Privacy Wall, Hamilton, Montana

I have a slightly unusual preference for walking down back alleys to get where I need to go, albeit when in a safe small town. Alleys show more of life's serviceable side, and occasionally reveal delightfully chatty people in their back garden. This functional "Private Parking" signage, with the mellow bricks & contrasting angles of pipe and shadow, was featured in my journey from the Bitterroot Brewfest to the Public Library in downtown Hamilton, Montana.

Shiny V8 Grill, Daly Days, Hamilton, Montana

The Show and Shine car show at Daly Days in downtown Hamilton, Montana, was chock full of curvaceous chrome and high-gloss beauties.  The lines & distinct features of classic cars never fail to draw me in to unusual perspectives.

Library A-fish-iandos, Polson, Montana

“Hey, Jaxie! Word in the tank is Craig Johnson’s latest read will get you in a tailspin!”

I love public libraries. They each boast individual flair and coziness, but all share in common some of my favourite things: books and people who love books.

Upon entering the North Lake County Public Library in Polson, Montana, you’re greeted by dinner-size fish, who also love the library, making serene laps in a large tank bordering the children’s section. Part of my lake day was spent enjoying a reading nook which overlooks Sacajawea Park and Flathead Lake.

Onions, Onions - Ha Ha Ha!, Hamilton, Montana

Onion and chive flowers have always pleased my eye for their perfect globular shape, especially when contrasted against darker vertical lines of upright onion stems. Looking closer, you see a world within a world, seeds of tomorrow's harvest hidden in the fading glory of today.

Onion, Onions - Yah Yah Yah, Hamilton, Montana

"Ooooo.... I love onions!"  (Please, pretty please, click on the hyperlink & enjoy a favourite silly childhood song, lovingly foisted upon me by my delightful older sisters.)
I remember the onions in our family garden laying knocked over to cure. When they were ready, my mum or one of my grandparents would braid the tops together - particularly fascinating to the younger pigtailed me - to end up with lovely garlands of onions to hang in our root cellar over the winter.

Organic Childrens Garden, Daly Mansion, Hamilton, Montana

Heidi's Grandpa's garden couldn't have had a more beautiful mountain backdrop than the Organic Children's Garden at the Daly Mansion, just east of Hamilton, Montana.

Nesting Instinct,Hamilton, Montana

The entire time we enjoyed our fresh raspberry pie in the Daly Mansion gazebo, this birdy stayed on its nest in the eaves, watching us with one eye. It didn't even flinch as I perched precariously on a plastic folding chair to gain a better angle. Anyone know what kind of bird it is, besides dedicated and patient?

Benchwarming, Daly Mansion, Hamilton, Montana

An unnerving hard drive crash this week had me scrambling, and I missed posting the last two days. But I found a decent laptop and am back at it.
In the meantime, I squeezed in a delightful stroll with a friend on the Daly Mansion grounds. We also lingered in the Mansion's shady gazebo to enjoy the beautiful scenery & share a piece of fresh raspberry pie from the Coffee Cup in Hamilton, Montana.  - (Now why didn't I take a pic of that?! Oh, right, we were too enthralled with the tasting of it!) Should a waitress ever throw out a side comment that she waits all year for the fresh raspberry pie, I recommend you try a slice.It was all things ambrosial for a sunny summer day!