Big Sky Hunting- Missoula, Montana

“...A rodless Walton of the brooks
A bloodless sportsman, I - 
I hunt for the thoughts that throng the woods,
The dreams that haunt the sky...”
- Sam Walter Foss (1858-1911), from The Bloodless Sportsman

Looking Forward - Grant Creek, Missoula, Montana

"The water you touch in a river

 is the last of that which has passed,
 and the first of that which is coming;

 thus it is with time."
- Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)

Tree Shadows and Winter Ornamentation - Grant Creek, Missoula, Montana

“Indeed the river is a perpetual gala,
 and boasts each month a new ornament.“  -Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882), Nature

(Many thanks to the folks at the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System  for repurposing and corralling  a broadly inspiring selection of quotes ...and more!)

Winter Stream Song, Softly - Grant Creek, Missoula, Montana

“The stream sings a subdued music, a scarcely audible lilt, faint and fluid syllables not quite said....” — John Daniel, Oregon Rivers

Ice Sparkle - Grant Creek, Missoula, Montana

One rare sunny day during our latest bitter cold spell, I bravely bundled for a lunch walk and was rewarded with literal sparkling views along Grant Creek, which intersects the industrial neighborhood behind our offices. 

The crystalline intricacy is somewhat mesmerizing...next few posts will be of broader shore views, so y'all come back now, y'hear?

Winter Garden Dreaming - Missoula, Montana

A brisk 2 degrees F driving to work this morning, and even colder with windchill...some southern somebody pretty please enjoy some sunshine for me!

“Anyone who thinks that gardening begins in the Spring and ends in the Fall is missing the best part of the whole year; for gardening begins in January with the dream.”

 - Josephine Nuese

Tree And Sky - Missoula, Montana

"Why waste your money looking up your family tree? 

Just go into politics & your opponents will do it for you." 

- Mark Twain (1835-1910 aka Samuel Clemens, who BTW was a dear friend of Helen Keller)

Still Winter - Missoula, Montana

The marmot has spoken (er, observed?): Six more weeks of winter for us on this side of the world. And the snow keeps coming....!

 (Full disclosure: This pic was during our October snowfall, hence the fresh leaves and plump berries...)