Big Sky Beauty, Victor, Montana

"A horse is a thing of beauty... none will tire of looking at him as long as he displays himself in his splendor." - Xenophon

Encircled, Missoula, Montana

"The Mighty Three
My protection be,

Encircling me,
You are around.

My life, my home,
Encircling me..."

- from the song "Encircling" by Iona, inspired by the traditional prayer "St. Patrick's Lorica (Breastplate)", attributed to St. Patrick (372-466)

Rooftop Aerie (Nestled), Missoula, Montana

“I knew everything in the forest. I had a secret home tree, where I pretty much lived. I also liked rooftops and streetlamps. My parents would get calls saying 'He's out there again.' “ - Bas Rutten

Gold Dusted Bowl Of Sky, Missoula, Montana

Lately, procrastination has received some positive press, encouraging to those of us who flay ourselves over this oft-maligned tendency. Delaying to start that “emergency” project can actually save you time - when the project is cancelled the next morning. Sometimes, procrastination is not mere avoidance of an unattractive task, but a gut-level warning to tread cautiously. And occasionally, being delayed puts you in the right place at an opportune time. Monday’s late departure from work meant I was up on Blue Mountain at just the right time to stand in absolute awe under this gold-dusted sky and text deep thoughts to my sister ('The sheen of Heaven's streets reflected in a golden dome of sky.' Well, it sounded better on location.)

Let me know what version of amazing you encounter next time your grocery checkout line winds down Aisle 14, or the fast food isn't, or the 144-car train keeps you idling at the crossing.

Rose Hips Together, Missoula, Montana

“No person ever died that had a family.”
― Ray Bradbury, Dandelion Wine

Streamside Green, Missoula, Montana

“But blessed [are ones who] trust [beyond mere human strength]…
They’re like trees replanted in Eden,
putting down roots near the rivers—
Never a worry through the hottest of summers,
never dropping a leaf,
Serene and calm through droughts…”
-
Jeremiah 17:8 The Message (MSG)

End-Of-Summer Dandelion, Missoula, Montana

There‘s been some chit chat lately on Another Porch about the book “Dandelion Wine“, which inspired me to revisit this all-time favourite story. Perhaps this quote will provoke you to check it out from your local library.
  “Lilacs on a bush are better than orchids. And dandelions and devil grass are better! Why? Because they bend you over and turn you away from all the people in the town for a little while and sweat you and get you down where you remember you got a nose again. And when you’re all to yourself that way, you’re really proud of yourself for a little while; you get to thinking things through, alone. Gardening is the handiest excuse for being a philosopher. Nobody guesses, nobody accuses, nobody knows, but there you are, Plato in the peonies, Socrates force-growing his own hemlock. A man toting a sack of blood manure across his lawn is kin to Atlas letting the world spin easy on his shoulder.”
― Ray Bradbury, Dandelion Wine