...and we have a WINNER!

Thank-you to everyone who entered my latest give-away via comments, FB sharing, etc.  As per the rules, some names were entered multiple times to match the different aspects of entering the give-away.  I'll just tell the story through the pictures:

I laughed that AKM got 1st, 2nd and 3rd place!

AKM,  this covered round box and a pair of Russian Jade earrings will be shipped soon.  I do have your address from your last order from Wyoming Rose.  I will hold off a few days so if your address has changed please e-mail me at onlythemanager@yahoo.com. 

Also, I so appreciated all your entries I decided to throw in a pair of cross earrings as well!  You've made comments that let me know you are a Christian so I thought you might like them.  If your address has changed since your last order, please let me know. 

Crocheting Can Be Dangerous!

As I said, Maria and I are going to try our first table at a craft fair this Saturday.

We're delightfully excited!

We've a lot of items to offer but yet I think I should make more and more and more....

I have to be cautious, though.

Did you know you could be injured by crocheting?

Several years ago, while I was still working as an oncology nurse, I crocheted hats for the chemo patients.  A LOT of hats.  I was using small hooks and doing a nice tight crochet and apparently I was pretty intense about it.

I developed a very painful right arm.  I didn't figure it out on my own.  I thought I had some kind of nerve entrapment or something.  I reached the point where it was difficult to even lift my hand without experiencing a sharp pain.  Starting IV's on patients became a miserably painful experience so I finally spoke to my doctor about this weird pain.  I was sent on to a neurosurgeon as the suspicion was still an entrapped nerve.

The neurosurgeon did a careful exam and declared that I had lateral epicondylitis, also known as "tennis elbow".  I likely had a tear in my tendon, which is holding muscle to bone.  I'm telling you, this is not a fun injury.  It hurt WAAAAAY more than having my shin cut to the bone by an evil plate.  Click here if you missed that story.

The neurosurgeon was perplexed, however, as to how I could have developed this.

I do NOT play tennis.

He told me it had to be something repetitive.  I thought and thought and mentioned I had been crocheting a lot in the evenings.  He asked me to show him how I crocheted and when I tried to simulate the movement he smiled and said,

"That's it!"

Later, I heard him chuckling out in the hall while telling someone

his patient got hurt crocheting.

It was kind of funny.

Anyway, I had to undergo 6 weeks of physical therapy, which actually felt pretty good.

I also had to be fitted for a splint.

That was fun because I needed to fill out insurance paperwork regarding my injury.

I remember some questions that made me laugh out loud right there in their office.

How did you get this injury?  CROCHETING

Where were you when this injury occurred?  IN MY ROCKING CHAIR

After the 6 weeks of physical therapy and splint-wearing I was still having a lot of pain that restricted my movement.  Finally, I went back for a steroid injection.  I'd heard that would be quite painful but actually it wasn't bad at all for me.  It brought relief quickly so I was very, very happy. 

I don't really want to go throught that again but I also love crocheting.  After taking a couple of years off I've been doing it now even more than before.  I've had to adapt my ways, though.  I brace my arm a certain way, usually against the arm of the chair or something, and it seems to be doing the trick.  I stop and stretch out frequently as well.

Anyway, enough of that!

Here are some of the things we've been making.

Some will be for the sale and some will be for Wyoming Rose Boutique.

I'm going to figure out how to use Random.org today to choose the give-away winner.

Be sure to check back tomorrow for that announcement!

Have a great day!



Nameless Lady

This dress form came yesterday.

Maria and I were really hoping it would

be here in time for our first craft fair as

we intend to use her for display.

Here

she is wearing

a wrap that I just

completed.

For now, she remains nameless

but Maria will surely

name her.

In case you are wondering about the art in the background, it was painted by my lovely artist/daughter.  If you want to see more work by Maria
or her husband, E.K. Wimmer, click here
and then click on either of their photos. 
Those two received more than their share of talent!

