Scrap Iron vs Recycle

The King and our grandson have
been on a hunt for a truck bed for the
grandson's truck. The one he has ...has
so much rust, there is no repair to it.

So like every American guy or guys, they
called around to Spokane junkyards. And
was told of one at You Pull it... but when
they got there the next day... it turn out
it was in the "do not touch area" (where
police still have an interest in it and haven't
release it) So they checked every junkyard
from Spokane, Cda, Hayden, Garwood and
here in town. Nothing.

The King headed out yesterday and at each
place he found the truck box, he was a day
or two late. They had been smashed for scrap
iron. Time after time. Place after place. Why?
Because scrap iron is selling so high, the
yards can get more for the scrap iron prices,
than parting them out. The King came home
deflated. Couldn't believe the cars that were
marked for scrap..as new as 2003.

The good news was, that just a mere 4 blocks
from here at Auto Alley, way in the back.. there
was the magic box and at a reasonable price.

The King had heard that scarp iron was selling for
$400 a ton. I could not believe this, as I use to be
in the scrap iron business ( we smashed and hauled
cars for 8 years) in 1970's. My deceased husband and I.
In fact we got out of it because the price had dropped
to $8 a ton. Standing on top of the cab of the hauler,
while my husband brought over a car to the truck, and
I lining it up with the others, motioning to him to drop
it...with only headlights of my pickup for light...was just
not worth it any more. So we sold out. 2 years later it
was selling for $38 a ton. We were amazed.

If Marvin was still alive, he would be blown over by
now. As I went on line today to just see what I could
see. And here is the list...
GRADES .

Whole Prepared Car Bodies
62.25
103.75
ton
USD
Flattened Car Bodies
74.70
124.50
ton
USD
Green Car Bodies
149.40
249.00
ton
USD
Unclean Motor Blocks
166.00
207.50
ton
USD
Clean Motor Blocks
332.00
415.00
ton
USD
Automotive Cast Iron Scrap
332.00
415.00
ton
USD
Scrap Steel Wheel Rims
249.00
332.00
ton
USD
Scrap Aluminum Wheels
0.70
0.90
lbs
USD
Unclean Auto Radiators
0.55
1.09
lbs
USD
Clean Auto Radiators
0.77
1.28
lbs
USD
Heater Core Scrap
0.46
0.91
lbs
USD
Aluminum Auto Rads
0.25
0.41
lbs
USD
Whole Scrap Auto Transmissions
0.14
0.28
lbs
USD
Irony Aluminum Scrap
0.16
0.32
lbs
USD
Irony Zinc Diecast Scrap
0.18
0.37
lbs
USD
Irony Magnesium Scrap
0.68
1.36
lbs
USD
Scrap Lead Wheel Weights
0.27
0.45
lbs
USD
Scrap Lead/Acid Batteries
0.11
0.18
lbs
USD
Scrap Catalytic Converters (assorted sizes)
37.33
62.12
each
USD
LTL= prices refers to the over the scale value of misc.
quantities of materials.. Less than Truck Load quantity
refers to weights of less than 40,000 lbs
TL = prices refer to sorted and prepared materials
packaged and ready for shipment
And those of you how took off your Catalytic Convertor
after you came to Idaho (required in some states) well
those prices go from $26 to $130 each...

So when you crumble up that fender or bumper? Don't
necessarily think you can just go to the junkyard and
replace it... because it might have been already smashed.

And if you have a couple of junkers or more in the back
yard or field, and your wife has been bugging you to get
rid of them? Well, now is the time to get rid of them...
There is a unit in Spokane that will come to your house
and smash it right there and haul it away...

Happy 40th birthday, Mr. B and Wounded Moose...

Ted Kennedy

Coming from New England I have, maybe, not
as much of distaste of Ted Kennedy.

The Kennedy's were as close as Royalty as
American could get and especially New England.
Love them or hate them, you still were amazed by
them.

In Massachusetts, especially Boston area, the
family was really well known before the nation
was really aware of them. Those who knew of
the Irish mafia of Boston knew of Rose's family
especially, going back 100 years or more.

Those who are on top of their game of politics
would have known Joseph Kennedy was the
Ambassador in the 1930's. Before they knew
of John Kennedy. And of course, of his affairs,
with Gloria Swanson and etc.

Which is why I gave Teddy Kennedy some slack.
Not much, but some. When the young lady was
killed in his car, it was life as usually just hours
before. The Kennedy's played hard and partied
hard too. They attracted women in droves. This
is not to say it was the young ladies fault. But
she was with the partiers... and as in the case with
a lot of parties, that go on with the rich and famous,
accidents happen. And most of them are covered
up.

Ted was young, and still very much controlled by
his father. It was the American rich way. You take
care of family business. If you can, you cover it up.
With the name like Kennedy, that isn't so easy.

Ted, I am sure was scared, sorry, and remorseful.
Just it wasn't in the public eye for all the see. Rich
families do not like to have their people show emotions.
But Ted has paid for this mistake in his life. He has paid
dearly. He will never measure up in anyone's eyes. He
will be until his death the man who killed the girl in the car.
You can bet those of the news media, who are getting
their obituaries ready for him (they have him half dead) in
their files, have that very thing in there.

