Crisp Sunshine - Missoula, Montana

"As the years pass, I am coming more and more to understand that it is the common, everyday blessings of our common everyday lives for which we should be particularly grateful. They are the things that fill our lives with comfort and our hearts with gladness -- just the pure air to breathe and the strength to breath it; just warmth and shelter and home folks; just plain food that gives us strength; the bright sunshine on a cold day; and a cool breeze when the day is warm."

- Laura Ingalls Wilder, Writings to Young Women from Laura Ingalls Wilder: On Wisdom and Virtues (Writings to Young Women on Laura Ingalls Wilder #1)

Seeking Sunshine - Missoula, Montana

“What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity. These are but trifles, to be sure; but scattered along life's pathway, the good they do is inconceivable.” - Joseph Addison (1672-1719)

Wintry Red, White, and Blue - Missoula, Montana

Fitting colours - of dreams and perseverance and freedom - to herald the birthday of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr..

Lock-Ness, Missoula, Montana

There seems to be obscure tradition behind the re-appearing lock décor on the University of Montana
footbridge over the Clark Fork River. Perhaps it’s a symbolic right of passage when the lock is no longer needed for school. Maybe there’s even a little ritualistic chanting involved, along the lines of, No more pencils, no more books.”. Hmmm…what would be the 2014 two-syllable academic equivalent of “pencils”?However, after a quick on-line search, I’m guessing these are actually love locks; read more about one version
here.

Criss-Cross Applesauce, Missoula, Montana

If you jiggle your PC screen gently, this pattern could mesmerize almost as much as a larger-scale herringbone plaid coat on a person  walking down the street in front of you. Today, for some random reason, these winter patterns sparked memory of school bus rides spent creating "baby footprints" with our hands across the scenery Jack Frost painted on the bus windows. It's kinda crazy what kept us entertained, but we managed to never be bored!