Microclimate View 2 - Greenough Park, Missoula, Montana

Because it was such a tiny, charming, feisty thing, here is another view of yesterday's brave winter-woods plant. (Look at those cunning little bristles!)

Woodsy Microclimate - Missoula, Montana

During this cozy winter season, I've been pondering microclimates - partly within the ongoing "when it's spring" dreaming of likely locations to dig holes in the yard and plant glorious things. And then partly after a conversation with a hard-core don't-rock-the-boat co-worker who mentioned how she politely piped up in a meeting in which she previously would have kept mum. To my "hip-hip-hooray!" (not full volume, of course!) she replied, Oh, I wouldn't have done it if Colleagues A & B hadn't been in the meeting. Ba-BAM! - instant microclimate musing slides out my mouth!  I mean, so very obvious, right? (Kidding - I realize my brain hopping is quite random about at times...)  
In northern gardening, the short story on a microclimate is that some plants which won't normally survive your climate zone will thrive if you locate them in a specifically sheltered and beneficial spot. (Think: sunny exposure, against a fence or wall, sheltered from wind, good crumbly soil, friendly earthworms...) 
Comparatively, the gist of my related musing is that we create our own microclimates to enable us to endure and even thrive in otherwise soul-killing situations (or soul-freezing scenarios, to be a little less dramatic). In my co-worker's situation, the shelter of got-my-back colleagues strengthened her core and allowed her to bloom. 
I think the warmth and protection of others who care is a fairly common tactic we often leverage without even realizing it. As another example, Delightful Daughter vehemently shakes her head at the mention of  performing solo in public, but has no problem getting on a large stage with some friends, whether in a music setting or in her earlier life as part of an amazing competition cheer team. Personally, I've learned I am spurred more to productive action when in the company of people I love who also love me. And conversely, I know I need at least a few quiet-&-alone, unobligated Saturday mornings to reconstitute my very self.
And then there are the tangible microclimates of small, daily comforts - perhaps a cup of delightfully aromatic tea to ease our stress, with a little bonus aromatherapy.  Or a bracing winter walk to recalibrate optimism amidst a soul-sucking workday. Or finally saying an un-guilty and resounding "yes!"to that attainable activity we keep putting off but it just really makes us happy in an I-can't-stop-smiling-this-silly-smile kind of way.
There's more to be mined on this topic...but that's quite enough out of me for today. 
Pause to ponder briefly, and I bet you'll soon see the shape of your very own charming stacked stone wall built of unmatched chunks of warm care. (Please do share in the comment segment below!)

Quiet Waters - Hamilton, Montana

I don't think still waters running deep applies in the pictured section of the Bitterroot River, but I do have it on good authority that it's a leisurely float stretch - just add sunscreen and inner tubes!

Winter Thaw - Missoula, Montana

"Over the land freckled with snow half-thawed
The speculating rooks at their nests cawed
And saw from elm-tops, delicate as flowers of grass,
What we below could not see, Winter pass."
- from 'Thaw' by Edward Thomas

Undergrowth - Missoula, Montana

“…It’s a place of healing,

the forest floor.

A place intent on living.

Where each movement beneath the

towering company of life informs the next.

A little slower this time.

A little softer.

More quiet.

And with each surrendering breath,

another can be heard….”

- From "The Forest Floor" by Mariella Rossi

The full poem is a click away - right here; enjoy and be inspired to venture out to your own forest view.

Cool, Clear Water; East Missoula, Montana

Western Montana evening temps have cooled to about 70 degrees F - perfect campfire weather, barring fire danger restrictions, of course. It doesn't pay to ignore Smokey the Bear's warnings.
Click the text link and sing along with Marty Robbins‘ campfire classic: "Cool...clear...water (water!)".

River Crossing, Missoula, Montana

All that's missing is a little seasonal kitsch - perhaps a tour group of penguins crossing the fallen log. 

S M R Ducks at Lee Metcalf Wildlife Refuge, Stevensville, Montana

It's amazing how the words of a well-spoken teacher can stick with you for life, altering your perception of certain situations. I'll never forget an illustration of one of my Bible school teachers, who also happened to be a veterinarian who shared his skinny guy struggle with reducing his cholesterol. He wrote on the board, "M R Ducks. No M R not ducks. S M R Ducks - C M wangs?... "  - this is what runs through my head upon viewing such a beautiful scene of nature.  While I'm hazy on the point he was making, I think it had to do with how you tend to see things, simple or complicated unnecessarily.

Campfire, Victor, Montana

Despite the pall of smoke hanging about the valleys, early fall is still perfect weather for a little backyard campfire. We have a little house, but taking the visiting outdoors enabled us to host about 20 family members for ice cream and a campfire. My big sis was most excited about the campfire, and I totally see why - the visual warmth of the flames inspires cozy conversation, laughter, good storytelling.... all the best parts of happy end-of-summer get-togethers.

p.s. Sorry for the post delays - Blogger has an outstanding issue, but I finally figured out a work-around, which enabled the photos I thought had published the last 5 days to populate to this blog.

Bitterroot River Parallels, Lee Metcalf Wildlife Refuge, Montana

1) Gaze upon above idyllic scene.
2) Insert peaceful sigh.
3)Make plans to visit.

Return Trip View, Bitterroot River, Hamilton, Montana

If you compare this to yesterday’s photo, you’ll see the willows at the end of this view are the same batch as at the beginning of yesterday’s path.