And last, don't forget that today is the last day to enter my current give-away!  Be sure to tell me if you've done any of the extra things, like mentioning it on your FB page or blog, as I will enter your name more than once.

Thanks!

Countdown to the Craft Fair

Our first Craft Fair is this Saturday!

My plan for today is to turn long strings of yarn into fun and/or beautiful items!

I feel content.

Don't forget to enter my give-away.!
I will have the drawing on Wednesday, announced on Thursday!



Galatians 5:22

By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Napkin Tutorial + a Give-Away!

Maria (daughter) and I have been creating things for our online shop, Wyoming Rose Boutique, since last November.  We have so much fun!  We also had a Wyoming Rose Boutique blog but with us each having our own blogs as well, we decided to stop adding to our store blog.  Instead, we will occasionally do tutorials and give-aways on our own blogs.  Maria recently did one on how to make some beautiful decorative flowers.  She often has give-aways on her blog as well. 

Our shop, Wyoming Rose Boutique, is NOT closing, just the blog.  In fact, we've been crafting away for our shop lately and we are also going to do our very first craft fair next week-end!  We're kind of excited about that.

Anyway...

I decided you might enjoy a fun craft I learned from a sweet lady named Rosemarie.  I met her at our church in New Mexico and she taught this to us at a ladies' gathering.

You'll  need some pretty napkins, a paintbrush and some Mod Podge.  I chose the glossy Mod Podge but the matte would be lovely as well.  Additionally, you need something like an old basket or some prefab little container dealies or whatever else you may think of that you might want to recover.

Be sure to put down newspapers first.  This is a craft you can easily do with children but even so, it is messy.  Also, it is helpful if you turn on the radio.  Music makes crafting much more fun.  I turned on KLove.  Do you get that station where you are?  I know it is national but I'm not sure it is everywhere.  Anyway, I enjoy it a lot.

So, now you are set.

Begin preparing your napkins by tearing off the edges, you know,

that part with the little bumpy area.

I know that seems wasteful, but it gets worse.  Next you must peel off all the white layers from the back of the napkin.  If you wish, you can save all the scraps and use them to wipe your mouth when you eat lunch.  I just threw my scraps in the trash.  Anyway, you have to be real certain all the back layers are off and that you only have the top layer left.  Some napkins are just 2-ply but a lot of the really pretty napkins sneak in another layer.  After you are certain you've removed the backs, tear your napkins into pieces.  You may make them any size you wish.  I have best results using anything from the size of a half-dollar to maybe the size of a paper dollar,
depending on what you are recovering.

The next step is to paint a bit of the Mod Podge onto your item.

Then start sticking on pieces of napkin and apply Mod Podge over it to make it stick well.  The biggest piece of advice for this project is to go very light with the Mod Podge.  I tend to want to drown the napkins but that leaves the final project sticky and you may even have white spots.  Less is better.

I was doing a pretty thorough covering on this basket but I also like it when I go even lighter and leave some of the napkin still papery, as long as it sticks.

You can choose to do the bottom of your project or leave it alone.  Just be sure that while you are painting on the Mod Podge you are remembering to leave a side to set it down.  I let my projects dry overnight and then do the other side if desired.

I did a whole batch of things at once.  I guess I figure if I'm going to

make a mess I may as well really get into it. 

And this little cutie is for the give-away.

And to make it more interesting, the winner will find a surprise pair of earrings inside!

So, you can enter in a number of ways...

1) Any new followers from today through Tuesday will be entered automatically.

2) Anyone who leaves a comment on any of my posts from today through Tuesday

    will automatically be entered once for EACH comment.  I will also count comments

    sent to my e-mail (see below).

3) If you let me know that you shared this post on FACEBOOK I will enter your name.

4) If you let me know that you shared this post on TWITTER I will enter your name.

5) If you let me know you visited our shop site I will enter your name.

