First and foremost, on this April 1, I must note that it is our son Willie's 45th birthday.
After Dr. Marienau ushered him into the world, our lives changed forever.
We were now parents, and that job will continue until the day we die, just as will the love we have for our Willie and Annie.
Though the parental job hasn't been easy every single day of those 45 years, I'd say it's one of the most rewarding missions one can take on in life.
We feel blessed to call Willie aka Coach Love aka Will "our son."
Happy Birthday, Willie.
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In other news, Bill, the dogs and I went for a drive to the Hope Peninsula last night.
Blog readers will know that I often visit Hope proper, on the north side of the highway in search of fun photos.
And, I always find a nice collection.
Not so anymore with the peninsula.
It pains me to even say it, but I asked Bill if any planning and zoning had occurred out there.
Both Mother Nature and high-density land development have teamed up to ruin the esthetics of an area which once provided a serene, somewhat wild setting for a lovely drive through land that set the scene for the Idaho's oldest documented history.
As we drove through Sam Owen campground, I asked Bill if the area on the north side of the park was new development with its picnic tables spaced between a myriad of stumps.
When he said no, I suddenly realized how just devastating the storms which blew down hundreds of trees had been to the area.
We had driven through the campground after the last blowdown. At that time, it was shocking to see how many trees had gone down, but that was before cleanup which result in hundreds of stumps.
Now, the place looks almost barren and very much like a battle zone.
"It will take a lifetime for this to come back," I noted.
The same feeling of sadness for sheer beauty lost struck me as we drove through the developed area of the peninsula where it looks as if many dwellings have suddenly appeared in with no apparent planning but wherever space is available.
My comment to Bill: I'd take our farm any day over this. At least, we have space where we can enjoy the land.
Of course, the blowdown also affected the residential areas on the peninsula, but I don't even know what word to use in describing my feelings while reading the sign for property where the Kullyspell House was established in the early 1800s.
Too bad the desire to see preservation of important history doesn't match the quest to make a buck.
I'm sure glad we have organizations like Kaniksu Land Trust to save some of the land from this kind of exploitation.
Those are my thoughts, and I'm sticking to them, as one who used to love taking trips through the peaceful peninsula.
I've had the same impression while driving through what I once thought was a beautifully developed area: Dover Bay.
Seems like density in housing has become a key factor in recent development out there too.
Too bad. So sad.
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Today I'm including a link to my friend Connie's blog. She talks about two educators from the area who have passed on recently.
When she mentions Byron Lewis, she is referring to a couple who have been good friends to us for more than 40 years.
Our family has had so many adventures and memorable visits with Byron and Myra Lewis, from snowmobiling to faculty and family gatherings to just plain lovely visits.
Just like Connie notes in her post, our hearts go out to the families of these educators who left their respective marks on kids and on all who knew them.
https://retiredmtnlady.blogspot.com/
Happy Friday, and do stay away from FOOLish things.
Finally, today, I'm including a video of Captain Kirk, an amazing man who has not wasted a minute since retiring from his job on the starship Enterprise.
He loves horses and is pretty amazing in the reining circles.
Plus, he's definitely inspirational as a 91-year-old, traveling to Space and racing around arenas.
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