Sunrise ....

Doesn't get much better .. especially as it is Friday!

Went to dinner at Bistro last night - AMAZE.  Will be returning tonight and when "hail hail the gang's all here" arrive on Wednesday.  Was about to leave to go to Panida and watch "Buck" - the film that won best picture at Sundance.  Out to the patio one of my favorite sorority sister's (that makes me laugh to type that - Go Thetas!) and her husband - we all had such a great catch up (their kids were at camp... yet another reason why both kids and parents love camp!) ... this world really is just one small egg!

A super weekend to you all ...

I love Paris in the Spring time.....

Okay ... so now that I am "living" in uptown / downtown Sandpoint rather than up the hill at Schweitzer, I am becoming more and more localized and LOVE IT.

As I was recovering last Friday from the 40th anniversary blow-out ... I went walking from the "new place" along 1st avenue and found myself at Arlo's (italian) for supper and live music with Ray Allen.  Good times, good times.  Vegetable primavera - for whatever reason, pasta was sounding so good and a glass of watery chianti (which was probably perfect given the prior day).  Finished up with supper and walked back down and past the Panida. 

The Panida has been restored - an old theater - and it shows movies, hosts concerts, plays and so on.  It was 740 and they were just about to close the box office.  Bought my little red ticket and shuffled into an ADORABLE lobby area and walked past the heavy velvet curtains into one of the most gorgeous theatres I have ever been into.  The movie (and subsequently the point of this blog) - was Woody Allen's latest "Midnight in Paris"

ADORE!  Loved, loved, loved it....

And it reminded me of that fantastic week of one of the best holidays of my life thus far.  Of course, this got me thinking about life and where I wanted to travel next, etc.  So I think I have made the decision that after this next stint in Buenos Aires, that I will return to Sandpoint for ski season at Schweitzer once more and then head to Paris for April - June and run ConsiliAgra from there. 

So a few items to note:  if you want to come to Buenos Aires and visit - mid-Sept thru mid-November will be your opportunity (as well as Thanksgiving) as I will be going to China in mid-November and then return to Bali in early December (and yes - it is all for work!). 

If you want to visit Paris - that will be April - June.  That is about 50% certain as working on securing an office / apartment site but thanks to a few lovely people that I've been fortunate to meet along the path of life, think that will be fairly easy. 

Just thinking of a new adventure - in a city as special as Paris - puts a little spring in my step... of course, the excitement to share Sandpoint with some of my favorites in one short week followed by a return to the Paris of South America... well, certainly there are worse things!

Go big or go home gentle readers!

More pics from the 40th....

Gramps and I having an in-depth conversation - I think it was something along the lines of "the music is really loud...."   Me lovingly saying back "turn down your hearing aid already...."

I think this is where Charles (Alison's husband) was saying something profound.. or maybe more people had pulled up for the festivities.

Alison (sister) and I talking to Steve Roy (one of M&D's ski buddies at Schweitzer)

This is me (clearly) beat-boxing with the guitarist (not even kidding...).  And managed to somewhat pull it off.  I think it will be my next career when agriculture finally wears me out....

It's wine time gentle readers ... have just returned from the island with another weekend of water, sun, boating and family.  Have a brill of a week!

We did it !

Managed to pull off a very fantastic surprise 40th wedding anniversary celebration at Joel, Jen's on Thursday!  Phew!  I went through 3 diet Mountain Dews and an iced coffee on my drive from Sandpoint to the farm (iced coffee as a result of having to go the bathroom - g&d bless the "public" restrooms at Starbucks - they really are a gift to humanity... and all NYers).

The food, the libations, the people - it was just very special.  Made it through my toast - of course with tears and a little "choke up" ... but in short the essence was that there were few words to say to reflect Mom&Dad as it was reflected in the people that were there - that was the ultimate toast.. and I said a few items about the Last Lecture and winning the parent lottery... and that I did not know how they had done 40 years because I'm pretty sure I will be divorcing myself 3 years from now when I turn 40.