Ted, also followed his family footsteps of womanizing,
drinking, party hardy, and living life to the fullest. And in
age, he has mellowed. But he also has done well for
the country. He has been involved in many bills that
have passed, for the betterment of the country.
But he will always be remembered as the guy who
killed the girl. And never President as the family
had wished for......Sad...

I wonder how many of us, who have made bad choices
over life, drank too much, partied too many times, took
the wrong Y in life, could we have stood up to so much
criticisms? At least the majority of the people in the
state of Massachusetts had enough faith in him for over
40 years.

So I hope for his sake there is a turn around with this
tumor. Just so he can keep on being Ted Kennedy, the Lion
Senator from Massachusetts or just Ted Kennedy, the man
who sails off of Cape Cod, and enjoys what he has left of
life.

posts...

I may not have some post up here in the next day
or two...
My server...not blogspot.. is having some problems.
So if you don't see anything here... it is because
I have lost it all together. Right now only my
hotmail is working.. some connects... obivious..
other wise you wouldn't be reading this.
so hang in there.. I will post when I can...
So Mo...if you don't see anything.. know I am
ok.. lol

The Tale of Grandpa and the Kid

One beautiful day, it was decided that
a pick up truck would be towed from out
of the North side to Kootenai.

The tower would be the King's grandson.
The towee would be the King.

No matter how you look at this, you know
there is going to be trouble. If you have EVER
been towed or done the towing.. you know no
one comes away happy. I have been both. And
they did not come out with happy people and usually
a lot of cussing.

You see the King went out the day before and
changed the wheels as there were two wheel
wheels on a 4 wheel truck. And it just doesn't
work. Then he put the truck on a trailer...which
is not made for cars. It was too heavy, so it was
decided that it should be towed the next day.

All went well in the beginning. Everything was lined
up. It appeared that the King had check the lug nuts.
And off they went... Grandson towing his grandfather.

Grandson's buddy went with me. And we decided
because it was close to time for him to go to work,
that I would take him. He called the Grandson to
tell him, so he wouldn't worry. The Buddy said to
the phone..." NO WAY, YOU ARE JOKING? HOW
BAD IS IT.. Oh, ok... well, grandma is taking me to
work, so don't worry about me." I looked at the
buddy, and said, do I really want to know what
happen? He said no...

But then he proceed to tell me.
It seems they left the road of which my daughter
lives on... and turn down two others, and then at a
straight stretch, a wheel and tire passed the King.
Passed the grandson... and went into the ditch.
And the red truck came down on the spindle.
I looked at the Buddy and said "you know who
put those wheels on don't you.".. the buddy said
"yes.. Grandpa"... and we both said in unison...
"Thankfully it wasn't the grandson."..

They had to come to the house to get a floor jack
so they could lift the truck up, and get the wheel
back on.

When they arrived in the alley out back, I asked our
Grandson, if he had told his grandfather that he was
stupid, (he shook his head no) I asked him, did he
tell him he was too old and wasn't thinking? And did
he ask him, what were you think when you did the lug
nuts? All of which he said,no... I told him. Well, his
grandfather got off pretty easy. Because you know,
Grandson, had it been you who put the lug nuts on,
he would have said that and more to you... Grandson
grinned and said, yes, I know... He looked at his grandfather
and grinned some more.

It will be a long time before the King lives this one down.

One of those days...

Today is one of those days...
In blog land there are days where
nothing is worth writing about.

I have spent a good share of it
outside, so my brain is on sunshine
and not words.

Besides the few times I did check in
on the computer... my server was acting
funny. Not the ha ha kind...

So I took that to be.. let it go... and
enjoy the day...so I did. Hope yours was
good too...

Laugh for the holidays

Every time I read this... I get tears in my eyes from laughing.
This is not for children to read.
So keep this in mind, if someone suggests a Chili cook off for
Memorial Day bar-b-que...


If you pay attention to the first two judges, the reaction of the
third judge is even better. For those of you who have lived in Texas,
you know how true this is. They actually have a Chili Cook-Off
about the time Halloween comes around. It takes up a major
portion of a parking lot at the San Antonio CityPark.
Judge #3 was an inexperienced Chili Taster named Frank,
who was visitingfrom Springfield , IL.

