November - December Round Up 2019

THE

CO-OP

Country Round Up

A paper for, and about, country people.

County Extension Classes Fall and Winter 2019 - 2020 Page 4 Agriculture News - Mexican Beef Cattlemen Visit Idaho Ranches Page 8

is a proud sponsor of Kinderhaven at Sandpoint.

Gardening for Climate Change Page 10 After the Blizzard Poetry from Joseph Smith Page 10 Weed of the Month - Wild Violet Page 11 Acceptance of the Gift of Gratitude

by Gabrielle Duebendorfer Page 14 Home & Hearth - Recipes for the Season Page 16

Kinderhaven is a community organization dedicated to supporting children in crisis and giving them back their right to thrive by providing a safe, secure home in which their emotional, physical, and mental well-being are protected and enriched.

Visit us online at www.kinderhavensandpoint.com and on Facebook!

208-263-7288 105 S. 3rd Ave., Sandpoint, ID 83864 • 7BTV.com

What You Need to Know About a Miller Trust by Judy Baird Page 20 North Idaho Winter of 1924

Page 15

Equine Fear & Fleeing Issues Page 22 Page 23

ERCWSS Postal Customer

Real Estate and You Presorted Std. U.S Postage PAID Spokane, WA Permit #7

November / December 2019 125 Tibbetts Lane Ponderay, Idaho 83852 coopcountrystore.com

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From the Editor

The CO-OP Country Round Up November / December 2019 Volume 20 Issue 1

Holiday Memories

When I was growing up my family lived on 160 acres until I was about 14 when half of it was sold off to finance a business venture.

The rest of the 80 acres was mine to explore and I did so on horseback every chance I got over the next four years.

The property was full of springs and at least three creeks flowed through it. The heavily forested acreage was filled with cedar, fir, and tamarack, or larch if you prefer. I like the word tamarack. It adds character to this unique tree which has needles but unlike evergreens, it sheds its ‘leaves’ in late autumn. Before that though it turns a spectacular shade of yellow and lights up the forest.

The land had old logging roads and wildlife trails throughout. I knew every single square foot of that land as it was my job to ride the fences every spring to find post winter damage. But my other annual job was no job at al, but a joy - a tradition I took seriously for a long time. In mid summer, when travel through the forest was easiest and trees showed themselves full and green, I would take either Ginger or Sam out and inspect the forest for the perfect Christmas tree. On this particular annual ride I took only one tool with me - a huge piece of red flannel cloth. It was going to have to be huge if I was to find it in the deep winter of December. After finding the perfect tree I would reach as high as I could from the back of the horse and tie the flannel to the most home facing bough. My eyes would close and my mind race into the future, the sweet smell of ‘Christmas’ filling my senses each time I brushed my gloved hands through the needles. I thought there no more magical moment in the year than this, save Christmas morning itself. How can smell, taste, or touch catapult our minds to another time and place? We are trully fearfully and wonderfully made.

These memories we cherish, these moments in time that frame our lives and give meaning to our present are important. For me it is the tree hunt. For others it may be the group of men hunting in the fall or the annual trip to Grampa and Grama’s home for Thanksgiving. It may be the cards we send, the foods we choose, or the way our parents made even the most thinly gifted Christmas into a true celebration of faith and family.

In this issue of the Round Up you will find lots of information on places to go and things to do in our area most of which is either cheap or free to attend. There will also be plenty of tree lighting gatherings, dances and so much more that didn’t make it into these pages but you can access on the internet with a little looking. Churches will be having Christmas pageants and celebrations,candle lighting Services, and concerts. There will also be community dinners and the various weekly soup kitchens still in force through the season. One only need look around for a place to belong. I have plenty of holiday memories.

But I think it is time to make some more. Happy Holidays!

611 South Ella Ave., Sandpoint, ID, 8386 (208) 263-2344 info@bonnercountyhistory.org www.bonnercountyhistory.org

Join us at the museum for the exhibit opening of

The Women Who Shaped Bonner County

“By the time a girl is old enough to read, she learns two Idaho histories - the one written by men and the one lived by women” Betty Penson-Ward Our newest exhibit will look into the lives of the many extraordinary women who carved out a life in North Idaho. From educators & politicians, to pioneers & entrepreneurs, each contributed to making Bonner County the wonderful place we call home.

Plus, the gift shop will be decked out in all its winter wonder land glory. Many items on sale, & LOTS of new merchandise.

Saturday, November 23rd, 2019 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Admission is FREE with purchase in the gift shop.

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As we increase the fleet of propane trucks to better serve you we are also making sure our staff is well trained to safely set tanks and deliver propane to some very interesting areas around north Idaho.

We make every effort to keep our service schedules and efficient billing systems up to date to better serve our customers. We are locally owned and operated. This means our customers can speak to real people locally if there are any issues regarding propane service or when it becomes necessary to upgrade to a bigger tank.

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As a propane customer you can expect to be part of a thriving cooperative supporting the community through 4-H, FFA, county fairs, local fundraisers including Toys for Tots, Kinderhaven, and numerous others. And you can be proud to be part of a business model promoting a healthy business atmosphere in conjunction with youth education leading to a strong next generation in our area.

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Bits and Pieces

The CO-OP Country Round Up November / December 2019 Volume 20 Issue 1

Fall 2019 Winter 2020 Extension Classes Please call to register for any of these classes.

Scholarships are available. Classes take place at the Boundary County Extension meeting room unless noted otherwise.

Is a Small Farm in Your Future? $5 Saturday, November 2, 10am-3pm Whether you’re in the planning stages or have just begun, this one-day intensive workshop will help you determine what options are available for you, explore potential markets and profitability for different enterprises, network with others and learn what it takes to begin and sustain a small scale farming business. Presentations include in-depth discussions on crop and livestock production for small farms. Price includes all materials and hot beverages. Please bring a sack lunch. A microwave and refrigerator are available.

Pressure Canning $10 Wednesday, November 20, 1pm-4pm Learn how to safely make and preserve low-acid foods at home such as vegetables, meats, dried beans, and mixed foods. This hands-on class will also teach participants the basics of pressure canning and proper care for your canner. Each participant will make their own jar of beans which they can pick up the day after the class. Class size is limited to 12 people.

Last Chance Pesticide Workshop, $5 Tuesday, Dec. 3, 1:30pm – 5pm This class gives you the opportunity to obtain pesticide recertification credits before the end of the year! We anticipate having 3 credits available. The course will cover sprayer calibration among other topics.

Registration is required as space is limited.

Wreath Making Workshop, $15 ($5 if you bring your own greenery) Thursday, Dec. 5, 1:00pm – 3pm Learn how to make a fresh wreath while learning about native evergreen species that grow in our region. Bring your own pruners, wire cutters, scissors and any wreath embellishments you would like to use.

Class size is limited to 16 people.

Gifts in a Jar $10 Wednesday, December 11, 2pm-3:30pm In this class you will learn many different ways to create a unique gift in a jar. You’ll go home with some of your Christmas gifts already made, and recipes for creating more at home. Class size is limited to 12 people.

Making Jerky $10 Thursday, January 9, 2pm-3:30pm In this class we will be sampling jerky and learning how to safely make your own jerky using an electric food dehydrator. This hands-on class will cover how to make jerky from a variety of meats including beef and wild game. You will also learn some techniques for drying other foods at home such as fruits and vegetables. Class size is limited to 12 people.

