Dreamy Spring Evening Glow - Missoula, Montana

“…in this old man's vast enjoyment of a simple moment, Stephen felt an easing of the tightness in his chest. He breathed, closed his eyes, and like Meloux lifted his face to the warm sun.

"That is all of life," the old Mide said quietly…”Letting go of the questions. Letting go of the fear that there will be no answers…What we believe we want is like knocking on a closed door.

Better to open ourselves to what we have and what we know. The beauty of this moment." “

-Henry Meloux, in Desolation Mountain, by William Kent Krueger,  p. 61

Frost and Red Rose Hips - Missoula, Montana

Contrasts draw us in, as with red rose hips amidst  slender frost-outlined branches in the lingering evening light.

Setting Sun-filled (Flower) Smile - Missoula, Montana

“It was a transporting thing, that smile, as it had probably been all her long life, and I felt its power to fix you where you stood (or sat, or fell); it lifted her beyond age, in a way that the other women present, with their more effortful looks, were not lifted.” -The Poet’s House by Jean Thompson, p. 35

No Words Needed - Flathead Lake, Montana

 

Golden Moment - Missoula, Montana

"...but when men count

Those hours of life that were a bursting fount

Sparkling the dusty heart with living springs,

There seems a world, beyond our earthly things,

Gated by golden moments, each bright time

Opening to show the city white like lime,

High-towered and many-peopled. ..."

- from Biography by John Masefield (1878-1967)

Wagon Days Done - Corvallis, Montana

"...A wagonload of radishes on a summer morning. 

Sprinkles of dew on the crimson-purple balls. 

The farmer on the seat dangles the reins on the rumps of 

dapple-gray horses...

The phantom of an old workhorse taking the steel point of a 

plow across a forty-acre field in spring, hitched to a harrow in 

summer, hitched to a wagon among cornshocks in fall, 

These phantoms come into the talk and wonder of people on 

the front porch of a farmhouse late summer nights..." - Carl Sandburg (1878–1967), from Cornhuskers, 1. Prairie 

Walking Through - Quail Tracks, Corvallis, Montana

"[Miss Green] says that being an artist is more than a job or a skill; it's a way of walking through the world." - Filomena, p. 38, The Boston Girl by Anita Diamant

Wishing you continued (or newly begun) striding along, comfortable in your own skin and whatever personal version of artistry it contains.

Historical Depot Christmas Beacon - Missoula, Montana

"A mother's happiness is like a beacon, lighting up the future but reflected also on the past in the guise of fond memories." -  Honore de Balzac (1799-1850)

And wasn't part of first Christmas's true beauty and hope that of a mother's heart? It amazes me to think on Mary's (and Joseph's, too, but that doesn't tie in to my quote) trust and obedience amidst a situation that must have garnered an avalanche of questions. Possibles: What?! Why? Who?! How?!!! When? Where?!  And despite - or perhaps because of? - these, they continued on as directed. May we be inspired in this season to shine our best light, whether it be toward someone's hopeful future or with thankful reflections from our own history. 

Clean Slate - Vaughn, Montana

“Life is grace. Sleep is forgiveness. The night absolves. Darkness wipes the slate clean, not spotless to be sure, but clean enough for another day's chalking.”
― Frederick Buechner, The Alphabet of Grace

Lamplight Shadows - Missoula, Montana

"Never fear shadows. They simply mean there's a light shining somewhere nearby." ~Ruth E. Renkel

(Note: If anyone has info on who is Ruth E. Renkel, I'd love to hear it - she is a rather elusive character who Is credited with some well-spoken words. But it drives me a little crazy to be stymied in finding out more about her!)

Downtown Flowers - Missoula, Montana

More evening strolling found me admiring downtown Missoula's most gorgeous flower display. Created in a blah boulevard by the entirely volunteer efforts of a local street vendor, this curbside garden continues to flourish, and has also inspired floral improvements on other corners. Hurrah for such a vibrant reminder that the positive actions of one person can change the view for so many others!

W Is For Wilma - Missoula, Montana

The past few evenings have been so warm and lovely - a far cry from the drastic cooling  and rain forecast last week! The lingering end-of-summer days make it hard to come indoors as the sunset wanes to full-on dark. Thankfully, Missoula's downtown main drag is a great place for an evening walk - and safe, being brightly lit and having lots of people out and about. My habitual jaunt loops up one side of Higgins Avenue to the old train depot and back down the other side to the Wilma Theatre, which is in the throes of restoration and upgrades. The signature W lights mark the turnaround point to head back to my car and to home, and - wistfully - inside. 

Light And Shadow Display - Missoula, Montana

"The beginnings and ends of shadow lie between the light and darkness and may be infinitely diminished and infinitely increased. Shadow is the means by which bodies display their form. The forms of bodies could not be understood in detail but for shadow." - Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)

Mow or Snow?, Missoula, Montana

We looked outside during band practise last night to see fluffy and flurrious snow wafting across the glorious view of the Missoula valley.  And just when I was planning when to next mow the lawn at the little house in Hamilton....  But it is supposed to be 70 degrees tomorrow, so no reprieve of yard work for me.

River Walk Sunset,Missoula, Montana

Missoula, Montana, has a great trail system along the Clark Fork River. With temperatures sliding down to the 70's Fahrenheit, evenings are perfect for a stroll, with the bonus of spectacularly calming views. (And I really couldn't resist another version of this sunset.)

Evening Reflections, Missoula, Montana

Long days are an amazing Montana summer hallmark. With sunset about 9:30 p.m., evenings provide ample time for outdoor meandering, conversation, sunset viewing...or even a moderate hike. 
Perhaps Stevenson was in Montana when he penned this little poem.
“In winter I get up at night
And dress by yellow candle-light.
In summer quite the other way,
I have to go to bed by day.”
- Robert Louis Stevenson