Bozeman Explosion

What can one say about what happened yesterday? Walking across the parking lot after I arrived at work I witnessed Bozeman's biggest crisis. I heard a very loud 'kaboom', then felt a huge concussion which actually felt like a smack on the side of the head, then out of the corner of my eye saw a roof or something fly up into the air from behind the hill where the cemetery is and saw a black mushroom cloud. At first I thought plane crash, then train crash, then earthquake and last of all, explosion. My last assumption was correct. It is a miracle that only one life was lost. It was a miracle that it happened when it did 8:13 am. Boodles restaurant was still closed. So were the other stores. If it had happened later in the morning or afternoon, it would have been a unthinkable. Now the buildings are all gone, over 100 years old and in a split second, gone. It's odd how when a catastrophe happens, especially close to home, it rattles everyone to the core. I sensed a very on edge attitude all day among my coworkers. We will get through this, but the spirit of the residents is shaken to the core, but already a community is united.

Winter Ain't Over Yet

Raging blizzard today, all day. Left work early in case the roads closed, but made it. We really haven't had a big snowstorm in quite a few weeks, in fact I can't remember when. It was becoming all brown and ice. A very mild Feb. Winter came back today. I wish I was in AZ to watch some spring training games. This time of year I can see the light at the end of the tunnel even though it's dim. Baseball has begun, March Madness basketball is imminent, KY Derby preps are starting. Gives me a warm fuzzy feeling. Now when I hear the first Red Winged Blackbird or see the first Robin I'll feel good. That could be anytime. Haven't seen any gophers yet, but they probably knew about this storm. I think it caught us a little off guard. Typical calving season weather and I'm glad I don't own any heifers.

2009

Finally 08 is gone. Not such a great year. It was fine for me except for the loss of Marty. I still miss him terribly and wonder if he is alive or not. I hate not knowing.

Last year I thought, 'crap, another election year'. It proved the usual thing again with all the hate mongering and bashing. I can't stand it. Mr. Obama will have a honeymoon period because we want him to succeed and there's a lot at stake.

My problem is I fear loss and wonder what will I lose this year? What will we lose this year? I know it's a lousy way to feel, but that's how I've always been. Maybe it's a way to lessen any pain if I expect it. I don't dwell in this, but it's a thought I wish I didn't have every January 1st.

In the present. We just have to get through a back to normal winter in Montana. Fun roads to drive on, lots of snow, wild temperatures, etc. The only problem is it doesn't clear out the riff raff anymore. We non skiers just have to keep plugging away and wait for a distant spring.

On my headstone someday - "Spring always comes"

It's Too #$%#@! Cold Out There!!

December in Montana. Not for the faint of heart. Sub 0 temps and snow and wind. It just plain hurts. I envy bears. They eat themselves silly all spring, summer and fall then sleep all winter. Heck they even give birth in their sleep to babies the size of nothing. They are the smart ones.

Saturday we had the Storm of the Century which means we really haven't had one like it since the 90's. Ugly, ugly weather. Sometimes I wonder why I just don't live in a condo with a kitty. Feeding horses and doing chores in this is tough on a 53 yr. old body. The only perk is that the chickens are locked up and I get more eggs that way.

Fall thoughts

A very nice weekend saw me going for my autumn trip to Yellowstone. A 300 mile + day trip. Beautiful day with my Dad. After all he is the reason I get a $15 discount on Yellowstone's entry fee. He loves to go down there, maybe not as much as I, but he had a great time anyway. In the Lamar valley we just missed wolves chasing elk, but that's my wolf luck always down there. I just miss them every single time. Just the usual elk and tons of bison sightings. A raven at the McDonalds parking lot in West Yellowstone put on a show begging for food while sitting on my side view mirror and almost coming in the car. That was all the wild life for the day. Sometimes you get lucky, sometimes you don't. The last time I made a fall trip I witnessed elk fighting, too close for comfort buffalo bulls and swans. I never regret a trip to the Park though. It clears the mind and makes me feel whole. It's a feeling all should experience.

Summer's over

The perfect last summer weekend. Although, here in Montana it is starting to look like Fall. The high country colors are starting and we've had snow on the peaks. Today I took a hike with my niece. Actually 2 short hikes about a total of 5 miles in length. Saw a couple of beautiful waterfalls and the woods were peaceful except for a lot of families cramming the last of the season in on the trails. Every one of us greeted each other on the trail. Took pictures for the other. Something about nature on a nice day that creates fellowship. We all know what is coming. The long dark winter and if one isn't a skier like myself, it's too long. In my next life I think I'll be a bear. Eat myself silly all summer and fall, sleep out the winter unfazed and give birth in my sleep to a baby the size of a peanut. Now that's life!

August

My mother would have been 80 years old today. At first I could picture her mourning the thought at turning into an octogenarian. Then I realized she would have preferred that to dying at 58 years old of PSP. I wonder how different our lives would have been if she had not got sick. I would trade it all to have her back and let her see her granddaughter who is walking in her piano playing shoes.

Summer is waning. I miss it already. I am planning future hikes and things left to do in a slight panic because I know what is coming and it seems to go on forever.