Feisty Fighter - Phillipsburg, Montana

Best news line today: 
"Jake LaMotta, an iron-fisted battler... has died. He was 95...The former middleweight champion died Tuesday... according to his longtime fiancee, Denise Baker."

To be 95 and fianced - now THERE'S a story!

However, the truth is slightly less inspiring: other news stories noted that Denise and Jake actually married in a quiet ceremony in 2013. But he still robbed the cradle...er... walker?

If you're wondering what this has to do with today's photo, keep pondering... and let me know what you came up with! (Comments left as Anonymous do not require a log-in.)

Cucumber Nostalgia - Missoula, Montana

Happy childhood memory AND a healthy snack!

Struggling a bit to scoop decent bites out of this lovely from-a-friend's-garden cuke, I gained a whole new appreciation for how smart my mother was in managing the seven of us. 

Give a stubborn 5-year-old a spoon and half a cucumber and they'll probably stay occupied for a good hour, plus wind up full of self-satisfaction for having done this amazing feat of foraging all on their own!

Captured Moment - Clark Fork River, Missoula, Montana

On photography: "The moments of life are ephemeral and unpredictable. We must capture the best ones and keep them safe in our hearts."

From Map of the Heart by Susan Wiggs, page 151

Cloudy Day - Missoula, Montana

My husband asked for a seniour price ticket for today's matinee movie. The high schooler manning the ticket window glanced over at me then asked, in all seriousness, "One seniour ticket or two?" 

Of course, I laughed and wondered aloud if I should, perhaps, be offended? Our serious ticket seller appeared confused by my quip.

I suppose when you're still wearing teen braces, everyone older than you appears ancient. 

Commitment to my latest skin serum is redoubled.

Ironically, this little incident would have been avoided had we known that ALL matinee tickets are the same price.

River's Moment In Time - Clark Fork River, Missoula, Montana

"What makes photography a strange invention is that its primary raw materials are light and time."

-John Berger (1926-2017), English art critic

From Map of the Heart by Susan Wiggs, Part 2 intro page

Really Smoky - Near Philipsburg, Montana

"A cynic is what an idealist calls a realist."

-Colonel Henrique Martens, in The Paris Spy by Susan Elia MacNeal, p. 291

In reality, it's really smoky in most of Montana.

BUT they say rain - or even perhaps a freeze, with snow in the mountains! - is coming yet this week. Hurrah!

(Yes, we are excited about early frost; somewhat sad, but true.)

On Paying Attention - Missoula, Montana

“Attention is the rarest and purest form of generosity.”
 
 - Simone Weil (1909-1943)

Clear Skies Over Montana - Missoula, Montana

Omigosh, clear skies in western Montana - I almost don't know how to process this!

Weekend winds cleared the air in the Missoula valley to astonishing clean, but the view toward Lolo, Montana, (centre of photo) still shows thick smoke fug lingering further south. 

After so many weeks, the clear air was almost unbelievably bewildering, even while we were thankful to breathe deep and get active outside. 

(Sadly, pessimism lurks with thoughts of "Better enjoy it while it lasts!")