• Almost Paradise In North Idaho

  • By: Ted Ludlum
  • Podcast

Almost Paradise In North Idaho

By: Ted Ludlum
  • Summary

  • In the beginning, God created a paradise. And then we messed it up! Today, living in North Idaho is almost paradise. ALMOST. Yes, the weather is often fantastic. There are 4 distinct seasons offering hunting, fishing, hiking, boating, canoeing, rafting, ATV trips, snow skiing, and more. Lakes and streams are everywhere. Mountains dominate the horizons, The forests are endless. Small towns (2 traffic-lights in our county!) dot the area. Independent minded, (mostly) conservative people live in these towns. But... summers are short and can get hot for a while. Smoke can fill the air from area wildfires. Winters are long, cloudy, snowy. Those days are short with the sun rising late and setting early. Liberal ideas are creeping in. The Good Old Boy Network is strong. Even here there is conflict. But Jesus reigns! Living in North Idaho is ALMOST paradise.

    Ted Ludlum 2024
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Episodes
  • A New Beginning...With An Edge!
    Jan 18 2025

    Ted is excited as he unveils his podcast's new logo and mission. He returns to his journalism roots and becomes a voice with an edge for Bonners Ferry. He plans to tackle local and national issues more deeply while keeping his sense of humor. Interviews will often be featured, and he will also comment on current events, life, politics, sports, and faith.

    A new sheriff is in town, and some think he stumbled out of the gate. He dismissed the previous undersheriff, who claims he was assured of being retained until he wasn't. It is not a good look for the young and, some say, inexperienced new sheriff.

    The local school board seems to have a motto of "try, try, again." They will try again in May to get its Maintenance and Operations Levy passed despite being repeatedly voted down by the voters over the past few years. A significant 54% just voted against it in November. The superintendent warns that the consequences of the levy not passing this time could be damaging to the schools and community.

    Meanwhile, the Bonners Ferry boys' basketball team continues to set records. It has won its 29th straight game and is the No. 1 ranked team in Idaho.

    The girls' team is improving, and it is approaching post-season play.

    Can the Kansas City Chiefs win a third straight Super Bowl? Who knows? Who cares? Ted does, and it is his podcast!

    Soups On every Friday from 11:30 to 1 p.m. at the South Boundary Fire Protection District fire station in Naples. AND IT'S FREE!!!

    Ted bowls a 120 at Liberty Lanes, and he is happy!

    It's time to take those dirty, used diapers and recycle them into...toilet paper!

    Ted finds help from the good Lord and his wife Joy in redesigning his business cards and adding a QR code. The California and LA political leadership inspires him to start his own fire, but he needs help from his friend Terry and his neighbor.

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    47 mins
  • Ted & Mark discuss lessons we could learn here in North Idaho from the LA fires, Part 2
    Jan 14 2025

    Ted and Mark discuss a wide range of topics related to the LA fires and how they might impact North Idaho in the months and years ahead.

    Mark suggests downloading the Radio Garden App, which allows you to listen to radio stations nationwide and in LA, including police and fire scanners.

    The blame game is on, as California's governor and LA's mayor point fingers everywhere except at themselves.

    But they seem to agree that the brush benefits little animals and their habitat.

    Ted confuses vegetation management with broccoli and Brussels sprouts in vegetable gardens.

    Mark explains that the political class of California thinks all dam projects are damn projects.

    The $64 question is how environmental impact beliefs will impact the rebuilding efforts.

    Mark focuses on how DEI and ecology prevented the addition of water reserves.

    The governor's office has called new reports revealing multiple million-dollar cuts in the state budget affecting fire prevention ridiculous lies.

    Homeless people are making small fires to cook food, and METH may have started the fires. Or, fireworks from the new year may have smoldered and reignited. But not an illegal immigrant caught setting fires with a flame thrower.

    Somehow, Ted brings into the conversation the old TV show Hee Haw. Whatever!

    The two then talk about comedian and podcaster Adam Carolla and his experiences during the fire, which leads to his old show with Jimmy Kimmel, The Man Show. Ted remembers fondly a certain segment of that show.

    Mark predicts what the new LA will look like in the not-too-distant future. Think 15-minute-city,

    Could North Idaho see an increase in real estate prices and fire insurance rates?

    Ted strongly urges listeners to watch the Netflix documentary on Paradise, CA fire. The similarities between that town and Bonners Ferry are concerning.

    Mark thinks now is the time to contact the state insurance commissioner and local representatives about possible efforts by insurance companies to increase Idaho's rates.

    Starting now, make your property fire-resistant, prepare a bug-out bag, and have multiple evacuation plans.

    And get to know your neighbors.

    Of course, nothing like the LA fire, Paradise, CA fire, or other wildfires will ever happen here, but then again...just in case.

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    1 hr
  • California refugee Mark discusses LA fire disaster. Part 1 of 2
    Jan 11 2025

    Mark drops by to offer his unique perspectives on the LA fire.

    Mark struggles to keep Ted focused as Ted starts talking about thong bikinis.

    Then Mark explains how electricity doesn't come from unicorn farts! Lord have mercy!

    Ted worries about the impact the LA fire might have on North Idaho.

    Why did the fires happen? Hint: It's not climate change!

    Do Democrats in California view water, electricity, oil, and gas as demonic? Mark says YES!

    Mark reveals how the homeless often start fires in California.

    Mark's prescription for America: Let miners mine, let loggers log, and let farmers farm.

    Part 2 of this podcast will discuss how North Idaho might be impacted by the LA fires.

    Could Bonners Ferry be the next Paradise, CA? (Google that!)

    What can we learn from this preventable disaster?

    All next week.

    Meanwhile, Ted urges everyone to pray for the victims of the LA fire.

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    56 mins

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