A breath of fresh North Idaho air

For a mental health tuneup, sometimes you just have to turn away from the political conflagration that’s consuming our nation.

All that ails the world? Acknowledge them. Then move on.

You could do that last Saturday quite easily, because our area is a hotbed of fun opportunities even when winter has us in its firm, frigid grasp. The Press front pages tell us that locals engaged in an essential oil rally in the morning, a chance to learn, experiment and maybe grow that doesn’t come around very often, nor does it knock on many communities’ doors. And even if you think essential oils are an overpriced, overpromising gimmick, few can refute this: The stuff smells fantastic.

Then, still floating on the heavenly oil scents, folks could have moseyed on over to The Resort Plaza Shops and dug into a mac and cheese festival. For a first-time event, the attraction was astonishing. Some 1,500 happy pasta patrons said “Cheese!” and feasted on a wide assortment of their faves. Thanks for that, Downtown Association. The extra belt notch was worth it.

Not to be upstaged, Mother Nature came through with one of her most spectacular tricks on Martin Luther King Day. Many a mac and cheese calorie was vaporized by Kootenai Countians bustling about through the sunny, warm, spring-like day. That the curtain was quickly pulled on Tuesday hardly mattered. Batteries had been recharged, smiles reinstalled and depression/despondency sweetly dispatched.

We can now return to our regular programming.