tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7619069739218470972024-03-22T06:09:45.599-06:00Montana: A Picture Worth a Hundred WordsDave Van Nicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14805749269330722769noreply@blogger.comBlogger1933125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761906973921847097.post-45804019570495693932024-03-22T06:02:00.003-06:002024-03-22T06:02:54.463-06:00Tickling The Twine<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ1k1yOMm1BcIQQUVEAGXJRuS8WcxNYMxcWAKv5iorRHDaZpvpb0TKAtIpwB5U8rt8eKXCdYULXYHyUenV_O7WQoaUR40zyzEhrP-W9Pc21mYhrDIsOi2rB0eUCN2bXAwV0hCoBBHmI-1QIDf0vULS6P64lMbYASXA3e7WRuXkfYho8LBdwalL55_etWI/s4032/IMG_8686.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ1k1yOMm1BcIQQUVEAGXJRuS8WcxNYMxcWAKv5iorRHDaZpvpb0TKAtIpwB5U8rt8eKXCdYULXYHyUenV_O7WQoaUR40zyzEhrP-W9Pc21mYhrDIsOi2rB0eUCN2bXAwV0hCoBBHmI-1QIDf0vULS6P64lMbYASXA3e7WRuXkfYho8LBdwalL55_etWI/s320/IMG_8686.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Basketball fans marveled at the shooting performance by Oakland's Jack Gohlke as he hit 10 of 20 three point attempts in their upset victory over Kentucky. Back in 1997, a Guy for the Carroll College Saints had a night when he was on fire from three point land. Carroll's NAIA All American only needed thirteen attempts to make his ten trifectas. His performance helped the Saints win the conference championship and propelled them into the national tournament. Oh, and that Guy led the nation in free throw percentage that year too!</div><br /><p></p>Dave Van Nicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14805749269330722769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761906973921847097.post-37535825441013349162024-03-10T15:05:00.000-06:002024-03-22T06:09:11.249-06:00It's Official<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn-gEdXuRiyxPJR9xuHt3HmFNWIuoo2eOJH1QvFrhxMbH-WQmIEhHKkdsq3WGZkvBZpQeU5oFXj_ospN_TZ7l004fEMzoIJpZ_aEGonkPyus1659gEdu6PU8gryaygD9mo3heRzZJsMqNpeK7j9reD0_vFvW7quJeXUyFZIbvWbZeFJcc0I36IlGTS2TY/s4032/IMG_8341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn-gEdXuRiyxPJR9xuHt3HmFNWIuoo2eOJH1QvFrhxMbH-WQmIEhHKkdsq3WGZkvBZpQeU5oFXj_ospN_TZ7l004fEMzoIJpZ_aEGonkPyus1659gEdu6PU8gryaygD9mo3heRzZJsMqNpeK7j9reD0_vFvW7quJeXUyFZIbvWbZeFJcc0I36IlGTS2TY/s320/IMG_8341.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hey, did you catch any Helena, Montana basketball games between 1959 and 2014? Well if you did, you most likely saw Don Macintyre and/or Gene McMahon running up and down the basketball court with whistles in their mouths.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Gene, an Anaconda kid, officiated from 1959-1987 for high school and college level sporting events. He's a Carroll College graduate and a member of their Hall of Fame. During my high school years, Gene refereed many of my basketball games along with his cohorts Zach Murfitt and Dick Muffick.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Don, a Butte kid, refereed from 1974 to 2014, a span that included my sons basketball careers. He graduated from Montana Tech in engineering and then from the U of M law school. One smart individual!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hats off to both of these fine gentleman and their great service to Montana sports!!</div><br /><p></p>Dave Van Nicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14805749269330722769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761906973921847097.post-30209476397729454982024-02-09T06:19:00.000-07:002024-03-22T06:08:56.343-06:00Montana 56<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxes53pQ_SJxwjx8ViMTXngUHNA76JctGLShnGu3a3qiafF03kmFC8TPJpw-cydoQjc4kqX3hQqAQVgbHSFdrxZtL2tqjUJu7MzJQ_xqztiBw1BTWt9fVx8rkffpQi72szooDFAVvZPcav_3-u6yPkrcuub8ijpGJe5HFSOL2AMr8rgsPqNfz7_ogbUr4/s1169/MT%20Counties.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1169" data-original-width="843" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxes53pQ_SJxwjx8ViMTXngUHNA76JctGLShnGu3a3qiafF03kmFC8TPJpw-cydoQjc4kqX3hQqAQVgbHSFdrxZtL2tqjUJu7MzJQ_xqztiBw1BTWt9fVx8rkffpQi72szooDFAVvZPcav_3-u6yPkrcuub8ijpGJe5HFSOL2AMr8rgsPqNfz7_ogbUr4/s320/MT%20Counties.JPG" width="231" /></a></div><p><br /></p>Hey, what ever happened to that old ice scraper that hung on the visor of your car? I guess it was forgotten in the process of trading in that 1994 Ford Taurus. Well, that car in the parking lot is from county 36....and I can't remember what one that is. <p></p><p>Johnny's Service to the rescue. 