Work and Play Day

 

It was pretty neat this morning to have to turn on a heater here at the computer upstairs and later add a sweatshirt for my morning chores, especially after reading that the Earth is just gonna get hotter. 

Later, at the barn, I heard "triple digits" mentioned on the radio weather forecast.  Yup, it's for sure, it's gonna get hotter this weekend AGAIN. 

So, making the most of liveable days is of the essence.  I think we're good for today and tomorrow; then the fans, curtains, shades, ice water and pickup air conditioning go back into action.

At least, we have the drill down cuz we've had plenty of experiences with heat this summer.

Yesterday provided a wonderful respite from the misery we've dealt with all summer.  Rain overnight, a constant breeze and comfortable temperature readings allowed time to do projects that wouldn't have been thought of through most of summer. 

Among those:  emptying old jars of jelly to enhance this year's jar supply, cleaning up the yard and getting rid of some major yellow jacket and hornet centers around the outside of the house. 

I finally figured out why those black nasties were always showing up whenever I spent time on the west side of the house. 

Hadn't noticed the big hornets' nest next to the kitchen garden window until standing outside talking about bees to my sister.  In mid-sentence, I saw the nest, tucked in a corner next to the window. 

So, yesterday morning, I sprayed the nest twice, then Bill sprayed again.  Then, Bill took a pole and knocked the nest from its spot. He also went around the house and destroyed a few other bees' nests. 

At least, when we go back to triple digits and prime weather for bee attacks, the forces should be down in numbers. 

Once all the projects were completed, we decided to go play.  

Our destination:  Old Ice House Pizzeria in Hope for a bite to eat and then on to Johnson Creek Launch on the Clark Fork delta for an evening of kayaking. 

As we drove along the north end of the lake and watched a huge storm mass completely envelop Sandpoint, it looked as if our chances of kayaking were very questionable.  

Fortunately, the storm passed through Hope without much fanfare.  

As always, we thoroughly enjoyed our time at the pizzeria, visiting with locals, Bill and Gail Bostock and later Bill Currie, a retired Alaskan principal who grew up in Sandpoint. 

By the time, we reached the Johnson Creek launch, all was calm and serene.  Folks were fishing and camping. 

I decided last night while paddling the channel that leads to Lake Pend Oreille, that more often than not, kayaking in such spots comes about as close to Heaven as one can get. 

The sense of peace, the stillness, the views of wildlife and birds in their generally uninterrupted habitats and the sheer beauty offers a sense of serenity unlike anything else. 

While returning to the launch, I rested my paddle on the boat and just listened.  

For several seconds, not a sound. 

Music to one's ears, for sure.  

Bill and I have really enjoyed this year's kayaking excursions with family, friends and just ourselves, and we'll probably continue to do so for all the reasons above. 

Happy Monday.   

When you have a "three-Bill day, all in one spot, it's kinda fun. 

Bill Love, Bill Bostock, Bill Currie, all pretty good "Bill's."

Todd from the Phoenix and Hope area was nice enough to take a photo of Bill and me with Bill and Gail.  

We met this family of three enjoying a peaceful evening of fishing as we set off with our kayaks from the dock at Johnson Creek launch. 

Naturally, some talk about mini Aussies and Border Collies helped get us acquainted. 

She's a branch manager for a local bank, while he's a carpenter.

And, they do love their furry friend.