6) If you let me know that you've visited Maria's blog between today and Tuesday I will

    enter your name.
7) If you let me know that you have become a new follower of Maria's blog,
    Little Things are Big, I will enter your name yet again.
8)  If you let me know that you blogged about EITHER my blog or Maria's, I will
    enter your name yet again.

So you see, you can enter any number of ways.  My e-mail address is onlythemanager@yahoo.com so you can "let me know" what you've done that way as well. 

Now, for the warning.  Yes, there is a warning!  It is likely that you will have left-over Mod Podge.  It is ok to look around and think of what else you may want to recover, but be cautious!  It is easy to get carried away!  For example, here is a picture of my bathroom cupboards:

So, you've been warned.  This is an addictive behavior and intervention may be needed!
Craft at your own risk!  ..........but have fun!

The Little Church

 

One year we received a sweet Christmas gift from our friend, Gwen.

It was this little cardboard church that was stuffed FULL of candy so when

I say "SWEET" I am being quite literal.

I am sure Gwen had no idea that we'd still have that little cardboard church some 20+ years later!  It has been used over and over and over.

It has travelled mile after mile after mile.

It has been the delight of children in at least three states!

You see, Mike uses this little church quite a bit when he does children's sermons.

He hides little things in it that are pertinent to the talk he is giving and children get excited to discover what he's brought. 

Sometimes it even has candy in it again!

Yes, he is good at making even candy tie-in with his sermon.

When he first started using it for children's sermons he was serving three small churches in three separate counties in Montana.  He'd travel up to 121 miles each Sunday and the little church would sometimes make that trip with him.

When we moved to New Mexico the little church moved as well, delighting little children there for 9 years.

Now, in Wyoming, the little church no longer sits in our house but resides on display in Mike's office.  It still comes to worship service from time to time as well.

One day Maria and I and Cordelia took lunch to Mike and Cordelia got to discover the little church and explore it a bit on her own.

     I don't believe she realized she was holding a family historical piece but she liked it.

This last photo is the uncropped version of the first.  I'm just putting it here so you can ponder why Mike also has a golf ball in his office.

Breaking Free

I love back-to-school sales!

All the new notebooks, pens, glue and stuff... just makes me happy.

Does anyone else feel that way?

There is just so much POTENTIAL in a new notebook!

When Mike reads this he's going to have a different reaction.

The mention of back-to-school sales makes him feel a bit queasy.

The same happens to Sam.

I just don't get it!

For me, it is hard to pass those sales now that we have no children going to school.

Well, Sam is going to college but it is not the same.

Most of his assignments are handled electronically now.

Just when I thought I was totally on the outside looking in, I have need of a pen.

We just started a new Bible Study at our church this week.

It is a Beth Moore Bible Study presented by Lifeway that is called,

 "Breaking Free".

Have any of you previously attended a Beth Moore Study?

Part of our evening is spent as we watch a video of her presenting the study

 to a group of women.

  For those of you who have not experienced her, try thinking of a cross between

Billy Graham and Carol Burnette.

No, No, silly, I don't mean in looks!

Beth Moore is quite lovely, but her personality is kind of a mix of those two, with a lot of "Southern" thrown in.

She's very Bible-based and can really speak a serious word, but she is also quite funny.

It makes for an informative and fun video to watch.

Most important, though, is that we also have WORKBOOKS and HOMEWORK!

Yippee!

Of course in class I kind of groan and act like the homework will be annoying.

But deep down I am loving it.

I have not one but FOUR pens in the pocket of my Bible.

One is orange (thank-you Michele).

Yes, that's a lot of pens.

It makes me  happy,

especially the orange one.

Even the first night of introduction I picked up some nice little tidbits.

My favorite quote from this workbook so far,

"A Christian is held captive by anything that hinders the abundant and effective Spirit-filled life God planned for her."

Another quote, from the video part of the lesson,

"Christ's disciples are meant to be profoundly effective."

WOW!

Those are words to ponder!

So, things like insecurity or anger can hold us in bondage.

What other things do you think can put us into bondage and keep

us from being the most effective version of ourselves?

