Window Dressing, Downtown Missoula, Montana

This eye-candy window is one of my all-time favourite downtown Missoula walking views. Circle Square 2nd Hand is housed in a multi-story brick building still bearing old advertising for "The Atlantic Hotel" on the alley wall.  Newer but weathered paint proclaims, "We Buy Anything".  It's definitely the place to browse and utter such phrases as, "What the heck does this does?" or "I haven't seen one of these since my great-grandma showed me her childhood toys!".

World-Wide Wovens, Downtown Missoula, Montana

If the weather is decent - "decent" encompassing a wide latitude for someone raised in the varying climes of Alberta and Montana - I like to take a downtown walk after Saturday night church. It's safe, thanks to a comforting level of good folk milling about, and you can get in about a mile by looping up to the old railway station then down across the bridge and back up to your start point. 
Since my last jaunt, the window scenery has altered, partly due to shops closing and new ones opening - statistically, retail is a tough business - but most of the new views are thanks to creative and changing displays. Pictured above is a small segment of tactile delights available at Amira Rug Gallery.

Gentle Snowfall, Crazy Canyon, Missoula, Montana

One of my favourite Christmas cards ever received features a black and white photo of children, togged out in 60s-era parkas and mittens, arms spread wide, catching snowflakes on their tongues. It seems to be a universal response, regardless your age. Maybe in our era it has something to do with the pace of life racing past - we want to capture something that still exists in its own time and pace, unpushed by demands. Snowflakes fall, float, are gusted about by wind. They simply are, in all their complex crystalline selves. I'll take a double helping of that, please.

Rail Graffiti, Missoula, Montana

Graffiti always intrigues me, especially when it's rendered with obvious skill. But the element of emotion seems to be evident, no matter how rudimentary the art. Somehow the compulsion to create and display your art in random pnblic view carries the soul cry forward. While typically graffiti is an inconsiderate act to the folks who have to clean it up, I still enjoy the form and lines when they're in front of me, and wonder about the artist's driving force.

Cloud Sampler, Missoula, Montana

Samplers historically offered a way to practise and exhibit needlework skill, showcasing a variety of stitches around a theme or wise reminder. What a delight to find a sundry smattering of cloud types hemmed within a single frame of blue Montana sky!

Gravel Bar Hangout, Clark Fork River, Missoula, Montana

There's nothing quite like a sunny Montana winter afternoon for hanging out with like-minded individuals at the local gravel bar.  Here's hoping for a decent karaoke rendition of "Shake A Tail Feather"! 

(Please please please, do yourself a happy favour and click that last link - then stand up sing along!)

Inner Beauty, Missoula, Montana

If the flip-flops (fka thongs) are on sale even in Montana stores, we can hope that spring bulbs will be popping up before too long!  In the meantime, here's another stunning indoor specimen from a recent arrangement from the talented folks at Habitat Floral Studio. I'm speculating they're some variety of green foxglove, or some other tall, bell-laden flower stalk.  Any other ideas?

Birds Eye Mountain View, Missoula, Montana

"Leavin' on a jet plane / don't know when I'll be back again..."  

(John Denver can always be counted on for relevant song lyrics!) 

We all made it home to the crisp air of Big Sky Country. You're looking at the aerial view about 7 minutes from landing at Missoula International Airport.

The best part of time in Vegas - after chill in' with my sis, of course - was meeting and visiting with scads of wonderful people she counts as friends. (A close third place goes to the southern fried catfish at The Hush Puppy - mmm-mmmmm!) 

Wonderful people enlarge the world in all the best ways.  I've come home far richer than if I'd had a typical Vegas vacation - & what happened in Vegas doesn't have to stay there!