Sweet Words - Missoula, Montana

"Silence, a silence that breathed kindness, the silence of a woman wrapping herself in a man's kind words as if in an expensive fur. And at last, very sweetly, very courageously for someone as formalistic as her, she said, 'I wanted to hear your voice, too.' - From Traitors To All, p 139-140,  by Giorgio Scerbanenco (1911-1969), The Godfather of Italian Noir

(In case you hadn't noticed, Valentine's Day candy is already out in stores. And I must say, some of the new candy heart messages are rather odd. But sweet words are never out of season.)

Grey Days - Missoula, Montana

"Winter is the slow-down...
Winter gives the silence you need to listen
Winter goes gray so you can see your own colors..."
~Terri Guillemets

Guest Post 3 by Jeff Cox: Flathead River Reflection - West Glacier,Montana

"On the still calm waters of surrender, the reflections of clarity appear." - Bryant McGill

Guest Post 2 by Jeff Cox: Turtle Rock - West Glacier, Montana

"Behold the turtle. He makes progress only when he sticks his neck out." - James Bryant Conant (1893-1978)

Another cool, blue Belton Bridge view courtesy of Jeff Cox; the rock reminded of a snowy turtle.

Guest Post By Jeff Cox: Saturday After Christmas - West Glacier, Montana

Montana's views display fresh beauty with the change of every season. From late spring to the first high-elevation snow fall, the town of West Glacier bustles with all manner of summer vacationers entering and exiting Glacier Park via Going-To-The-Sun Road. Come winter, the famous Road closes and the tourist trade shifts to snow lovers who appreciate the mountains' quieter, colder charms.

Today's guest blogger, Jeff Cox, brings us to a clear, calming vista from the Belton bridge just outside West Glacier. Breathe deep - you can almost feel the cold mountain air brush across your face.  

A big thanks to Jeff for sharing his view of Montana; stay tuned for more this week. 

Winter Riverbank - Missoula, Montana

"No animal, according to the rules of animal-etiquette, is ever expected to do anything strenuous, or heroic, or even moderately active during the off-season of winter." - Kenneth Grahame, The Wind In The Willows