Frozen Pipes - Missoula, Montana

Three days running we woke to a skiff of snow in the valley, with active snowfall continuing this morning! 

I'm trying to recall what early March was like, wondering if the we held true to the maxim "in like a lion, out like a lamb", since it's been rather lion-ish this past week.

(But, thankfully, today's photo was taken a couple months back - & rather fittingly in the alley behind my fave ice cream scooper, Sweet Peaks, which, by the way, ships their handcrafted deliciousness out into the wider world.)

Give Me Shelter - Missoula, Montana

"A sheltered life can be a daring life as well. 
For all serious daring starts from within."

-Eudora Welty (1909-2001)

NASCAR Visits Montana - Missoula, Montana

“Finishing races is important,
 but racing is more important.”
- Dale Earnhardt Jr. 

We popped over to our local FedEx office yesterday during a tour stop for FedEx's #11 NASCAR car - and the headlights really are just stickers!

But I already knew this, thanks to oft-repeated viewing of the original Cars movie. 
But I didn't know that the oil reservoir is a 5-gallon tank located just behind the driver's seat, and they often have to seriously pre-heat the oil

(And here's a little animated anthropomorphic repartee to take you back: 
"Lightning McQueen: [bored] Well, you know, race cars don't need headlights, because the track is always lit.
Dusty Rust-eze: Well, so is my brother, but he still needs headlights!")

Poe-ish Crows - Missoula, Montana

You could also title this post "Fun With Filters"...the stark contrast of images in my crow photo from a couple days back worked rather well (in a shuddery sense) with a moody noir filter. 

But if your crow thoughts trend more to that shiny object collector, Poe the Crow of Sterling North's lovely book, "Rascal", you can sprinkle on some glitter and mischief to lighten the mood. (Or you can just tell yourself they are cooing doves out on a Friday night date....)

Premium Seats To Spring - Missoula, Montana

I hope these aren't the same crow pair from last spring who dive-bombed me whenever their fledgling was lolling about the lawn next to my lunchtime walking route!

Spring Marches In - East Missoula, Montana

"Tossing his mane of snows in wildest eddies and tangles,
Lion-like March cometh in, hoarse, with tempestuous breath...."

- from Earliest Spring by William Dean Howell (1837-1920) 

Read the full text here to immerse yourself in an early spring storm - and a bit of introspection!

Tempting Sunbeams - Missoula, Montana

“Most people would like to be delivered from temptation but would like it to keep in touch.”  Robert Orben


(I'm lately tempted by glimmers of sunshine glimpsed through the sliver of window near my workspace - or backlighting miniature, mossy worlds, as pictured here. 
Definitely want this temptation to stay in touch.)

Songs Of Ascent - St. Patrick's Hospital, Missoula, Montana

Words to lift the heart, writ large on the stairwell landing walls at St. Patrick's hospital, here in Missoula, Montana, where I spent a bit of waiting time earlier this week whilst The Best Husband Ever was in for outpatient surgery.  
Astonishing how these well-placed thoughts transformed not only the climb up an otherwise pallid, utilitarian stairwell, but also the rest of my interactions that day. A very literal example that kind words can make all the difference. (Plus they made a slight impact on my, er, bottom line, as I continued up a few extra flights just to see what was around the next bend.)

(By the way, all went well & TBHE is doing great - thanks for asking! After all the repairs he's undergone the past several years, I could market him as The New & Improved Best Husband Ever!)