Wild Montana Sky and Mission Mountains - Approaching KMSO, Missoula, Montana

Always happy to return home to the wide and wild Montana skies - and gorgeous new snow on the Mission range this trip! (At least I'm pretty sure those are the Missions...please correct me if I'm wrong here!). 

Racoon Duo - Missoula, Montana

Recently, our neighbor called asking if we could see the cause of her rooftop ruckus, it being  rambunctious enough to make her usually fearless self hesitate to venture out into the dark night. All were relieved to find nothing more sinister than this neighbourhood racoon comedy duo paused in The Best Husband Ever's spotlight!

Seven Thousand Flags - Never Forget - Rose Park, Missoula, Montana

A solemn sea of seven thousand USA flags at Missoula's Memorial Rose Garden to never forget each precious life forever tied to September 11, 2001.

Thank you to the many volunteers and the VFW and American Legion Auxiliaries for their faithful work and dedication ro this event for 24 years running.

Epic Bearded Griz Fan - University of Montana, Missoula, Montana

In the levels of fandom, Most Dedicated Fan status definitely goes to this gent and his energetic family who drove across Montana to cheer on the University of Montana Grizzlies today.  Oh, and dyeing his epic beard Griz-maroon AND layering on a small vat of glitter is absolutely icing on the commitment cake. 

A big thanks to these Griz enthusiasts for the friendly post-game chat and pose, and also for granting verbal permission to post his photo. (Alas, in the moment's delight, I spaced on asking a name...doh!)

Pop-Up Mission Mountains - Ravalli, Montana

Never gets old, whatever the season - that first pop-up view of the Mission range upon cresting Highway 93's winding hill just past Ravalli, Montana. 

"I think back to ... the dry summers when Father and George and the other homesteaders watched as cloud after cloud dragged across the Rockies and the tufts of rain would catch on the distant peaks and be of no help to their fields." - The Whistling Season by Ivan Doig (1939-2015), p. 46-47 (lg type)

Bumbly Bee and Lavender - Missoula, Montana

Pollinators buzzed busily in the last of a neighbour's lavender blooms flanking this morning's walk. Smaller bees zoomed between top spikes, but this bigger bumbly fellow kept to stems drooping right to the sidewalk. Had me wondering ehy...perhaps he was fairly loaded up and so conserving energy ...or maybe taking the opportunity for some bee-alone-time while away from the hive!  (-:

Redemption Cross - Chase Matthew - Missoula, Montana

Well done, Chase Matthew!  - for bringing your high energy band to Missoula, Montana's Washington-Grizzly Stadium AND, even more, for sharing some of your redemption story and the hope of Jesus as the reason you wear that Cross with sincerity.

(Bonus best-stadium-view showcases Mount Sentinel and the iconic M trail.)

Morning Reflections - Victor, Montana

Daisy faces lifted toward

  the morning sun

Air so still 

  the reflections of my heart 

  become clear. 

-P.Richards

(Big thanks to Pat Richards for the guest perspectives - both words and view! Chew on more of her refreshing weekly musings at God's Friday Girl!)

Church with Jelly Roll - University of Montana Stadium, Missoula, Montana

Jelly Roll brought legit Church to Washington-Grizzly Stadium tonite, unapoligetically honouring Jesus right where he'a at, speaking Truth in love to Missoula, Montana. May his songs and words of Life filter for miles through canyons and streets,  as so often happens on a hot summer night.

Red Poppy Buzz - Missoula, Montana

Red poppies were this morning's hot spot for our neighbourhood bees - and even with some blossom sharing (aka caring, haha...)! Among the buzzing patch, this one bloom hosted four or five different bees, cycling through in a do-si-do dance switcheroo. 

Castle Museum Turret - White Sulpher Springs, Montana

Finally caught a tour at the charming Castle Museum and Carriage House in White Sulpher Springs, Montana - and glad we did! Built in 1892 by a westward-wandering cousin of Union General William Tecumseh Sherman, the Castle is also known in the National Historic Register as the Byron R. Sherman House. Check out its key feature described in this Waymarking article. 

Pasque Flower Progression - Missoula, Montana -

Our neighbourhood pasque flower's 'before and after' are both charming! 

Pasque Flowers for Mother's Day - Missoula, Montana

...suddenly, starkly i realize: 

all the stories i know

of things long ago 

are my mother's

-cj hull

Grateful thanks on this Mother's Day to all the story sharers and history keepers who enrich our roots with context.

