A Berry Picker was midway through that Spokane half marathon Sunday when she overheard a conversation. Seems a fellow runner had overcome a great hardship to participate. And what was her challenge? She was a suburbanite forced against her will by her husband to live in Libby, Mont. As the pack slapped along on the wet pavement of the Centennial Trail, Mrs. High Society complained to a companion about her dire circumstances. And we paraphrase: "I train with wild animals out in the boondocks of Montana," she whined. "There's wilderness all around me." She referred lovingly to Libby as a "grease spot." But a coupla hundred yards down the path, she admitted that Libby was a beautiful grease spot. "See that river down there," she said, pointing to the Spokane River, "that's the same river that runs through Libby." Seems geography is as much a hurdle for our City Girl as becoming accustomed to the wild rubes and wilder animals in her Own Private Idaho Grease Spot.

• Lee McKenzie Wood learned again that she lives in a special place. After Joseph Duncan pleaded guilty to the murder of her son, Mark, his finacée, Brenda Groene, and her 13-year-old son, Slade, Lee dropped by the HiCo in Post Falls for her regular soda refill Monday. She was greeted by cheers and clapping. Lee was unaware that many in the community had watched her on TV moments earlier. Mebbe now she understands how many have been pulling for her and her loved ones during the past 17 months.

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