Back in December, a powerful North Idaho windstorm toppled part of a tree on our property and knocked out power across the county.

Six months later, with plenty of interruptions from snow, life, and comfortable chairs near warm fires, my friend Terry and I finally finished the cleanup.

What followed included buried “spear logs,” chains, pickup trucks, branches dragging behind us down the road, another encounter with the “cardboard police” at the dump, and Terry’s disappointment at being denied the chance to prove his manhood through manual labor.

Along the way came laughter, friendship, hard work, faith, and hot fudge sundaes at Sonic.

A gambling controversy involving Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby has exploded into a national debate about the future of college athletics.

But this story is about far more than one player. From NIL money and transfer portals to legalized sports gambling, lawsuits, and athlete mental health, college sports is rapidly changing into something many longtime fans barely recognize anymore.

In this Morning Brew, Ted reflects on how these issues are impacting schools and fans across America — including here in North Idaho — and asks an important question: Can college sports survive once trust in the integrity of the games themselves begins to erode?

What started as a broken cat door and a midnight cat fight became a lesson about limits, protection, and stewardship.

After our three barn cats managed to break through a weakened cat door latch, little Hissy disappeared into the North Idaho darkness and returned injured after a nighttime battle with some unknown critter.

A trip to the vet, a missing claw, and a happy-face sticker later, we realized once again that gates, fences, and even curfews often exist for a reason.

This Morning Brew mixes humor, heart, and reflection while exploring why loving protection and healthy boundaries matter for both animals and people.

Just in time for this weekend's car show here in Bonners Ferry, this Morning Brew rolls back the clock to simpler days of cruising Main Street, classic cars, 8-track tapes, and small-town summer nights.

Ted shares memories of his beloved 1965 Chevy Impala Super Sport during his senior year of high school in Kansas, and reflects on how old cars often carry far more than chrome and horsepower — they carry pieces of our youth, friendships, first dates, and moments we never realized would someday become treasured memories.

This week on Almost Paradise in North Idaho, Ted visits with Phillip Weaver, a former North Idaho resident now serving with Missionary Flights International out of Florida. Following what he believed was God’s calling, Phillip stepped away from the familiar and into a life of faith-based aviation ministry serving Haiti and other parts of the Caribbean.

Phillip works as both a mechanic and pilot, helping maintain and fly a legendary DC-3 aircraft into remote areas, often landing on rough grass runways to deliver supplies, support missionaries, and bring encouragement to communities in need. The conversation explores the challenges, rewards, and realities of missionary aviation, along with the deep faith required to trust God when stepping into the unknown.

Ted and Phillip also discuss the importance of missions in general, the people quietly serving behind the scenes, and how ordinary individuals can make an extraordinary difference simply by being willing to go where they are called.

It is a thoughtful and inspiring conversation about faith, service, sacrifice, and purpose…with a little aviation history mixed in for good measure.

A powerful thunderstorm rolled across Boundary County Thursday night, bringing vivid lightning, heavy rain, strong winds, and power outages throughout the area.

While our little property escaped major damage aside from a trampoline trying to relocate itself, others were not as fortunate.

The next morning, after the familiar sound of chainsaws filled the air, a friend called needing help repairing a fence blown down in the storm.

Naturally, Terry and I loaded up tools, lumber, and determination and spent the day rebuilding what the wind had torn apart.

Sometimes storms reveal damage… and sometimes they reveal the strength, faith, and kindness of people coming together.

In this Morning Brew, Ted shares the latest adventure from the little ranchette after Solomon the donkey stages a brief but determined escape from the barn in search of greener grass.

What follows is a humorous roundup involving Joy, a closed driveway gate, and memories of past animal breakouts involving alpacas and horses over the years.

Beneath the laughter lies a deeper reflection about boundaries, fences, and the wisdom of guideposts in our own lives. Sometimes the rules and limitations we resist the most are actually there for our protection.

Life in North Idaho is almost paradise…especially when the gate stays closed.

In this edition of our periodic Porch Talk Edition, Harold, John, and Ted settle into the front porch chairs to reflect on the teachers who shaped their lives many decades ago. Some inspired confidence. Some challenged them to work harder. Some brought laughter into the classroom. And a few left lessons that were not always positive—but were memorable nonetheless.

The conversation explores how teachers influence far more than grades and report cards. A good teacher can help shape character, curiosity, discipline, and even the direction of a young person’s life. The guys also discuss the growing challenges facing educators today as classrooms compete with social media, technology, political tensions, and shifting cultural expectations.

At the same time, they acknowledge that with great influence comes great responsibility. Parents, communities, and schools all have a role in ensuring education remains focused on helping students learn how to think rather than simply what to think.

Ted closes the episode with a thoughtful reflection on the biblical responsibility of teaching, the lasting impact words can have on young hearts and minds, and why the lessons planted in childhood often echo throughout a lifetime.

Life is almost paradise…here in North Idaho.