And "profoundly effective"? 

Do any of you feel profoundly effective?

Pearl Harbor and Peaches

Yesterday I went to see my son-in-law, Eric, where he works. 

When I was there Eric introduced a Pearl Harbor Survivor to me.

He looked like someone's sweet grandpa, and probably was.

I sometimes thank soldiers when I meet them, not

because I am pro-war but because

I enjoy freedom.

I do not

care

which war they

were in and I do not

consider my opinion about

the particular war.  I know that the

people on the front lines are only taking

orders and I prefer to simply thank them for their service.

I wanted to tell this man thank-you as well.

Somehow I didn't manage to say much of anything to him.

I wanted to tell him that Mike & I had visited Pearl Harbor but

even in my head that sounded prettty lame.

Mike & I had a chance to visit Mike's cousin, Tom, and his wife, Marla, in 2005.

Tom was in the army and stationed there so the timing was excellent.

Our first morning there we visited Pearl Harbor.

I'm not sure how Mike saw it but in

my mind I felt we couldn't

enjoy the beauty of

Hawaii

until we'd also seen

the place where so many

military people lost their lives.

It was a sobering morning.

It was strange to look around at all

the beauty and realize the ugliness that

had occurred right there. 

During our week there we were able to see three military bases.

In some places we saw the bullet holes, unrepaired for the sake of history. 

One day there I was dropped off alone at a private military beach and as I swam in the beautiful cove I remember thinking it was a remarkably peaceful experience that I would

remember forever.  I also remember pondering the fact that others in the past likely had their most frightening day there or near there. 

As Eric came out to my car with me yesterday I still kept thinking about that gentleman.  Eric told me more of his story.  He told me that man's unit had taken a direct hit.  The man and his best friend had run from a building, trying to find a place of safety.

The man dove into some bushes and his friend followed,

landing right on top of him in the small space.

The were spotted and shot at.

His friend took all

the bullets.

This man had to roll his dead best friend off of himself!

He didn't have time to think about it much then, but I'm sure it has been something

he has thought about ever since.  The next place he hid didn't work out so well either.  Bombs blasting caused him to be buried alive.  He had to dig himself out.

As Eric told me this story I felt ashamed that I'd not tried to ask him more about it or do something to acknowledge the trauma he lived and carries around inside his head.

That's when I thought of the peaches I had in my car, fresh peaches

from Colorado I purchased at a roadside stand. 

These peaches are ripe and juicy,

 exquisite to smell and taste. 

I could think of no better

thank-you gift so

I sent them

back in

with

Eric. 

The Carpet Saga Continues

I would like to show you finished photos of our house with the new carpet but
I STILL do not have resolution in the case of

"The Great Carpet Mishap".

Reminder how EXCITED I was when the

day came for our new carpet?  I had started ripping out the old carpet
in late June.  In July, as we moved things out of the first rooms to be carpeted,
our house was a mess.

It was ok, though, as I

knew it would be that way for only a few days.

Then, remember my horrifying discovery

that our new carpet was already developing holes

where fibers were just falling out?

At that time most of it was laid with the exception

of our bedroom, the bottom half of our stairs

and two small closets.  I paid our carpet installer that morning but told him

not to bother finishing the installation.  He agreed that

something was very wrong with the carpet.

The lady at the carpet store came out right away and

also agreed that something was very wrong.

She ordered replacement carpet, assuring me it would

be from a different dye lot.  It appears that this

carpet has a problem with the glue or latex or whatever

holds the two parts of the backing together so

I didn't want another piece from that same run.

WELL,

the new carpet made it to town last week!  Yippee!!

I decided to run into the local warehouse to

check it out before they brought it out to our home.

It looked nice.

They unrolled a large part of the roll and we all

got down on our hands and knees to "pluck" it.

Rest assured, I am not talking about abusing a carpet.

By "plucking" I simply mean gently pinching and tugging one fiber at a time.

