Posts from the ‘Montana’ category

Sunny Sunday…first Robin!

Another sunny day and we were all out enjoying…eating grass

…watching the birds…

…heading for the old watering hole…

Ice water!

“Stay away from my treat, Bob!”

Karl had a good and comfortable day after a much better night for both of us.

And then….and then!!! – I saw the first Robin!

***In the cold climate regions of the U.S., Robin’s are one of the first migratory birds to return in the Spring. Not a favorite bird of mine at all, but the first sighting is a sign that Spring is on its way.

A very nice day

After several sloppy days, it cleared and got very cold (20F) last night. This past week was a bit tough – the third week of antibiotics for Karl started to catch up with him and he was noticeably uncomfortable at times. We were out twice in the night last night but I’ve learned to relax and let him take care of himself. He would walk a bit and then rest and seemed to get comfort from lying in the snow. I was dressed warmly, the moon was out early and then a million stars so I rested also, usually finding a stump near him or sometimes just lying in the snow myself – watching the stars, listening to the occasional gust of wind in the trees.

The clear night skies continued through morning and the day. Karl and I headed for town early.

I reminded myself to enjoy the day – that I was doing everything I could for Karl and that I needed to trust in that and his ultimate care in my Heavenly Father’s hands.

I love this barn and the view of it with the backdrop of mountains. There were no other cars. I stopped. I rolled down the windows. Karl watched. I enjoyed taking some photos.

There is a road behind the area where I shop that is a favorite walking spot. It looks like there is a plan for a subdivision someday but at the moment, it ends abruptly in the middle of a field. There are no houses and the only other cars are the occasional other people with dogs. We drive to the end, walk a few paths into the fields and have yet to share it with anyone else.

In the middle of the photo, through the “V”, those squared off peaks – those are mountain tops in Glacier National Park.

Karl and I had a good time just meandering and enjoying the sunshine. The temperature was still below freezing. The snow was crunchy and hard enough that neither of us broke through making the walking easy.

Shopping completed, we headed for home with another quick walk in Somers on our way. At home, Karl meandered in the yard while I unloaded and then came in willingly for a bit of lunch. After lunch he lay down in the sunroom and I thought: “What a good idea!” but decided on my bed instead of the floor. Bob joined me at some point as he was snuggled against me when I woke up two hours later – refreshed! Karl got up with me, we went outside and had the first nearly normal walk around the property since early in the week.

He has been relaxing comfortably in the yard all afternoon. I enjoyed the emerging yard with him. Bob was out and about. It was a very nice day.

***Thank you – with all my heart – to all those who are holding us in prayer.

A more open look

Last Sunday, temperature 28, Bigfork and Somers Bay frozen over. (It’s not as cold as it looks)

This Sunday, temperature 38, and the bays are mostly open water.

Snow squalls were evident to the west over the Bitterroots.

But blue sky and sun hit the beach at Wayfarer’s Park.

Karl is moving and walking much more comfortably. Just like with human recovery of a joint – it needs to be used, but not over used, to heal. A warm (relatively :)! ), sunshiny weekend gave us ample opportunity to be outside whether walking or just sitting and enjoying.

Sunspots

Walking along my eastern property line this morning just before the sun cleared the Swan Range: The sun beams from below the mountain top were casting a pink alpenglow on two of the peaks where the range bends to the northwest.

Turning the corner to Spring

I KNOW…we are barely half way through Winter and I am thinking Spring. It is the recent balmy temperatures …albeit, mixed up with some very cold. But then, yesterday morning, I noticed that it was light…at 7:30 a.m.!

I love Winter and snow and snowshoeing and cold but about this time of year I am ready for less of it and what I really enjoy is the back and forth nature of Montana’s transition to Spring. It is a good thing I enjoy that as we do the back and forth thing until mid-June at least…one day warm, the next a snow squall, rain, etc.

It is early February, there is still snow on the ground and a new 6 inches yesterday.

But what made me realize we were turning the corner was the light…at 7:30 a.m. At 48 North the change in where and when the sun rises and sets is fairly dramatic but in the height of Winter or Summer it seems to be stable for a bit and then it starts what feels like a rapid change…or maybe we are just ready for a change and start noticing.

For me, it is always welcome, whether it is that shortening of days in the late Summer that foretell Fall or the lengthening days in late Winter that speak of Spring.

And the wild things know…

Some of them are awake a bit more and feeding in different places…

…or familiar places.

Good stuff or editorial comment???

Either way, we are all noticing that we are turning the corner to Spring.