Feeding Time - Missoula, Montana

Moose doesn't let visitors distract from his feeding time - & perhaps this singular focus is how he achieved the massive size that warranted his name!

Skiff Of Snow - Missoula, Montana

First skiff of snow since I’m home - which a bitter, raging wind immediately set to melting. 
But there's more where that came from ...

No Place Like Home - Missoula, Montana Valley Aerial View

Home again, home again, jiggitty jig!

Much has changed in the almost three weeks I was away.

Mountaintop tamaracks have morphed to stand in sharp golden relief from their still-green coniferous counterparts.

Mornings stay dark until almost 8:00 AM.

But afternoon sunlight lingers a couple hours after work and inspires me to rake final fallen maple and lilac leaves in our yard.

Montana’s brisk autumn is pretty much opposite of Sri Lanka’s 6:00 AM coastal sunrises fit for shorts and T-shirt at 80 degree F and 85% humidity. But I am home, and glad to be here - even though I’m struggling in the wardrobe adjustment to required multiple layers. (Must wear gloves! And a scarf comes in handy to stave off the shivery breeze!)

And hooray for almost-normal sleep patterns. On the first two days I was back at work, I woke at 2:30 AM and 3:30 AM (progress!) respectively - and could not get back to sleep. It was with great relief this morning that I woke to find I had slipped back to slumber after my third brief wake up, resting until a decent time just before my alarm setting.

The team continues in Sri Lanka, holding eye clinics in areas of need.

Click here to see their latest stops in the journey. 

And open your eyes wide to take joy on the journey that awaits your very next step.

Wandering Montana Heart

For today's (whatever day that may be) international view through Montana eyes, click here.

They say home is where your heart is, and my heart is still in Montana, even though I'm currently travelling in Sri Lanka.

To be realistic in view of our full schedule, I'm electing to take a break from regular Montana1aDay posts until I'm back in the USA at October's end.

BUT I'm posting our travel updates at JourneysWithGod.com, so click the text links and see where these wandering Montana feet are traveling.

Construction Circles 3 - Missoula, Montana

"We find ourselves in a world of transporting pleasures, ravishing beauties, and tantalising possibilities, but all constantly being destroyed, all coming to nothing. Nature has all the air of a good thing spoiled."

- C.S. Lewis, Miracles: A Preliminary Study

Construction Circles 2 - Missoula, Montana

These sewer grates reminded me of waffles. 

But maybe that's just because waffles are something I can't eat while my doctor has me eschewing grains, sweetener, & dairy. And please don't very kindly share a recipe or brand name of some very tasty pseudo waffles made with non-grain flour. I've tried them - I've actually made them out of coconut flour. 

They are not bad. 

But they are not really waffles.  

Because what, I ask you, is the point of a waffle without real butter and authentic Canadian maple syrup (which is sitting patiently in my little pantry, in the dark, all alone), and a dollop of real whipped cream? 

Sorry - I have noticed I'm a little crabbier without grains...

Construction Circles 1 - Missoula, Montana

On our neighbourhood meanders through the summer, we've been watching with great interest a slightly controversial infrastructure adjustment a few blocks away.  A street previously ending in a cul de sac backing up to a largely dormant segment of rail line is now a through street to the mall. 

Residents were less than thrilled when the plan was introduced - and living in a construction zone always puts folks in a better mood - uh, NOT! 

The project appears to be nearing completion, leaving a few miscellaneous bits and pieces to catch my eye until the final clean up.

Acts Of Light - Missoula, Montana

"Thank You for all the Acts of Light which beautified a summer now passed to its reward."

-Letter from Emily Dickinson to Mrs. John Howard Sweetser 

From Map of the Heart by Susan Wiggs, Part 1 intro page