Happy in Montana: Lavender Days of Summer

 During the two weeks of summer here in North West Montana, it is a flurry of activity . The long summer hours beckon you outdoors late into the evening . I happen to like the flowers and gardening .This is the  legacy my mother leaves me ,  an appreciation for the finer blooms in life that are fleeting but exquisite.There is a metaphor there somewhere I believe.

I inherited some lavender beds with the house I found waiting for me in the Valley.  Several years of neglect and winter plowing had left the area wanting for attention. I finally managed to get to this on the list of many chores outside. The hardest part is dodging the bumble bees and hornets. The bumbles are  not so aggressive but I can't say as much for the hornets. They are just cranky. 

Joyful lavender

 So for now the lavender is mulched and blooming with great enthusiasm. I have finished the beds with two small Dwarf Alberta Spruce that I rescued from the Arboretum south of Helena one December day. They are doing nicely. The owner of the arboretum had rescued them from a nursery going out of business. I suppose that makes them twice rescued. I remember stuffing 7 trees into the Corolla and sailing back down the Swan Highway at dusk rocketing back to the cozy house in the woods.

Dwarf Alberta Spruce

Now for the next project ! Always some thing to do during the short summer . Quickly before the snow flies again.

Happy in Montana: Cherry Time in the Valley

Three weeks of fruit filled glory. Fingers will be stained red for a while but worth the sacrifce!

Happy in Montana: Being a good steward of the Land

A small herd visits the yard .

 I was listening to Montana Public Radio this morning and there was a short piece on a rancher who worked to live side by side with the wildlife of Montana. He had moved here from Virginia I think and had figured a way to fence his land but make it so the Elk did not get caught in the top fencing . He replaced the top line of barb wire with a straight wire line that was white so the Elk could see it.  His philosophy was that you didn't have to be perfect but simply make something better. This of course led me to think of Land stewardship.

Early morning visitors

 As we share this beautiful country with the wild creatures that preceded us, You have to think about how you solve problems. How are the water resources handled? This is a state that has designated certain plants as noxious. Do we spray them with out a care about toxicity or do we find perhaps more difficult solutions without so much toxicity at the end game.

Grazing the Rocky Mountain Maple

 In the morning light the deer have a surreal beauty in their honeyed brown summer coats. The adults graze on the underbrush moving closer to my rose bush. The baby catching every slight move I make capturing their morning meal.

Baby fawn is aware of being watched

Mr Fuzzy Antlers

Proud buck . He probably would not like me calling him Mr Fuzzy Antlers. Either way it was nice to see him this morning , his coat sleek with a summer of plentiful forage . When we are good stewards of the land everyone benefits. Our balance is maintained and life thrives. The Ma'at the personification of truth , cosmic order and justice is maintained. We celebrate our connectedness . When we live life with this knowing in every one of our cells we move forward to create beauty in this world. Beauty and abundance that manifests from an appreciation of all creatures and their contribution to life here on the blue gem .

Happy in Montana: Baby Goat Goodness

Baby goat on the continental divide , Hidden Lake Trail

Just a quick sneak peak of last week's hike to Hidden Lake . More to come ! And yes mother goat was close by this fluffy baby.

Aurora Borealis: Happy to be in Montana

I have to give a shout out to a young man and his photography: Kyle Moseley. He lives in the area and assembled about a minute of fantastic video of the local auroras. please click on the link for a really nice experience.Kyle Mosely Something Different Photography    I appreciate his ability to stay up all night and catch this beautiful footage.  The AB is one reason I am happy to be in Montana.

Hot day turns cool ......

Horse Pasture in white, and it is winter again ....

 While  I was out watering the plants in the mid 90s heat , a storm moved slowly my way with 'Jaggedy' lightning. This is a special type of lightning that kills you dead. So when you see the clouds and hear the thunder you head indoors. About the time I was getting comfy with a cup of decaf , there was a major noise on the roof. Hail started tentatively at first then came crashing down.

potted plants hugging the wall for protection

 I ran to the deck and put the potted flowers and other plants on the west side of the house up against the wall hoping they wouldn't be shredded

Hail on the porch steps

 Back in the front on the porch the wind is whipping and throwing ice at me as I tippy toe in my bare feet ( it was hot previously ) on the porch.

Live streaming weather

It wouldn't be a good storm with out the sun shining during part of it. And incidentally this is why it is good to have a garage to park in if you live in Montana.