Glorious Display - Sunrise, Corvallis, Montana

Awakened by 

 the stirring of the day
Dawn calls to my 

 heart, or so I thought 
Overwhelmed by

  splendor, Your glory on display

I join with all 

 creation singing 

our God‘s 

 praise

- 5 July 2021 Pat Richards.  

    (Thanks for the early-bird share, sis!)

Open To Imagine - Bitterroot Valley, Corvallis, Montana

“Yet are these things more difficult to accept than that all of existence came out of a single, random moment when cosmic gases exploded? Our eyes perceive so dimly, and our brains are so easily confused. Far better, I believe, to be like children and open ourselves to every beautiful possibility, for there is nothing our hearts can imagine that is not so .”

-from This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger, page 444

(Big thanks to Sissie #3 for this glorious walking scenery shot!)

Morning Silence - Corvallis, Montana

"I saw old Autumn in the misty morn
Stand, shadowless like Silence, listening
To silence..."
- From Autumn by Thomas Hood (1798-1845)
(Many thanks to Big Brother #3  for this sweeping Bitterroot Valley sunrise!)

One Daisy - Teller Trail at Teller Wildlife Refuge, Corvallis, Montana

"...the infinite wealth of Christ’s infinite heart is thine today as though the sun should shine to light one firefly, or the Amazon flow to water the roots of one daisy."   - F.B. Meyer (1847-1929) from The Love Of Christ, Which Passeth Knowledge

 

 

Ponderosa Pine-ing For Good Vanilla - The Teller Trail, Bitterroot River, Corvallis, Montana

 Sister Three did not believe (read: she snorted a laugh) when I declared: "Some ponderosa pines smell like really, really good vanilla." The gauntlet thrown, I immediately spied a turnout near a likely specimen - and converted her by truth evidenced (amidst continued giggling because  other laid-back drivers passed by and we did, indeed, look silly leaning in close to sniff the craggy, russet bark). Hurrah for random weird and happy things worth knowing!

 

Authentic Happiness Via Bitterroot Winter Sunrise - Corvallis, Montana

Another glorious Bitterroot Valley view from Big Brother 3, that ponders well with this quote: 

 “Happiness does not lead to gratitude.
  Gratitude leads to happiness.”

- Benedictine monk David Steindl-Rast 
(found in A.J. Jacobs’ book, Thanks a Thousand!)

Winter Bitterroot Range - Corvallis, Montana

Big Brother 3 (BB3) is working above some amazing Bitterroot Valley views lately, and kindly shared today's post pic.
Would that we all had such an inspiring and calming office view!  But for the rest of us, there's always the desktop background consolation prize....
 
BTW, if you've never seen in person the "purple mountain majesty above the fruited plain", Western Montana is always a great vacation destination.

Christmas Cheer - Corvallis, Montana

So, the local nieces got delightfully (& frightfully, perhaps?! beware the clown...) creative at their annual Christmas cookie baking extravaganza. 
It appears that the nice guy gets cut in on even in cookie-dom lines. 
But I guess finishing last equates to a longer lifespan for gingerbread men...

Golden Blooms - The Teller Trail, Corvallis, Montana

"Why must people kneel down to pray? If I really wanted to pray I’ll tell you what I'd do. I'd go out into a great big field all alone or in the deep, deep woods and I'd look up into the sky—up—up—up—into that lovely blue sky that looks as if there was no end to its blueness. And then I'd just feel a prayer."

- L.M. Montgomery, from Anne of Green Gables #1

Roots - The Teller Trail, Corvallis, Montana

Roots exposed

the essence of life

holding firm 

when all else is washed away. 

-Pat R

Pat (aka Big Sis #3) journeys hither and yon, but always circles back to Montana. (Sadly, annual visits seem to coincide with forest fire season...but, as you can see, her eye for beauty connected to our inner life is undeterred by rampant smoke.) 

Read more on Pat's purpose-filled travels at JourneysWithGod.com .

Some Days Sunset - Corvallis, Montana

"Some days clouds drift over the canyon,

horsetails, bits of high cotton.

In the afternoon, then,

the sky quickens, tumbles —

a dark creek crashing down the mountain...."

