Category Archives: Life

What Makes a Perfect Day?

Posted on August 6, 2013 by westerner54

Well, how about a sunny summer morning, to start.  Then a hike along a favorite ridge accompanied by a young Cooper’s Hawk. Add in the discovery of a perfect old apothecary bottle along the trail: “Hall’s Catarrh Cure.” Then home for … Continue reading →

Posted in Life, Montana, Nature, Outdoors, Wildlife | Tagged , , | 14 Comments

Merle and Robert Earl, Joy Killing Sorrow, Jennies Wailing: Friends, Music, Sun and Fun at the Red Ants Pants Music Festival

Posted on July 30, 2013 by westerner54

White Sulphur Springs, Montana July 26 – 28, 2013 Oh, and did I mention the beards?   Not only beards, but a beard contest.  Here’s the winner: The runner-up was a definite crowd favorite.   He was doing pretty well with his … Continue reading →

Posted in Life, Montana, Outdoors | Tagged , , , | 16 Comments

At the Rodeo Part II: “If Jesus Had Been a Norwegian” and Yikes!

Posted on June 19, 2013 by westerner54

The Wilsall Rodeo started with a dandy performance from the slightly math-challenged Ringling 5. You’ve no doubt heard their top ten song “If Jesus Had Been a Norwegian.” There are not so scary moments during a rodeo – although I’m … Continue reading →

Posted in Life, Montana, Outdoors, Photography | Tagged , , | 20 Comments

At the Rodeo Part I: Youngsters, Not-So Youngsters, and One Heck of a View

Posted on June 17, 2013 by westerner54

Wilsall, Montana, June, 2013

Posted in Life, Montana, Outdoors, Photography | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

A Montana Morning on the Riverbank

Posted on June 6, 2013 by westerner54

I’m sitting on the bank of the Madison River: morning sunshine warming my back, yellow warblers flitting through the willows along the shore, a lone osprey making his way up and down the river looking for breakfast in the muddy … Continue reading →

Posted in Birding, Life, Montana, Nature, Outdoors, Wildlife | Tagged , , | 12 Comments

Small Pleasures

Posted on January 31, 2013 by westerner54

I am slowly figuring out that the way to enjoy winter is to take pleasure in the small things: a good cup of tea or hot chocolate on a cold afternoon, watching the same Downy Woodpecker at the suet feeder … Continue reading →

Posted in Hiking, Life, Montana, Nature, Outdoors | Tagged , , | 14 Comments

Writing That Feels Like Home

Posted on January 2, 2013 by westerner54

In The Anthropology of Turquoise,  Ellen Meloy writes “Of all the things I wondered about on this land, I wondered the hardest about the seduction of certain geographies that feel like home–not by story or blood but merely by their forms … Continue reading →

Posted in Life, Montana, Nature, Writers | Tagged , | 28 Comments

Looking Back: The Best Outdoor Moments from 2012

Posted on December 20, 2012 by westerner54

You know those perfect moments when it feels like time is standing still?  When you are totally immersed in your surroundings and nothing exists but the sounds and smells and sights of the “right now”?    For me, capturing that moment … Continue reading →

Posted in Hiking, Life, Montana, Nature, Outdoors, Yellowstone | Tagged , , , | 22 Comments

Countdown to the the Solstice

Posted on December 3, 2012 by westerner54

The dark, cold, windy days of November and December are hard to love.  I crave the light, and these days that keep getting shorter and shorter are a true test of my resolve to live in the moment.    I count … Continue reading →

Posted in Hiking, Life, Nature, Outdoors | Tagged , , , , , | 23 Comments

In Ovando, Montana, Santa Wears Chaps

Posted on November 26, 2012 by westerner54

Here he comes!  See him?  He’s up there, on the highway! There he is!  Wait…that’s not Santa.  It’s his cousin, Cowboy Claus.  He’s helping Santa out. And of course there’s the traditional Christmas shootout: It’s kind of loud, so be … Continue reading →

Posted in Humor, Life, Montana, Travel | Tagged , , | 16 Comments