All in all ... just a wonderful night... started at 500-530 with the arrivals and think I finally left the fire with the musicians around 2AM.  Good times, good times... and have been sleeping much of the weekend to get ready for this weekend and OF COURSE - the 3 August arrivals of some of my very, very favorite people in the whole wide world!!

Here are a few pics from the festivities - will post more tomorrow as taking too long on the upload and there is water, sun and family to be had ....

Have an awesome Sunday gentle readers!

Me, Dad, Hillary and Cathy

Me, Dad (after he & Mom walked in .. we DID IT.. managed to surprise Jules!)

There were all these old photos we had that we had distributed around the tables for people to look at - a "whole lotta" laughs were had ... I don't know which one I'm showing Mom but I'm sure it is "how lovely..." gauging from the expression on M's face!

Memory lane strikes again ...

Admittedly - this whole waking up at 4AM is getting a tad old - even though I should be completely used to it by now.  I think it's because the wind is blowing - and the day is not just that "usually perfect" blue skies and sunshine I am now fully accustomed too.

This memory lane comes from my weekend of "it should be illegal to have this much fun" in San Fran.

Deedee & Cheryl --- love the poise.  I'm not sure what I'm doing - clearly I did not want to show off my height & Cheryl's shoulder look so comfortable (or maybe I was just going in for a light snuggle - it's unclear).  Alexandra (other side of Cheryl) and Margo (between D and I) are this fabulous married couple we met on the street & they ended up hanging out with us all for a few hours as we sipped on champagne and margaritas (life is rough).  They had their 3 young kids and Brasilian au pair (oh yes - I practiced some of my Portuguese .. you knew that didn't you though!) out for Pride.  It rocked.  Pool party at their place when I go back to SF in September to get my hair did and see the lovelies.  There are certainly worse things. 

This episode of memory lane brought to you by Diet Coke & procrastination.  Have a brill day gentle reader!

CLOSED

Yayr .... (stealing a bit of South Carolina on that one)

I closed on the "new place" (going to hold a naming contest me thinks on naming the "new place")

Prior to closing - had a quick salad and Moose Drool lunch at Eichardt's ... for those that haven't had Moose Drool - go find it ... it's a beer worthy of the name.  Truly. 

Here was the "place holder" for the beer / wine list:  on each side there was (a)

And side (b) - which had clearly seen those patrons scraping away at these prophetic words ... or maybe it's my photography skills after said Moose Drool... nope - thinking ... let's play Wheel of Fortune kids. YOU CAN DO IT!!

Key point being - if you are about to seemingly sign your life away on another property - drink.  But just enough so that you can sign your full name (E S French doesn't cut it) on 80-gazillion documents.

On the flip side - I am now at the Coldwater Creek winery ... trying a lovely Groth Sav Blanc (pass go, collect $200 and spend a portion of it on this)  ... and there is this group of 3 women discussing their husbands.... I'm trying to put it in perspective / conceive of this conversation as gender neutral.. but I really cannot.  And it's taking everything in me and my support girdle (wait - did I just write that??) not to laugh out loud or fall out of my chair stool because I'm leaning too far back as to not miss a word. 

Oh- and it's raining .. but it looks like it wants to stop.  I vote yes.  Let's get with it Mother Nature ... or as Neil Diamond sang "turn on your heart light....."   Bring back the heat hooker!  (okay - maybe .. possibly ..that Moose Drool was "stronger" than I thought. 

Very productive day as I still managed to sign my full name, put myself back into poverty and unload a Tahoe full of Wal-Mart goodies include toilet paper and other essentials... this is why it is now wine time and I'm "spent..."  literally and physically... snicker!!)

Tomorrow is Happy Hump Day gentle readers ... get at it !!

Celebration week .. Gares & Jules

The great thing about your parents not really "into computers, the internet or Facebook" - is that you can blog away about a SURPRISE 40th wedding anniversary party that you are throwing them!