Frank: "Recently, I was honored to be selected as a judge at a
chili cook-off. The original person called in sick at the last moment
and I happened to be standing there at the judge's table asking
for directions to the Coors Light truck, when the call came in.
I was assured by the other two judges (NativeTexans) that the
chili wouldn't be all that spicy and, besides, they told me I could
have free beer during the tasting, so I accepted." Here are the
score card notes from the event:
*****************************************************
CHILI # 1 - MIKE'S MANIAC MONSTER CHILI...
Judge # 1 -- A little too heavy on the tomato. Amusing kick.
Judge # 2 - Nice, smooth tomato flavor. Very mild.
Judge # 3 (Frank) -- Holy shit, what the hell is this stuff? You could
remove dried paint from your driveway. Took me two beers to
put the flames out. I hope that's the worst one. These Texans are crazy.
*****************************************************
CHILI # 2 - AUSTIN'S AFTER BURNER CHILI...
Judge # 1 -- Smoky, with a hint of pork. Slight jalapeno tang.
Judge #2 -- Exciting BBQ flavor, needs more peppers to be taken seriously.
Judge # 3 -- Keep this out of the reach of children. I'm not sure
what I'm supposed to taste besides pain. I had to wave off two people
who wanted to give me the Heimlich maneuver. They had to rush in
more beer when they saw the look on my face.
*****************************************************
CHILI # 3 - FRED'S FAMOUS BURN DOWN THE BARN CHILI...
Judge # 1 -- Excellent firehouse chili. Great kick.
Judge # 2 -- A bit salty, good use of peppers.
Judge # 3 -- Call the EPA. I've located a uranium spill. My nose
feels like I have been snorting Drano. Everyone knows the routine
by now. Get me more beer before I ignite. Barmaid pounded me
on the back, now my backbone is in the front part of my chest.
I'm getting shit-faced from all of the beer.
*****************************************************
CHILI # 4 - BUBBA'S BLACK MAGIC...
Judge # 1 -- Black bean chili with almost no spice. Disappointing.
Judge # 2 -- Hint of lime in the black beans. Good side dish for
fish or other mild foods not much of a chili.
Judge # 3 -- I felt something scraping across my tongue, but was
unable to taste it. Is it possible to burn out taste buds? Sally, the
beer maid, was standing behind me with fresh refills. That 300-LB
woman is starting to lookHOT. just like this nuclear waste
I'm eating! Is chili an aphrodisiac?
*****************************************************
CHILI # 5 LISA'S LEGAL LIP REMOVER...
Judge # 1 -- Meaty, strong chili. Cayenne peppers freshly ground, adding
considerable kick. Very impressive.
Judge # 2 -- Chili using shredded beef, could use more tomato.
Must admit the cayenne peppers make a strong statement.
Judge # 3 -- My ears are ringing, sweat is pouring off my forehead
and I can no longer focus my eyes. I farted and four people behind me
needed paramedics.The contestant seemed offended when I told
her that her chili had given me brain damage. Sally saved my
tongue from bleeding by pouring beer directly on it from the pitcher.
I wonder if I'm burning my lips off. It really pisses me
off that the other judges asked me to stop screaming. Screw those rednecks.
*****************************************************
CHILI # 6 - VERA'S VERY VEGETARIAN VARIETY...
Judge # 1 -- Thin yet bold vegetarian variety chili. Good balance of spices
and peppers.
Judge # 2 -- The best yet. Aggressive use of peppers,
onions, and garlic. Superb.
Judge # 3 -- My intestines are now a straight
pipe filled with gaseous,sulfuric flames. I crap on myself when I farted
and I'm worried it will eat through the chair. No one seems inclined to
stand behind me except that Sally. Can't feel my lips anymore. I need
to wipe my butt with a snow cone.
*****************************************************
CHILI # 7 - SUSAN'S SCREAMING SENSATION CHILI...
Judge # 1 -- A mediocre chili with too much reliance on canned
peppers.
Judge # 2 -- Ho hum, tastes as if the chef literally threw in a can
of chili peppers at the last moment. I should take note that I am
worried about Judge #3. He appears to be in a bit of distress as
he is cursing uncontrollably.
Judge # 3 -- You could put a grenade in my mouth,
pull the pin, and I wouldn't feel a thing. I've lost sight in one eye, and
the world sounds like it is made of rushing water. My shirt is covered
with chili, which slid unnoticed out of my mouth. My pants are full of
lava to match my shirt. At least during the autopsy, they'll know
what killed me. I've decided to stop breathing it's too painful. Screw it;
I'm not getting any oxygen anyway. If I need air, I'll just suck it in
through the 4-inch hole in my stomach.
*****************************************************
CHILI # 8 - BIG TOM'S TOENAIL CURLING CHILI...
Judge # 1 -- The perfect ending, this is a nice blend chili. Not too bold but
spicy enough to declare its existence.
Judge # 2 -- This final entry is a good, balanced chili. Neither mild nor hot.
Sorry to see that most of it was lost when Judge #3 farted, passed
out, fell over and pulled the chili pot down on top of himself. Not sure
if he's goingto make it. poor feller, wonder how he'd have reacted to
really hot chili?

Judge # 3 - No Report

Garden of Friends

On Boston Legal last night, one of the character said:
"Friendships are like a back yard gardens.
We always mean to tend to them, but sometimes
we get side tracked."

How true that is...
Some friends need to be handled like delicate flowers.
Others are rough and tough, And like weeds...They are
always there...

But there are friendships, that we forget in our daily
lives. And when that person passes away, we have
guilt pangs, justly so. But it works both ways. That
person didn't get ahold of you either. It isn't you two
didn't care...just life gets in the way.