Gluten Free Cooking $10 Wednesday, January 15, 1pm-3:00pm Do you or someone in your family have an allergy or sensitivity to gluten? Come join us and learn how you can prepare gluten free meals for your family while skipping the stress and frustration. This class will help you navigate the world of gluten free cooking by providing you with helpful tips as well as give you strategies to avoid the common mistakes many beginners make when switching to gluten free cooking.

Class size is limited to 12 people.

Bonners Ferry Cereal School, FREE Thursday, Jan. 23, 8am-2pm Eight cereal school events are held across Idaho, sponsored by the Idaho Wheat Commission, the Idaho Barley Commission, and the University of Idaho. These educational workshops provide an opportunity for producers to learn about issues in their region, including insect issues, disease updates, variety trials, weed control, canola issues, markets, and more. Pesticide recertification credits will be available.

Includes a catered lunch.

Women in Ag Conference Saturday, January 25, 9am-5pm You won’t want to miss this annual conference that typically features national speakers and a local panel based around a theme that resonates with women in agriculture. It is held in many locations around the West, with shared programming. Stay tuned for more information as the date nears.

Bonner County Location Starting Your Sustainable Small Farm, Intro Tuesday, January 14, 2020 at 6 PM – 8pm Saturday, January 18, 2020, 8:30 – 3:30pm Whole farm Planning Saturday, February 22, 2020, 8:30 – 3:30pm Crops Saturday, March 21, 2020, 8:30 – 3:30pm Livestock Location: Sandpoint Organic Ag Center, Sandpoint ID This course is broken down into 4 different dates/topics. Costs for the

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Thanksgiving Day Trivia: Nobody is quite sure if the almighty bird that now marks the centerpiece of our table was even on the menu back in 1621. However, they did indulge in other interesting foods like lobster, seal, and swan. The Wampanoag even brought five deer to the feast, so if you also enjoy venison at your autumn table, consider yourselves right in line with a longstanding tradition. program are to be determined. Registration is required as space is limited. Register by contacting the Bonner County office at 208-263-8511.

Check our website for current classes and our newsletter: https://www. uidaho.edu/extension/county/boundary For all things ag, check our blog: BoundaryAgBlog.wordpress.com

Then and Now

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The CO-OP Country Round Up November / December 2019 Volume 20 Issue 1

Over the River and Through the WiFi

Just in the space of 60 years we have gone from black and white TVs to color, from planes to space flight, from ovens to microwaves, and from party line phones to an internet connection allowing us to communicate world wide in real time. If increases in technology are truly exponential, and it appears they are, one wonders what the next 25 years will hold for humankind.

Communications. We hear this word referenced almost everyday in our modern lives and for good reason. Without constant communications the world of trade and commerce could come to a grinding halt what with Amazon.com, grocery store pick-up, online bill pay and social media in the mix. We are connected most of the time not because we want to be, but because we have to be. It is the way of the world and some would argue we are not necessarily better off for the arrangement.

We have come so far from holidays that included the precisely timed long distance phone call at the least expensive time of day when the most family members were likely to be in the same place.

Passing around the corded receiver, or better yet, getting on the extension was the order of the day. Now we can call just about anyone at a fraction of the cost and see the other person to boot via Skype and Facetime technology with our phones and smart TVs. This is how we communicate today. It is fast, efficient, and two dimensional. But it allows us to see the growing grandchildren, hear the voice of a new -born far away, watch a graduate walk in a distant state, and attend a birthday party when we are confined to home because of illness.

With all this technology doesn’t it make sense that more people would choose to stay safely, warmly at home and connect via social media than to suffer the rigors of holiday travel? It turns out they don’t.

According to AAA Travel more than 98 million people, almost 1/3 of the United States population will be traveling this holiday season, up 4% from last year. Most people will drive at least 50 miles from home to celebrate and more than 5.7 million will take to the skies. It would appear that people with means want to be in the company of loved ones, not simply see them on a screen. It seems that while internet connection is the way of the world, the humble gas powered sleigh ride remains an important part of the holiday season. People still want to shop at brick and mortar stores, bundle up to go outside for a walk with family, hunt for that perfect real Christmas tree, and travel far and wide to Grandmothers house with all the things that could possibly go wrong on that trip.

The good news is that Grandmother no longer needs to worry about us as we can call from the ‘sleigh’ to let her know when we will arrive from across the river. This is the best of both worlds.

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Thanksgiving Day Trivia : Presidents originally had to declare Thanksgiving a holiday every year. However, President Thomas Jefferson refused to recognize the event because he believed in the separation of church and state. Since Thanksgiving involved prayer and reflection, the president thought making it a national holiday would violate the First Amendment. But he never really explained himself to the public.

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CNC Tableworks

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Young Living Essential Oils

Elk Paper & Vinyl Designs

The Falcon’s Egg

One Link At A Time

Grouse Point Farm

Caramel Kitchen

Plaster’s Glass Art

Farmhouse Recreations

Wit & Whimsy

Clara Grace Jewelry

Big Bamboo

Between The Creeks

Usborne Books

Joanie’s Kreations

Fireweed Lane

Robinson Soft Brittle

Amber’s Nail Room

Doug’s Signs

Joanne Cannon Photography

Stone Jewels

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Scott’s Kettle Corn & Espresso

Avon, Scentsy, Curves & Lipsense

Snapdragens

Two-Edged Sword

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Spirit Horse Art

The Pickled Kitchen

Wolf & Bell

Blue Pine Soaps

Crazy Crafty Chics

Papa’s Mini Donuts

Tis The Season

Rooted Strength Studio

The Farmer’s Daughter

Red Cottage Designs

Batastic Creations, Inc.

Something Clever, Inc.

Sweet Maggie’s

Lefty Felts

Hootin’ Hollow

Healing Stone Foundry

Angels Over Sandpoint

The Country Snack Shack

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The Lighting of the Tree

From a time before social media, iphones and the internet the annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony has held a special place in the hearts of communities worldwide. Often celebrated in conjunction with a visit from Santa Clause, cups of hot cider or hot chocolate, and in many places a bonfire, this celebration officially opens the Christmas Shopping Season for local merchants. In Sandpoint, Idaho this event will be held on Friday November 29, 2019 at Jeff Jones Town Square just after dark. Everyone is welcome to attend this Hometown Event of the season.

But the official tree lighting is just the beginning! There are so many more trees in the area to see!

Kinderhaven hosts the 20th annual Festival of Trees fundraiser at the Bonner County Fairgrounds. Family Night is from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, and is open to the public and free of charge! Bring the family and enjoy hot cocoa, cookies, a visit with Santa, and view all the magically decorated trees. The Holiday Luncheon is from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Friday, and includes a silent auction, lunch, and viewing of the decorated trees. And finally, the Grand Gala is at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, where guests will enjoy hors d’oeuvres and a no-host bar, a silent auction, catered dinner by Ivano’s, and a live auction of the trees and packages. Purchase luncheon and gala tickets at KinderhavenSandpoint.com. All proceeds benefit Kinderhaven, a local group foster home and emergency shelter for abused and neglected children.

National Christmas Tree Lighting (Tentative) At President’s Park the Holiday Season Begins with the Flip of a Switch!

