Open Window - Missoula, Montana

"Your assumptions are your windows on the world.  Scrub them off every once in a while, or the light won't come in.” - Isaac Asimov (1920 - 1992)

Roundness, Missoula, Montana

“I am not a smart man, particularly, but one day, at long last, I stumbled from the dark woods of my own, and my family's, and my country's past, holding in my hands these truths: that love grows from the rich loam of forgiveness; that mongrels make good dogs; that the evidence of God exists in the roundness of things. This much, at least, I've figured out. I know this much is true.”
- Wally Lamb, “I Know This Much Is True”

Venting, Missoula, Montana

A big thanks out into the universe to the get-'er-done pickup truck guy who sponsored my very own laugh-out-loud moment during Thursday morning’s traffic light backlog. Despite the stopped automobiles blocking his right turn escape route from the Reserve & Mullan intersection, our daring driver thought outside the box that would keep him needlessly waiting five car lengths back. Since that last vehicle in line was really only blocking half a truck width to prevent access to the empty turn lane, he simply & logically decided to annex the empty sidewalk and ease on down the road.
Have big wheels, will travel. 
It was a quirky reminder that the can-do attitude is still alive & kicking in Montana. 

For a positive business angle on keeping things moving, check out the newly released State business plan from Governor Bullock’s team for the Main Street Montana Project.

Winter Blue Wall, East Missoula, Montana

“All things on earth point home… sailors to sea, travellers to walls and fences, hunters to field and hollow and the long voice of the hounds, the lover to the love he has forsaken.”   -Thomas Wolfe, American novelist (1900-1938)

Power to the People, Missoula, Montana

Back alleys are still my favourite ramble routes, whether downtown or urban residential.
Before you begin to worry, I do have enough of a lick of sense to not venture down dark, rat-infested alleys. J And yes, that is a smiley face, and it does not demean any sincere opinions.

The opposites in this particular downtown route snagged me mid-stroll - smooth, curvy metal against linear, bristly brick. I love that there are still essentials that require hard wiring. And that sometimes the easiest organization tactic is still writing a big number with a
Sharpie.

These Boots Were Made For Riding, Missoula, Montana

Last night, before band practice at our friends’ ranch, we walked down the little hill to their mum’s house via a well-worn path, in the dark, through the tall grass and apple trees. Talk about happy throwback to childhood - following the leader through the almost-dark, the clean, just-rained smell clinging to the grass, and a VHS player so we could watch a recently unearthed band video. Coming in the back door, I noticed extra Carhartt insulated coveralls hanging neatly in the closet, and knew there also would be extra boots, scarves, mittens, and hats. This is a commonality in the homes of varied ranching families we’re privileged to know. Besides keeping you warm on the outside, they furnish a warm, fuzzy feeling inside - the kind that comes from knowing you’re always welcome and won’t be left out.
While there's a lot to be said for paring down the contents of your life, this mindset should coexist with the practical complement of having enough to spare. As a dear friend is fond of saying, “Come on over - we can always water down the soup.”