This new carpet was also faulty!

The owner of the store immediately called the distributer.

They did not hesitate to offer a new roll to me.

I am trying to not think the worst but doesn't it

seem likely the distributer wasn't surprised by the call since they
knew they'd just sent a roll from

the same run/dye lot as the last?

I told the shop owner they could send a new roll but that

I wanted to pick out an entirely new carpet.
I'm not stupid.
Well, I'm not THAT stupid.

I enlisted her help, along with my carpet layer guy who was there, as well

as an employee who'd been helping.  They gave advice on other carpets
in my price range.  As it turned out, the 4 of us agreed so

in about 5 minutes time I had chosen another style.
If the color doesn't turn out to be right, I will simply paint to match.
Just so you know, Mike didn't really care about the style
so he didn't mind me making the call.

So, now we wait again.

We are learning to avoid stepping on the tack strips in our bedroom

and on the stairs.  We did move our bed back but just put it on the floor, not making the effort to set up the frame or the headboard and footboard.

I'm getting used to going to the guestroom to get stuff from
my dresser where it is up against the bed facing backwards.  I can't get into all the drawers so I just throw everything on top of it.  Remember, when we put it in there it was supposed to be for just one night.  Even when we found the problem with the carpet I thought it would be just a couple weeks until everything
was back to normal.  I'm the one who suggested we just leave things,
likely not my best plan.

But, I'm not whining.

Ha!  That's not one bit true!

I'm whining.

But, I will admit that I've seen the humor in this.
I also am still aware that there are many, many situations
so very much worse than carpet problems.

AND, originally I said I just wanted a carpet that
didn't smell like cat urine (that had been a parting gift from our 2 old cats).
I now know that I require more from a carpet than
just that new carpet smell.
I require a carpet that is not going bald.

Old Maid and Forgiveness

Yesterday Mike's sermon was about my blog and Old Maid.

OK, that wasn't really the point of the sermon. 

The sermon was actually about forgiveness.

He spoke of the verse in Matthew 18 where Peter asked Jesus

how many times he should forgive someone.

Basically he was told that he should keep forgiving indefinitely.

Mike also said that witholding forgiveness is like carrying

around something that is dead and stinky.

I really liked that description as it

so clearly gives the mental picture

of how horrible it is to keep dragging

around those feelings of

anger and resentment

and

refusing

to

put it down.

Anyway, back to Old Maid.

Did you read this post that had a little teeny, tiny

mention of playing Old Maid with Mike and his Mom?

Well, Mike referred to that post and

 told the congregation that I had

slandered him on the internet!

(I hope you are smiling right now, as this was all in good fun.)

Mike went on to say how difficult it was to

forgive me

for the public slander.

Finally, he said that he would forgive me since

I am so beautiful and ....................... he said more nice stuff about me

but after hearing "beautiful" I was unable to focus on

much of anything else.  I felt embarrassed but it was the

good kind of embarrassed.

So, because Mike publicly called me beautiful

I will forgive HIM for being such a cheater

at Old Maid...

...but I don't think I will play it with him again anytime soon!

God Bless America

God Bless America,
Land that I love.
Stand beside her, and guide her
Thru the night with a light from above.
From the mountains, to the prairies,
To the oceans, white with foam
God bless America, My home sweet home.

Movie Matinee

I've been wanting to see "The Help" for awhile now.

When Mike and I were on our little vacation in Montana we had planned to go to two movies.  I voted to see the one he wanted first, thinking we'd save my choice for the last day.  It all goes along with one of my life-long plans of "saving the best for the last".  I don't know why I keep planning my life that way.  Religiously speaking, it is what I expect of course, saving heaven for last.  However, in this world it has not worked out the best for me.  Remember the underwear story?  In Montana we saw Apollo 18, which was rather forgettable, and had something else going on and did not go back to see "The Help".

