An Artist's Delight - Thanks To Bart

There are a few things that I am a real push-over for. A list of these things may include pastures, green trees, wide open spaces, mountains and a blue sky. Well, would you looky-here; Montana has those very things - all together - here and there and just about everywhere you go!

Unfortunately, this time of year, there is a tendency for electrical storms in that part of the country. During my visit, the strike of lightning caused several fires to burn throughout the whole western side of the state - from Yellowstone National Park located on its Southern border to Glacier National Park in the North, bordering Canada. Due to these fires, the smoke spilled over the mountains and filled the valleys with a thick grey - masking the beautiful countryside. Luckily, I was able to capture this scene before the smoke got too thick. If it was clear that day, you would have been able to see the white M on the side of the farthest mountains. (just like the Y in Provo for BYU) Montana State University is located in Bozeman.After noticing the plumes of smoke from the fires, I decided to chase them and try to get pictures of the dangerous event. However, as noted in my previous post, I was sidetracked by some beautiful creatures - the grizzlies. After visiting with my furry friends for a few minutes, and having forgotten the excitement of the fierce fires, I was again sidetracked by a very inviting single lane road that led me to a peaceful hillside with landlots of 10+ acres for sale. One of these lots had a two-story house and 3 outbuildings. (Notice the plumes of smoke in the background.)

Yes, it certainly was a curious sight; dilapidated buildings with a satellite dish still attahced to the roof of the house, yet, a combination of appliances dating back to the 50's and up-to-date clothing strewn about, in what could be called the workshop, as if everyone left in a hurry.

I took it upon myself to explore the property. I found no-one at home, but plenty of critters were crawling around in the tall grass making me feel not-so-warm-and-fuzzy. I decided immediately the cause of the quick abandonment was that it was haunted! Why else would someone leave such a beautiful place! Ghosts, or no ghosts, I was determined to acquaint myself with whatever else this property had to offer an artist for inspiration. Other than the house and buildings, just look at what I found!

Could I have asked for anything better than this old well and water pump?! (If I'd had them with me, I would have haphazardly posed my red cowgirl boots just beyond and to the left of the pump. Can you visualize that scene?)

So, haunted or not, I fell in love with this old house, it's critters, the view and especially the well and pump. I feel so privileged to have been able to experience this peaceful (sort-of) setting.

And, I say, "Thanks Bart, for keeping the home fires burning while I was away, and for supporting my ever-calling, not-so-understandable, wanderlust. You're the Best!!!"

Para Mi Hermana's Judy & Amy

Happy 1st Day Back to Work, Girls! I hope you are enjoying your familiar classrooms, the sound of the bell, the idea of lesson plans, homework and tests.

It is rare to find people like yourselves who have such passion not only for teaching, but for the subject they teach, as well; and may I add "a certain emotion" for their students? (I invite you to explain to us what that "certain emotion" could be)

Below is an old school house from the Bozeman, Montana area that is no longer in use for educational purposes. There were a few things about this building that captured my attention. First was the fire-engine red paint! And then, how well kept it is. Next, it was the size of the lot - about 150 sq.ft. - and the chain link fence that framed it. But what charmed me the most was the one metal slide and swing set with two seats. These two lone pieces of playground equipment sparked my imagination into creating all sorts of stories about the people - the children and their teachers - who were once an integral part of this buildings purpose. And, of course I imagined Judy, Amy and my Grandma Pederson as the teachers of those children. Each of these women have/had a flair for drama and/or play, and learning from them is/was such a pleasure. Truly the children would not have felt that they had spent a day "working" at learning; but that they were on a quest of discovering the world about them as they played. I thought, maybe the chain link fence wouldn't have been there in earlier years - but no matter - they would have felt the same sense of security knowing their teachers were there watching them.

So, from my imaginations of the past generations, to you who invest so much of yourselves in the future generations, I wish you the "Best of Luck", and, "Best of Students" this next school year!

Scenes of Montana for Janet

Are these not the cutest cuddly grizzly bears you've ever seen?! They were both rescued from either being raised in a 5x3x3 cage, or an abusive private owner.
SO CUTE! This 700 lb. male lumbered over to the boulder for a little rest. In the 25 minutes I watched the bears, he got comfy like this several times. Maybe its his message he needs a good chiropractor?! I got a kick out of him. This 400 lb. female was so beautiful! My camera could not completely capture all the colors in her coat.

I happened upon this rescue facility as I was chasing the Montana fires. I never got to the fires because I found these cuties. They were the highlight of my day.

