My horses made me happy yesterday.

When I went over to Roxane's, they were hanging out in the woods.

When they saw me, they almost immediately came to the gate.

I know they wanted treats, but their quick move to the gate made me think that they might be happy to see me.

Annie Love, Bill Peterson and Sam Cherry. The trio got together last night in Seattle.

I love arranging connections between interesting people.

So, when I saw that retired FBI agent Bill Peterson would be in Seattle this week, I suggested that he meet with our daughter Annie.

It worked out last night, and, in addition to swapping stories about the FBI with Annie's geocaching experiences, Bill got to meet another Eagle Scout, Annie's friend Sam.

Annie and Bill grew up in Sandpoint, and my Bill was that Bill's Boy Scout leader.

So, it was kind of nice for him to connect with another family member many decades later.

Bill Peterson was featured in the last edition of Sandpoint Magazine (pp. 29-35) in the interview feature written by Zach Hagadone.

https://issuu.com/keokee/docs/sandpoint_magazine_summer_2026?fr=sNzdiMDkwNjIyMTI

It's a fascinating story.

These days Bill is working for Amazon.com in its security department AND he is writing a book about his FBI experiences.

And, of course, Annie, as senior business development manager at Groundspeak, Inc., continues to travel the world dealing geocaching vendors and finding geocaches.

*********

Okay, so I used AI to improve my looks after yesterday's deep cleaning.

AI didn't know that the photo was taken when one side of my mouth was numb, hence no smile and kind of uneven lips.

So, AI took it upon itself to at least attempt a smile on my face and to touch up a few other facial flaws.

That was good, but the fact that AI thought Nikole from Mt. Baldy Dental was Mikala---not so good.

So, I over-rode AI and erased the wrong name from her name tag.

I guess it's nice in future AI assignments to make the names clear in the instructions.

Anyway, enough of AI.

I met Nikole yesterday at the dentist's office.

She's a Sandpoint High grad who went on to Carroll College and then Boise State where she studied dental hygiene.

Turns out I taught her dad Pat and her grandmother Karen, so we had lots of familiarity from the get go.

And, when you're there to have a deep cleaning, familiarity is the name of the game, especially when the hygienist is giving you shots for numbing and scraping around inside your mouth.

I think I passed my first experience at having half of my teeth cleaned. Almost made it clear through before asking if I could be excused to go to the bathroom.

"You're done," Nicole said.

That wasn't the answer I was expecting, but I happily took it.

Nicole, at 30, is truly wise before her time.

She's delightful, and when you have to stay in one spot, trying to calm the nerves for almost two hours, it's comforting to have someone with such a wonderful chair-side manner hovering over you.

Besides passing deep cleaning for the first time, I also went off the charts with my blood pressure---in a good way.

In my experience, 128 over 61 ain't bad, compared to some of the readings they've given me in the doctors' offices.

I guess the "white coat syndrome" is rather selective for when it wants to strike.

Anyway, my first deep cleaning was a great session, not that I can't wait until the next session, but when one survives without any horror stories, that's a good thing.

Also, knowing that Nicole will be there in a couple of weeks to do the honors gives me even more comfort.

😃😃😃😃😃😃😃

International choir presents ‘A Journey of Song’

By Reader Staff

With singers from Sandpoint, Bonners Ferry and Creston, B.C. working together to support worthy causes, the Spiritsong and Boundless Choirs are an international celebration of music and community. This year’s performances — dubbed “A Journey in Song” — will honor the group’s previous tour of England and Scotland, while raising funds for local nonprofits like the Bonner Community Food Bank.

The Sandpoint concert will take place at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 23 at the First Lutheran Church (526 S. Olive Ave.), after which the choir will move to the Trinity Lutheran Church in Bonners Ferry (6784 Cody St.) for a 7 p.m. concert on Saturday, Oct. 24.

Performances are free, but attendees are encouraged to bring cash donations for BCFB and the Bonners Ferry Coalition for Families, respectively.

The first half of “A Journey in Song” features works by composer Dan Forrest, which the choir previously performed in London with the Voces8 ensemble.

“A couple of the pieces literally brought the singers to tears in rehearsal,” said conductor Vicki Blake Thompson.

The second half will comprise Scottish songs — both new and familiar — such as “Wild Mountain Thyme,” “Loch Lomond” and “Auld Lang Syne.”

Pianists Sean Bostrom and Barb Nelson, as well as harpist Gail Southall, will accompany the performers. For more information, contact organizers at 208-208-1796 or 208-755-0662.