It’s the Simple Things:Monday Night Beer

It’s simple. The things we enjoy doing tend to continue. I like reading the newspaper and drinking coffee in the morning. I like hanging out with Jenny and I like riding my bicycle and swimming with the master's group at The Kroc Center. I stay connected with my son and daughter and I seldom miss CBS Sunday Morning on television. I like doing the dishes.  

Those less attractive activities disappear. I seldom stretch, although I know it would be good for me, I vacuum only when it is requested of me and I don’t remember dusting.    

But I look forward to Monday Night Beer with Scott DuCoeur, Scott Krajack, Dale Gephart and Mike Dolan, friends as a result of our connection to Sorensen Magnet School of the Arts and Humanities. Scott DuCoeur and I taught at Sorensen and Scott Krajack, Dale and Mike had kids go through Sorensen. 

For the past 18 years, we have met on Monday nights at a rotation of bars and restaurants to talk about sports, the news, our families, recent experiences and plans — and to laugh. We also pick 10 sporting events and try to predict the outcomes better than the other members of the group. A small amount of money changes hands each week. 

I look forward to Monday nights and this connection!  

MILLION PAGES LITERACY PROJECT!

I logged my first 426 pages! The goal is to record 1 million pages of reading by people in North Idaho by Aug. 31. My calculation shows that this amounts to 6,000 pages per day; recently there were 334 readers signed up!

This healthy challenge is organized by the North Idaho Literacy Project at North Idaho Literacy Project Reading Challenge.  

"RIVER OF DOUBT"

My brother recommended this book, the story of former President Teddy Roosevelt’s 1912 monthslong journey down a previously uncharted tributary of the Amazon River in Brazil. Apparently, Roosevelt was looking for a renewed sense of purpose after losing the 1912 presidential election. He was drawn to physically demanding adventures — and he got all he wanted and more on this one!  

Malaria, hostile indigenous tribes, infectious insects, snakes, dozens of waterfalls and milelong portages, canoes destroyed in deadly rapids, starvation, mutiny, incessant downpours, death and more were all a part of this journey.  

The time flew on my drive to and from Bend as I listened to Candice Millard’s agonizing account of this expedition.

PEOPLE SECURING SIGNATURES FOR ELECTIONS

Democracy at work! Sometimes I sign; sometimes I don’t. But I am always impressed by the dedication of these citizens who have the passion and compassion to stand outside for hours and withstand constant rejection in pursuit of support for an issue they believe is for the betterment of our society.  

ONE AMAZING THING ABOUT OUR WORLD — THE ARCTIC TERN

By far, the longest bird migration in the animal kingdom is the arctic tern. This medium-sized bird travels 55,923 miles from pole to pole every year — from Greenland in the north to the Weddell Sea, adjacent to Antarctica. The migration from north to south takes several months, but with the use of prevailing winds, the south to north migration takes 40 days. 

QUOTE ON LIFE

“Fight for the things that you care about. But do it in a way that will lead others to join you.” — Ruth Bader Ginsberg

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David Groth retired in 2016 after 37 years in elementary education. His last 17 years, the favorite part of his career, were spent teaching fifth grade and juggling at Sorensen Magnet School of the Arts and Humanities. He has lived in Coeur d’Alene since 1982 and has always appreciated the people, the geography, the climate, the rivers and lakes, and the simple things that make days special.