Party party people and I LOVE SURPRISE PARTIES!  It is Gares & Jules (Mom & Dad) 40th on 21 July.. this THURSDAY!   Bringing down musicians from Sandpoint, having it catered by a local group with pulled pork, assorted kegs of beer and the list goes on.  The guest list is growing & "clap-clap" their friends clearly love them and love a good party with over 130 people.  Good times, good times.  Will be at the farm at Joel's (brother) place... I even ordered a porta-potty (I don't know why but it makes me laugh). 

Outside of that - this past weekend in paradise. Pilates at 7AM on Saturday.  Live bands up at Schweitzer on Saturday afternoon / evening.  The family at the house for a BBQ throw down and out to the island on Sunday for some island time, sun and a good read through my favorites:  People, US Weekly... you know - the 'deep thought' magazines of Summer!

A view from Patrick's house where we dined on duck confit this last week.  AMAZE-BALLS!

As the next picture shows - clearly I had driven GI Jane to nearly empty!  In many ways, look forward to the walking and cabs of Buenos Aires upon my return!  But that said, GI Jane also has some splashy new tires that are primed and ready for ski season.

Have a super week gentle readers!  Lots of pictures from the forthcoming party will be posted and blogged.

Text messsages that make you smile

Then there are text messages that you should just delete ...

Received one from my favorites this morning with a picture attached and writing:  Memory lane!!  My favorite street and u guys are my favorite... xxx      I started to laugh and just smiled remembing how fun that weekend in San Fran was  And then started thinking - "gee - I have quite a few photos that are similar to that pose I have....".  

In any event .... any and all "memory lane" text messages = BEST EVER.

Country roads...

John Denver ... you national treasure you.... (true confession:  I own his 8-track)

Summer has definitely arrived and will hopefully never go away (until I leave... or after Labor day weekend - I'd take either!)

This is the road I used to drive from the farm to go back to college ... "memories....."

In case anyone wanted an agronomy & global wheat marketing lesson ... the field closest to the fence is grass... the fields towards the back of the pasture... soft white wheat (used in confectionary items, noodles with Japan, Taiwan, SE Asia the primary buyers with the biggest competitor for the US being Australian standard white wheat). 

You're welcome.

A flight to remember

Ah ... unfortunately it was nothing like An Affair to Remember.

So ... the original plan was to go back to BsAs for a few days - didn't quite happen.

Rather - spent from 6AM on Wednesday until 100AM on Saturday flying in circles - literally.

How it all began?  Read on ....

AM - Wednesday:  Wheels up Spokane - San Francisco!  Yah!  Because I am going to get to have breakfast with one of my favorites and have some more fabulous coffee (ended up having 3 ... hello WIRED).  After a good catch up and food - headed back to SFO for my 1PM flight to Dulles and then Dulles - BsAs.

1145AM - Wednesday check in at ticket counter with said flight -- "ummm .. I'm sorry but didn't United call you?" was the question.  Me:  "um - no"   United;  "oh - well... ummm .. well - your flight from Dulles to Buenos Aires was cancelled."  Me:  "excuse me?"  United:  "seriously... evidently the volcano cloud is back."   Me:  "so when do I fly out"  United: "tomorrow - same time."  Me:  no words... grabbed back and found nearest bar to have a margarita and sort out appropriate dinner / drink plans.

430AM - Thursday.  Send report to clients.  Happy mood.  Log into United account.  SFO- IAD flight cancelled.  Eh?  Again - no phone call from United (I find out later they are calling some of my friends with updates that were meant for me... sorry guys!!).  I am being re-routed from SFO to Las Vegas and then Las Vegas to IAD / Dulles.  Ok - fine.. I was awake any way.

11AM - Wheels up SFO - Las Vegas.  Land Las Vegas for an hour lay over.  The world takes all kinds of people and they were all literally there at the airport.  WOW. 

1PM - Las Vegas - Dulles.  Flight delayed because pilot wants to double check the radar.  Seriously?  Am I really going to miss my connection.  No cocktail as of yet ... but it is tempting... finally board the plane - and by the time we are wheels up, I realize I am going to be running in my flip flops, computer bag and carry-on.  Joy.  BING!  Vodka, soda please.