The National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony is a truly unique National Park Service experience on December 5, 2019. What began as a community event back in 1923 has grown into a nationally televised event with celebrity hosts and performers, and of course the President and First Family.

So get the kids, dress warm, and head out to a Christmas Tree Lighting near you and make some memories.

Thi ho����y se ��

GIVE THE ULTIMATE GIFT Shop the Bonner County History Museum's gift shop for one of a kind gifts!

Housewares

Toys

Perfume

Jewelry

Apparel

Art

Holiday decor

Games

Accessories

Books

New merchandise, and lots of great deals!

Bonner County History Museum, 611 S. Ella Ave, Sandpoint bonnercountyhistory.org, (208) 263-2344

8

Agriculture News

The CO-OP Country Round Up November / December 2019 Volume 20 Issue 1

Mexico Beef Cattlemen visit Idaho Cattle Ranches On July 28 – August 1, 2019, six Mexican cattle ranchers visited Idaho to source Idaho livestock and livestock genetics for the Mexican market. Tours and meetings centered around helping the delegation learn first-hand about Idaho’s robust beef industry and reputation for outstanding cattle and exceptional breeding programs.

Some of the Mexican cattlemen were from fourth-generation cattle operations. Their ranches ranged from 50 – 850 head, 100 – 15,000 acres, and elevations from 4,800 – 9,000 feet. The cattle ranchers were looking for mostly Angus (both black and red) and Hereford cattle.

During the mission, the delegation toured and met with Idaho cattle ranchers and industry leaders. The tour and meeting schedule covered three full days including visits to various ranches and feedlots as well as a stop at the University of Idaho Nancy M. Cummings Research, Extension and Education Center in Carmen.

The delegates universally lauded the consistent quality of the cattle they saw and were very impressed by Idaho’s beef cattle industry.

Several of the ranchers are already making plans to return to Idaho to attend some of the October heifer sales.

The inbound mission was sponsored by the U.S. Livestock Genetics Export Inc. (USLGE). For more information on USLGE and participating in future missions, please contact Laura Johnson at laura.johnson@isda.idaho.gov

Students Experience Idaho Agriculture in Farm to Summer Programs Farmer to Summer group 2019 For most kids, summer means fun in the sun and a break from school but it can also mean a decreased amount of learning and one less meal for some students. ISDA’s Idaho Preferred program partnered with schools, youth centers, and picnic in the park programs around the gem state to lessen the gap and ensure everyone has a healthy meal and learns the importance of Idaho agriculture.

Farm to Summer is a youth-focused food program that works with food service staff to provide a free Idaho focused meal full of local food, a lesson about Idaho agriculture, and often a bag filled with promotional items from sponsors like Dairy West and North West Farm Credit Services. Students are also given local farm-fresh produce at each location thanks to sponsors including the Ada County Farm Bureau.

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10

Country Life

The CO-OP Country Round Up November / December 2019

After the Blizzard The snows came early in ‘68 They piled up deep, and spring came late We thought the snows would never end At last they did, then came the wind It shrieked and howled throughout the night The lights went out, ‘twas quite a fright And when at last there came the dawn The raging wind was finally gone But in its place a bitter chill Came creeping through the window sills When sun at last gave morning light The mercury was out of sight The frost grew thick on window panes We scraped it off, it grew again The icy windows seemed to say You may get warm, but not today But nature’s call we all must heed And hastened now by dire need I stepped into my heavy clothes Then out into the landscape froze The path was drifted nearly shut That led out to that little hut The piles of snow would give me grief Before I finally found relief I kicked the snow out from the door Then stepped onto the outhouse floor I looked with horror at the seat My scrawny derriere must meet The frost was several inches thick I tried to scrape it with a stick But nature’s call was urgent now I had to sit there anyhow Through glasses covered now with fog I finally spied the catalog Lying there beside the door Its pages frozen to the floor With fingers numb I tore some pages Then crumpled them for what seemed ages

I cannot make the homeward run Until the paperwork is done At last when I could take no more I started to head out the door While pulling down my stocking hat ‘Twas then I finally saw the cat Lying by the outhouse door I hadn’t seen him just before In the snowdrift lying there The ice was frozen on his hair I figgered he’s a goner sure But then I thought I heard him purr I picked him up and held him nigh And saw him slowly blink an eye Then stumbling through drifted snow Back to the house then I did go My family all did gather ‘round To gaze upon what I had found My Grandma said “Go get some gas, Quickly now, go hurry fast!”

She wrapped him in an old wool coat Then poured some gas right down his throat The cat stood up, to our surprise Then stretched and slowly blinked his eyes He started walking round the room Then like a shot, away he zoomed!

Across the couch and easy chair It didn’t matter who was there He ran across our laps and then He ran around the room again He made a dozen laps around The living room, and then laid down Beside the heating stove at last Poor kitty ran plumb out of gas.

Volume 20 Issuue 1

Gardening for Climate Change

This is not an article about climate change, but rather, what we rural folks can do in our yards and gardens when we find that changes in weather patterns have begun to make an impact on our ability to adapt each year. Once upon a time gardeners in this cooler northern climate could depend on the last frost being in early June and the first frost being in early September, more or less. But for the last few years we have seen those frost dates expand out or disappear all together.

Because of it we can sometimes harvest too early or plant too late.

Consider a more controlled gardening approach. This next planting season why not plan for planter boxes or simple raised beds that can be covered easily with row covers? These boxes would have simple frames over the top and sides allowing plastic to quickly be draped over at a moments notice when frost is expected. In this way early planting of salad greens, tender tomatoes, peppers, and green bean bush habit plants can go into the ground by mid May rather than mid June thus extending the season. And the soil in the raised beds is warmer which speeds up germination.

Keeping your garden path soil cool. Gardeners whom favor an intensive approach often have better yields than wide row gardeners. They also often place mulch on garden paths to hold moisture and keep the soil cool. Another approach is clever as it is three-fold.

Why not plant your paths with White Dutch clover? This low growing clover germinates and spreads easily which is why people don’t want it in their yard. But in the garden, in among planter boxes, this legume can keep the soil cool, feed the bees with the little white flowers, and it can be tilled into the soil at the end of the season to fix nitrogen. This image from simonsallotmont.blogspot.com is an excellent example of how the use of clover can work.

These are just a couple of ways we can work with Nature instead of against it as climate changes occur where we garden.

For Tracy Joseph W. Smith 10/31/2019

125 Tibbetts Lane Ponderay, Idaho 208.263.6820 coopcountrystore@yahoo.com

Our Environment

11

The CO-OP Country Round Up November / December 2019 Volume 20 Issue 1

Weed of the Month - Wild Violet

By Chase Youngdahl, Bonner County Weeds Manager

2019 was a great field season, both internally and with the general public. We had an above average turnout with our Neighborhood Weeds Cost Share Program (get in touch with me if you are unaware of this program but wish to learn about it), we distributed over 400 of our new noxious weed handbooks, attendance was above average at our annual Weeds Seminar, visitors at our fair booth were nonstop and call volume at the office was up with folks looking for professional advice and recommendations related to weed control. Thank you all for taking interest and doing your part to clean up the landscape of plants that do not belong in Bonner County!!

