Is'nt it Trent?

As you drive along hwy 53 (it starts as Trent in Spokane), as you enter Idaho on your way to Rathdrum, one passes a house of interest, which makes my mind go in all directions at once. I pass by the house every day as I drive up to Mt. Spokane to get on snow. There is nothing about the actual structure that stands out. It is a basic frame, the yard is surrounded by a fence which is mostly chain link. It is a house along the highway after all. It is not an expensive house, it is not a dilapidated falling apart thing. Quite middle/lower middle class average home. What really gets my thoughts in motion is that there is a large piece of plywood attached to the gate in the driveway. On this plywood, the owner of the house (I would imagine) has spray painted a message. The letters were painted in a bright red, surrounded by black. -so this message was intended to be seen by all passers by. I will also commend the author on his spray painting ability because it is quite neat and legible- but it is spray paint none the less. I should take a picture for the full effect, but it is rather difficult to think of taking pictures while I am driving to the mountain. It says something like: "My next door neighbor ran me down in my driveway and got away with felony hit and run" (I had to paraphrase somewhat because -I am driving by at 55mph). There have been additional messages making further accusations, calling "his neighbor" a perpetual liar and such. One thing that surprises me, is that there is no: "No I'm not!" spray painted over the message. I also find it interesting that the author has the power to convict his neighbor of a felony. -I thought that was what the courts were for. I mean the writer could have been run down, but it is not a "felony hit and run" until a jury of his peers decides it is so. I mean, even if the jury gets it wrong.... whatever, I'll let that go. I also question the use of the word neighbor. If someone runs me down, that is not very neighborly, they are not really my neighbor. I don't care how close they live to me. For weeks there has been additions every coupled of days or so. Recently, the author has chosen to write a more extensive message requiring him to write smaller -so I totally miss out on more definition of his neighbor. And the latest is that the signs are down, and there is a For Sale sign on the fence.

Bottom line is this basically defines the populace of Northern Idaho. "Interesting" people who take things into their own hands. Effective or not, logical or not. And I had to share, maybe to get it off my chest, but also to share in my experiences.

Himmelreich

I am so jealous. The East Coast gets another dose of snow, and what do we have? Spring. In February! that is so not fair. And to add insult to injury: Dallas gets like a foot of snow. DALLAS! Yeah the Texas kind ....I don't know of any other Dallas. So we get to sit up here -WHERE IT IS SUPPOSED TO SNOW- watching everything melt. You would think it was April. Its a travesty...and a sham.....and a mockery. A travishamockery!
I'm back from my little "vacation" to Europe. It is interesting; when I told people I had to go to Europe to compete, the reaction from them was not the emotions I felt. "They" get all glassy eyed, and ooh and ah. Me? I dreaded the whole thing. No, not the whole thing. I was looking forward to the competition, I just hate having to travel so far to get there. And forgive me for not being able to pick up languages at the drop of a hat, but I hate being in places where I can't communicate. I'm a grumpy old man at 39yrs of age.
Compared with some of my friends, a 9 hour flight across the ocean is a drop in the hat. For me however, it is something much more. I am grateful that we have technology such as hand held TVs and digital recording devices. These tools are essential for such an experience. Still, the airplane seat is nowhere for me to be for that long. I'm going to blame the SCI for that. Comfort is the last word I can think of when I am on the plane.
I also seem to feel every one's anxiety. I get into the airport and I just feel rushed or something. I "see" everyone trying to race for one spot ahead in the line. And all that racing and trying to get ahead of "that guy" occurs all the way until I sit in my seat: the walk to the gate, sitting at the gate, when they announce the boarding, and then when everyone is loading. I get this sort of "it would be better if most of these people weren't here" kind of feeling. Definitely not your love for your fellow man type thoughts. I attribute these thoughts that I have, to me projecting signals that other people are sending off. (I may be way off base, but this theory seems solid to me) So, all the people who are in the airport, are sending out vibes that resonate anxiety in me, as I react to what they are sending.
So, I am all edgy due to the travel.
On the other side of this coin, it is eye opening to be in another country. A whole different way of thinking. To see a Euro version of a van, a Euro version of a rest stop on the highway, a Euro version of a highway, etc. Accessibility is a whole 'nother issue as well.
The French alps are grand. Switzerland is amazing as well. And the Black Forrest region of Germany has its own charm. The France we were in, was Mountainous on a jagged scale. Blue skies, the ground covered in snow, sharp cold air, very dramatic. Germany was ....grey. We got there right after a snow storm, so we were introduced to more white. But the next day it started raining, and the true Germany came out. Western Oregon with less sunlight. It does not surprise me that the story Hansel and Gretel came from this area. Thankfully, our skiing was up in a pass, so the snow stayed there. Added bonus: the sun came out for my races. -on two separate days. I can thank my lucky stars, because it could have snow/rained on us.
Now I am home, and getting back in the swing of being Dad.