I do have one that I have had since 6th grade, and we
keep in touch by emails.. Hi, Alice..... she started to
read my blog.
And then there is one I have had since my first real
job. So that is 57 years and 50 years of friendship.
Hi Maureen, friend of 34 years...
Which no matter how long we haven't talked.. we
seem to start where we left off last time.

But there are a couple that I haven't touch base with
lately...So I am going to work a little harder on my back
yard garden of friends.

Bits and Pieces

I was reading the paper the other day...
do you know, that they are using Pork hearts and
Mice hearts for testing a theory? They are taking
hearts out of these animals and washing them out really well.
They washed these mice hearts in and out, put the blood and
cells from a dying mouse and he recovers.

Now they are trying it out with a pigs heart. After all none of
us have hearts the size of mice. But we do have the size of
a pig. If this does work, then in 5 years they could replace a
human's. The body would not reject it because it would be the
body's own blood and cells that was injected to the
cleaned out pig heart. Amazing...

So I guess if some one calls you a pig, you can say, yep, and
proud of it... I am alive.

You ever be walking down a street or thru a mall and a
smell hits you and sends you back years to your childhood?
Home cooking of old, not pizza and etc.. remind me of a woman
named Mable, who my mother would leave me at her house,
while she shopped. Mable's house always smelled of great
food.
Applesauce, sends visions of my great Aunt Emma.
Aunt Emma was a sweetheart. Some times she would come
over to help Mom do her canning. Aunt Emma would wake me
up, and braid my hair. She is also the one I got the remedy of
getting rid of hiccups with water and sugar. Which I still do, to
this day. That was over 60 years ago.

Aunt Emma, was tiny, and sweetly innocent. But she was slightly
addled. When she was in her 20's she was wine and dine by a
Prince of a country I don't recall. That was the way of life in Newport,
Rhode Island and even New York. Princes of unknown countries
would come to America with thoughts of money. So they would
court young women of families who had money. Aunt Emma's
family was not rich, but well off. So he courted her, married her,
and then he found out her family didn't have the money he thought.
So he slipped away one early morning. Told, Emma he would return
soon. He never did. Emma was so heartbroken she would sit on
the curb waiting for him. None of the family could persuade her to
come in the house. I don't know how long it went on. The family was
embarrassed. I think the men of the family picked her up and carried
her inside after a couple days. And then she stayed home all the time.
Seeing no one. Crying her heart out. She never did remarry. I don't even
know if she got a divorce, as they couldn't find the Prince.

She was a delight to us as a family. But she never was right after that.
I loved Aunt Emma, she gave great hugs, braided my hair, and apple
sauce was her favorite thing to make. So the smell of applesauce reminds
me of her.

I read in the paper a month ago... in the Kootenai County permits
column... a permit of puzzlement... the permit was for ...
residential site disturbance. and it was valued at $50,000. Hummm...
what is a residential site disturbance? I presume it is digging of
the dirty and etc. at a site that some building or something is
going in. But, what an odd, wording. And it cost of $50,000.
Hummm.... I wonder if someone would pay me $50,000 to
disturb their resident site? I can disturb the land pretty good.

How much Big Brother do we want?

We want to protect our families.
And as a parent, we all are/were
worried about our teens.

Teens are a handful. And what
doesn't help, is that we were once
teens ourselves. So we remember
all the things teen can, may, will
do. And the things we did, that
we hope they won't do.

One of the heaviest worries about
your teen is a car accident. More
teens die from car accidents than
drugs. Which is the other worry.

Now the system and insurance
companies have come up with a
new deal and it also lowers you
insurance if you have a teen in your
household. It is a tracking devise, for
$15 a month.

Tells how fast your teen drives and
also where he/she has gone. And if
he/she has gone where you have decide
to be on the list of no no's... or over the
speed limit, blows a stop sign/light....
the devise calls the parents and leaves
a message about it.

Talk about BIG BROTHER...
I know there are parents who will embrace
this system. But I have to wonder, how much
do we want others in our lives and children.
Yes, it is a safety fact, but still. And who else
gets this information? Your insurance company?

And I sure am glad there wasn't any around
while I was driving, as a teen.

Went Fishing....

Was going to put up this morning... a
GONE FISHING sign on the old blog.

But we did our long walk,came back
and got everything together and off we went..
So didn't take the time to post.

We got to the lake, put the boat in, and off
we went fishing. As we trolled across the
lake I got one fish. We were rounding the
end of the lake and I told the King, it is
suppose to rain, so I suppose it will start
as we get back to the dock. So we should
have enough time to troll back.

I got one more hit and almost got it in
the boat, when I lost it. Then the wind
came up, got colder and a few sprinkles.
I was in shorts,and a sleeveless shirt.
As the King said, it is warmer at the
lake. Well, yes, as he and his brother
fished on those days of 80 degrees.
By the time we got about 30 yards from
the dock it started to rain.

The King had many hits but nothing to
bring to the boat or home. I only got the
one... but at least I didn't get skunked.
Usually the King gets 10 to my one..so
it was great to finally beat him. Oh, that
singing at the dock, that was me doing
the victory dance.

