Pink Fuzzies, Missoula, Montana

There are warm fuzzies, and there are their lesser known cousins, pink fuzzies.
Warm fuzzies make you smile.
Pink fuzzies (not to be confused with a pink fizz) could make you sneeze, as they appear to be a variety of poplar seed clutch.

Clouds Round About, Corvallis, Montana

This cloudscape brought to mind a snatch of song:
"Clouds are round about You, Shadows veil Your eyes..."
contributed by Steve Hindalong (The Choir) to a favourite compilation album.

Weeping Willow Green, Missoula, Montana

The waving fronds of this gracious weeping willow tree greet me on work mornings as I walk up the sidewalk along the front of our office. In all their falling forward glory, the moving branches bring to mind hair swept across the face of the shy girl. It's been interesting to see them shift from dormant winter sticks that clack amongst themselves in a wind to supple greening shoots swishing in the spring breeze.

Roadside Creek, Missoula, Montana

With the onset of warm weather - (hah! wishful thinking on my part!) - I’ve decided to try something new with my allotted lunch hour. Realistically, it only takes 15 minutes to warm up my lunch and eat. And if I plan ahead, I can post my blog in 15 minutes or so. The leftover time allows for a nice little walk. And if I head down the side street by our office, 5-7 minutes brings me to a lovely creek that crosses under the road. (You can't tell from this picture, but the creek runs through an industrial business area and there's a road beyond the far end of this view. I had to time the shot for a break in traffic so no vehicles would be visible.)

Thus far on my new routine I’ve learned a few key bits of knowledge: 1) the wind picks up considerably once you round the corner of the building and head west; 2) your head will hurt if you walk in a cold wind without a hat; and 3) it’s good to bring a scarf, even if the sun is shining when you leave home.
As I should know by now, Montana's weather is famous mercurial.

Pretty In Pink, Missoula, Montana

From the warm sunlight streaming through this (dogwood?) blossom and the forsythia behind, you’d never guess a biting wind blew us in early from our healthy walk.

Forgetful Friday, Polson, Montana

Well, since I apparently can't keep tabs on what day it is, I found myself without a post ready for today. So, I've decided to re-post a favourite photo of Flathead Lake, taken last spring.

I've always been calmed and comforted by views of vast water, so was thrilled to read recently that neuroscience has found a beneficial connection between the brain calm and expansive views, such as the ocean or wide grasslands.  So, eat your kelp and go to the beach, for your own good.

Fishing Hope, Victor, Montana

My two oldest nephews visited every summer of their growing up years, always with unflagging hope to acquire a grand fishing story. They were out in the daylight as early & late as allowed, tromping miles of river and stream bank paths - and often un-paths. Sporting scratched shins, multiple mosquito bites, and irrepressible grins, they’d arrive home to tell their tales over dinner, then crash hard for a solid night’s sleep - waking ready to continue the quest for a perfect fishing hole.

Farm With A View, Victor, Montana

Spring means yard work - raking, mowing, tidying planting beds - also known as “a great exercise opportunity”. I actually prefer exercise with a built in purpose: a walk that includes conversation with a friend or a useful destination like the library or post office, yard work that yields a visibly completed task, weight lifting while listening to an informative ebook. An extra objective makes for stronger motivation to put down my current book and get moving.