Mountain Photos

My photos seem inadequate for showing you how very beautiful the mountains were when we were there Saturday. We were with good friends, had great weather...couldn't have asked for a more perfect day.

I wish I could share the smell of it as well!  Yes, there was a beautiful mountain smell but as we were hiking along a stream I kept smelling a new smell. It was very, very strong but it wasn't unpleasant. When I finally mentioned it, one of the men told me it was from the Elk. We'd seen a place where elk left their tracks and where they'd bedded down. I guess they were leaving their scent for us as well.

I'd never ridden in a vehicle like this.

Our friend, Mary

Our friend, Jim

I love watching hawks as they soar above.

Do you know what you are seeing here?

Now?

Mike by the shell of a burned out tree.

Do you suppose it was hit by lightening?

Aaaaah, I just wanted to soak in the day.

 Mike and our friends, Bob and Jim...

Men talking about manly stuff.

 Simple Beauty

There were a lot of ponderosa pine.

Even as they end their life cycle, there is beauty.

It was so peaceful.

This flower is definitely past its prime, but still caught my attention.

We did a lot of hiking.

We could have done a lot more hiking.

There was a spring that bubbled up and made a little stream.

I wasn't the only one taking photos.

Celia

I really, really like this photo of Mike.

 Ponderosa Pine

Jim and Mary followed in their own Razor.

Yep, about two more weeks and the aspen will be breathtaking.

We think that was a turkey vulture up there.

Sometimes we'd come out of the thick trees 

to see a beautiful expanse of prairie. 

Don't you wish you were there?

The trees were sooooooo thick!

 Can you see the sage hen there?

Or is it called a prairie chicken?

 There were so many different kinds of trees up there.

Our friend, Celia

You'll be surprised to know that I took an over abundance of photos.

More tomorrow!

Saturday Adventure

We had a lovely adventure today! We had friends invite us, and another couple, to go exploring on some of their land in the mountains. I'll be showing lots of photos, of course, but I'm in a hurry right now so I'll just show you three little creatures we met as we started our hike there.

Are they not beautiful?

I couldn't believe they just fluttered around and

then obliged us by landing and posing.

They were all so pretty!

Does anyone know what kind they are?

Roe River

While in Montana we stopped by one of our favorite spots, Giant Springs. You just can't believe how clear that water is!  This impressive springs bubbles into the Roe River, which almost immediately flows into the Missouri. Seriously, that first photo is the entire Roe River. Sweet, huh? Mike and Carol and I enjoyed the crazy beauty of the area, even if it was pretty windy. I hope you find some peace and relaxation from the photos. If you click on a picture, it will show you a larger version of itself. Please do that on the first photo. It is just so, so beautiful.

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Saturday Drive in Montana

Last Saturday we decided to continue exploring places we'd not seen before in Montana. We asked Mike's Mom to come along and she was up for the adventure so off we went!

We enjoyed ourselves seeing towns like Augusta and Choteau. We had a delicious lunch at a quaint little log cabin type restaurant. It was very Western. The curtains in the bathroom had pictures of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans! 

We saw places like Egg Mountain and Freezeout Lake. We drove through the heart of malt barley country.  The entire drive was absolutely lovely. I'll leave you with a few photos so that you can get the feel of it. Everyone should get to experience Montana at some point in their lives.

What the Hay?!

After we left Buffalo, Montana (see yesterday's post) we passed the world's weirdest tree? outside  of Hobson, Montana. I was driving and just caught a glimpse so had to pull over, turn around and go back. I think Mike made some groaning noise but I had to get a photo.

 Really, what can you say about something like this?

Just past the tree, we saw this.

Apparently they have a big deal there where many bales are 

decorated and

people come from far and wide to see them.

Buffalo, Montana

Mike & I just returned from a quick Montana trip to visit Mike's Mom. It was kind of a quick trip and we spent much of it in the car but it was really quite delightful. Although Mike and I have made this trip many times, we decided that this time we were going to take some different routes and see some places we'd not seen before. So, on the way up we explored Buffalo, MT. There are still a few people who live there, and a church that is being used, but much of the town is fading away.

It was fun to imagine people from the past coming and going from this bank.

