Closer than you think

Spring Thaw 

Spring is just a week away. This week the Varied thrush started singing in the woods. You can see and hear one on the Trail of the Cedars and Avalanche e hike  at this link . The sixth slide has a picture of the Thrush and it's song . A sure sign that winter is on the run. Another  resource is an Audubon link with a really nice  description of the Thrush with recordings of their song.

 We can tell it is soon to be Spring by the more prolific sunshine and the warmer temperatures. The snow pack persists but the air warms to 47 degrees. You can hear the sound of water moving every where . It is under your feet , under the ice from over night freezing , it is under the snow pack. The steady dripping , running and that particularly fascinating sound of water escaping under thin ice sheets.  A particular chorus of happy sounds almost a tinkling , of water escaping the ice lock of winter to be free once more to run to the Ocean. So we are the junction so to speak of winter and spring. Giving way to warmer temperatures and time to think about planting , hiking , biking and all the glorious pursuits of the warmer days.


" I am well again , I came to life in the cool winds and crystal waters of the mountains. "  ~John Muir

Bigger Heads : Happy in Montana

The causeway

A quick jaunt to the lake . Sunset is not too far off. It is said that living in a cold climate or high latitude causes the brain to work harder for survival . It makes you a bit more clever as your life does depend upon your ingenuity with the changing seasons. Shelter , food , clothing all need to be more proactive and prepared for versus hanging on the tropical beach. There is actually quite a bit of interesting research on this from adaptive skills to cranial and brain size. What kind of person goes around measuring brain sizes  ?

Foot path through the marsh

So a trip to Echo an hour before sunset .  I was looking for the Otters. The lake is quite frozen except for a small patch of open water up at the northern end of the marsh where the foot path winds across a culvert . I would suppose they are hanging out there now instead of down by the main Causeway.

Frozen Echo Lake and the Swans

 Below is a perfect Mouse House in the form of an old stump . It looks like the kind of house that some little critter would like  to have as home base.

A mouse house 

Pete's Ridge in the setting sun light 

 As we take a walk along the lake the sun starts to set lighting the surrounding peaks with some rosy twilight colors.

Heading home 

 After our hike we head back to the car and up the road to the house . The Swan Mountains are glowing . Sunset is an especially nice time here in the Northern latitudes. There are a few moments each day when the sky transforms to magic .

Jewel Basin

Goodnight for now to the Jewel Basin. Aptly named for it's gorgeous peaks and views.

Silent Thursday : Happy in Montana

Jewel Basin at Sunset

Serene Sunday : Happy in Montana

A serene Sunday to all . When I was a wee nip I would read about the explorers that came to the North West Rockies. I would read about the Tribes that lived in these areas , the Lakota, the Crow , the Blackfeet. I would think about the men who chose to wander in a solitary manner for months and years at a time . I would think about how they would survive the solitude and scant human company . When I stand on this shore and in these mountains I can understand their love for the wild back country.

Winter Cleansing

We are two thirds of the way through Winter. Soon it will be a scant 4 weeks before the Vernal Equinox and the time to summon Spring.

Winter ,to the First Nations and the Native persons of the US , is a time of cleansing . To be brave like the Buffalo who faces in to the north winds is the work of the Winter .  The color on the Medicine Wheel symbolizing the North is White . Not surprisingly the North represents hardship and trials which when faced with courage also includes cleansing and strength. The winter winds bring snow so the Earth can rest under a blanket of white.  The winter winds take the leaves from the trees . Persons who face these winds head on like the buffalo learn patience and endurance in life .  Wisdom comes from the Northern direction. Take these last few weeks of solitude , when the Earth is still sleeping , to look within. To clear away that which is no longer useful . On a starlit night appreciate the quiet of the heavens and the distant howl of brother wolf.

Wild Fire Necklace

Today's necklace is smoky quartz with a Horse sterling slider bead . Embellished with American Turquoise nuggets, aquamarine, labradorite and chalcedony. Fine silver beads with sterling clasp. Listed on Etsy and Artfire . Celebrate the Year of the Horse

"He moved like a dancer, which is not surprising; 

a horse is a beautiful animal, but it is perhaps most 

remarkable because it moves as if it always hears music."

-  Winter's Tale, Mark Helprin

Year of the Horse : Earthy Raku lamp work earrings

It is the year of the Horse . All of you horse lovers and those born under the Horse sign will enjoy these earrings.Earthy  Lampwork Raku beads by Beads and Botanicals and bronze lost wax casting of the spirit horse by the Starspiritstudio in Colorado complete these fun earrings. 2 inches total length.