Mr Burns At The Wilma - Missoula, Montana

Totally worth the looong wait in line to preview "American Buffalo” the warmly witty Ken Burns’ latest film documentary project. (Coming to a PBS station near you October 16 & 17, 2023!).

Tulip Cuppa Sunshine - Missoula, Montana

Sending out a little tulip cuppa sunshine amidst this gloriously stormy day…

Rolling Mountain Ranges - Near Missoula, Montana

Spring-clad mountains rolling on up to each next range and on up to the Big Sky…

Aerial Big Sky Mountain View - Clark Fork River, Missoula, Montana

“Seen from the sky the arid landscape lay, a lovely thing. The plains were gold and purple, the clouds cast great blue-black shadows, there were toy boxes in a dark green patch that marked the oasis of an occasional ranch house, and near by the jade-green circlets that meant water holes. So, in the almost unbearably brilliant blue sky, they soared and roared aloft in a giant iridescent bubble.” - Giant by Edna Ferber, p. 35

Spring Rain, Vibrant Foliage - East of Lincoln, Montana

Spring rainfall last night and into this morning punched up the colour vibrancy east of Lincoln, Montana, and made for a gorgeous Montana road trip day. (Now we just need those fruitful clouds to head north and tamp down Alberta’s wildfires and smoky skies, please Lord.)

Beauty Near - Apple Blossoms, Full Bloom - Missoula, Montana

“Sometimes it is enough to be near something lovely. It doesn't require possession; nothing has to come of it, nothing need be created from it. Let its purpose be to exist solely as a thing of beauty and provide joy.”

-Chi Chi Armandonada in Tony’s Wife by Adriana Trigiani, p. 590 (large type edition)

Beauty Perspective - Missoula, Montana

May you recapture “perspective for these riches“ for today.

 “And so it is that most people have no idea how beautiful the world is and how much magnificence is revealed in the tiniest things, in some flower, in a stone, in tree bark, or in a birch leaf. The grown-ups, going about their business and worries, and tormenting themselves with all kinds of details, gradually lose the perspective for these riches that children, when they are attentive and good, soon notice and love with their whole heart…“ - Rainer Maria Rilke (1875-1926), letter to Helmut Westhoff, Nov. 12, 1901 in: Briefe, p. 31  

Spring Song - Apple Blossoms - Missoula, Montana

“This is my Father’s world,
And to my list’ning ears
All nature sings, and round me rings
The music of the spheres….”

-Maltbie D. Babcock, (1858-1901), This Is My Father’s World