I also try the "saving the best for the last" all too often when eating potato chips.
In case you aren't aware of this, some potato chips are better than others.  It is such a joy to eat a chip that isn't already broken!  I especially like large chips that are folded over.  They crunch the best.  Equally good are the ones with just a gentle curl to them that kind of fits right over your tongue.  Saving those for the last is a great plan when I am eating alone.  However, when Mike is nearby it is risky.  He thinks it is pretty funny to come by and snatch one of those dandies just before I get to it!

Oh man, I've gone off-track, huh?

....so my friend, Donna, asked if I'd want to go see "The Help" with her yesterday.  I was excited!  I was waiting out front when Donna arrived.  She graciously allowed me to take a picture of her sweet face.  I just think she has a great smile and a face that really lets her beautiful sense of joy shine out.

The movie was wonderful.  You've probably already seen it, huh?

It was a story that needed to be written.  Having said  that, I'd have to agree with reviewers I'd read who said it kind of wrapped everything up in a pleasant kind of package to achieve a happy ending.  I didn't care about that so much; I actually appreciated it a bit.  I also appreciate any movie that reminds us where we've been in this country regarding racial issues.  Hopefully in the remembering we can better avoid going down that horrible road again.  In fact, I wonder why we even use the term "race".  Aren't we the human race?  Maybe we should just say "ethnicity issues" or  "skin tone" issues.  I just don't think "race" is quite the right word when what we are really talking about is the amount of melanin present. 

It did seem that there were some parts of "The Help" that didn't really contribute much to the movie, such as the main character's Mom making reference to new treatments for girls who have unatural attractions to other girls.  I kind of got the feeling they were making fun of Biblical references and making some sort of comparison to bigotry based on skin color.  I'm not sure about that and since it was just a blip in the plot I'll move on.

The movie somehow managed to make us laugh and cry, all while considering one of the darkest stains on our country.  The acting was great!  I particularly enjoyed watching Ron Howard's daughter, Bryce Howard, play the part of the person you most want to dislike.  She's a pretty versatile actress!

The thing that made me most happy, though, were the previews.  I'm not kidding!  I don't know that I've EVER watched previews and wanted to attend ALL of them.  Did you all see Fireproof?  Well, the makers of Fireproof have another one coming out.  I've forgotten the name but it is about Dads becoming better fathers.  All of the previews were about movies that seemed to have something important and good to say.

Maybe there is hope for the film industry after all.

And on to another issue...

Maria (daughter) and I have been busy preparing for Fall at our Etsy shop, Wyoming Rose Boutique.  Also, we are going to do our first craft sale on September 24!  We're kind of excited about that.  We've decided to discontinue our shop blog, though.  Our plan is to just occasionally give shop info on our personal blogs.  Maria had the idea of doing some tutorials also.  I think that will be fun!  In fact, Maria 

posted a great tutorial yesterday.  Check it out!  And while you are there, browse around.  She has the greatest blog EVER!  She loves new followers as well!

Have a great week-end!

What's Up With the Walmart Bathroom?

I don't really want to go into all my qualifications right now,

but trust me when I tell you that I am an expert on bathrooms.

I have done my research on many public bathrooms.

This photo was snapped in one of our local Walmart bathrooms.

I hope that wasn't wrong.

I had not planned to take a photo;

it was a spontaneous decision.

I had just exited one of the stalls.

Mike is probably reading this and worrying what I might say next.

He says I am sometimes too "earthy".

Anyway, no one else was in the bathroom.

I went up to one of the faucet areas and waved my hands...

nothing.

I wriggled my fingers around in front of that little automatic window 

that is supposed to notice me and provide cleansing water.

Still nothing.

Eventually, after doing a lot of sign language type movements,

I got water.

This happens all the time!

It's frustrating and

it's annoying to have to work so hard

 to get that little spray of water!

 

So, I washed my hands, using a thorough scrub technique.

I sudsed up really well.

I even took time to rinse under my finger nails.

That's not really the point of this story

but I thought you'd like to know.