I was going to release the fish. As it was
still breathing, and one is hardly enough to
bring home. So I went to the dock and
swished it in the water. Two flips of the
tail, I let go, and the fish sank. The King
asked if it swam off. I told him it started
to but got tired, sunk to the bottom and
was sleeping. lol.... I thought he was going
to choke with laughter. I got the net and
brought it back up, dang thing was still
breathing, don't know why it didn't swim
off. But I gave it a fair chance. So I
brought him home, pan fried him and ate
him for lunch...

All and all, a good day. Any day fishing
is a good day, and fishing with your
sweetheart is better yet.

Things that make me shake my head

Things that make me shake my head.

We got notice that they are changing
our voting area. From our City Hall to...
Cedar Hills Church. Yes, that is a church.

Their reasoning is because there is more
parking. I know, come November there
will be probably more than the average
people coming out to vote. But this is
for the primary and the November vote.

So why is my head shaking?
Because we average 31 people that
vote at our city hall. Even in a hotly
debated vote we have had up to 100
people come vote. But most of them
are at the school, as the hotly contest,
involve the school levies.

Now we do have a tiny parking lot that
is shared with the post office that is
attached to the city hall. But this has
not been a problem before.

But then we have had two housing areas
pop up in our area.(two more coming)
So maybe that is it.

And there is up to a possibility of 100
adults in those houses. But some of
them are empty lots yet, and not finished
houses.

And I wonder how this rides with the ones
who yell about separation of church and state?
Oh, well, I will see on the 27th how it is going.

Which reminds me, no one answered my question
before about where is it in our laws or Constitution,
that there is to be a separation of church and state?
I have heard people talk about it for years... but never
actually seen a bill or law saying it to be so.

Lost in the 50's cars

1953 Harley Davidson




55 Ford fairlane

crowd...up 1st Street

Cadillac

194? Ford

1947 Ford

1953 Buick...with black paint with blue metal flake over cast

Nash Metro

Ford Woody

1940 Ford

The most attention car display

I was taking pictures of different vehicles... the unusals, especially.... came across this one.. it took 5 minutes to get close enough to just get this front picture.. in front and side of the lady in red is at least 6 deep in men and a few women. This is not your father's 61 Ford van

As you can see, the rear has no one around it, but look at the side doors on the right.



The side doors are open... and it took me 10 minutes to get this picture because of the crowd.
it started to thin out, so I stepped up to take it.

Now you will see why there were so many men around this, I had to wait 15 minutes to get to this position to get this picture...

This is the rear view of the inside.

And finally I was able to get a good front view of the vehicle... a Ford van... look at the top of the van

Lost in the 50's 2008 Parade

Loud and Proud


This picture does not do this paint job justice... the sparkles were beautiful

All in line on Division Street, heading out towards the middle of town from the high school..

This a Crosley, from the 1940's. My father had a yellow convertible. He tied the steering wheel, so the car went in a circle and put me in the driver's seat. I was 5 and thought I was the real deal.. lol

This is a British delivery truck, it played a tune much like our ice cream wagons do. How do I know it was British, I guess because the steering wheel was on the right.

Lost in the 50's

As we approach one of the favorite
weekends of the year, of Sandpoint,
I think back to my own first owned car.

I bought with my own money. And that
was $125, that I earned at $1 an hour
job. I did have some saved up from
babysitting. But after school I went to
work for the Naval Exchange on the base.
So I was able to buy it with my savings,
and my job wages. I think I got to bring
home $36 a week. Until then, I walked
to work. Oh, don't feel too bad for me,
it was only about 2 miles.

It was a 1949 Chevy, green in color and
a convertible. I loved that car. Even though,
I only owned it for about 8 months. As I left
R.I. and left the car behind to be sold by my
father. He said it needed a new top and that
cost what the offer he got for it. Boy, if I only
had it now.

So what was your first car? One that you
bought with your own money? And if your
parents gave you, your first car, what was it?

So it could be a two part answer. Your first
car by parents, and/or the first one you
actually paid for yourself, and how much
was it. Oops, that is a possibility of 3
questions. Oh, maybe 4.. because what
year was it, that you bought it. I bought
my '49 in 1957.

Today...I have gone....

Gone Gardening... this is to be much to beautiful of a day to be inside or blogging.




Guess who came to dinner......and sang for his meal....

It is a yellow headed black bird... only time we have ever seen him...which was Saturday

I don't know the answer...

I see that the mother of
Pat Tillman has written a
book about her son, called
BOOTS ON THE GROUND
BY DUSK.

It is about how her son died.
And this is not the first time or
the first war, that our men have
been killed by friendly fire. Nor
the first one, that the Government
has covered over.

Those of us who are older do
remember the true story movie, with
Carol Burnett, where she played a
mother very much like Mary
Tillman. A mother who wanted
the truth. The truth of how her
son really died. It was called
FRIENDLY FIRE.

I don't know how these mother's
found out that the Government was
lying. Did another serviceman tell
them? Was there facts that didn't
add up? I don't know.

The other quandary that comes to
my mind is, if it was my son, would
I want to know.

