All in a Day

 

We're at the other end of the pleasant end of the spectrum for a few days. 

Once again, we're loving the weather.  

By Wednesday, I've read, we'll dip back into the doldrums with another dose of rain. 

For now, no complaints because today looks like it's going to be just as nice or maybe even nicer than yesterday. 

And, yesterday was a winner on several levels. 

Work done. 

A new face. 

A wonderful visit with my niece and her friend Lovina.

First barbecue of the season. 

It was a day that allowed folks to do whatever they wanted to do. 

While I painted fence, Bill went to a Native Plant Society program where he listened to Coeur d'Alene Tribal members talking about their traditional plants and some tribal culture.   

 "As Coeur d'Alene tribal members with strong roots tied to this land and the lake, our approach is respect for all living things, acknowledging our ancestors and the sacrifices they made in order for us to be here, and being open to learning and sharing. 

Teaching about our traditional foods and medicines allows us to communicate the history, the stories, the ways our people lived and especially the traditional teachings."

---from Press Release for the event

It turned out that our niece Laura had driven Lovina to Sandpoint for the presentation.  So, of course, there were some family connections in the audience. 

Later, Lovina and Laura came out for a visit.  We sat outside in the sun for a while and learned that Lovina has become a movie star.  

She and some other members of the Tribe traveled to Ireland last September to appear in a movie called "The Wolf Will Tear Your Immaculate Hands." 

The group spent a month in the Belfast area, learning how to spin wool and practicing the craft in the movie, a drama/horror film. 

Set in 1860s Pacific Northwest, a Native American governess educated in a Christian mission school is hired to teach two daughters of a British widower.

Lovina told us about the month-long experience, which also involved getting acquainted with Belfast and the surrounding area. 

Why a film in the Northwest produced in Ireland?  It's cheaper, Lovina told us. 

The Wolf Will Tear Your Immaculate Hands is now being shown on the Film Festival circuit. 

We had a lovely visit, and after they went on their way, Bill stoked up the grill and we had some barbecued chicken. 

Later, he went to town to work on another project, removing some fruit trees at the Presbyterian Church, which will be replaced. 

I felt good about fence painting and cleaning up some lawn, although standing water made me pick and choose where to mow. 

During my painting session at the north end of the barnyard, Lily suddenly whinnied at something out by the road.  I could see someone with a horse at the end of the driveway and wondered if they had come to visit. 

By the time I walked across the barnyard the horse and handler had gone on.  Later, they came back, only this time with the handler riding the horse instead of leading. 

Turns out the nice-looking mare is 28 years old, and she certainly doesn't look or act her age.  Her rider Ashley manages Center Valley Stables up the road from us. 

Of course, while we visited, a traffic uptick ensued as car after car passed by.  Finally, she went on her way with a smile, and I walked to the house, still thinking what a nice looking and youthful horse she was riding.

All in all, Mother Nature bestowed upon us a lovely day for doing things and enjoying whatever came down the pike. 

I'll take a second helping, thank you. 

Happy Sunday.  

Sandpoint Magazine editor Trish Gannon had a hard drive problem and has since retrieved lots of photos, including this one.

Sadly, Paul and Boots (left and sitting) are no longer with us, but Sandy and I are still occasionally up to no good.