Winter Patchwork

And we're on our way back to Boise today. This shot is of farmland not far from town, made more colorful by a little leftover snow.

Flying Bronco

This Boise State University Bronco airplane has attracted a lot of attention. Lots of folks walking to their gates during our recent travels through the Boise airport stopped to take a picture.

Reservoir up North

An airplane view just north of Boise. This is one of the reservoirs that stores the water we depend on all summer.

Danger! Don't Touch

This is one of many electricity substations that poses such a hazard for squirrels, it seems. If they don't read the "keep out" signs, they can cut power to thousands of people with one wrong jump.

Frosty Morning Cow

I couldn't get this cow to look at me. I yelled "hello," but got no response. I thought it looked lonely on such a frosty morning. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

Christmas Trees

Trees stacked deep and ready for holiday shoppers this weekend at Fred Meyer. When do you put your Christmas tree up? We usually do ours Thanksgiving weekend, although we have an artifical tree. We'll be a week late this year because we're out of town for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Squaw Butte in the Morning

Squaw Butte covered with snow in the morning. It melted away by afternoon. Although from this angle, it looks like this is a stand-alone mountain feature, it's actually part of the mountains along the Boise Front.

You Can't See It, and You Can't Buy It

Big display in the local Barnes and Noble over the weekend for their new e-reader, "Nook," which looks just like a Kindle to my non-tech eyes. The catch was that it wasn't available to see or even buy. The clerk said maybe they would have a shipment today (Monday). She also told me I wasn't allowed to take this picture :)

Cole School Demolition

Protesters couldn't stop the demolition crews at the historic Cole School. It's all coming down, and this is what it looked like Friday night. I took photos of the school last summer when I heard it was going to be torn down. See the "before" scene here.

Red Kettle Time

Another sight and sound of the Christmas season - Salvation Army red kettles and bell ringers. I saw this one set up at Fred Meyer yesterday.

Sidewalk Talk

Sidewalk graffiti seen during my travels yesterday. We're not expecting any snow in the near future, but I know people are hopeful for sudden storms so the ski resort can open Thanksgiving weekend.
Update: this sidewalk message worked! Now, there IS snow in the forecast this weekend.

"Dogi-Pot"

This is something I hadn't seen before in downtown Boise - free dog poop scoop bags. We have similar stations along the pathways in my neighborhood. But this one is fancy. The "DOGI POT: Clean Solution to Dog Pollution," has directions printed on it detailing how to pick up doggie poo.

Chimney Fire

These firefighters made quick work of a chimney fire at this house. By the time I got into position to take the picture, they had it tackled, and as far as I can tell, no big damage to the house. Although, it probably will smell smoky for a while. Wood-burning fireplaces aren't as common as they used to be in the Boise area. Gas fireplaces seem to be the norm these days.

Leaf Raking Alternative

Getting out the lawn mower makes for a quick "raking" job. Our lawn got this treatment two weeks ago from the lawn service guru, and since we don't own a lawn mower, we'll have to do touch up with with an old-fashioned rake.

Santa is Listening

We spied Old St. Nick at Boise Towne Square Mall last weekend. There was a long line to bend his ear. My daughter said she didn't need to talk to him yet because she thinks it's too early to have a Christmas wish list.

Veggie Stand Still Open

In the past, Reggie's Veggies at Milwaukee and Ustick in Boise has closed for the wintry months, but now it stays open, and warm, with heaters inside.

Do-It-Yourself Car Decals

No observation from me on this today, I'll let you do it.

Mountain Fresh Snow

This is a view we like in November. Snow frosting the mountains with autumn trees in the valley. We're expecting more mountain snow through the weekend, and maybe a skiff at our elevation.

Window Art: Think Snow

Winter-themed window art at the Mac Store, downtown Boise. "Bogus" in this panel refers to our local winter recreation resort, Bogus Basin, which is 16 miles up the mountain. The forecast calls for a chance of snow tonight.

Beware of the Bump

The sticker on the playing card says "Beware of the Bump." I don't know what that means, but Flying Pie regulars know that the giant playing card is your table marker after you order your pie.

A Work in Progress?

With temperatures around 60 degrees the last couple of days, I've seen lots of motorcycles on the road. This cycle deserves a closer look, though. Is that really a seat?

The Turkey on the Corner

This turkey was standing on the corner near Centennial High School over the weekend. It was an Eagle Scout food donation project. They set up donation bins in the school parking lot and put plastic bags on all the doors in the surrounding area, asking us to fill them and drop them off.

Wooden Nickel Tavern

I don't ever remember this "tavern" being open, or hearing anyone talk about it. But it does remind me that I own a wooden nickel, that someone gave to me when I was a kid and I thought it was cool. It has a Native American profile on it.

Chaotic Decor

A lot to see here. This is the "decor" at Pie Hole pizza on 8th Street, downtown Boise. They sell pizza-by-the-slice, and it gets a glowing review from my 8-year old. I'm glad she was focused on the pizza when we were there, because some of decor is offensive, yikes, even the name of the place!

Modern Outhouse

Those working the fields have to go somewhere. These modern outhouses are more apparent now that the harvest is over.

There Goes the Neighborhood

Not exactly a welcome neighbor, this giant wasp condo project became visible after the shedding of the leaves from my neighbor's maple tree. Do the wasps hide inside for the winter? I know someone once told me wasps have a positive role to play in nature....but I never remember what it is.

Election Day - We Did That

Election Day meant voting for City Council candidates in Boise yesterday. There were three seats to fill and the ballot was a "bubble" ballot - where you "completely" fill in the little circles, just like a standardized test. And since my precinct is in a school, it made sense.

Crooked Bar and Tavern

A relic of a sign on Broadway Avenue near Boise State University. It's now the Suds Tavern, I think, and someone once told me in between between being "Crooked" and "Suds" it was a small grocery store.

Idaho Tumbleweed

Recent big wind has stirred up not just autumn leaves, but pesky "tumbleweeds" to tangle in fences.

Trick-or-Treaters

My daughter and her friends ready to shake down the neighbors for candy! And, with the time change, a whole extra hour last night to EAT candy :)