A Snowy Day

Let it snow, I thought throughout the day yesterday, as tree limbs eventually bent to the weight of wet stuff and a sense of Christmas magic pervaded the outdoor air. 

It was a day for decorating that deck tree and even adding some ornaments to the bush just outside our back entrance.

I plowed.  I shoveled.  I watched as animals frolicked in the snow and loved it when even our dear ol' Kiwi took a turn at disciplining the horses from the fence. 

She hasn't done that for a long time, mainly cuz Liam took over and she needs more rest in her golden years.   

My day also included a Zoom session, organized by my cousin Joan who lives in San Miguel, Mexico.  Her brother Rich and other Aspell family members are celebrating birthdays this month. 

So, about a dozen of us from across the United States got together.  Since it was Rich's birthday, I think he got to talk the most. 

He is waiting to be reassigned to a new location for the Peace Corps. 

Rich, a newly retired dentist,  did his training in Ethiopia earlier this year, but with a war going on there now, he'll probably go somewhere else once the Peace Corps starts sending their volunteers back to do good work. 

Twas fun visiting and listening to updates from these Chicago cousins. 

I also learned yesterday that my sisters have plans for our Christmas day celebration in their arena.  

A ZAGS cornhole game arrived at their house yesterday.  Sounds like a fun new adventure and a very different way to enjoy Christmas. 

A great, heart-tugging read in this morning's Bonner County Daily Bee. 

In spite of the "noise" that so often comes out of Idaho, we are blessed to have an abundance of angels around our North Idaho community, always quietly, generously, and lovingly collaborating to serve humanity.

 

Here's a story about a "literal serving" to our homebound seniors. 

 

https://bonnercountydailybee.com/news/2020/dec/16/group-deliver-christmas-meals-seniors-bonner-count/

In the "food for shots" department, I loved this reminder posted on Facebook by our family friend Karlen, a local nurse extraordinaire. 

For the creative writers and teachers thereof out there:  our Sandpoint High grad, Jesse DeLong, a professor at Louisiana State University, contributed to this new book (below). 

"I’m very excited that this creative writing textbook, which I co-authored some chapters for, came out.," Jesse states.  "So many amazing writers wrote these lessons." 

Obviously, this photo does not exactly feature a snowy day.  It was taken in Colorado. 

I love the photo, which includes some of my obvious loves:  Border Collie, horse, mountain setting, and best of all, my longtime dear friend Susie (Sky) Baldwin and her husband Marv.

We used to ride together when she lived at the current Bonner County Fairground.  Our paths have taken us many different directions.  She has done some amazing things in her life. 

Through all those years, our friendship has remained intact. 

And, this year, in particular, I appreciate more than ever those lifelong friends, and having any contact with them whatsoever means so much. 

Susie, who's soon to turn 72, has ridden horses all her life and has probably seen a lot of beautiful back country most of us will never visit. 

After a second hip replacement and subsequent therapy this year, soon after the Pandemic started, she and her husband hit the Colorado mountain trails. 

And, if that isn't enough, Susie has taken up reining and learning how to train a reining horse. 

An inspiration, both as a friend and as someone I look so forward to seeing in person when this is all over.

Happy Wednesday.