10PM - Dulles - Buenos Aires.  Airborne!  Ok - home stretch - 10 hour flight... do it all the time - 2 glasses of wine or champagne, a little dinner and snoozie-snooze.  A bit over an hour into the flight - beverage service started... red wine and a Coke please (blood sugar was a bit low ... odd combo I do realize however).  Take sip of red wine.  Sip of Coke.  A few bounces of turbulence - no big deal... then WHAM.  Air pocket.  Anyone that did not have a seat belt on when flying up in the air.  Cups / liquids - flew up in the air.  Me?  Seat belt on (thank you) and now drenched in red wine and Coke.  Heart in throat.  Nervous laughter from "audience." 

Flight continues ... only injuries were flight attendants.  Oddly enough - no request if there was a doctor on the plane (UNION).  Suddenly the number of slings on flight attendants' arms multiplies (UNION).  Serioulsy, it was a bit comical as to the "drama" of the "pain" was acted out for all passengers to witnes... I mean see.  Enjoy your 6-months off worker bees.

Nibbled on pasta.  Sip of white wine this time.  Night-night.... see you in 7 hours Buenos Aires.

4AM - wake up.  Look out window.  Why is the sun on my side of the plane?  Look at map on TV.  Plane is turning around.  Wait - wait.... Argentina is south kids.  Rub my eyes to make sure I am not dreaming.  Nope - we are definitely headed north.  WTF?!  Shuffle back to where the wounded birds - I mean flight attendants are gathered.  Me:  "excuse me... but is it me or is the plane headed north?"  Wounded big bird:  "we are going to Miami."  Me:  "excuse me"  (normally I would be very happy to be going to Miami - this was not one of those times).  Big bird:  "volcanic cloud has shifted - we are turning around and going to Miami."  Me:  "you are really serious aren't you?"  Big bird - now with a bit more snappish jive head - "um - yes... we are going to Miami."  Me:  "can I have a bloody mary?"  (because we all know alcohol solves so much).

8AM - pilot finally tells everyone we are going to MIAMI.  Me: (in my head):  "welcome to the flight Captain MIA" ... evidently they did not want to wake up the passengers.  Oh?!?!  And having people waking up thinking we are an hour from EZE rather than 2 hours out of Miami is the alternative?!  Clearly I am not qualified for United airline "logic think."  Have I mentioned I have red wine all over me?

Picture of said train wreck .. don't ask me why I thought wearing white track pants and a white Lacoste jacket was appropriate attire to drink red wine and hit air pockets in ....

10AM ... welcome to Miami.  Me (in my head):  "oh blow me."

1030AM .. why is it that gate agents talk to passengers like they are 2 years olds.  "Now - don't forget your boarding passes... or you'll never get back on this airplane."  Me (in my head):  I don't want to get back on this effen airplane.  Where's the bar?

11AM .. found outlet to plug in phone and laptop.  Made friends with this fun, cool married couple that were from Chicago.  Amazing in the matter of 20 minutes how you can become best friends as you commiserate in misery.  She will be my maid of honor at my wedding... oh wait - I cannot even remember her name.  But they did buy me a cup of coffee.  Here's to you cool Chicago peeps - wherever you are and whatever you are named!

1PM .. wheels up Miami - bound for Dulles.  Wait ... wasn't I just at Dulles?  And wait - what do you mean I am not going to earn ANY MILES from this debacle.  I'm not sure which is worse - not getting miles or just the entire experience.  Am seriously thinking the former right now.   New flight attendant crew - no broken birds in this group... they are on call and happy to be here... especially as people are having melt downs and now the flight attendants have turned into crisis care (all sarcasm aside - I thought it was very sweet...).  Flight attendant:  "oh - you want ice with your Coke."  Me:  "that would be great."  Flight attendant:  "I'm sorry but they didn't put any more ice on the plane when we were on the ground."  Me:  "no ice... huh." 

