Guest Post: Up Over The Ridge - Corvallis, Montana

Alas, visiting Sister #3 has hied herself home - just ahead of the worsening wildfire smoke infiltrating the Bitterroot valley. Thankfully, plenty of Montana's iconic big sky was in view for most of her stay, as evidenced in today's guest post.

Thanks again, sis, for sharing your Montana perspectives!

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Up over the ridge, adventure lies 

waiting to be discovered. 

Who knows what treasures 

will be found, up over the ridge.

 Up over the ridge, I plan to go, 

someday soon.

 I'll pack my lunch and go 

exploring, up over the ridge.

 - Pat Richards

Guest Post: Rainbow Promise Morning - Corvallis, Montana

Today's guest blogger is once again Big Sister #3 (I don't think you should ever get too old to appreciate the before-ness of older siblings), who has enjoyed some amazing scenery during her stay. (Hurrah for people who take early morning walks and share their lovely views!)

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Rainbows are filled with promise. 

They appear almost magically where sunlight and raindrops intersect, birthing a brilliant swath of color. 

The the scientific explanation is no less amazing (learn more here.)

 "I have placed My rainbow in the clouds as a sign of My promise until the end of time, to you and to all the earth. ." 

- Spoken to Noah and his Family in Genesis 9:13

Grab a hold of the promise of today, for like the rainbow, opportunity is often fleeting.

- Pat Richards

Further Down The Road - Bozeman, Montana

"Those roads provided breath-taking views. There's something special about an empty road going on and on and on to the horizon where the sun burns the world away into a dancing, shimmering heat haze that reflects the crystal blue sky, literally blurring the line between heaven and earth."

- Dave Gorman

Traveling East, Looking Back - Belgrade, Montana

"Beyond the East the sunrise, 

beyond the West the sea,

And East and West the wander-thirst 
that will not let me be;...

For the seas call and the stars call, 
and oh, the call of the sky!..."

- from Wander-Thirst 
by Gerald Gould (1885-1936)

Quiet Riot Of Colour - Missoula, Montana

"I know that if odour were visible, as colour is, I'd see the summer garden in rainbow clouds."

- Robert Bridges (1844-1930)

Guest Post: Morning Comes Early - Corvallis, Montana

One of the benefits to waking up early ... amazing sunrises.   

While staying at Brother #3's Montana home, the dawning day's sky drew me outside. Dressed in a hoodie, brother's shoes, and my PJ'S, I was glad the only other creatures stirring were some quail and deer!  

- Pat R.

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"...Tell me how far the morning leaps—

Tell me what time the weaver sleeps
Who spun the breadth of blue!..."

- from Bring Me The Sunset In A Cup by Emily Dickinson (1830-1886)

Shoemaker's Lasting Craft - Garnet Ghost Town, Montana

"...Rap, rap! upon the well-worn stone,

How falls the polished hammer! 

Rap, rap! the measured sound has grown 

A quick and merry clamor. 

Now shape the sole! how deftly curl 

The glassy vamp around it, 

And bless the while the bright-eyed girl 

Whose gentle fingers bound it!..."

- from Songs Of Labor - The Shoemakers 
by John Greenleaf Whittier (1807-1892)

Train Tracks Crossing the Clark Fork River - Missoula, Montana

"Now train tracks, hour upon hour, were leaving always to the past, to the land falling away behind the West." - Ivan Doig (1939-2015), This House of Sky, p 110