Missing a Montana Winter

This morning we woke to a slight dusting of snow...like powdered sugar on brownies. Just up the road 30 minutes, friends received about 16 inches. "The picnic table has a nice cap on it."
I grew up in Montana and left when I married a military man. We have lived in warmer climates since then...Mississippi, New Mexico, Japan, Texas, Arkansas and now California. California is actually the coldest climate we have lived since the major went active duty. But I miss the cold of Montana...not the "freeze your lungs with one breath cold". My last winter in Montana we had a week of 60+ degrees BELOW zero...without windchill. No...I prefer the cold that makes the snow beneath your feet crunch with each step. The cold that bites at your nose and cheeks just enough to make them rosey.
When I was old enough to drive, I would head up to the mountains on a sunny winter day. I would drive as far as I could, camera awaiting on the seat next to me to get the perfect picture.
One day I did get that picture. The sun was sparkling through the trees laden with fresh snow. The creek below was frozen except for the slightest trickle of water determined to get through. The snow on the banks of the creek left undisturbed except for the bits of snow tossed from the tree's branches leaving dimples of shadow. This is the picture I always think of when I am missing a Montana winter.
As a child, winter was always comforting. It brought ice-skating everyday. On the weekends my brothers and I would ice skate all day...we lived just across the street from a park where the field of snow would be hosed down with a firehose to make an ice rink. And after a long day out in the cold we would come home to hot cocoa and freshly made donuts as well as a pot of chili on the stove. At night I would lay in bed, all snuggled in under heaps of blankets and listen for the train whistle. On those cold, clear nights the whistle could be heard like it was across the road...not 5 miles away. On these nights the moon would cast light and dark on the blanket of snow in our backyard. I would sit at the window of my bedroom just watching the sparkles of light, and the shadows of the trees until I fell fast asleep ...with all things quiet and still.

VP

I remember when Geraldine Ferraro was running for Vice President. I was a junior in high school and would be 18 two months prior to the election. No one seemed too excited that she was the first woman to run for the office...except for feminists...which were few and far between at the time. I did know that as a new voter I would not be voting for her just because she was a woman. I wouldn't be voting for her because I didn't agree with her politics.
I didn't grow up in a political home. We didn't talk politics nor did my parents wear their political beliefs on their sleeves. I never knew who they were voting for until after the fact.
My daughters live in a different kind of home. My eldest wishes she could vote this election and is angered by those who say they won't be bothered. This comes from her father. He is the politically minded one in our household.
This brings me to Sarah Palin. She sits as the Governor of Alaska...and is now the VP candidate with John McCain. I don't like John McCain...I respect his sacrifice for our country...but his politics do leave something to be desired. But I will be voting for him because he has Sarah Palin as his running mate.
Sarah Palin stands up for what she believes. Most of all she stands up for those who cannot do it for themselves....the unborn. She not only talks the talk...but walks it as well. The mother of a Down's Syndrome baby...she was given the option to end the life of this special child..and she did not. She has a 17 year-old daughter who is pregnant. Obviously she has instilled her morals and values into her children as her daughter is now engaged to the father of her unborn baby.
I watched Palin's nomination acceptance speech. She has spirit in her...she wants to see change...she doesn't seem like other candidates who are running just for their own glory. She seems to be running to make a difference. We need more like her in Washington D.C.

If life ever feels boring....

Get a teenage daughter..better yet...get TWO.



I enjoyed my daughters when they were little and thought the sun rose and set with me and their father. When they truly believed we knew everything. Now they know better but that doesn't matter. There are days when we clash but there are more days that we don't. And I find myself laughing much more when they are around me.

I don't have typical teenage girls. My oldest has a mind of her own...not just in the differences from her dad and I...but from her friends. She's not one to be swayed. Though some she knows have let the world change them overnight in the way they dress or act or treat others...Kate has not. She doesn't go for the latest fashion...she remains modest. She is who she is despite some trying to change her. She is beautiful on the inside with a deep love for Jesus. She is also beautiful on the outside...blonde hair and hazel green eyes ...and she makes people laugh. She has an infectious giggle...and makes anyone near her...want to know her. And she is a regular spitfire!! This is my perception.



My youngest who is new to being a teenager is just as amazing. Just as strong-willed as her big sister she carries her heart on her sleeve. She hates to see anyone upset or sad and will try her hardest to cheer them up. Sarah loves Jesus and that love shows through her. Caring and loving with a beautiful smile that lights up the room. She is also a beautiful blond with hazel eyes...and an ornery streak!! She is witty and funny and so fun to have around.



With these two around me how can life be boring? They make me laugh with their silliness. It breaks my heart when their hearts are broken. I soar when they soar and cry when they cry. So life is never boring...it is actually full of happiness because of these two young ladies God loaned to me. They are both true blessings.

What a wonderful week we had!! Saturday we returned from our Homeschool groups campout at Fallen Leaf Lake. The weather was awesome and the company wonderful!

Observances:

I am not the only non-morning person.

Bears enjoy slightly cooled apples straight from the cooler.

A yellow lab can change color.

Teenagers can sink a kayak.

Trees like to jump out in front of me on my bike.

You cannot make all the people happy at one time.

You can make some people happy some of the time.

Getting a group picture is like herding cats.

Pancakes come in different shapes...depending on the cook.

We have entirely too much camping stuff!!

First Posting

So I begin a new blog when summer is coming to an end. And what a summer it has been. We spent a week in Gig Harbor, Washington in June. Also spent a week in Bozeman, Montana with a jaunt through Yellowstone and Grand Teton National parks. Each time I see the Grand Tetons it just takes my breath away! Between trips we have spent much time on our boat zipping about Lake Wildwood with numerous teenagers in tow on the "innertube". Yes, a few small injuries one of which instigated facial hair. One of our young friends who is more like a son to us took a gash to the chin. He couldn't shave so is now sporting a beard and mustache. Looks quite nice on him. I predict he will be a hit with the young ladies as he heads off to college in 10 days.

The Major has been away much of the time this summer for work in the Air Force. However, we do get to spend a whole week with him as we head up to Fallen Leaf for a group campout. He is in his element on these trips and we are looking forward to the fellowship with our friends.

One more week of fun then it is back to work/school.