The November weed of the month is dedicated to the hardcore weed control warrior, and those that seek a pristine looking lawn. Wild Violet (Viola papilionacea) is a persistent, nuisance weed in turf. This is not a noxious weed at any level, so there’s no obligation to get rid of it—only an OCD duty if you’re a perfectionist with your lawn (like me). And if you’re a turf/lawn care professional, this may be one that is generating calls. It’s a relatively low growing, short-lived perennial with purple flowers that resemble a Pansy. The leaves are heartshaped and slightly cupped. The root system is impressive, as it has a strong taproot along with a network of fibrous roots.

Wild Violet favors shade to partial sun sites, but it can tolerate full sun in relatively cooler climates like northern Idaho. Ideal growing conditions are during cool weather; April/May in our neck of the woods. It grows on forest floors where sunlight is filtered, but is also cultivated in landscapes as an ornamental. It takes a while to become established, but if it escapes from a landscaping feature and invades your lawn, it will be one of the most challenging weeds to eliminate.

Wild Violet is best managed in the fall. If you start a new lawn and keep it healthy, you’re not likely to have an issue with it. This one is not too difficult to prevent since it is native to North America, and is not a problem anywhere except for turf, where it has become well adept.

There are a number of broadleaf herbicides labeled for turf that can be used; Trimec® (2,4-D + Dicamba) & Crossbow® (2,4-D ester + Triclopyr) are a couple of examples. If a product contains any combination of 2,4-D, MCPA, MCPP, Dicamba, Fluroxypyr or Triclopyr and is labeled for use in turf, you will have a tool to achieve good control.

In addition, mix an MSO surfactant with the herbicide for better penetration of the waxy leaf cuticles.

Application timing is key. Turf weeds such as Dandelions, Plantains, Clovers, etc. will get wiped out in the first wave if you’re just starting a lawn treatment regimen. Wild Violet, and oftentimes Mouseear Chickweed, will withstand that initial treatment and require a second [or third] treatment. Treatments in the spring may suppress growth for the summer, but the roots will remain unscathed. September – November is the time to tackle Wild Violet, when nutrients are moving downward [into and throughout the roots]. This can still be done, provided there’s no snow nor a deep frost layer. At the time this is published, who knows, with the way this fall has gone so far… Using cultural practices in conjunction with the herbicide treatments is important to sustain long term control—keep your lawn as healthy as possible. Apply a balanced fertilizer at least 3 times per year; first thing in the spring, early in the summer, and mid-late fall. Also, run sprinklers during the summer to avoid drought stress; that is a vulnerable time period when opportunistic invaders can “take advantage.”

Thatching and aerating as needed is a great bonus to round out your overall turf treatment plan.

I wish you all a fantastic holiday season. Cheers!

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LOG PRICES Species

October 2019

August 2019

$360 - $430/MBF

$380 - $430/MBF

Grand Fir/Western Hemlock

$340 - $430

$380 - $430

Lodgepole Pine

$340 - $430

$380 - $430

Ponderosa Pine

$325 (6-7”) - $380 (12”+)

$350 (6-7”) - $375 (12”+)

Western White Pine

$390 - $420

$390 - $420

Western Redcedar

$725 - $825

$700 - $800

Douglas-Fir/Western Larch

*$1,700*

*$1,700*

Pulp

$22 - $32/ton

$25 - $40/ton

Tonwood

$50/ton +/-

$50/ton +/-

Cedar Poles

Note that these figures represent prices paid by competitive domestic facilities in the Inland Northwest, and are based on average-sized logs and standard log lengths—usually 16’6” and 33’. MBF = Thousand Board Feet. *Pole value varies widely depending upon length. Market information as of October 31, 2019.

The log market remains stagnant, with little movement most of this year. Lumber prices have also followed suit. Most local mill yards are currently well stocked so it is unlikely there will be much improvement in pricing as we move into winter.

- Mike Wolcott, ACF, Certified Forester This information is provided by Inland Forest Management, Inc., a forestry consulting company. For additional information, they can be contacted at 208-263-9420, IFM@inlandforest.com or www.inlandforest.com.

12

The Gardener’s Corner

The CO-OP Country Round Up November / December 2019 Volume 20 Issue 1

A Good Year for BC Gardeners

The Bonner County Gardeners Association has wrapped up another successful year. With over one hundred members, the group is able to contribute to the community in a variety of ways. The first priority is horticultural education; to that end the organization teaches a fourteen session “membership course” annually. The course is a basic introduction to all aspects of gardening, including classes on botany, soils, entomology, plant pathology, and the culture of vegetables, fruits, berries, ornamental landscape, pruning, and much more.

The course begins about the first of February, two mornings a week.

The course is limited to seventeen participants. BCGA also offers two Home Horticulture Series of classes each year: spring and fall, which are open to the public. The gardeners association participates in school gardens in most of the elementary schools.

Another priority of BCGA is community service. Over the years, the organization has contributed to Farmin Park, donating a bench. It has re-landscaped the front of the fairgrounds building and added “mushroom” stools under the nearby trees. We keep two miles of Hwy 95 clean and free of rubbish. We are participating in creating a demonstration garden for children and adults on the Cedar Street Bridge.

The organization is assisting the city of Hope in establishing a park area. Other projects are in the planning stage, as well.

Gardeners also like to have fun, thus camaraderie is also a priority.

We have potluck events at members’ gardens, an annual party, and field trips. And, of course, we work together on projects and enjoy the company of others focused on a goal.

Funding for these projects and to maintain our office/classroom is provided by plant sales, the annual garden tour, membership dues, a drawing for a hand crafted garden trug full of treasures, and income from classes. For more information about BCGA, visit our web site, bcgardeners.org.

Thanksgiving Celebrates Harvest Thanksgiving is a harvest celebration, a time to give thanks for what nature has provided us, and what will sustain us through the long winter months. Some form of harvest feast has taken place in many cultures in colder climates, from agricultural communities to hunter/ gatherer groups. It occurs at a time when the days grow shorter and colder, forecasting the coming of winter. Itis a time to assess the supplies gathered or raised during the warm season and to give tribute to both the hard work of the community and the good fortune to have enough to maintain survival. It is a time to join with others to feast in honor of plentitude and to be grateful for another productive year.

It is important for us to be thankful for what we have, and to dedicate one day, at least, to simple gratitude. Here in North Idaho, we have beauty in mountains and waterways; we have places where we can get out into the natural environment and experience the majesty of the landscape. We have a climate that, though challenging, can produce varied and abundant crops. We have peaceful surroundings.

Thanksgiving is a special holiday. It does not have elements of any particular religion nor does it cater to political considerations. It is a feast day, a day of joy, a day to share with others and to spend some time simply being thankful.

Thanksgiving is the ultimate gardener’s holiday. It is the end of the season, when the gardener either proudly displays the harvest bounty, or perhaps, after a frustrating time of it, says, “Thankfully, this garden year is over. I hope the best is yet to come.” Our tables groan with foods from the garden, along with the roasted turkey or ham, perhaps also homegrown. The traditional dishes consist of many items from the vegetable and herb garden, some preserved, some recently harvested. Onions and savory herbs, garlic, parsley, carrots, potatoes, squash/pumpkins, perhaps baked apples or pears, are grown successfully here. On the table, they are symbols of productivity and plenty, something for which to be thankful. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Our Changing World

13

The CO-OP Country Round Up November / December 2019 Volume 20 Issue 1

Food Security in Light of a Decreasing Population

Food security has been in the news for some time now and the information about it comes from many sources. Generally the UN website publishes an annual report to help us understand the overall depth of the problem. Other information sources such as ag sites and magazines can help us understand the issue on a local level.