3PM - land Dulles.  It starts to rain and there is lightening.  Guess what plane gets to sit on the tarmac and wait until there hasn't been lightening for 15 minutes before going to the gate.  Yup - score one for the Gipper because you really cannot make any of this up.

Time now does not even matter - it's HELL-O-CLOCK ... off to the Red Carpet Club.  Ticket person (TP): "we have you on the flight tonight to Buenos Aires"  Me: "have you looked at my itinerary."  TP:  "no"  ME: (in my head .. "of course not") .. I am supposed to land in Buenos Aires on Saturday morning now.. maybe and then turn around and leave on Saturday night."  TP:  "oh - do you want to do that?"  Me:  "let me make a phone call..."  (make phone call - as was seriously contemplating ... phone call ends - decision made).  Me: "put me on your first flight to Spokane."  TP:  "there is a 540 flight to Denver."  Me:  "am I upgraded?" (in my head - this is still very important at this time... and yes - I am still wearing my wine stained closed, my Cutty Black whiskey ball cap and generally looking like a crazy person - like that glassy-eyed crazy person).  TP:  "definitely."  Me:  "thank you so much..."  (and yes - I have tears running down my face as I speak these words.. I have now fallen into the emotional black hole vortex).

We have now gone from HELL-O-CLOCK to the BLACK HOLE VORTEX....  enter (keep reading) if you dare.

Red Carpet Club ... Me:  "can I have a bud light" ... bartender - puts a beer down in front of me.  I now proceed to spend at least 30 minutes talking on the phone... tears running down my face and trying to not go down the rabbit hole.  Oh wait.  I have passed the rabbit hole and went straight into the BH vortex.  Lovely.  By this time - I dont even care people are looking at me like "um - do you think she knows she has red wine all over her?"   WHATEVER.

Go to gate for flight ... miracle of all miracles - it is on time.  OF COURSE.

Wheels up and into the 4 hour flight we go ... seat belt light goes off .. I go to use the bathroom - but not before hitting my head on those stupid monitors that come down out of the ceiling (really United - it is DEFINITELY time to upgrade some of those planes).  Flight attendant:  "there is also a bathroom at the back of the 1st class cabin."  Me:  "oh - where.."  Flight attendant points.  Me: "thanks" .. start walking - hit head AGAIN on video screen.  Turn around and just have this look of utter defeat (or craziness).  Flight attendant:  "what's wrong?"  Me: (in my head - where do I even begin?) .. "I've just been on a flight from hell"  Give a short version.  Flight attendant:  "let's get you a drink .. what will you be having?"  Me: (in my head - atta girl... now you are speaking a solution to me):  vodka sound would just be lovely.

Land in Denver.  One more stop.  Log onto laptop - check work email.  Should not have.  Bad, bad move.  Make a phone call.  Terse words.  Frustration.  Friend calls back out of the blue.  PW:  "I made you a reservation at the Ramada - there was only one room left."  Me:  "OMG - you are the best friend ever and I'm sorry I was terse on the phone."   PW:  "yah - yah .. it's the Mayor's suite or the Governor's suite..."  Me:  "as long as there is a bed..."

Oh what is this - FLIGHT IS DELAYED.  This is now my shocked face - no movement, no expression.  Just this pained, numb look.

Wheels up Denver ... talk to guy next to me... he is Mr. Chatty.  I'm trying to follow but my brain is now deadened and fried.  Me:  "I'm sorry but I'm about to fall asleep..."  Seat mate: "Got it ...."  and then there were some other things said but I was down for the count and did not even hear him finish his sentence.

Gentle shake of shoulder ... Emily - we are almost there.  Me:  "what time is it" (mistake number 851).  Flight attendant:  "1245AM"  Me:  silence.

Plane lands.  I sprint to the Ramada.  Igor (not kidding) - checks me in.  Hands me key - asks me to sign paperwork.  Me: "I cannot even speak the human language right now" (I think I meant to say English but Igor "got me").  Igor hands me my keys.  To the Governor's Suite I go....