Pat Tillman was reported, in the beginning,
as a hero. A gung-ho, let's go get them,
yell as he went into the fire. Now, he is
a soldier who was in the wrong place at
the wrong time. To no fault of his own.

What image would I want to keep in my
mind? My son, the leader, yelling let's
get them, as he was fired upon? Or some
one who was there with his troop. And some
one behind him, shot him, by what I think was
by accident? And what hell the soldier must
be feeling, who shot Pat.

Sometimes, the truth hurts more than the lie.
Maybe there is a time where denial is a good
thing.

I don't know the answer, and I hope I never have
to find out.

It takes a Village.....

When you are a small community like the city of Kootenai is...you don't have
a big park budget. So you depend on donations, and volunteer work and
workers. We have had Coldwater Creek come in and put in plants,
lattic and a picnic table. Over the years some have donated trees and bushes.
The park itself is a donation from a long time resident.

This year we have a new addition. Thanks to the Kiwanis's and Bob Camp,
we have this equipment for the kids to play on. But as you know, equipment
has to have prep work. And that is where the Village comes in. The city Engineer,
and his crew, wife and others jumped in. Councilmen, even kids all came in on
Saturday. With the help of Rainbow Company delivering and putting it together,
the kids of Kootenai now have a summer worth of fun ahead.

It truly does take a Village. As you can see.

THIS IS THE BEFORE LOOK.....




The prep work was started on Friday, and here on Saturday, it continues with
the Rainbow crew putting pieces together.

Here we have all involved, the prep crew, councilmen, Kiwanis, Rainbow, and etc.

helping put a large piece together.

By nightfall, this is what was done. Still has some work around the sides with grass to go.
But the Kootenai kids have already found it, and have tested it out well...

It is so great when an idea comes together, and especially when so many gave their time.

There was a boy....

There was a boy who came to my house.
He and I would go to the park to play keep
away to hone his soccer skills.
WHERE DID THAT BOY GO?

And over the years, work would be done in the
yard with dutiful breaks for lunch and such.
WHERE DID THAT BOY GO?

And Spring was egg coloring with Fall, jack lanterns
carvings to be done with great jeers and laughter at
the kitchen table with the man of the house.
WHERE DID THAT BOY GO?

Summer filled with mix day camps runs and yard
work for pay. For buying power for bikes and play stations.
WHERE DID THAT BOY GO?

As now the past Fall came and went, with pumpkins
uncut. And Spring brought uncolored eggs. And now
the second summer is upon me with no helper.
WHERE DID THAT BOY GO?

For you see, the replacement to be is a young man.
Who spars with the man of the house over repairs
and speakers and stereo, you see. With sayings of
“I know for a fact”. We know when he arrives with
the bass of the radio competes with the roar of the
muffler. And up the stairs he bounds, the young man
appears. And our little dog squeals with joy of
anticipation of play, as this young man speaks. And
off he goes again, in the mist of bass and mufflers, to
join friends or his fast food job.
WHERE DID THAT BOY GO?

We know our time is short with this young man,
as adulthood is just beyond the horizon. A life of
his own will make him scarce.
WHERE DID THAT BOY GO?

And as I see each day, this young man, my heart
grows prouder and yet sadder, as he grows. His
mother, grandfather and I will all be saying…
WHERE DID THAT BOY GO?


I hope he remembers his promise of years ago.
His promise to push my wheelchair to the bench
at the city beach. So I can see the water and mountains
one last time. The bench where he and I sat for
from time to time, during many discussions of life.
WHERE DID THAT LITTLE BOY GO?

Happy Mother's Day

the Toughest Mothers...

Here is the to the roughest of jobs of mother hood.
The mothers who are here at home, while the father
is overseas, trying to hold it all together.

And of course the worse of all is the mothers who
had to leave their children behind to go to Iraq.
Leaving their children in the hands of, if they are
lucky, the fathers. If not, then the grandparents or
their siblings.

During war, we see the names listed on the shows,
and in the paper of those who did not make it. But
rarely do you get to see the picture..of a son or daughter
receiving the folded flag of their parents.

So for all the women who answered the call. We bow
our heads in prayer for your safe return. And hopefully
a electronic visit home on Mother's Day.

Thank you...

Mothers and Moms...

This is an email that makes its rounds at this time
of the year. Too bad the authors name doesn't go
with it. As it took a lot of thought.
I think we understand our own mothers, when we
become mothers ourselves.


This is for the mothers who have sat up all night
with sick toddlers in their arms,wiping up barf laced
with Oscar Mayer weners and cherry Kool-Aid saying,
It's okay honey, Mommy's here.'Who have sat in rocking
chairs for hours on end soothing crying babies who can't be comforted.

This is for all the mothers who show up at work with spit-up
in their hair and milk stains on their blouses and diapers in their
purse. For all the mothers who run carpools and make cookies
and sew Halloween costumes. And all the mothers who DON'T.