The problem of famine has been with us for a long time. We recall reports of famine in Ethiopia back in the late 20th century. The problem did not seem to find any relief until technological breakthroughs in GMO grains and other plant based foods advanced in this century.

But the world hunger and poverty problem didn’t seem to improve.

Even now, in this day and age, we continue to be reminded of food shortages worldwide. What was once called famine has now been renamed food insecurity and more recently a ‘food gap’. But in light of new information and technological advances, is there really a food gap?

On any given day anyone can go on the internet and find out about food insecurity - where it is, what is causing it, and how it can be dealt with. The UN website is full of food insecurity information and usually has an annual report outlining the issue. But it isn’t the only food security report available.

From time to time Progressive Farmer magazine takes a look at the agricultural aspect of population and food production. And it turns out that because of GMO hybrids entering production yields have in many cases doubled. In fact plant based food production has been so successful that prices for corn, soybeans, and wheat languish as production continues to improve.

We tend to forget that when the northern hemisphere goes into winter and the fields are quiet the agriculture engine in the southern hemisphere is firing up. Food is produced all over the world all year long. The world actually has more than enough food to feed the entire population. The problem is that for a variety of reasons that food is not getting to the people who need it.

The UN sites reasons such as conflict, social unrest, political unrest and poor infrastructure as reasons for food insecurity in countries so economically compromised they don’t have the resources to get the food to the people who need it. Also sited is a lack of access to fertilizer and commercial seed.

Gregg Hillyer of Progressive Farmer reports that by 2050 the overall demand for animal based foods will rise by 70% even as the development of plant based meat substitutes continues. But it may not be as overwhelming as these entities report.

Just this week Mark Brinkmeier of IFG spoke to an economic forum and surprised the audience with research indicating the population is no longer expected to reach 9 billion by 2050 but rather 8.5 billion and then begin to decline. People are simply not replacing themselves at the rate necessary to sustain the current population growth trend.

This should come as welcome news for those who send their support to worldwide groups seeking to feed the masses and those concerned with over population. But we aren’t out of the woods yet. Changes in weather patterns, some of which can be managed through better land use practices, add to the challenges of food production in less developed countries.

Not all farmland is used to raise food. As the bio fuel industry heats up in the U.S. as well as in other countries the competition for food production land could become problematic and lead to higher food prices or even specific food shortages in the future. Beyond this adequate water, especially in arid locations, will continue to challenge food production acres even as new, more ecologically sound land management practices become the norm.

It is still not yet known exactly how much pressure can be placed on farm land to produce more yield more often. With pasture taking up 2/3 of all agricultural land it may become necessary to consider how much animal protein can come from an acre of land, and how much can be squeezed out with plant based foods. Worldwide it still seems to come down to land management.

Extracting more protein per acre, getting enough food to the most vulnerable, caring for the land properly and dealing with the sociopolitical aspects of food insecurity remain a worldwide issue.

Progressive Farmer Magazine Sept. 2019

UN Food Report 2015

14

Your Health

The CO-OP Country Round Up November / December 2019 Volume 20 Issue 1

Acceptance and the Gift of Gratitude Gabrielle Duebendorfer, NMD

I recently attended the Living and Dying Well event at the Panida.

This might sound like a morbid way to start an article about gratitude, but remembering the movie screenings still makes me chuckle in a content kind of way. For me personally there were two especially memorable parts that I would like to share and then tie into a larger context of acceptance and gratitude for the holidays.

The first one actually is twofold but both have to do with caskets – again kind of morbid, but actually quite inspiring. One movie clip showed New Zealand Casket Club members building their own caskets, decorating them and using them in their homes as benches, storage chests, or places to lay in :-) The whole clip was in the form of a musical and made the potential of death more of a normal life event that can be prepared for in an enjoyable fun kind of way.

The second casket experience was hearing about green burials, in which people weave baskets to be buried in on their land. The prior week the community was invited to participate in weaving a whole casket, which was then carried down the aisle during the event. I could envision being on my deathbed and having every visitor add to the weaving with their own gifts and wishes. The thought of being buried in such a holding place seems very comforting – filled with gratitude.

The second impressive moment was when Dan Mimmack shared his experience about living with an aggressive form of Alzheimer that has been found to lead to an early death. What struck me was his comment that he is living with the disease instead of dying from the disease. It was apparent that he was rather grateful for the opportunity to fully live, taking all the chances he can to share his experiences and gifts, such as being a “real life” pirate on a boat, in the community.

He and his wife Pam shared that his acceptance to live with the disease had opened up a huge social network of support in the community. In fact it gave him the freedom to go to town alone, knowing that he would find support wherever he went - even if lost or disoriented. It reminded me of wheeling my dying mother in her wheel chair through our small town in Germany, which started so many wonderful, though sometimes painful conversations – re-establishing connections.

Most of the time we either ignore the fact that we ourselves – I mean personally I myself and you – will have our capacities restricted and die, or we actively resist that potential with the diagnosis of a chronic disease by reaching for every possible conventional or natural straw to get rid of it. There is a saying that what we resist persists. This resistance leaves skid marks and uses up a lot of energy. Really this applies to anything that suddenly changes in our life and upsets the status quo. We feel safest with things just as they are, even if they don’t actually benefit us.

Most of the time we either ignore the fact that we ourselves – I mean personally I myself and you – will have our capacities restricted and die, or we actively resist that potential with the diagnosis of a chronic disease by reaching for every possible conventional or natural straw to get rid of it. There is a saying that what we resist persists. This resistance leaves skid marks and uses up a lot of energy. Really this applies to anything that suddenly changes in our life and upsets the status quo. We feel safest with things just as they are, even if they don’t actually benefit us.

Gabrielle Duebendorfer has practiced for close to 30 years as a licensed naturopathic physician combining natural medicine with mindfulness tools. Her other passion is to advocate for climate change action so that her grandkids and patients will have a future in a healthy environment. 208.265.2213 ww-

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15

The CO-OP Country Round Up November / December 2019 Volume 20 Issue 1

As North Idaho Winters Go, 1924 Was One for the Books By Cassi Marler

There have been a few winters in the history of Bonner County that have really topped them all. A few that really stick out as being the granddaddy of all winter storms. The ones that long-timers look back upon and say, “Yup, that was the worst winter I’ve known”.

One of the most well recorded accounts was known as the ‘Blizzard of 1924’. The suddenness of this storm is what caught the county off guard. Mid-way through December, while the cafes’ were full of lunch diners, it was just a mere 40 degrees out with only light winds.

Suddenly, the winds shifted and temperatures plunged – creating the perfect blizzard. As darkness took over the evening, the temperature read 13 degrees below zero, a whopping 53 degree drop in a few short hours, with winds whipping at over 60 mph through the little town of Sandpoint. Fences blew down, signs ripped from their posts, and enormous trees uprooted all around the county. It’s even said that the smokestack at the Dover mill blew over, and the railway station at Dover blew off its foundation and was turned completely around.

