Berry Nice, Missoula, Montana

Spherical berries contrast pleasingly with the line and movement of the leaves.

The green leaf on the far right makes me think of beet leaves, which my aunties sometimes use to make an alternate cabbage roll - alternate because the beet leaves replace the cabbage - with a strong, savoury flavour that reminds me of dolmades. Sometimes they bake them in a heavy cream sauce with real mushrooms.  Yum. No one makes fabulous comfort food like Ukrainian women.

Don't Eat the Berries, Missoula, Montana

'Tis the lot of the easily distracted to notice ubiquitous details (is that an oxymoron? maybe not quite...). Getting out of the car at Lifestyle Fitness yesterday, I noticed the plump red berries on several trees in the parking lot. The good news is I got some happiness-inducing photos AND did my 2000 metre row AND got home at decent time - woohoo!

S M R Ducks at Lee Metcalf Wildlife Refuge, Stevensville, Montana

It's amazing how the words of a well-spoken teacher can stick with you for life, altering your perception of certain situations. I'll never forget an illustration of one of my Bible school teachers, who also happened to be a veterinarian who shared his skinny guy struggle with reducing his cholesterol. He wrote on the board, "M R Ducks. No M R not ducks. S M R Ducks - C M wangs?... "  - this is what runs through my head upon viewing such a beautiful scene of nature.  While I'm hazy on the point he was making, I think it had to do with how you tend to see things, simple or complicated unnecessarily.

A River Runs, Lee Metcalf Wildlife Refuge, Stevensville, Montana

Even after the bulk of the summer was spent under hazy skies, I was surprised to once again find wildfire smoke filtering into the Missoula valley, with thicker haze obvious when I looked down south down to the Bitterroot range. But the scenery is still beautiful, and you can't beat the Lee Metcalf Wildlife Refuge for serenity, smoke or no smoke. Montana never lacks for varied motivation to sing, "Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!"

Clematis or Truffula?, Missoula, Montana

In observing my yard transition through the seasons, I have to think that Dr. Seuss was a keen observer of commonplace plant life. I mean, who wouldn't immediately think, "A new species of Truffula tree!", upon seeing this clematis seed puff?
To make your own Seuss-a-fun crafts and edibles, click here for some dandy idea starters.

Hollyhock High Hopes, Missoula, Montana

Even the humblest gardens are a wonderful place for inspiration.
This little ant high up (for him) on the tall hollyhock makes me think of the peppy song "High Hopes".
"...Next time you're found, with your chin on the ground
There's a lot to be learned, so look around
Just what makes that little old ant
Think he'll move that rubber tree plant..."