Huckleberry Country

Hoover Stew

By Gabriel Cruden / September 4, 2026 /

By Cassie Patton We have made it to September which means the start of soup season, when the kids are headed back to school and life feels like it’s about…

Hit the Trail with Soph: Cedar Trees and Kitties, Oh My

By Gabriel Cruden / September 4, 2026 /

At the risk of sounding like a tree-hugging hippie (no offense to those who are, I am just not a fan of patchouli), old-growth trees deserve appreciation. “Our elders” as…

A Good Honest Truck

By Gabriel Cruden / September 4, 2026 /

Chances are you have a favorite vehicle in your life. Maybe you have memories of the radio croaking out a tune while you and your father sing along. I have…

Dog Days Are Over

By Gabriel Cruden / September 4, 2026 /

The American school system failed me, but not in the way that most American students describe being failed by the system. I have plenty of friends that love to complain…

It’s About Time for Some Updates

By Gabriel Cruden / September 4, 2026 /

Many people today have short attention spans, which explains why news reports on television rarely last more than 30 seconds. Give us a “Breaking News” banner accompanied by a dramatic…

Finding Calm and Joy, Even During Fire Season

By Gabriel Cruden / September 4, 2026 /

 I’m an optimist. So much so, that I’ve been known to annoy people with my relentless quest for silver linings. But despite my belief that happiness is largely a personal…

Hit the Trail with Soph: New Trail, New Hike

By Gabriel Cruden / July 31, 2026 /

Outdoor trekkers, rejoice. A new trail, all 9.6 miles of it, awaits on the Colville National Forest. The Salmo Passage Trail opened last month in north Pend Oreille County with…

Making the Home Place Safe for Wildlife

By Gabriel Cruden / July 31, 2026 /

As cities and towns expand in this finite place we call home, each acre we inhabit means wildlife loses an acre. Fortunately, it is possible to share.  There are big…

Playing in Paint and Making More Than Just Art

By Gabriel Cruden / July 3, 2026 /

For many people, making art is something they stopped doing somewhere between childhood and adulthood. Life gets busy, people become self-conscious, and creativity slowly gets pushed aside. Newport artist Clare…

The Art of Receiving a Compliment

By Gabriel Cruden / July 3, 2026 /

Have you ever noticed that receiving compliments can be hard?  Doling them out can be easy. All you have to do is get out of your own head long enough…