(Hmmm...could we say stories are the compost that grow strong foundational roots, anchoring us to the past so we can grow freely up and out into our unique future? More coffee needed to ponder any deeper - deeper like roots , haha!)

(& thanks to the folks a few blocks over for sharing with the neighbourhood their patch of lovely, mesmerizing pasque flowers on the sidewalk side of their fence!)

Suddenly Spring Leaf Light - Missoula, Montana

Watch - daily, fisted 

buds unfurl to full-leaf green. 

Suddenly, it's spring.

- cj hull

A Riot of Apple Blossoms - Missoula, Montana

A flutter of sparrows, gaggle of geese, conspiracy of ravens, obstinancy of bison, parliament of owls, sleuth of bears.... so many poetic descriptors for gathered feathered and furred creatures! On the floral side, perhaps can designate a 'riot of apple blossoms'?

Spring Snow and Lilac Buds - Missoula, Montana

Today's spring snow Pros vs. Cons:

Pros: Beautiful snow in the surrounding mountains = more precious snowpack to stave off fire season.

Cons: Oh, my poor wee lilac buds!  (But they are of hardy Montana stock and have survived worse!)

Springing Up Sheriff Signs - Near St Regis, Montana

For the critical 'location, location, location', Banks for Sheriff picked a winner with this gorgeous green spring field along I-90 near St Regis, Montana - with bonus scenic mountain views! 

While I try my best to avoid politics, they do get my vote for Best Montana Campaign Signage! 

Faithful Seedling Starts - Cosmos and Zinnias - Missoula, Montana

"Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven.

The Lord will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest." - Psalm 85:11,12

(BTW, cosmos seed starts were especially gratifying, startlingly sprouting above the soil in 24 hours!) 

Drop of Hope Blooms - Missoula, Montana

"And even though I no longer really knew what it was, I felt it: a drop of hope. The fog surrounding my life rolled back another inch, and a sliver of blue sky peeked through." -When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi, p.135

Spring Cloud Wave Over Mount Sentinel - Missoula, Montana

"And so there we all were on a little wave of time lifting up to eternity, and none of us ever in time would know what to make of it. How could we? It is a mystery, for we are eternal beings living in time."  -Wendell Berry, from Jayber Crow, p. 205

In With The New - Spring Iris - Missoula, Montana

"The day can't be more beautiful. The skies are blue all the way to the heavens...And the bracingly cold air reminds me with each new breath of my continuing existence as a living creature on this planet. "

-Dead By Dawn, A Mike Bowditch novel by Paul Doiron, p. 405, Lg type

Out From The Old - Missoula, Montana

"...Put your faith in the two inches of humus

that will build under the trees

every thousand years...

Practice resurrection."

 - from Manifesto: The Mad Farmer Liberation Front by Wendell Berry

Moody Blues Snow Sky (& haiku!) - Missoula, Montana

Moody blues storm sky

swirls, twirls out drowsy pale stars.

Snoozed snow shovels cheer.

--cj hull, 3/17/2026

Light Wind Water Stones - Bitterroot River, Blodgett Rotary Park, Hamilton, Montana

“... I take what is: 

The light beats on the stones, 

the wind over water shines 

Like long grass through the trees...”

- from “The Words” by David Wagoner (1926-2021)

Bitterroot River Dusk - Blodgett Rotary Park, Hamilton, Montana

Yesterday evening's Bitterroot River ramble conjured fond thoughts of Ratty and Mole.

"Then they got out their boat from the boat-house, sculled down the river home, and at a very late hour sat down to supper in their own cosy riverside parlour, to the Rat's great joy and contentment." - The Wind in the Willows, Ch 2, 

by Kenneth Grahame (1859-1932)

Fall Throwback - Haystacked - W. US Hwy 12 Near Helena, Montana

"People who think it’s so hard to find a needle in a haystack are probably not quilters. Needles find you. Just walk on the haystack for a second. You’ll find the needle." -Jenny Lawson in Furiously Happy: A Funny Book About Horrible Things

New Year Blessing - West of Helena, Montana

"May the road rise up to meet you.

May the wind be always at your back. 

May the sun shine warm upon your face, 

the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again, 

may God hold you in the palm of His hand." - Traditional Irish blessing