Empty Homestead Full Of Memories

The climbing tree’s gone. The barn’s toppled into a sad splintery heap. Green shingles hang weathered and curled from Thelma Wilson’s old home.

Still, the years vanish from her face as she stands on the front porch she watched her father build 92 years ago.

“Every board he put in, I was right behind him,” Thelma says, a flicker of the devil she must have been still in her smile.

Thelma is as loyal to Coeur d’Alene as it gets. Since she was born 95 years ago on Mica Flats, 10 minutes south of the city, she’s moved eight miles.

“Don’t ever talk about the Wilsons unless you know who you’re talking to,” she says, chuckling. “I’m related to half of Coeur d’Alene.”

Doctors in South Dakota in 1898 directed her family to the Palouse to help her brother’s breathing problems. But her family reached Coeur d’Alene first and staked claim to 160 acres of prime timber land. Her brother’s health improved anyway.

Thelma grew up playing in the catalpa trees, riding her horse on frozen Lake Coeur d’Alene most winters, reciting lessons at the school in the Mica grange hall where she remembers winning a copy of “Alice’s Adventures Through the Looking Glass” for fourth-grade excellence.

She graduated from Coeur d’Alene High as soldiers marched off to World War I. Marriage to Doc Wilson stretched her roots into Coeur d’Alene. But Thelma never missed a family gathering at the homestead and never noticed time’s imprint on her childhood home or herself.

“I feel such a connection here,” Thelma’s daughter, Kaye, says, peeking through the window at the massive white wood cooking stove that fills half the kitchen. “I was real close to my cousins, spent a lot of time out here.”

The rambling, 14-room house is abandoned now. Thelma’s 97-year-old sister-in-law moved out two years ago. Part of the family talks about demolishing it, another part about renovating it into a bed and breakfast.

Thelma doesn’t know what to do with it, but she knows what it does for her. It makes her memories live.

“My kids are impressed with the history out here. They always want to come out here,” Kaye says. “It’s sad that it’s been allowed to fall apart. We have such good memories.”

Coffee comfort

I asked for good places to drink coffee and talk and North Idaho College’s Sister Judith Brower named Coeur d’Alene’s Down the Street restaurant. She says that’s where she goes when she wants a peaceful moment. No loud coffee machines there or blaring music, just friendly waitresses who know when to refill the cup and when to stay away.

Bikin’ broncos

Saddle up, li’l pardners, and trot yer two-wheelers down to the basketball courts near Coeur d’Alene’s Independence Point 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday for the Safe Kids of Kootenai County bike rodeo.

If you’re going to send your kids off on bikes all summer, you might as well make sure they get some common sense-type safety training. At the free rodeo, they’ll ride through traffic-like obstacle courses and find out why helmets are so important - a lot of adults need that lesson …

Safe Kids will have some helmets to give away. Questions? Call 666-2020.

Summer duds

Time to shed the winter business suits for the friendlier casual look. Who in your office makes the most of the dress-down season and what does he or she wear? Hopefully more than just a dollop of sunscreen …

Report on your office fashion plates to Cynthia Taggart, “Close to Home,” 608 Northwest Blvd., Suite 200, Coeur d’Alene 83814; fax to 765-7149; or call 765-7128.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color photo