This is for the mothers who gave birth to babies they'll never
see. And the mothers who took those babies and gave them
homes. This is for the mothers whose priceless art collections
are hanging on their refrigerator doors. And for all the mothers
who froze their buns on metal bleachers at baseball and softball
games instead of watching from the warmth of their cars.
And that when their kids asked, 'Did you see me, Mom?' they
could say, 'Of course, I wouldn't have missed it for the world,' and
mean it.

This is for all the mothers who yell at their kids in the
grocery store and swat them in despair when they stomp their
feet and scream for ice cream before dinner. And for all the
mothers who count to ten instead, but realize how child abuse
happens.This is for all the mothers who sat down with their
children and explained all about making babies. And for all the
(grand)mothers who wanted to, but just couldn't find the words.
This is for all the mothers who go hungry, so their children can eat.
For all the mothers who read ' Thumpity-Thump Gets Dressed'
twice a night for a year. And then read it again, 'Just one more time.'
This is for all the mothers who taught their children to tie their shoe
laces before they started school. And for all the mothers who opted
for Velcro instead.This is for all the mothers who teach their sons
to cook and their daughters to throw a ball. This is for every mother
whose head turns automatically when a little voice
calls 'Mom?'in a crowd, even though they know their own offspring
are at home -- or even away at college -- or have their own families.

This is for all the mothers who sent their kids to school with
stomach aches, assuring them they'd be just FINE once they got
there, only to get calls from the school nurse an hour later asking
them to please pick them up. Right away. This is for mothers
whose children have gone astray, who can't find the words to
reach them.

For all the mothers who bite their lips until they bleed when
their 14 year olds dye their hair green. For all the mothers of
the victims of recent school shootings, and the mothers of those
who did the shooting. For the mothers of the survivors, and the
mothers who sat in front of their TVs in horror, hugging their
child who just came home from school, safely.This is for all the
mothers who taught their children to be peaceful, and now pray
they come home safely from a war.

What makes a good mother anyway? Is it patience? Compassion?
Broad hips? The ability to nurse a baby, cook dinner, and sew
a button on a shirt, all at the same time? Or is it in her heart?
Is it the ache she feels when she watches her son or daughter
disappear down the street, walking to school alone for the
very first time? The jolt that takes her from sleep to dread,
from bed to crib at 2 A.M. to put her hand on the back of a sleeping baby?
The panic, years later, that comes again at 2 A.M. when she just
wants to hear their key in the door and know they are safe again
in her home? Or the need to flee from wherever she is and hug
her child when she hears news of a fire, a car accident, a child
dying? The emotions of motherhood are universal and so our
thoughts are for young mothers stumbling through diaper changes
and sleep deprivation...And for mature mothers learning to let go.
For working mothers and stay-at-home mothers.
Single mothers and married mothers. Mothers with money, mothers
without. This is for you all. For all of us...Hang in there. In the end we can
only do the best we can. Tell them every day that we love them.
And pray and never stop being a mother...

Mothers....

Mothers...

I was fortunate to have two MOM's.
One was my natural mother and
the other was my aunt, on my father's
side.

Mom 1

taught me several things for over the years.

1.When ironing the shirts, iron the sleeves last.
2.When cleaning the toilet, clean it from the men's
point of view.
3.Do the job right the first time and you don't have to
do it over again.
4.(When signing my drivers license permit, I was 17)..
.Don't make me regret this.
5.Hang on to those reins, never let them go, because
if your horse gets killed, you will regret it.
6.(after being thrown off one of the horses) Get back
on that horse, ride him right.
7.(when I called to inform her I was getting a divorce)
Well, you made your bed, now lie in it.
From this I learn to fend for myself, and to be strong thru
life's adventures.



Mom 2

1.One day at a time
2.love isn't just for the good times
3.You can love someone and not like them, at the same time.
4.try to look at how the other person feels
5.Don't be so quick to judge others
6.Hugs make people feel better and you too

From both Mom's..
This too shall pass
From this I learn to have a soft side to me, and try
to understand the other side of people.


I have had the best of two lives... thru both of them...
Mom of Reality and Mom of Compassion,
made me what I am today. Hopefully others will think
a nice combo of both. And yes, I did tell them when they
were alive.

Motherhood does not have do over's. You try your best
to do your best. And remember you only have two people
to convince that you did it right. The Lord above and the
hardest, the one that looks back at you in the mirror.

Happy Mother's day to....
Mom's
Step Mom's
Aunts and friends who become a second Mom
Grandmother's who become mom's again to fill in.

Mother's Day

Mother's Day is on the same level
with me, as Valentine's Day. Way
too commercial. And the guilt factor
is high.

How much do you spend? How much
is your sibling going to spend on Mom?
Can you beat it?

And then there is the card. So you go
for the $4.95 card with all kinds of
words that makes Mom cry? Or do
you go for the one to make her laugh?

Is Mom in the nursing home? What do
you get her? I will tell you, to be sure
to mark her name in it, as what every
you get, there will be at least 3 others
who will get the same. And which one
is your Mom's or the lady next door, or
in the same room? For hints? a hour or
so at the beauty shop at the facility. Or
flowers for her to brag on. Subscription
to the local paper.

