Windy was the word the weekend of Jan. 12. We lost a few signs but, for the most part, came out pretty well.

I know some folks on the west end were without power, but our Grant County PUD linemen were hard at work all day the 12th trying to restore those who were without.

Twenty-five workers stopped for dinner late that afternoon. They were cold and hungry, but I was happy to stay open late for them considering all they do for us.

I sometimes think we get caught up in our daily lives and forget the beauty of our area. I had a couple in who were heading to the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge who reminded me of that.

Even though they were from San Francisco, they were thrilled to see we had Cougar Gold cheese for sale, having been gifted tins in the past. They asked if I thought their Husky loving friends would appreciate a tin.

Of course, even a Husky can appreciate a great cheese!

They said they often visit Portland and Seattle to see friends and family, but this was their first trek across to eastern Washington. They were excited for the chance to see any wildlife, but especially ducks and geese.

They told me how beautiful it is here and, taking a look out the window on that sunny and crisp day, I had to agree. I love nothing more than to see our beautiful horizons, and I am always am on the lookout for a glimpse of Mt. Rainer in the distance.

Sometimes I greet travelers who might have been a little misguided by their GPS or internet-generated directions. Sometimes out here in the boonies things might be a bit askew or, then again, it just might be user error, as was the case for a super nice Canadian gentlemen headed to Deary, Idaho.

He was on his way to deliver special organic chicken feed to a farm in Deary. After I said I wasn't really sure where that was, he said, “Oh my GPS says I have to go to Walla Walla.”

Well, I'm not a directions genius, but I was pretty sure there were better ways to get to Idaho than traveling on Highway 26 to Walla Walla.

So, I grabbed up my handy-dandy little ipad to figure out where I thought he should go. I didn't want him to end up driving two hours out of his way, especially since he was so nice and said my food was the best he'd had in ages.

Turns out Deary is on the other side of Moscow. You turn onto Walla Walla Highway on your way to Deary. I sent him on his way with a full tummy and a promise he would return, which he did the very next day on his way back to Canada.