Electricity was out for anyone who had it, the phones were dead, and all the Western Union lines went down. One story even reports that after students were sent home that afternoon, the Jefferson School bus was blown off the road. For the next 24 hours, the blizzard raged. By Tuesday the storm finally let up, with temperatures remaining low. After all the damage that was done, the residents decided that the worst loss in the aftermath was a swath of evergreen trees of all different species between Troy, Montana and into Bonner County had all died, stunned by the sudden temperature drop.

Over forty years later, a winter struck Bonner County that many locals can still remember. There are stories of schools being closed for weeks at a time, buildings crushed by the weight of the snow, impassable roads, and the temperature dropping to a record breaking 37 degrees below zero. It was the winter of 1968, and Civil Defense organizations started offering winter advice, especially for those driving in the snow. The organization listed a kit of materials that they believed were the items necessary to pack in your vehicle during winter driving.

Keep in mind, cell phones were not a invented yet, nor were they even in existence. Here is the list as printed by the Civil Defense in 1968: “The kit should contain two or more blankets, or a box of newspapers, a couple of one-gallon cans with plastic covers, or empty three-pound capped coffee cans for sanitary facilities, matches and candles, extra clothing, such as winter caps, mittens and galoshes, transistor radio, or car radio, for storm bulletins, compass and maps; pocket knife, first aid kit and a shovel, large box of facial tissue, a small sack of sand, for traction in snow and ice, flashlight or signal light to be used for SOS, or to find help; plastic scraper for windshield, booster battery cables, two chains, 20 inches or longer, a fire extinguisher, catalytic heater, and a compact alcohol stove.”

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The beauty of northern Idaho is that we never know exactly what to expect when winter comes knocking at our door. Some years it holds off, leaving us guessing what we will see out the window every morning. Sometimes winter hits so hard that it seems like we have chosen to live in a permanently frozen part of the world, where the ground will never be visible again. Whatever the winter weather brings, it is always best to be prepared for the worst, so don’t forget to pack your transistor radio and galoshes before hitting the road.

Editors note: This piece first ran in the CO-OP Round Up December 2018. It has been requested for reprint in this issue.

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Home and Hearth

The CO-OP Country Round Up November / December 2019 Volume 20 Issue 1

Recipes...

Super Pumpkin Soup 2 Smaller eating pumpkins, about 8” in diameter Remove the stem and cut squash into halves. Place halves flesh side up in a foil lined baking dish. Brush the flesh with olive oil.

Cover the pieces with foil and bake at 350 degrees for an hour.

Check the squash for doneness. Remove from oven and set aside to cool. Remove pumpkin flesh from shells and place in a heavy mixing bowl 1- 2 cups half and half (depends on creaminess desired) 1 medium yellow onion peeled and finely chopped 1/4 cup butter 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt 1 12 oz can sweet corn 1/2 Teapoon ground nutmeg Saute onion in the butter until soft and clear. Whisk pumpkin, 1/2 & 1/2, & garlic salt together in bowl. Add corn and nutmeg and onions. Pepper to taste. Heat over medium low and simmer for an hour to let the flavors blend. Serve hot with warm bread. **Black beans may be added to this recipe.

Christmas Crock Pot Breakfast 1(26 ounce) bag frozen hash browns 12eggs 1⁄2 cup milk 1 pound sausage 1teaspoon salt 16 ounces shredded cheddar chees 1large onion 1⁄2 teaspoon pepper 1⁄4 teaspoon nutmeg Spray crock pot with non-stick cooking spray and evenly spread hash browns at the bottom.

Crack 12 eggs in a large bowl and whisk slowly Add the milk and salt Cook the sausage on medium high heat, drain and set aside.

Add sausage on top of hash browns.

Add the cheese Pour the egg mixture over everything in the crock pot. Using a wood spoon, even everything out so it’s spread evenly.

Turn the crock pot on low for 6-8 hours. Serve with fresh biscuits.

Potato Latkes for Hanukkah 2 cups coarsely grated peeled potatoes (Russet or Yukon Gold) 1 Tablespoon flour 1 large egg, beaten 1 Teaspoon salt 1 medium yellow onion, peeled and finely chopped Peanut or other oil for frying 1 pint sour cream 1 Quart applesauce, preferably homemade

Place the shredded potatoes in a large bowl. With a couple of heavy paper towels squeeze as much moisture out of the potatoes as possible. Add in the egg, salt,and onion.

Place oil in a heavy, cast iron skillet and set the burner about medium heat. When a small amount of the potato mixture sizzles in the oil, it is ready. Put a couple of tablespoons of the batter into the skillet and flatten out with a spatula. Fry until golden brown on both sides. Remove from skillet and drain on a paper towel if necessary. Serve with a dollop of sour cream on top and applesauce on the side.

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The Great Outdoors

The CO-OP Country Round Up November / December 2019 Volume 20 Issue 1

Of Christmas Trees and Wreaths

Thanksgiving will be here in a couple more weeks and those of us preparing for it often have something else on our minds: trees and wreaths! Even as we are basting the turkey we are anxious to get out there and collect wreath making supplies from nature. And if we are lucky we might also find the perfect Christmas tree on the same outing. But where to go??

Those of us fortunate enough to own forest land have it made. We can put on the snow shoes and peruse our own stores for the perfect greenery and tree as well. But for the rest of us there are other places to explore.

Idaho State Department of Lands offices have maps showing public land open to everyone seeking a live Christmas tree. Unlike Federal land which requires a permit and fee, state land is free to harvest a tree from. However, national forests are much bigger, have access with a 4 wheel drive, and usually have more wildlife roaming about.

If you choose to go onto public land to collect greenery or other wreath making materials remember that the same sort of rules apply there as they might on your own or your neighbors’ land.

Avoid cutting down trees that are along the road. Choose one from further back. Try to choose a size appropriate tree and try to utilize the whole tree. For example, try to get a tree that also has enough branches for your wreath.

Be mindful of wildlife. Deer, moose, birds, and other wildlife are not to be approached. Take pictures as much as you want. These animals are wonders to behold but please leave them alone.

In addition to greenery you might choose Oregon Grape, Snow Berries, and a variety of pine cones. Almost any green boughs will work except Hemlock. This evergreen tends to dry quickly.

So pack up the kids, take a thermos of hot chocolate and get into the great outdoors this year to harvest the best wreath making supplies on earth. You are only limited by your imagination.

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Economics

The CO-OP Country Round Up November / December 2019 Volume 20 Issue 1

What Do I Need to Know About a Miller Trust?

by Judy Baird AVP, Branch Manager, Mountain West Bank

I don’t know about you but I have no idea where this year has gone. It feels like one moment not long ago it was June and now the stores are bringing out all the holiday decorations. It’s causing me a bit of panic, thinking of the things yet to do this year, both here at work and at home. The point was especially driven home when reading a novel not long ago and at some point in the story, the main character was told it was “time to get your affairs in order”.

I think I am pretty good at keeping my affairs in order – I live by my to-do lists, I keep my work goals in front of me, and my husband and I have a vision board we created in January for 2019 to remind us of the things we wanted to accomplish this year. But what I frequently see with customers is we have a tendency to not always be prepared for the later years in our lives, or for those unforeseen emergencies or life events.

A customer and I were recently talking about a living trust, a Power of Attorney, and establishing beneficiaries on banking accounts. The conversation turned to a discussion about a Miller Trust. Not as well known as a revocable or irrevocable trust, for some it very well could be an option to consider.

