Arrow-right Camera
Subscribe now

This column reflects the opinion of the writer. Learn about the differences between a news story and an opinion column.

Huckleberries: You love New York, but does New York love you?

Dave Oliveria (Colin Mulvany)

Remember that line in the old Louie Armstrong song that goes: “…When you’re smilin’ the whole world smiles with you?” Well, that might be so in Idaho. But Facebook Friend Emily Walton discovered it ain’t necessarily so in New York City. On Tuesday, while visiting New York, Emily accidentally pulled “an Idaho” – her term, not Huckleberries’. She smiled at a New Yorker while crossing a street. She explained to Facebook Friends, “You can take the girl out of Idaho but you can’t take the Idaho out of the girl!” Emily told Huckleberries later that the young, female recipient of her smile scowled back. You may love New York. But the feeling may not be mutual.

‘Star Wars’ burnout

Steve Kane, of Coeur d’Alene, is one person who won’t be standing out in the cold trying to score a “Rogue One” ticket in the weeks ahead. He’s burned out on “Star Wars.” Steve says: “The 14-year-old in me is extremely disappointed in the 50-year-old. I have zero interest in seeing ‘Rogue One.’” Steve has been disappointed in every “Star Wars” film since “The Empire Strikes Back.” Alas, the force is no longer strong in this one.

State of Liberty

My Huckleberries Bloglodytes are all in on Rep. Matt Shea’s proposal to split off Eastern Washington into a 51st state called Liberty. They offered several suggestions, re: the important task of naming “state” things, if/when Liberty secedes. (Aside: Don’t hold your breath.) Bigfoot, for example, should be the state animal. (After all, Community Colleges of Spokane has a Sasquatch.) Also: “cellphone tower” should be designated as the state tree. And for state motto for Liberty? How about “Give me Liberty or give me meth.” Badabump. Onward.

Huckleberries

Lifelong Coeur d’Alene resident Darlene Prosser turns 89 on Tuesday. But in 1946, she was 18 years old, living large during an outing with two sisters-in-law and a niece on Sanders Beach in Coeur d’Alene. A black-and-white photo captures her sitting on driftwood near the Jewett House, grinning and carefree. It was the first time she’d worn jeans. Cuffs up. Seems jeans were the “in” thing in those post-war days in the City by the Lake. All the girls and young women were wearing them. Do you suppose that fad lasted very long? … Speaking of Sasquatch, Nic Casey, of Coeur d’Alene, spotted a stick family of the famous yeti on the back window of a Trailblazer, dropping off Littlefoots at Skyway Elementary in Coeur d’Alene last week. Huckleberries hears the Abominable Snowmen owners have Alaska roots … Quotable Quote: “You know it’s winter in North Idaho when it’s warmer in the fridge room in Costco than it is outside” – Arwyn Tessa LaBolle, of Coeur d’Alene … Overheard (by instructor Bruce Twitchell as a student on a phone walked by in a Coeur d’Alene High hallway): “Well yeah, that’s because you aren’t supposed to eat drywall” … Opinion Editor Gary Crooks is still shaking his head. After that swell special section commemorating the 75th anniversary of Pearl Harbor, he fielded a letter from a reader chewing the paper out for covering Snoop Dogg’s appearance at a pot shop in Spokane, while ignoring Pearl Harbor Day. The cuss-tomer is always right. Even when s/he isn’t.

Parting shot

On Wednesday, some lefty HucksOnline Bloglodytes were commenting on the possibility of moving to Canada to escape the coming Trump years. After reading along, Tim Herzog chimed in. Tim is a Rathdrum Realtor who has run unsuccessfully for the county commission as a Republican. In addressing “anyone who wants to move to Canada or other countries to avoid a Trump presidency,” Tim said: “Let me list and sell your house for you. I’ll work real hard to get it sold so you can leave – sooner the better!” (Read: Don’t let the door hit you on the butt on the way out.)

More from this author