When I was satisfied with my wash and rinse I

turned and headed to the paper towel dispenser.

Guess what happened?

As I passed by in front of all

of these little wash areas, on my

way to the paper towels,

the water came on in each!

It was as though they were

laughing at me!

After quickly drying my hands I

simply couldn't resist pulling my camera out

of my purse and snapping this photo.

Just as I turned and rounded the corner

I literally ran into another lady.

Thankfully I don't believe she saw me taking

a photo of the Walmart bathroom!

Welcomed Home!

Grandma Carol loves it when I show pictures of Cordelia.

So for you, Carol, here's the sweet face that welcomed us back to Wyoming...



  

Sunflowers

After visiting Giant Springs last week we weren't quite ready to return indoors.

As the sun was slipping still lower we drove along to see one of the falls for which Great Falls, Montana was named.  When we are there I always find myself thinking of Lewis and Clark and marveling at the mission they undertook.

They did not have a nice car with air conditioning, or even a road, when they embarked on this route.  They didn't even know what they were going to find.

We found LOTS of bugs there.

I was really, really glad we could jump back in our car.

Anyway, I rather enjoyed taking pictures the short time we were there.

I hope you enjoy looking at them.  

The beauty of the falls is rather marred by the dam. 

I do like electricity, though, so I'm trying not to complain.

The Missouri River continues on to the East....

I love this photo but can you see all those bugs?

 There is a ladybug in this photo.  Can you see her?

And my favorite...I thought I was pretty artsy.



Last Taste of Summer 2011

Mike and I have been on the road for one last taste of Summer.

This photo was taken near Livingston, Montana.

I was too lazy to stop and take a proper picture but this way you get to see the bugs on the windshield and to really get the feel of the trip.

Our goal was to spend some time with Mike's Mom (Carol) in Montana.

It was a low-key type of visit.

Mike worked on his music and I worked a little on my book and a LOT on crocheting.

We went for walks and visited and even shopped a bit.

We played card games.

Mike cheated.

I won't say too much about that but

I will advise you to NEVER

play Old Maid with Mike. 

He's really pretty devious.

I finally remembered I had a camera the last evening with Carol.

We were at a place called Giant Springs and it was beautiful!

Lewis and Clark discovered it as they travelled through that region

but its history with people goes back much further.  The water is 54 degrees year-round so it was first a popular place for Native Americans.  During the long Montana winters I am certain it was a delight to come upon that flowing water!

Giant Springs is a place that is kind of hard for me to fathom, even though I have been there many times.  It is a pretty spring that bubbles up right beside the Missouri River.  In the photo above, the springs are in the foreground and the Missouri River is in the background on the other side of the walkway. The water comes from underground after having travelled from the Belt Mountains.  The signs at the park say it takes 50 years to make that journey!

Mike's Mom enjoying a quiet moment by the spring.  She's likely trying to calm herself, pondering how she could've raised a son who was such a cheater at Old Maid.

Once the water bubbles out, it follows the Roe River right into the Missouri River.

What?  You haven't heard of the Roe River?

Thanks to some local elementary students this river was once listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the World's Shortest River.  They no longer have that category but at 440 feet long, it is certainly a VERY short river!

It is so clean and pure!

I really, really wanted to jump in for a swim but I had to settle for taking pictures of fish swimming in the springs.

 The evening was absolutely perfect.

It was calm and clear, not too hot and not too cold.

And it was that time of the evening when the shadows make everything appear so crisp.

Mike and I strolled along the river path a ways, just enjoying the evening.

We found these cool cliffs that overlook the Missouri River.

Cliff swallows have made their home there...their Summer home anyway.

We went back to where Carol was waiting.

I don't know if she found any peace over the whole card-cheating-son situation...

...but maybe she came to realize she's no longer responsible for his actions.

(Special thanks to my mother-in-law, Carol, for putting up with the camera stalking her.  You handled it with good grace.)

Sometimes All You Need is a Good Nap!

He's sound asleep!