36 is Judith Gap and the county seat is Stanford. Leo "Johnny" Miller was an Alberton native, a WW2 veteran and an entrepreneur who passed away in Phillipsburg in 2010. Thanks for helping us out Johnny!! You can keep the green stamps. We don't have any books to put them in and we never really like the taste of the paste on the backs of the stamps<br /> </p>Dave Van Nicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14805749269330722769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761906973921847097.post-66794314361480183972024-01-14T21:17:00.000-07:002024-03-22T06:08:43.602-06:00One of Montana's Finest<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis47cTGLLghsUWyhJdAatYWoY2SZW33Biyb-PFUvWKxDtYnLauyuEUeZI0bnFVIUTzzNEGwtMAUF2wuudDGjUSuVGLTg2ZhvKMYhDJOkRQB5_QktNe6aVg2o1qz63KO88aqS6VDZLvgqIOw5r-o6RRWuumTr3FVRDofbE7in_1EQp48R714JoKA4J_qk0/s4032/IMG_7017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis47cTGLLghsUWyhJdAatYWoY2SZW33Biyb-PFUvWKxDtYnLauyuEUeZI0bnFVIUTzzNEGwtMAUF2wuudDGjUSuVGLTg2ZhvKMYhDJOkRQB5_QktNe6aVg2o1qz63KO88aqS6VDZLvgqIOw5r-o6RRWuumTr3FVRDofbE7in_1EQp48R714JoKA4J_qk0/s320/IMG_7017.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry Downs, a poker buddy of mine passed away just after the start of the new year. He was a Hall of Fame athlete back in the day as both a football player and basketball player for Carroll College, here in Helena. A great athlete and even a better man.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">In life, we meet and counteract with a lot of people and each of them is different to us personally, like the different playing cards in the deck. some are just numbered cards, they aren’t
valued by who has the most money or possessions or accolades. There is nothing that says a ten is better than a deuce. Some of the cards in the deck are the royalty,, the face cards,, jacks, queens and kings, these
are the folks that make a big difference for us. These cards are our, family, friends, mentors, community leaders, public servants, teachers, nurses who take our blood pressure, but there are only a few aces. Our
good friend Harry Downs was one of those rare aces!</span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Dave Van Nicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14805749269330722769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761906973921847097.post-37229493055283714252023-12-25T07:43:00.000-07:002024-03-22T06:08:27.939-06:00Cold Moon<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0X80U6LMiEDruusl7F6m2cZLA4g73k99mwe4-58zE7FnqZIq6hRwM0EYzB6YomDiD6wMIL4c_mldc8WTNmZ4I9jKZw0G8LSCSmK3ZiCHMMq8uBCN_eycwVwU-J1SZpP8xZ-Da4xyWQOXrsTGdXauVW9sK6LCLF1AxNdgvD2DCZz4rOYFWfvAbkZ3bGrc/s4031/IMG_8230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2510" data-original-width="4031" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0X80U6LMiEDruusl7F6m2cZLA4g73k99mwe4-58zE7FnqZIq6hRwM0EYzB6YomDiD6wMIL4c_mldc8WTNmZ4I9jKZw0G8LSCSmK3ZiCHMMq8uBCN_eycwVwU-J1SZpP8xZ-Da4xyWQOXrsTGdXauVW9sK6LCLF1AxNdgvD2DCZz4rOYFWfvAbkZ3bGrc/s320/IMG_8230.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Open Sans", "Open Sans-fallback"; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Open Sans", "Open Sans-fallback"; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>The 13th and final full moon of 2023 (officially on December 26th) is the Cold Moon according to the "Old Farmer's Almanac", the name is derived from the Mohawk name. Other names include the Long Night Moon (a reference to the solstice — the longest night of the year), Drift Clearing Moon, Hoar Frost Moon, the Snow Moon and Winter Maker Moon.<p></p><p>This morning that moon shines bright on the Helena valley. Merry Christmas everyone!!