarini touched thousands of people during his short lifetime.
He continues to do so.
An award in his name goes every year to two or three SHS seniors who demonstrate both perseverance and courage in their day-to-day living. Many of these winners have gone on to perform some remarkable feats as athletes, professionals and good citizens.
And, at Lewiston High School where Wilund is now principal, students continually hear stories about Tony. I asked Jim this week to share his memories for my column.
After receiving the following fax, I decided to let Jim’s words tell the rest of the story:
“I am reminded of Tony Bottarini daily because his picture still occupies the most important spot on my office wall. Students will often ask about Tony and what happened to him.
“I tell them that Tony was the most courageous person I ever met. I tell them the story of when you and I went to Portland because Tony’s one dream and goal in life was to graduate from high school.
“And I tell them that when life and job are getting me down, I go over and look at that picture. Tony still tells me, 10 years later, to quit feeling sorry for myself and learn from him. He tells me that he’s gone through the alternative and that I should enjoy every day that I get to remain on this earth.
“I think he has helped many students from his place on my wall. I still get tears when I relate his story to students. I have also used him in speeches when we talk about leadership. He still leads me by his example, his courage and his focus on what it was that he wanted out of his short but meaningful life.
“I watched him come to school too sick from chemo to function, yet he functioned. I watched him in ‘Tony’s chair’ in your room trying to feel well enough to go to another class. I watched him at football games when he was the manager, toughing out yet another day and loving every minute of it.
“I marveled at his courage and his ability to be upbeat. I wondered why it was that he wanted more than anything to graduate from high school when kids with 100 times the life expectancy of Tony could care less. I guess what I remember most about Tony is that he taught me more in one year than I could have taught him in 100 years.
“He was the toughest, neatest, happiest person I ever met. I will never forget him, and I thank him every day for having been a part of my life. He made me a better person through his example, and I know that he has touched many lives through his picture.
“Ten years later, I cry when I tell the Tony Bottarini story.
That day in Portland is like it happened yesterday. It still stands out as the single most poignant day of my career. Thanks for asking me to share my thoughts. I needed to do that today for some reason.
Maybe Tony knew … suppose?”
Ten years ago this week, Tony was crowned king of the Sandpoint High School Senior Prom.
A few days later, my principal, Jim Wilund, and I flew to Portland to give him his high school diploma. The small ceremony took place in his hospital room just after Tony’s arm had been amputated because of a cancerous tumor.
Two weeks later our young friend died at his uncle’s home in Phoenix, Ariz., after a seven-year fight with cancer.
I had the honor of helping plan his memorial service. The Catholic Mass in our high school gym was an uplifting experience filled with music, memories and hundreds of colorful balloons.
And when it ended, 700 people formed a large circle outside on the school lawn and sent the balloons soaring toward the heavens. Tony Bottarini touched thousands of people during his short lifetime.
He continues to do so.
An award in his name goes every year to two or three SHS seniors who demonstrate both perseverance and courage in their day-to-day living. Many of these winners have gone on to perform some remarkable feats as athletes, professionals and good citizens.
And, at Lewiston High School where Wilund is now principal, students continually hear stories about Tony. I asked Jim this week to share his memories for my column.
After receiving the following fax, I decided to let Jim’s words tell the rest of the story:
“I am reminded of Tony Bottarini daily because his picture still occupies the most important spot on my office wall. Students will often ask about Tony and what happened to him.
“I tell them that Tony was the most courageous person I ever met. I tell them the story of when you and I went to Portland because Tony’s one dream and goal in life was to graduate from high school.
“And I tell them that when life and job are getting me down, I go over and look at that picture. Tony still tells me, 10 years later, to quit feeling sorry for myself and learn from him. He tells me that he’s gone through the alternative and that I should enjoy every day that I get to remain on this earth.
“I think he has helped many students from his place on my wall. I still get tears when I relate his story to students. I have also used him in speeches when we talk about leadership. He still leads me by his example, his courage and his focus on what it was that he wanted out of his short but meaningful life.
“I watched him come to school too sick from chemo to function, yet he functioned. I watched him in ‘Tony’s chair’ in your room trying to feel well enough to go to another class. I watched him at football games when he was the manager, toughing out yet another day and loving every minute of it.
“I marveled at his courage and his ability to be upbeat. I wondered why it was that he wanted more than anything to graduate from high school when kids with 100 times the life expectancy of Tony could care less. I guess what I remember most about Tony is that he taught me more in one year than I could have taught him in 100 years.
“He was the toughest, neatest, happiest person I ever met. I will never forget him, and I thank him every day for having been a part of my life. He made me a better person through his example, and I know that he has touched many lives through his picture.
“Ten years later, I cry when I tell the Tony Bottarini story.
That day in Portland is like it happened yesterday. It still stands out as the single most poignant day of my career. Thanks for asking me to share my thoughts. I needed to do that today for some reason.
Maybe Tony knew … suppose?”
 |
| President John F. Kennedy --- eloquence, inspiration ---painting appeared on Twitter |
I saw these two young men, both University of Idaho students, putting in some wood for their grandfather who's my neighbor, Gary Finney.
Struck a deal with Adam and Payton to help put in my hay this summer.
I told 'em there would be money and food.
"I like both," Adam said.
 |
| A truly rustic LOVE seat |
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