-From Back Forty: Manifesto by Joe Wilkins 

Big thanks for today's photo to Pat Richards. 

To see more through Pat's eyes, browse around in JourneysWithGod.com.

Waiting Winter Trees - Corvallis, Montana

"Oh, they are lovely trees that wait

    In the still hall of winter,
    Silent and good where the Good Planter
Fixed the root, wove the branch delicate.

...And here, too, silent by their side
I stand in the woods, listening, upright,

Hearing in the cold of the long pause
    Of the full year
    What trees intend that I should hear…

~ from Trees of Winter by E.B. White

Six and Snow - Corvallis, Montana

New snow.

I am again six years old.

The seduction of untrammeled snow is akin to the fresh possibility inherent in the first page of a brand new notebook - new horizons beckon!

All I Want For Christmas- Corvallis, Montana

All I want for Christmas is my two pyrohy...okay, it ended up being four. Let's just say it's been a very good Christmas, especially on the heels of being sick all week! 

Spoons - Corvallis, Montana

Who knew that spoons could be dangerous?
Or that what I'd be most thankful for post-holiday dinner was not leftovers but the old world craftsmanship of Thomasville furniture - which solidly held when The Best Husband Ever flung most of the entire 6 feet of himself across the length of the extended dining table to (successfully) snatch the last spoon of the second round?
(Which proves your grandma knew what she was talking about when she admonished you can't go wrong over the long haul by investing in quality furniture and clothes.
And it also proves that we're rather serious about our party games.
There was talk of a Spoons Champion travelling trophy for the next gathering...)

Giving Thanks - Corvallis, Montana

Today, I am thankful for nachynka on my plate - and even more so for the brothers who baked it and brought it from the Great White North!

Guest Post: Rainbow Promise Morning - Corvallis, Montana

Today's guest blogger is once again Big Sister #3 (I don't think you should ever get too old to appreciate the before-ness of older siblings), who has enjoyed some amazing scenery during her stay. (Hurrah for people who take early morning walks and share their lovely views!)

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Rainbows are filled with promise. 

They appear almost magically where sunlight and raindrops intersect, birthing a brilliant swath of color. 

The the scientific explanation is no less amazing (learn more here.)

 "I have placed My rainbow in the clouds as a sign of My promise until the end of time, to you and to all the earth. ." 

- Spoken to Noah and his Family in Genesis 9:13

Grab a hold of the promise of today, for like the rainbow, opportunity is often fleeting.

- Pat Richards

Guest Post: Morning Comes Early - Corvallis, Montana

One of the benefits to waking up early ... amazing sunrises.   

While staying at Brother #3's Montana home, the dawning day's sky drew me outside. Dressed in a hoodie, brother's shoes, and my PJ'S, I was glad the only other creatures stirring were some quail and deer!  

- Pat R.

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"...Tell me how far the morning leaps—

Tell me what time the weaver sleeps
Who spun the breadth of blue!..."

- from Bring Me The Sunset In A Cup by Emily Dickinson (1830-1886)

Guest Post: Bitterroot Haven - Corvallis, Montana

Hooray for guest bloggers! 

Today we hear from Pat Richards (aka Big Sister #3). Since Las Vegas is their home base. Pat has been soaking up the outdoors and relishing Montana's summer daytime temps that are well below their accustomed 108 degrees Fahrenheit.

To see more of what Pat has been up to this year, check out their humanitarian travels at www.JourneysWithGod.com.

Thanks for sharing today's lovely thoughts and scenery, sis.

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Early morning stillness creates a haven where my heart reflects on the beauty of creation.  A tiny ecosystem filled with vibrant life.  Nature's beauty refreshes my soul.  I leave, ready to face the day.

Unlike my walking companion, an energetic short legged Pembroke Corgi named Trixie,  who pauses only to consider the next tantalizing scent along the path. 

-Pat R.

Green Pastures - Corvallis, Montana

"...You have bedded me down in lush meadows,

You find me quiet pools to drink from.
True to your word,

You let me catch my breath

and send me in the right direction...  
Your beauty and love chase after me

every day of my life...."

- King David, from Psalm 23, The Message Translation