Juke Box Jive - East Missoula, Montana

And what to my wondering eyes should appear at a '50s themed church bridal shower but a real live juke box!  
I found the repetitive lines even more fascinating than the fact that someone just happened to have such a treasure in their collection of cool stuff.

Wishing you a little jumpin’ juke box jive for your New Year’s Eve entertainment.
Or a good book and cup o' tea, as you wish!

Windworn Winter Grass - Livingston, Montana

“As the wind at midday rains whitening over

  the grass,

As the night-bird glimmers a moment, fleeting

  between the lonely watcher and the moon,

So softly inaudibly they rained,

While I sat silent.”

 - From “Among the Ferns” by Edward Carpenter

Depot Decor - Livingston, Montana

Northern Pacific Railroad built Livingston's embellished and colonnaded depot in 1902 as the original access to Yellowstone National Park.

Click here for more photos and information of the building's past and present.

Red - Livingston, Montana

You couldn't tell just from looking, but this is, indeed, a winter scene, and snow blanketed the ground within 20 minutes of driving. A light snowfall just doesn't stand a chance against Livingston's notorious winds.

Of Fields and Fences - Sealy Lake, Montana

"...Darling, the snow that sweeps the field

And swathes the garden fence

Will soon fall prey to the exchange

Of gold where gray clouds rearrange

The hills that waft above earth’s plains

And the attire of season-strains...." 
 - from Janet Martin's poem "Of Fields and Foolishness" 

Click here to linger amidst Janet's entire thoughtful poem.

Happy Boxing Day - Missoula, Montana

Happy Boxing Day! 

I’m very excited to have this day off work, so am sending you my very favourite box bursting with summer sunshine. 

Open. 

Remember happy summer days. 

Linger.

Merry Christmas Depot - Livingston, Montana

Have yourself a merry little Christmas (please).

Cookie Tester - East Missoula, Montana

Wanted: Experienced cookie tester to screen tonight’s cookie selection for Santa.

Winter Depot - Livingston, Montana

"Waiting for the train to come
I keep a'waiting for the train to come
Dreamin' of the river and the rising sun
I keep thinkin' 'bout the world to come..."
- from "The River Unbroken" written by  David Hurst Batteau & Darrell R. Brown

Click the following text links to listen to versions by Dolly Parton & Russ Taff .

Weather the Storm - Missoula, Montana

The Atlantic Hotel building has been an active locale in Missoula’s downtown business district since its construction in 1902. Designed by famed Missoula architect, A. J. Gibson, the ground floor originally housed a barber shop, saloon, and restaurant. Back in the day, a basic room on the upper floors would set you back seventy-five cents. Today, Circle Square 2nd Hand promises to buy anything - and they sell most everything, too.

Cool Cat - Missoula, Montana

"Whether they be the musician cats in my band or the real cats of the world, they all got style." – Ray Charles

(A special thanks to Maestro for tolerating me in his space, and to his people for sharing his coolness.)

'Antique' Tree - University Peak, Missoula, Montana

“Trees are your best antiques.” - Alexander Smith (1829 – 1867)

Into the Fog - Missoula, Montana

"...The reveries of ruins asked: “Will no  

one come?” The skeletons of trees inquired:  

“And who are you, forever on the go?”..."

- From 'In the Fog' by Giovanni Pascoli, as translated by Geoffrey Brock

Winter Courage - Missoula, Montana

"Get a bicycle. 
 
You will certainly not regret it.
 
If you live."  

– Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens), US writer and humorist (1835-1910)

Interestingly enough, this particular bicycle was parked outside that venerable Missoula beverage establishment, Charlie B's.

Foggy Winter Weeds - Missoula, Montana

“What would the world be, once bereft Of wet and wildness?

Let them be left, O let them be left, wildness and wet;

Long live the weeds and the wilderness yet.”- Gerard Manley Hopkins: 1881  'Inversnaid'