Saturday, June 13, 2015

Getting Lost in Montana

A quick jaunt to Billings to see two of my children and their spouses . A mere 450 miles give or take and 6 to 7 hours depending on side trips and stops. I like to go the back way . You can drive to Missoula and take I90 but I like the empty 2 lane highways that cross MacDonald Pass to Helena. Then the beautiful drive though the headwaters of the Missouri River to Townsend and Three Forks . Plenty of deer and antelope , bald eagles , osprey and the highlight of the trip a large flock of trumpeter Swans . I wish I had been able to take a picture but I was driving about 80 mph . I am all for getting lost in Montana.
Bleu Horses by Jim Dolan

Driving to Three Forks and the Continental Divide 

Friday, June 12, 2015

Late Spring in the Wetlands




Beautiful summer days in the Wetlands south of Swan Lake. Driving home a quick stop to enjoy the
birdsong in this vast meadow. It is peace on earth and you can feel the intent of original creation. I can imagine if all people had access to a quiet beautiful place there would be a lot less pills popping on a daily basis .

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

" The Earth Laughs in Flowers ."


 "The Earth Laughs in Flowers" .  A wonderful quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson . Truly spring is a time for the natural world to inhale sunshine and exhale color. After a long winter there is nothing like a yard full of rainbow colors .




MacGuyver enjoying the warm weather. He has begun to shed for the season and leaves patches of white fur everywhere . That is ok because he is the brave dog and protector of the cozy cabin in the woods .

Sunday, May 17, 2015

Nourishing the Feminine



Spring in the Northern Rockies is a particular rebirth after so many months of of cold and snow . The seasons are very distinct . There is no mistaking the slide from Winter to Spring here. That is one of the allures for me, the seasonal definition of the passing time . A hike close by on some state land had treasures in the form of yellow and while blossoms. The arnica and western service berry are blooming . There is plenty of choke cherry and wild lily of the Valley, and Hooker's fairy bells. I was actually excited to find a fairly large Serviceberry blooming in the front forest . One of my projects is to bring in more diverse species on my modest tract of land. Often logging culls the valuable timber and leaves the less valuable trees. I have a lot of Western Larch seedlings and will replant them around the area as they mature . The Honey bees are plentiful this year. The meadows had been decimated by chemical spraying due to the weed laws here . Four years of mowing and avoiding chemicals has seen a return of the bees and their wonderful presence. We have an obligation to live on the land with joy , gratitude and consideration. Is it really worth poisoning ourselves, our children and the animal and insect kingdom to have a perfect green lawn ? 






Wednesday, May 6, 2015

Aspen Green

The aspens are leafing .Spring is here with warming weather . The last frost is expected in a couple of weeks and summer planting season will be full on. These are the glory days with the sun up at 5 AM and dusk at 10 PM . That is a lot of daytime . What would you do with it ?

Saturday, April 18, 2015

Sunset over Flathead Lake

"Follow your own foot steps,
Learn from the rivers,
the trees and the rocks,
Honor the Christ, 
the Buddha , 
your brothers, and sisters .
Honor the Earth Mother and Great Spirit .
Honor yourself and all of creation ."


"Look with the eyes of the soul , and engage the essential. "

Teachings of the Q'ero EarthKeepers 


                                       
                                             
                                               
                                                   
                                                 
                                                   
                                               
                                     
                         


                           



Saturday, February 14, 2015

Swan Saturday



I was lucky enough to chance upon a pair of swans this Valentine's day . the smaller birds are canada geese . The birds were resting about a quarter mile off the shore in a thawed area on the lake. I never tire of the beautiful sounds the water fowl make calling to each other.

Friday, February 6, 2015

Guilty of just fooling around

McDonald Lake 
I am totally guilty of just fooling around. Jan 3 to 5 gave us 3 feet of snow and that took a bit of time to rearrange . Other wise known as shoveling .  The birds have needed their feed and time to track the bobcat visiting the yard. Last weekend brought some sunny days and a great time to go snow shoeing up the Going to the Sun Road.  Blue Skies , snowy peaks and clear water. It doesn't get much better.