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21 December 2013

Hipster Scene, Alberton, Montana


Rose hips - not just a pretty berry, but chock full of Vitamin C for the taking - unless they're growing in along a public roadway, and then you prob'ly don't want to eat them because of pesticide and weed-kill overspray. But other than that, I've heard they make a delicious tea and are really good for you.

20 December 2013

Moss Green Carpet, Alberton, Montana



As I recollect it, the living room carpet of our childhood was the exact shade of the moss on the far bank of Fish Creek pictured here. This revolutionary short-shag carpet boasted a lovely texture that also got us a bonus carpet rake, required to maintain optimum lovely texture.
If you were born before, say, 1973, you won’t understand this.
But that’s not a bad thing.
You weren’t really missing anything, except the assigned chore of carpet raking that even a 5-year-old could do - and, yes, that 5-year-old was me. Thankfully, carpet raking didn’t make my “chores that I hate” list; that was pretty much a short list of one item: dusting. But, I’ve moved on; I’ve dealt with those issues; I‘m not bitter. Really.

19 December 2013

Downtown Lights, Missoula, Montana


"Downtown - where all the lights are bright...."
and it seems the moon has come to a lamp post resting place.

Pictured is a Christmastime evening view of the north end of downtown Missoula, Montana, including a snatch of the iconic red X Crossing sculpture and a smidgen of the old railroad depot.

17 December 2013

White-capped Ocean Sky, Missoula, Montana



“What had happened was an ocean sky, with whitecap clouds.” 
 - From The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, p. 389

Two gloriously huge chunks of my last Saturday were spent snuggled in on our sofay, consuming the entire volume of “The Book Thief” by Markus Zusak. Since it came highly recommended by a fabulous and discerning friend, I blocked out luxurious hours to avoid agonizing against the temptation to read late late late on a work night. The movie version was just released this November; if you’re still haven’t seen it, I highly recommend reading the book first. I don’t know about you, but I find that I rant less - (Why didn’t they include this? Well, I pictured that scene VERY differently? etc.) - if I read the book before, rather than after, seeing the movie version. Plus, the writing in this book is so beautiful - I plan to read Zusak’s other novels. Read more about the author here, and a movie info here.

16 December 2013

Melodic Riffles, West Fish Creek, Alberton, Montana



“We are the music-makers,
And we are the dreamers of dreams,
Wandering by lone sea-breakers,
And sitting by desolate streams;
World-losers and world-forsakers,
On whom the pale moon gleams:
Yet we are the movers and shakers
Of the world forever, it seems….”


-From by Ode by Arthur O’Shaughnessy (1844-1881)


(Note: Willy Wonka quotes the first line in "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory" by Roald Dahl.)

15 December 2013

Meadow Tracks, Missoula, Montana


A snow-covered meadow issues an irresistible invitation to the adventurer, begging them to traipse on through and mark trails - whether by big winter boots, snowmobile, some other tire tread, sled, or what-have-you. 
As kids, we'd create pseudo tractor treadmarks in the snow by walking duck-footed, feet splayed, knees bent slightly, until we couldn't manage the formation consistently. I remember being very serious and careful about placing my feet - heel to opposite arch but not touching - actually thinking we might fool some grownup into thinking a (one-wheeled) tractor had driven across the snow-shrouded front lawn. But maybe that seriousness was really the gullible baby sister being played by an older sibling.... hmmmmmm.