Huckleberries: A chance encounter restores woman’s faith in people

Charlotte Mitchell learned two things at the checkout counter of Coeur d’Alene’s Winco. Winco doesn’t take credit cards. And there still are terrific people in this world.

If you ask the patients at Kootenai Clinic Cancer Services, they’ll tell you that Charlotte, a certified nursing assistant, is one of those terrific people, dispensing help, smiles and comfort daily.

On Thursday, she was on her way home from work, when she stopped at Winco for a few groceries – $63, to be exact. She’d left her debit card in a purse at home. So Charlotte tried to pay with a credit card. That’s when she learned about Winco’s credit card policy.

The clerk was about to cancel the transaction when a man in line volunteered to pay for Charlotte’s groceries. Charlotte refused him twice. But the man insisted, saying that he saved up money each week for situations like this. The mid- to late 30s stranger earned a hug, smiles and several thank yous from Charlotte, who noticed that the sales clerk had tears in her eyes, too.

Charlotte didn’t catch the man’s name. So she asked Huckleberries to post this message, in case Sir Galahad is reading this: “God bless you, and thank you again for your kindness, and may you have a happy and healthy life.” Charlotte promises to pay it forward.

Breaking up

The Priest Lake Facebook page has a swell title for a photo of the lake’s ice finally breaking up (with a rainbow touching down in the distance, no less): “Breaking up is so hard to do.” And don’t blame Huckleberries if that old Neil Sedaka song is now playing in your head … Yes, the door handle at the new Coeur d’Alene Fire Station No. 4, on Atlas Road, is a bronzed fireman’s ax. Which is a nice touch. And Huckleberries thanks Dolpha Nall of Coeur d’Alene, via Hauser Lake, for the heads up … Quoth: “I used to plan my flight day wardrobe with an eye on being comfy. Now I plan it around wearing shoes that I can run in, in case there is an active shooter at the airport” – Cathleen Ryan of Wallace. Funny. But too true any more.

Huckleberries

Poet’s Corner: “That spring is here/I have no doubt –/the Harley-Davidsons/are out” – Tom Wobker, The Bard of Sherman Avenue (“A Sure Sign”) … Count Janna Rankin Scharf of Coeur d’Alene among the masses who have received that call from a bogus IRS scammer claiming that she was hiding information on past tax returns. The creeper, of course, then orders the potential victim to call a phone number immediately or be subject to arrest. Asks Janna: “It amazes me that so many people actually fall for this stuff?” Bingo … Huckleberry Friend Faith Tonna of Coeur d’Alene wonders: “Why do drivers have to intentionally drive into puddles to splash pedestrians?” This, after she was puddle-sprayed while waiting for the CityLink bus Friday at Fourth Street and Miller Avenue in Coeur d’Alene.

Parting shot

Yes, on his Raul Labrador for Idaho Facebook page, the House Freedom Caucus congressman did ask: “I want to hear from you! Do you support the full repeal of Obamacare?” Now, most of us Idahoans know that our ladder-climbing congressman won’t listen to anyone who disagrees with him. But it’s nice that he asked, right? Right?