Freaky Friday

Although this picture is a couple of years old, it is a great display of Cameron's expressive face! And while Lauren looks like an innocent bystander, trust me - she had some plan brewing to tease "the boy".

I'm Leavin' - On A Jet Plane - Don't Know When I'll Be Back Again!

I am leaving for Montana on a work trip. Just me and my camera. I will miss all my bloggerland friends - oh, yes, and my family - but I promise to bring back some great pictures to share with you all.

I promised Judy I would find her a cowboy husband. Anybody else need anything? Mark, will you be around that part of the country this weekend?

~See you soon ~

Wordless Wednesday - San Francisco's Japanese Tea Garden - Especially For Dawnae!

FBI's Most Wanted!

Ashley's Reply

After reading all the comments on the post about getting her braces off, Ashley said, "Aww, that's nice!"

Thank you for all your Cheers to her.

It's Football Time!

Cameron is my favorite boy. He is energetic, full of expression, fun-loving, smart and, of course, quite handsome. I try to keep his hair short so I can see that handsome face. However, his sisters would have it otherwise. They want him to have long hair. They believe long hair would be the best "Look" for him. I've had to quickly "shush" their fashion ideas because he takes their opinions very seriously. And once he decides something, it can be very difficult to convince him otherwise. Luckily, football season has come to my rescue. One of the requirements of being on the team is to have his hair shaved to a length no longer than the #2 on clippers. Amen. Below is his best attempt at being "big and bad, mean and mad". (This also happens to be the exact look he gives me when I ask him to do things like, clean his room, do his homework, brush his teeth, etc. It means..."I don't quite agree" or "You actually expect me to change my plans?")
The day we shaved his head we also had to pick up his practice gear. He was so excited he wore the only shirt he owns that has a graphic of a football player on it. However, this is a long sleeved shirt and it was a very hot and muggy morning. I was concerned that his behavior would be less than desirable. Somehow, he seemed to know that amidst these males, you don't whine or complain. He patiently waited with me in a very long line to be fitted for each piece of his gear. And as we walked to the car he was able to juggle all his gear and bottles of gatorade without my help. Having mom help was unaccaptable in this setting.


But he couldn't actually wear his gear on the field until he had completed his 10 hours of conditioning. He was excited about his preparation for conditioning week. And even though he had heard his coaches call it "Hell Week", I don't think he had a true appreciation for what was to come. Well, "It" came! Beginnning on Monday, each night last week he had two hours of intense workouts. The coaches had these boys doing push-ups, leg-lifts, high leg lift runs, running hills, running laps, crab walks, and other exercises that mimic the moves when playing football, etc. And when they had done all of these, they did it all over again. If they began to fall behind, or do something incorrectly, the coaches would yell something like, "What are doin'? Pickin' flowers or playin' football?!" or "What'sa matter? You wanna go hug your Mom?" or "Box it up tight, boys! We're playin' football!" or "Who said you can slow down? You wearin' your sisters shoes? We're not dancin' boys! We're playin' football!" You bet, it was just like boot-camp! No coddling here.



(pictures of his workouts to come; they aren't cooperating tonight)


And guess what? The boys L-O-V-E-D it!!!! (I praise the man who invented football) It is a complete God-send for boys. Just as girls have that sense to know who needs what, boys have a sense about how to "box-it-up", do "up-downs", be aggressive and just simply sweat. Within the boundaries of football it is okay to grunt, spit, tackle, run with all their might, and push themselves to limits they have never known before! In this setting, they are not in trouble for having so much energy! They are not only allowed to be rambunctious, it is expected! And it is all done in a safe place where neither they, nor their neighbors, get [intentionally] hurt. How great is that?!

So, to my son, who was so pleased with himself as he worked so hard this week at being a boy, I say, "Good Job and Rest Well!"

Congratulations Ashley!

A long time ago when Ashley was in 5th grade, she went to the Orthodontist to help close the gaps in her teeth.
Little did she know she would have to have oral surgery to extract 3 teeth and pull one tooth down and out of her upper palate. She was a real trooper, never cried or complained, because that's how she is.
Finally, 2 1/2 years later she patiently waited for her name to be called for her to go back to "the chair".
Just a simple wiggle on each piece of her braces and Viola! off they popped in one piece.
Here she is with her beautiful smile (which has always been beautiful, not just because she got her braces off) with her celebratory bottle of Martinelli's apple cider and balloon. Yea! for Ashley; we're very happy your Orthodontic experience is over!