I should have taken a picture .. words cannot do this justice.  2 separate rooms - tacky wet bar.  Go to bedroom (open spaces up above the walls because there is no air unit for heat / AC in the bedroom "suite").  Turn around and gasp.  There are mirror slits pieced together along one wall and a circa-1980s soaking tub.  Me?  I start laughing like a maniac - which only makes me more tired... can honestly say I've never laughed myself to sleep - but that is indeed what happened.

CONCLUSION (finally):  I'm back in Sandpoint.  Blue skies, sunshine - it is stunning... and the highlight - is that I think I got the red wine out of my clothes. 

YOU MAY CALL ME LAUNDRY QUEEN!

Aaaaaa..chooo - Allergies

It is COMPLETELY unclear what Mother Nature has brought into the "air" but it - ALLERGIES - are on overdrive!  Woof.

I'm also excited to get on an airplane tomorrow and breathe in all that lovely recycled air.  The long haul back to BsAs starts tomorrow morning bright and early ... but never fear - the BIG UNWIND will continue on 11 July when I am back. 

Here is hoping that everyone had a lovely 4th July weekend and celebrations!  I think the fuzziness of the allergies is limiting my creative writing here this morning - so rather... here are a few shots:

At the helm of the BBQ out at the island ....

Mom, me and Alison at the 4th July parade in Sandpoint - COMICAL and definitely something for everyone.

Waiting at the bridge to be picked up and spend the day relaxing with friends, family at the island (my big toes is pointed towards where Mom, Dad's place is on the point .. so "artsy").

Mom, Dad at Sweet Lou's .... yummi, yummi, yummi food !

And .... ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh .... the sweet memories of reading, relaxing and ISLAND TIMES (the photo was worth re-posting once more).

Quiet before the storm ...

So it was Friday ... met Mom, Dad for lunch at the Loading Dock around 1130 or so - early start to the weekend.  Introduced them to their fire-roasted pizzas, self-serve and cold beers as well as picnic benches.  Walked down to the beach, to Seasons and then they headed to the island and I went to Pilates (DYING to skip but I did not).

After Pilates - it was off to Priest River to drop off a few things to get framed and then headed back to Sandpoint with destination Hope, Idaho being the next port of call.  Buzzed Mom's cell phone on the way out - no answer.  Thought to myself - no worries - it is about 30 minutes... I'll try again.

Again - no answer... so what do I do... I drove down the highway - could see the island (just zero way to get out there as it was is way, way too cold yet to be swimming that type of distance) -- and made my next right into Sweet Lou's. 

Had a book (always CARRY a book) and it was time for a margarita to kick off the weekend before everyone started to arrive today (Saturday).

I tried Mom's mobile once more and SURPRISE -- she answered.  They had been staining the deck .. um - ok... so into the boat they all piled (my parents, my sister - Molly - and her better half TJ) and headed to Sweet Lou's.  We all had dinner and drinks and just caught up and relaxed -- it is ISLAND TIME after all.

A view from the dock after we got back from supper.

I was sound asleep around 800pm ... only to have all of us wake up around 630AM this morning... early start and Mom got that "cup of ambition" brewing for all of us.  Had a "team effort" breakfast and then it was chore time (weed eating, Dad started a bon fire to burn brush, sweeping...) and about 10AM - it was a jump into Lake Pend Orielle -- a momentary stop of the heart as one collected their breathe from the shocking coldness (there is still snow that needs to melt - I don't think it's going to happen before we see the next snow fall)... a cold beer with the parents and some chill time before the festivites kick off !! 

It's ISLAND TIME ... meaning time means nothing and family, fun and relaxation means everything.

May you all have a safe and lovely 4th of July ... and hopefully you are sipping on a lovely concoction surrounded by friends and loved ones. 

Be super safe gentle readers - especially if you get C1 fireworks like they have in north Idaho (BAM-BAM-BOOM-BOOM).