Willis R. Dawg

He is just a mutt, but he was my best friend. He came to us 15 yrs ago as an abandoned and scared little puppy left in a field along side the road. He grew to be near and dear to me. His courage, a lot larger than his size, was in the end not big enought. I lost him to cancer and old age today as a lot of us will eventually go. He was brave as ever, right up to the moment he took his last breath and crossed over the Rainbow Bridge. Someday, we will meet again old friend.

All Set for Winter

Cherry, Blackberry, Raspberry, Peach, Apricot, Huckleberry, Apricot-Pineapple, Raspberry-Huckleberry, Cherry-Apricot, some sweet and tangy, some fired with a touch of Habenaro. The goodness of nature for me to savor all during the long cold months ahead. Yum, bring on the snow

Harvest Time Again

September is probably my favorite month of the year, the wheat harvest is in full swing, spuds are being dug, and not to be outdone, God gets his paintbrush out and colors the hillsides. Reds, pinks and oranges soon to be followed by the yellows of the aspens. Crisp nights followed by lazy warm days, game bird hunting is in full swing, fishing is at its best, the archers are stalking the woods, it will soon be over and the landscape will be covered with white, but for now the hills are at their full glory.

Idaho Chaviar

There is a phenomanon that occurs here every summer. It begins to swell in anticipation in late July with cars and trucks full of moms and dads and all the kids, heading into the forest roads. Looking for any sign that things are ripening, with August comes the frantic running among the trees and bushes to see who can pick the first juicy ripe berry. Huckleberry season is upon us again, and I must admit, the fever has gotten me, so off I went, pail in hand. Four hours of backbreaking work produce 4 cups of the fragrant berries, enought for a batch of jam, thus preserving the delightful taste all thru the winter. Another trip for more of the delictable little goodies, 4 more hours of picking yeild 5 more cups. Squander a cup for the most outragious homemade ice cream imageable, 4 cups to the freezer, saved for huckleberry pancakes, when the snow is flying, maybe a cupful for the special cheesecake at Christmas, WOW, the possibablities are endless. Truely one of Gods great gifts.

I Lost a Friend Today

Andy came west during the depression days from Chicage, he said he left because there wasn't enought to feed him and his brother, so he joind up with the CCC and ended up in Utah. Went to college and became a school teacher and later ran a goverment school. Came to Lava the year I graduated high school. He showed me all his honey holes up and down the Portneuf and we spent his last few years of fishing, chasing the big one. Plenty of mornings having coffee here at Johnies cafe. He left us a few hours ago, goodbye my friend, and remember Andy, "You don't eat the Peaches".

The Eye of a Fly

Sometimes we begin to think that we are the most important thing in the world. After all is a small world out there, we can call around the world , find out thru the internet whats going on in China. We don't think twice about flying off to some beach resort in an afternoon. A business meeting in New York is just another work day. WELL , Hum , how about the world thru the eye of a fly? Somehow everything changes, there is no New York tomorrow, no Yankees game after work. Where has everything gone ? Whoa, whats that up ahead ? How about just slowing down and seeing whats around us ?

Friends for Dinner

I had friends over for dinner this evening. They ate and took turns helping themselves to more, they didn't say anything, no lengthy conversations, no cute stories about the kids, just ate and left.

Makes me think about my real friends, sometimes we expect them to entertain us, to tell us how important we are and bolster our need to have our feathers preened. Maybe we have missed the real value.....like my friends tonight, when, just knowing they were there, was all I really needed.

Planting a Tree

I planted a tree today and touched a soul, I have a dream of being buried with an acorn in my pocket, and my spirit living on for another century as the oak tree grows. Now, I'm too educated to really believe that my soul can transfer into a tree and live again, but the thought is mighty comforting.
So I planted a tree today, and her name is Victoria, with care and understanding it will share its beauty and bounty with many in the years to come. I don't really think I touched anyones soul today, but perhaps I touched someones heart, I truly like to hope so.

Humming tree

As I stepped out the door this afternoon, I heard a strange humming sound, a melodious tempo of sound rising and falling, seemly keeping time with the movement of the clouds overhead. As I moved closer into the tree's embrace, the sound enveloped me, I was carried into a place without time or shape. I opened my eyes and saw thousands of tiny voices moving from blossum to blossum going about their endless work without regard for the human so moved by their chorus.

Early Morning Solitude

Woke up this morning in time to see God create another day. There is something about the first light of dawn that stirs the imagination, crisp and cold not a breath of air stiring. You're all alone with just your thoughts to keep you company. Right down the hill there is a whole town waking up totally unaware of whats going on up here on the mountain top. Perfect, its just for me. In a few minutes its all over, now its time for that cup of joe and plate of eggs and a little company with all my friends at the Chuckwagon cafe.