Streamside Miniature, Missoula, Montana

This curiousity that draws me toward tiny things oft times propels me into inelegant postures. My view is perfectly delightful, but I can't say the same for anyone who may happen along behind me. (Family pictures actually include this very perspective, captured on a family hike several years ago by my sister-in-law. Her delighted laughter was a worthy trade for any possible embarrassment on my part. Laughter is a family characteristic I’ve always appreciated. Basically, if it’s not plain mean, and you’ve ascertained there’s no serious injury involved, you’re free to enjoy the humorous side of a situation. As Ken Davis reminds anyone who'll listen, “Lighten up, and live!”

Reaching, Missoula, Montana

Miniscule feelers reaching to catch whispers of the sun, the sky, the late-spring breeze wafting clouds away to far-flung heavens.

(They also remind me of floaty anemone fingers waving in a sea current.)

Possibilities, Missoula, Montana

Summertime is full of outdoor possibilities in Missoula, without even counting the State Parks a short drive from town. Missoula boasts a collection of parks offering diverse activity features - riverside hiking paths, softball fields, a skate park, family picnic areas, a fishing pond… and the list goes on.

Green Hills - Storm Sky , Missoula, Montana

Grant Me Strength
By Esther Popel
Give me the strength
Of verdant hills
Washed clean by summer rain;

Of purple hills
At peace when weary Day
Sinks quietly to rest
In Night's cool arms;

Of rugged, wind-whipped hills
That lift their heads
Above the petty, lowland, valley things,
And shake their shoulders free
Of bonds that hold
Them close to earth;

Of snow-capped hills
Sun-kissed by day, by night
Companioned by the stars;

Of grim volcanoes
Pregnant with the fires
Of molten fury!

Grant me strength,
Great God,
Like that of hills!

Serendipity Songster, Missoula, Montana

Serendipitous Thing #57 For Which I Am Thankful: Passing by a shrub bursting with the happy twittering of numerous unseen tiny birds.

Any Serendipitous Things to add to the list?

Bloom to the Sky, Missoula, Montana

During the Montana winter, there's the challenging Race to the Sky.
In the spring, you can observe the somewhat less daunting 'bloom to the sky', right in your own backyard.
Peonies inspire me to live with generosity, eyes and arms wide open, hands high to the sky, reaching to invite the sunshine - or weathersome clouds, or come what may - to be, fully present.
Here are the last of these blowsy blossoms for this year - at least from me; you can always amble about your neighborhood to spy some more.

Peony Blooming, Missoula, Montana

The prevailing upon my family members continues; today’s gracious commentary is courtesy of another sis, Linda Lewis.

Every spring, Baba’s huge-blossomed, rose-like fragrant peonies lined the south wall of their house in St. Paul, Alberta.
Bouquets showed up at the front of the church and on dining room tables, along with the occasional ant trying to escape across a white table cloth - unsuccessfully!
My wonderful memories of Baba include her meticulous double lot yard and garden and her love of flowers.