Posts from the ‘Montana’ category

St. Patrick’s Day: 2012…in Montana

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MISSOULA MT
400 AM MDT SAT MAR 17 2012

.DISCUSSION…A RATHER POTENT WEATHER SYSTEM HAS BEGUN TO IMPACT
THE INTERMOUNTAIN WEST THIS MORNING AND WILL CONTINUE ITS
PROGRESSION NORTHWARD. AS IT DOES SO…PRECIPITATION IN THE FORM
OF RAIN WILL PLAGUE VALLEYS OF WESTERN MONTANA AND CENTRAL
IDAHO…WHILE SNOWFALL IS EXPECTED IN THE HIGHER TERRAIN. THE MOST
FOCUSED SNOWFALL POSING THE GREATEST IMPACTS TO TRAVEL WILL BE
ACROSS SOUTHWEST MONTANA…

Right, then… going to rain today here in northwest Montana.

Maybe a bit hard to distinguish…

but THAT is a Robin!!

In the U.S. of A., a robin is a sign of spring.

In the U.S. of A., St. Patrick’s day is confusing… Most of us have no idea other than “GREEN” and it relates to something Irish and is a grand time of having corned beef and cabbage, drinking Guinness or Irish Whiskey or both and generally being hilariously happy about what we know not :)!

Well, now.

St. Patrick was a 5th century cleric.

The Irish “rising” was more 16th-17th century.

There was a lot of hoo-hah in all of those 1200 years relating to religion and land and I don’t know what. Part of me is embarassed not to know considering the bloodshed. I’m currently reading the Outlander books by Diana Galbadon. They chronicle the Highland Scots in the 18th century. Ultimately, I’ve learned a bit more about christendom and my embarassment increases.

…moving on.

Corned beef brisket.

I make corned beef brisket as I make pot roast: sear the briscuit, deglaze, cover with liquid, cook low, slow and long.

Deglazing.

Well…. choices…

I had the Jameson’s (IRISH!) and the Amber Bock (AMERICAN!)

Oh-ho! No way was I using the Jameson’s…saving that for today’s sipping !!!

Pot deglazed, brisket put back with a bit more of the Amber Bock and water to cover…all in a 275 oven for 3-4 hours.

Meanwhile…

NOAA was wrong.

Funny looking rain…

St. Patrick’s Day: 2012…in Montana.

Along the road home

Along the road home this morning, returning from some errands and a walk at Wayfarer’s…looking like Spring with blue sky, soft wind brushed clouds and fields warming for the growing of hay.

From Dawn to Dusk

Bear and I…in the Jeep…headed down the road before 7:00 a.m. this morning. I hoped to watch the moon set over the valley. I did see it, but it was very faint – obscured by clouds.

But…the road home, just before sunrise – it was beautiful and spoke of a pleasant day to come.

And it was correct!

Although my yard/woods/driveway are still some mix of dry/icy/puddly/slushy … the temperature hit 59, the air was warm and soft, a breeze blew high in the pines – it was a beautiful and pleasant day.

The workday done, Bear and I spent an hour outside, alternately exploring, sitting and enjoying, and finally walking the short loop as the setting sun turned the clouds pink, over the mountains to the east…a little bit of cloud aplenglow.

Monday Evening

Monday workday.

Monday afternoon to Calm Veterinary in Kila for a routine checkup for Bear…he passed with flying colors!

A beautiful Monday with air as clear and clean and crisp as it could be. I drove home loving this valley and the mountains that rise from the East.

As the work day ended, alpenglow beckoned…

And then…

the moon.

Monday Evening.

Monday

This afternoon. Bear and I walked the loop. And it was beautiful. It was nearly 5:00 p.m. and I hoped to see the moon rise…

…missed it on the walk but as I worked into the evening, it appeared out the window, lighting a few clouds…

…and casting its light over the icy driveway.

It continues to keep me company as I work a bit later tonight. Deadline to meet. Monday.

Day of incredible light

I love the woods in fog.

Last night, a wintry mix of rain/sleet/snow left an inch of new slush. As the sun rose and started warming things up…fog.

I also love a beardog in the woods in fog.

A long work day later, Bear and I took a quick trip to town. The sun had been out a few times during the day and as the sun set through heavy clouds to the southwest, it lit clearing skies to the north and northeast.

The ski runs of Big Mountain. The lights on the runs open for night skiing.

Beautiful to see the lights and they always trigger such wonderful memories. I was fortunate to have several night skiing experiences with incredible light: “fairy dust” from the lights on freezing fog, a night when the full moon rose as the sun set in a clear sky…Flathead Valley and Lake below, skiing alone on the lighted runs on perfect snow in the quiet night when even the lifties spoke in near whispers. Magic nights of incredible light and incredible skiing.

The mountains, an old cabin, a farm pond.

Day of incredible light.