A Miller Trust, so named after a 1990 court case, is a type of special purpose trust that can be helpful to Medicaid applicants in states that have a set income limit for qualifying for Medicaid. Sometimes referred to as Qualifying or Qualified Income Trusts, they are used when a Medicaid applicant has too much income to qualify for Medicaid but not enough to pay for nursing home care or other long-term care costs. Most often, these trusts are used for the purpose of establishing eligibility for the Medicaid program. In order to qualify for Medicaid, the applicant’s income must fall below a certain level. Most states allow individuals to spend down any income above this level on their care until they reach the state’s standard.

When a Medicaid applicant receives income that exceeds the monthly amount allowed by Medicaid, the applicant can become eligible by redirecting some or all of that income to an income trust. Because these trusts reduce the amount of income received directly by the applicant to an amount less than the income cap, they help the applicant qualify for Medicaid.

Redirecting income involves putting it into an account that is titled in the name of the trust, for example. The income that is part of this special type of trust is not counted when determining whether the applicant is eligible for Medicaid so that the applicant has the opportunity to be eligible for this program.

With an income trust, much of the money that comes through the trust goes right back out to pay Medicaid for part of the cost of care.

So a qualified income trust doesn’t shelter income for the Medicare applicant, but without such an income trust, the applicant wouldn’t qualify for Medicaid. All of the applicant’s income, including any income deposited into the trust account, is counted in determining the applicant’s share of cost, which is the portion of medical expenses that remain the applicant’s responsibility.

For instance, if a Medicaid applicant gets a Social Security check for $2,500 but the income cap is $2,313, the applicant wouldn’t qualify for Medicaid. But if the Social Security check is direct-deposited into an income trust, the applicant will qualify for Medicaid, although most of the $2,500 will be used to pay the applicant’s share of cost for longterm care.

An income trust can also pay for Medicare premiums and medical costs not covered by Medicare and Medicaid and can be used by the trustee for the Medicaid applicant’s other allowable expenses but cannot pay health insurance premiums for other family members.

Also, before paying the Medicaid applicant’s share of cost, the trust can pay the Medicaid applicant a small personal needs allowance and, if married, it can pay the Medicaid applicant’s spouse (called the community spouse) a monthly allowance. The amount that can be paid to the community spouse is called the minimum monthly maintenance needs allowance”.

Upon the death of the Medicaid applicant/beneficiary, the state has priority to recover expenses that Medicaid paid during the applicant’s life. If there are any remaining funds in the trust after the state takes its allowed portion, these funds can go to the beneficiaries who are named in the trust document. Ordinarily, all income deposited into the trust will be spent each month as part of the beneficiary’s “share of cost,” so there is not likely to be anything left.

Unlike other types of trusts, there are limited restrictions on who can

The CO-OP Country Round Up A paper for, and about, country people.

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The next issue of the Round Up will be out on January 10, 2020 Contributors : Jim Haynes, Ann Warwick, Judy Baird, Dr. Gabrielle Duebendorfer, Chase Youngdahl, and Samantha Harvey.

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establish this type of trust to qualify for government benefits. Any applicant of any age who would otherwise be eligible for the Medicaid program can establish a trust of this nature. In general, a Medicaid applicant establishes an income trust by designating someone to serve as trustee and establishing a bank account in the name of the trust.

The account is opened with only the funds necessary to establish an account at the financial institution. The applicant’s income is then direct-deposited into this newly created account, leaving nothing payable directly to the applicant. Most states require the direct deposit of income into the trust bank account.

Please remember this column is intended to provide information but not intended to provide legal advice. Due to the complex nature of these trusts, it is highly recommended you meet with an estate planning lawyer to discuss establishing this type of trust to determine whether or not it is the right option for you or a family member.

The Lighter Side

21

The CO-OP Country Round Up November / December 2019 Volume 20 Issue 1

Just for fun...

Sister Marry was truly a religious woman. Besides for her duties as a nun, she was also very active in various hospitals visiting sick patients and taking care of all their needs. So it was no surprise that one day when she ran out of gas, the only container she could find to put the gas into was a bedpan. Sister Mary happily walked two blocks to the closest gas station filled up the bedpan with gas and headed back to her car. Luck would have it that as Sister Mary started tipping the gas into the fuel tank, the traffic light turned red and she had quite a large audience witnessing the spectacle. Just when she finished pouring in the last drops of gas a fellow opened up his window and hollered, “I swear! If that car starts I’m becoming a religious man!” ***************************************** On the day of my big job interview I woke up late. Frantically I threw on a suit. “OH NO!” I thought. “MY TIE! My Dad was out of town and wasn’t there to help me, and for the life of me I did not know how to tie a tie! I grabbed a tie and ran out the door. “Excuse me sir,” I said to the crossing guard, “I have an important job interview, can you please help me make this tie?!” “Sure” said the guard, “just lie down on this bench.” Well if someone was going to help me I wasn’t going to ask any questions. After he finished and the tie looked good I just had to ask why I had to lie down. “Well in my previous job I learned how to tie tie’s on other people when they were lying down. He replied.

“I ran a morg.”

Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson went on a camping trip. After a good meal and a bottle of wine, they laid down for the night, and went to sleep. Some hours later, Holmes awoke and nudged his faithful friend. “Watson, look up at the sky and tell me what you see.”

Watson replied, “I see millions and millions of stars.” “What does that tell you?” Watson pondered for a minute. “Astronomically, it tells me that there are millions of galaxies, and potentially billions of planets.

Astrologically, I observe that Saturn is in Leo. Horologically, I deduce that the time is approximately a quarter past three. Theologically, I can see that God is all powerful and that we are small and insignificant. Meteorologically, I suspect that we will have a beautiful day tomorrow. What does it tell you?” Holmes was silent for a minute, then spoke. “It tells me that someone has stolen our tent.”

A dog walked in to the telegram office one day. He took out a blank form and wrote on it: “Woof. Woof. Woof. Woof. Woof. Woof. Woof. Woof. Woof.”

Then he handed it to the clerk. The clerk examined the paper and said to the dog, “You know there are only nine words here? You could send another ‘Woof’ for the same price.”

The dog replied, “But that would make no sense at all!”

All jokes and stories can be found at: http://laffgaff.com/funniest-jokes/

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22

Equine Life

The CO-OP Country Round Up November / December 2019

Volume 20 Issuue 1

Fearful, Fleeing Backward Movement in the Horse

As I meet a new horse, one of the first things on my “assessment checklist” is to determine if the horse’s brain and body are softly influenced and direct-able forward, left, right and backward. This explains the horse’s understanding (or lack of) following pressure, softening to pressure and what has been prioritized in his education.

In my initial presentation, I will be standing at the horse’s head and hold the lead rope just under his jaw only using my thumb and index finger, gently sending energy/pressure from the connection point of the lead and halter, towards the horse’s chest.

The ideal response is for the horse to soften his jaw, relax his neck muscles, deflate his chest muscles, and bend his hocks to prepare to take a step backward. He will lift his back as he steps back; there will be no leaning or pushing forward in his shoulders, neck, or nose. It will be a slow, intentional, thoughtful movement, with consistent, steady breathing on his end.

More often than not, instead folks are surprised at how many horses go rigid or stock still the minute they are asked to mentally consider taking a step back. The horse’s head goes straight up in the air; the front legs lock up and seem to be pushing straight up towards the sky with the inability to bend at the knee. The horse hollows its back, standing with his hocks spread wide, braced and seemingly locked.