If she is not in the same state as you?
A phone call. In the morning, early. So
she doesn't have to sit around waiting
her time away, to see if you are going
to call at all.

So what do you, as an adult, really get
your Mom for Mother's Day? I can tell
you, but you will be disappointed as it
doesn't cost much. First is a nice card.
You know if your Mom rather laugh than
cry. So you decide what kind.

A plant is cheaper than a bouquet of flowers,
and last longer. Just a small one. And next...
This is the most important gift of all, and best
remembered...your time. Go spend at least
2 hours with her.

Ask what it is she would like some help doing.
Clean up the yard after the winter storms?
Plant some flowers in the beds or planters.
And have a cup of coffee across the table from her.
And just visit.

Card less than $4, maybe a small plant, $3.00
time with you ..
Priceless.

The Meanest Mother of all...

I came across this about 30 some odd years ago, from a
radio station. I don't know who the author is, but I give
credit to where I got it from.
I think I ran this last year at this time. I like it, because
it reminds me of my mother... hope you enjoy it.

I HAD THE MEANEST MOTHER OF ALL

I had the meanest mother in the whole world. While other kids
ate candy for breakfast, I had to have cereal or eggs and toast. When
others had cokes and candy for lunch, I had to eat a sandwich.
As you guess, my supper was different from the others kids’ too.

AT LEAST I wasn’t alone in my sufferings. My sisters and two
brothers had the same mean mother as I did. My mother insisted
upon knowing where we were at all times. You’d think we were on
a chain gang. She had to know who our friends were at all times, and
what we were doing. She insisted if we said we’d be gone one hour
or less, we would be gone one hour or less, not one hour and one minute.

I am nearly ashamed to admit it, but she actually punished us. Not
once, but each time we did as we pleased. Can you imagine someone
actually punishing a child, just because he disobeyed? Now you can
begin to see how mean she really was.

THE WORST IS yet to come. We had to be in bed by nine each
night and up early the next morning. We couldn’t sleep till noon
like our friends. So while they slept, my mother actually had the
nerve to break the child labor law. She made us work! We had to
wash dishes, make beds, learn to cook and all sorts of cruel things.
I believe she laid awake at night thinking of mean things to do to us.

She always insisted upon our telling the truth, the whole truth and
nothing but the truth, even if it killed us. And it nearly did.

By the time we were teenagers, she was much wiser and our life
became even more unbearable. None of this tooting the horn on a
car for us to come running. She embarrassed us no end by making
our dates and friends come to the door to get us. I forgot to mention,
while my friends were dating at the mature age of 12 or 13, my old
fashioned mother refused to let me date until the age of 15 and 18.
Fifteen, that is if you dated only to go school functions, and that was
maybe twice a year.

MY MOTHER WAS a complete failure as a mother. None of us has
even been arrested, divorced or beaten his mate. Each of my
brothers served his time in the service of our country. And whom
do you have to blame for the terrible way we turned out? You’re
right, my mean mother.

Look at the things we missed…we never got to march in a protest
parade, nor to take part in a riot, burn draft cards and million and
one things that our friends did. She forced us to grow up into God-fearing,
educated, honest adults.

Using this as a background, I am trying to raise my children. I stand
a little taller and I am filled with pride when my children call me mean.
Because, you see, I thank God, He gave me the meanest mother in the
whole world.

From Party Line = KUTI RADIO, Yakima. Wa. 1976

And just for the record.... my kids will tell you that this essay is
about me.

Racing Fillies

As I read in the paper today about 8 Bells tragedy,
it made me think back to the day when Ruffian died.

The papers kept mention of the stallion that died, but
before him, it was Ruffian. Ruffian, who everyone had
their hopes for. And the tears flowed at her death.

I remember the anger of my mother as she yelled at
the television screen. Seemed that some trainer or owner
said something about "the bitch wasn't strong enough to
race". My mother was furious at him.

And then I read, this about the night before the Derby.
Ruffian trainer Whiteley dies
May 3, 2008
Frank Whiteley Jr., the Hall of Famer who trained ill-fated
racing filly Ruffian, died Friday in Camden. He was 93. ...
COLUMBIA, S.C. -- A man who answered Whiteley's home
and identified himself as Whiteley's son, Alan, said the famed
trainer had died....

You know, horse racing isn't fun anymore

I can't think.....

I can't think of a subject that I want to
post on.. there are lots, but I want to be
outside.

So that is where I am going.. Too nice of
a day to be burning up the day light inside.

Have a nice weekend everyone..

Just a Question....

And this would be for the two Democrats
as the Republican all ready told us we were
stay for 100 years in Iraq, if he got in.

What about Guantanamo Bay?
What is going to happen when you
bring all of our boys back?

Are you opening the gates and letting
them loose?
Or are you sending them home on
the finest of airplanes,with the best of
foods? And polite airline attendants?

And then, what? Will we see in 5 years
or 10, International trials like they had
Nuremburg for German's? Will Rumsfeld
be there on trial with the rest of the men?

So how will this be handled when the troops
come marching home... just wondering...