PERSISTENCE AND NATURE'S LESSONS

Sometime in the summer of 2005 during our temporary adventure back in Florida, we went to an orchid festival. Gorgeous orchids of every type and color were displayed in the numerous booths. We know nothing about orchids but bought a couple including a small plant that was obviously very young. The "adult" plant flowered, but succumbed to our ignorance of orchid culture. I continued to nurture the small plant even though at times it looked absolutely worthless to keep up such efforts. The plant has looked ragged and near death many times, including now. A few days ago an intersting appendage appeared, not at the top, but on the side under a leaf that I had to cut one of those times when plant death seemed imminent. I think we are about to be inspired by the beauty this distressed awful looking orchid will produce. Damaging hurricanes, devastating oil spills, and flowering orchids are just a few reminders of the power of nature and our obligation to care for and nurture it. JIR    

BIRDS, WILDFLOWERS AND THE VIEW

So, life has been hectic and I have not had a chance to blog. But here it is, our Memorial Day weekend visit to Montana. As soon as I put bird seed out, our friendly chickadees, finches and nuthatches came over and reassured us they are still around. This particular chickadee kept coming over to the door and looking in as if he wanted to befriend Jake. I'm sure he was looking at his reflection on the glass hoping it may be a nice looking mate, but it was fun to see him (or her) insist on being social. As far as the other shots, you may have seen similar ones before, but we never cease to find new inspiration every time we experience them. JIR 

Traveling to Montana

Some pictures don't need words.  The views are always spectacular, and the signs are always funny!This last one is of people honoring our deceased military on the Northern Cheyenne Tribe.

Hike in Hill City

The Chix who were going hiking last week (only four of them), went for a hike out of town and would be back to late for me, so I went up to Hill City and walked 8 miles on the Michelson Trail. It is always a beautiful walk, once you leave Hill City. Unfortunately, the beginning of the hike shows you some of the junky elements of the area, warehouse type buildings, old cars, boats, etc. Here is one old boat sitting behind a place that just collects junk.

But then the walk gets pretty.

I wonder what Crazy Horse and Custer would think of their names on a sign together?

A wonderful Mothers Day

Well, Jorge wanted to show me what a great Mother I've been (I hope :) ) and treated me to my favorite breakfast, he made me french toast with fresh berries and real maple syrup, yummie.   We did have to rush because he took me to Hill City for the 1880 Train which had a Mothers Day Special.

And special it was, after we were settled, and the lovely old train with the refurbished train cars began its 10 mile an hour, 10 mile trip to Keystone,  the nice young ladies on board began serving us Barefoot Sparkling Wine in pretty champagne glasses that we were able to keep!  Fruit and cheese on skewers was served to accompany the wine. 

We only had 15 minutes to spend in Keystone, a town that takes about that much time to walk through it, but much longer if you want to enjoy the shops of this quaint place. 

The train doesn't turn around, the engine car unhitches, and then goes to the other end of the train and pulls you the other way.  I was thrilled when we found out one of the 'modern' conveniences of this car was the backs of the seats flipped from to the other side of the bench to have us facing forward in either direction! 

On the way home we each got a pretty cupcake, and Pink Sparkling Wine from Barefoot Winery, again, they didn't hesitate to refill glasses!

 Here are some pictures we took.

Standing in front of the car we would be riding in.Jorge relaxing in a seat, the same seats that the back, flips over and moves to the other side so you can face either direction!My one and only glass of champagne, they were very liberal and kept offering to refill glasses.

An old abandoned mine we passed on the way up, one of quite a few.Our engine train.Jorge in the town of Keystone.The glasses they gave us that said, "1880 Train, Mothers Day Express, An adventure she'll never forget."Some of the fruit and cheese skewers, the glass and the cupcake), no they didn't serve it on plates, this picture was taken at home.Each cupcake came in it's own little box.