Frequently folks view maneuvers asked of the horse as singular, non-related, task accomplishments. So, if the horse handler feels resistance or a lethargic response in the horse when asking them to back, the human ADDS more pressure. This could be by swinging the tail of their lead rope, it could be with a whip or stick or a flag, and it could be done by adding a stud chain.

And eventually, that approach may work- in terms that the horse will move his feet in a backing movement to avoid the amount of pressure used towards or at the front end of his body.

But if you were to assess the quality of steps the horse finally offered, under a severe amount of applied-pressure, you’d probably see the horse carries the same posture as when he was “stuck” at the halt. So the question is, even if his feet moved backward, did his brain ever actually think back? Or was he just avoiding the chaos of pressure being presented in front of him?

Many equine enthusiasts are unaware that they can have standards and quality conversations with their horses. If their goal is based solely on trying to get compliant and obedient horses, folks see the physical movement backward and accept it. So, what has this taught the horse? When there is a dramatic increase in pressure, one way to avoid it is to physically back away from it irrelevant of if it creates defensiveness in the horse, and then the pressure created by the human goes away.

Fast forward to a group trail ride, riding on the edge of a cliff, a chaotic warm-up arena at a show, anything, and anywhere that might cause the horse stress. The horse’s concern starts to build, and because the rider or handler does not have effective “tools” in the conversation to address and help the horse work through it, the horse does what is natural when they are unsure, and tries to flee or move quickly forward. But that isn’t allowed.

Maybe it is a one-time scenario, or perhaps after a few situations, it is suggested that the rider changes to a stronger bit, to help “control” the fleeing horse. So now when the horse is stressed, concerned, having anxiety building up within him, there is increased physical pressure being applied to his face or front end- harsher bits, martingales, tiedowns, draw reins, etc. Now the option to “flee forward” is slightly more restricted- so what is the other option that has “worked” in the past to make the human-created pressure go away? To go backward.

Every year I get two to three calls about the horse that “backed off over the cliff,” or the one who “backed up and over the arena fencing” or the one who backed so quickly when attempting to be unloaded from a horse trailer that they ripped through the roof of the trailer as they were still tied when fleeing backward. Could it have been prevented? Yes. Was the time to “fix” the quality of the conversation, communication, and meaning with the horse the time of the animal’s peak stress? No. For unknown reasons, people see it as an inconvenience to refine the conversation, preferring to focus on the “physical accomplishment” rather than quality interactions with the horse. The horse fleeing backward is doing what he has been taught to do. He isn’t trying to scare the person or hurt himself. He is displaying what he has unintentionally been taught by people.

Backing should not be used as a reprimand, with aggression by the human or as a critique by the rider. It is a tool, just as being able to direct the horse’s brain and body softly to the left, right and forward.

No matter how long you’ve had your horse or worked with the one you’re currently riding, on a quiet, “boring” day, take time to assess as if you were riding or handling the horse for the first time. If you find

Sleigh Ride Trivia: We all know this popular song often associated with Christmas. But did you know IT NEVER MENTIONS CHRISTMAS. The original version did not have words and since the title is simply Sleigh Ride, there is no reference to Christmas.

Parish’s words also make no reference to the holiday. In fact, the only event mentioned in the words is a “birthday party” .

areas of your conversation need refinement, don’t get judgmental as in, “We should already know how to _______.”

Take the feedback from the horse as an honest response that gives you information as to what your “job” or focus should be in helping your horse better understand your communication without defensiveness. Effective communication allows you to offer increased support and guidance towards your horse in any situation and also builds his confidence, trust towards you and his willingness to act reasonably in any unknown scenario.

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Real Estate and You

23

The CO-OP Country Round Up November / December 2019 Volume 20 Issue 1

Real Estate “Slumps” Nationally Remains Strong Locally Jim Haynes, Associate Broker, Realm Partners

Nationally, over the last seventeen months the monthly year over year sales volume has been down fourteen of those months. The only months that were up year over year were the last three, July, August and September. The decline was attributed to a lack of inventory for sale. For those same seventeen months the national inventory ranged from 3.5 to 4.3 months. Six months is considered by experts to be a balanced inventory. Median1 home sales prices over the last twelve months increased 5.9%. This may be the national trend, but how does it compare to our local market?

Following is a table of the last twelve months showing the single-family home sales for the three northern Idaho counties:

Number of Homes Sold by County *

Twelve Months Ending Twelve Months Ending Percent Septenber 30, 2018 September 30, 2019 Change Kootenai County 4,557 4,376 -4.00% Bonner County 956 944 -1.30% Boundary County 180 246 36.70% * Homes, condominiums and townhomes (existing and new) Source: Coeur d’Alene MLS and the Selkirk MLS from 10/1/2017 to 9/30/2019 (information deemed reliable but not guaranteed)

The number of homes sold in Kootenai County declined 4% from the previous year which is slightly more than the national decline of 3.3% over the same period. Bonner County saw a smaller decline of 1.3% and Boundary County saw a whopping 37% increase.

Following is a table showing median home sales prices for the three northern Idaho counties:

Median Home Sales Price by County *

Twelve Months Ending September 30, 2018

Kootenai County $285,000 Bonner County $292,000 Boundary County $210,000

Twelve Months Ending September 30, 2019 $315,000 $326,245 $223,000

Percent Change 10.50% 11.70% 6.20%

* Homes, condominiums and townhomes (existing and new) Source: Coeur d’Alene MLS and the Selkirk MLS from 10/1/2017 to 9/30/2019 (information deemed reliable but not guaranteed)

Median home sales prices increased between 6% and 12% for the three northern Idaho counties in the year ending September 30, 2019 when compared to the same period a year earlier. Over this same period median home sales prices nationally increased 5.9% from $256,900 in 2018 to $272,100 in 2019.

At the end of September 2019 the National Association of Realtors reported there were 4.1 months of inventory which is down from 4.4 months in September of 2018. Locally, Kootenai County has 4.1 months of inventory, up slightly from September of 2018’s inventory of 3.5 months. Bonner County has 3.5 months of inventory and Boundary County has 3.0 months of inventory, both considerably down from last year’s inventories of 5.4 and 6.4 months respectively.

Tight inventories in all three northern Idaho counties help explain median home price increases at more than double that of the national average. Bonner and Kootenai County’s median home sales prices were below but very near the United States median home sales price in 2012 (see real estate statistics this page). Since then median home sales prices have gone up faster in Kootenai and Bonner Counties than the national median home sales price. For the last twelve months the national median home sales price was $263,300. For Kootenai and Bonner County the median home sales price for the same period was $315,000 and $326,245 respectively.

Nationally, the real estate market appears to be coming out of a negative growth period being pushed ahead in part by low interest rates (3.6% for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage). National inventory is still tight which may hamper continued growth. Regionally, our market continues to be strong with double digit price gains over that same time period. Tight inventories both nationally and regionally provide headwinds for sales going forward. Given current economic conditions price increases near double digits should continue into next year in North Idaho.

Christmas Trivia: The red and white costume of Father Christmas was allegedly first introduced by which drinks manufacturer? Answer: Coca-Cola Stollen is the traditional fruit cake of which country?

Answer: Germany What is a female turkey called?

Answer: A Hen

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