 I find I love taking photos of old, abandoned buildings.

I enjoyed looking around the area.

 Was this maybe the train depot?

What stories could it tell of people arriving and departing?

What a pretty little church, huh?

 Who do you supposed lived here?

When did the porch fall off?

 The school looked pretty good from a distance but closer up, a little sad.

Still, it was pretty easy to image kids playing outside or

 a group of high school boys trying to impress high school girls.

Maybe this place was someone's first home?

We especially loved the chimney.

Looking at all that evidence of days past is kind of neat, but also rather bittersweet. I think about the people who worked hard to build a life there, and now it is over. They may have descendants scattered far and wide who may not even know of this place or their roots here. It really makes me think about how short our time here really is, when considering the grand scheme of things... dust in the wind and all that.

Captivated

World View vs. Christian View

I am borrowing my mother-in-law's computer for a post or two. Thanks, Carol!

Today I was working on my parish nursing course assignment. We all read an article that talked about how our societies help us form our own worldview, or our understanding of values, etc.  It is so easy to judge other cultures by our own worldview.  A worldview can differ greatly between countries but it can also differ between regions.

For example, when we moved from Montana to Southern New Mexico I found some differences. In Montana our children referred to our adult friends by their first names, unless they were their teacher or something. It was not because my children were rude. People, including children, called people by their first names where we lived before. It was not a show of disrespect.

In our town in New Mexico I noticed my friend's children called me Miss Sue. It was sweet but at first sounded really strange to my ears. For one thing, I was not a "miss".  I just noticed it as one of the differences in that region. I think it is kind of a Southern thing. One day, though, it occurred to me that my friends may have thought our children were being rude or disrespectful for calling them by their first name. To my children, that was their name and how they knew them.

Anyway, the article went on to make us think about how our world views can be in conflict with our Christian views. It was very thought-provoking. I was assigned to answer one of the questions and thought maybe you'd like to read it and leave me your thoughts on it. I realize you don't get to read the article but I think you'll get the drift...

How does the Postmodern worldview distort assumptions made about the nature of God, people and reality? What are the characteristics of a Christian worldview?

As I attempt to answer this question, I am so aware of how distorted my answer may be simply because I am constantly fighting this distortion. What I mean is that a worldview is like an accent. It is easy to see (hear) it in others while believing that mine is the "normal" way of seeing (speaking). I will attempt to tackle one aspect of my worldview as it I can clearly see how it is in opposition to my Christian worldview.

I believe a distorted assumption my culture expounds on is the importance of self. From a very young age the media has told me that I must look out for myself, take care of myself first so that I can take care of others and do what makes me happy. We all know there is great truth and wisdom in that. Yet, it becomes a distorted worldview from a Christian standpoint. Aren't we, as Christians, even called to lay down our lives for others? How is that looking out for ourselves? Aren't we to give freely? What if we like our time and our possessions and want them for ourselves? Aren't we called to drop our nets and follow him, even be willing to leave friends and family to follow Christ, no matter what we thought we wanted for ourselves? What if our lives are comfortable and satisfying? What if we want what we want when we want it?

I notice my own worldview has to do with becoming strong and self-sufficient. That seems like a reasonable goal, doesn't it? Independence is at the very core of our society. It is a great thing to be independent, isn't it? I used to think that was a reasonable goal. I now know it to be a very distorted goal. For one thing, it is impossible. We are fools to think we can be totally independent of other people, and even greater fools if we think we can thrive by declaring independece from God. We like to think of ourselves as capable, full of fortitude and intelligence. The truth is, we are totally dependent on God for all wisdom and knowledge and strength. We are nothing without God.

A Christian Worldview is about realizing we are humble creatures deeply in need of the love and compassion of the God of creation. It is about full surrender as opposed to an attitude of conquering. It encompasses an attitude of peace, love and gentleness with the full knowledge that all good comes from our almighty God, not from within ourselves.

 

Sorry

Due to technical difficulties, I lost several posts this week. I put a lot of work into them so now I am frustrated. I am going to have to do things a bit differently a few days, posting from my phone so I will throw out some random phone photos until my problem is resolved.

I hope you are having a lovely weekend!