<br /> </p>Dave Van Nicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14805749269330722769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761906973921847097.post-88896561694593989252023-12-20T07:02:00.002-07:002024-03-22T06:08:12.711-06:00The Latest Poop<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghrQLb67fNi4QUQ7d5vgp80FDnlzgAmNpU1v4iC2IIWvFTVB82hPcCtK5xRlJFiRDIH39bNyh0DpM5GCeahMCU969cEBgyFiRHJbeeXqpr1_pY1feasRHKdV-hj76TILhGl8o0LD-6xg0mg2MbrG9E5-TwOjj5K87m7NyFcUEMl9JpkRtS7mo4geR7y6s/s4032/IMG_6691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghrQLb67fNi4QUQ7d5vgp80FDnlzgAmNpU1v4iC2IIWvFTVB82hPcCtK5xRlJFiRDIH39bNyh0DpM5GCeahMCU969cEBgyFiRHJbeeXqpr1_pY1feasRHKdV-hj76TILhGl8o0LD-6xg0mg2MbrG9E5-TwOjj5K87m7NyFcUEMl9JpkRtS7mo4geR7y6s/s320/IMG_6691.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's that time of the year when we are mailing packages full of surprises for the holiday season. Maybe a lump of coal wouldn't be so bad after all. Here's to a happy and healthy new year!</div><br /> <p></p>Dave Van Nicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14805749269330722769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761906973921847097.post-57416960999809757362023-11-27T07:36:00.001-07:002024-03-22T06:07:58.521-06:00Colorization<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7HZz2m_9a61kdORan9jCiTHbjTv6IeRt2Y4I46CKKhhr1R2-dnIjncY7JJYzqHbahymST5hpp5y8hKkTCLvGE_91susxgtIlfN3iPv38Edv4GjflLV4M18LoU0OaXXsF-loI1QedZMfX53tGOm4BcnR_3IKiuDyICXwsJKL4Ks0ss_mx10DpgQxSFeII/s4032/IMG_7265.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7HZz2m_9a61kdORan9jCiTHbjTv6IeRt2Y4I46CKKhhr1R2-dnIjncY7JJYzqHbahymST5hpp5y8hKkTCLvGE_91susxgtIlfN3iPv38Edv4GjflLV4M18LoU0OaXXsF-loI1QedZMfX53tGOm4BcnR_3IKiuDyICXwsJKL4Ks0ss_mx10DpgQxSFeII/s320/IMG_7265.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My granddaughter Sara was fiddling with my iPhone this summer and came up with this colorized version of the sunset.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Me: Wow, that's very pretty, but people don't like to look at colorized photos. They call it using filters.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sara: Why?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Me: Well, at least on the Internet they prefer to see images as they really are. You know, things that are true.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sara: On the Internet?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Dave Van Nicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14805749269330722769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761906973921847097.post-2282806471941659622023-10-26T09:30:00.000-06:002023-10-26T09:30:16.177-06:00Wasps As A Snack<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWRlXgKckfOto2d_f3baJ9Q6RliynGy_i7yN1G-6ZyeXseBJkhflcAb_963xbVicV2OoxXOIR4N9UYaXDpVJv0q9KWDZR2lvhjPpKnPhodc-jbL_4olYgsFPhhcnqwUgGddYk81J-xpUBjoV8ROIpTw1VRbrIFGXvE8mUABpU0wkIJSAugtmDrbfD1064/s4032/IMG_7959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWRlXgKckfOto2d_f3baJ9Q6RliynGy_i7yN1G-6ZyeXseBJkhflcAb_963xbVicV2OoxXOIR4N9UYaXDpVJv0q9KWDZR2lvhjPpKnPhodc-jbL_4olYgsFPhhcnqwUgGddYk81J-xpUBjoV8ROIpTw1VRbrIFGXvE8mUABpU0wkIJSAugtmDrbfD1064/s320/IMG_7959.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Someone dug into the hillside at my Sweet Sara placer claim and snacked on a wasp nest. My extensive research shows that bears, foxes, skunks and badgers enjoy this as a late night treat when the wasps are chilled out a bit. They still get stung some, but someone compared that to a human continuing to take bites from a too hot slice of pizza.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I suspect a fox was the snacker in this case. My trail cameras haven't seen a bear since spring and rarely see a skunk. Foxes, bobcats, mountain lions, turkeys, deer and elk are regular visitors.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /><p></p>Dave Van Nicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14805749269330722769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761906973921847097.post-1429720734857806252023-10-01T07:29:00.001-06:002023-10-01T07:29:38.681-06:00Crescent Moon<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitToMZP0gkaHdsRRIWUvgcwTQFHfxtpRvkbQxoShQhRjEhyphenhyphenG5UrZCG0iH6JTskNMFmN3BsD2ULU-ZIboMLcLXEnydQVB8bHVpvFG1WDrNOGffoKYEx9u6BjWFMaSHbCbXFelpDMXKmrSbUF09DGJs0AmOC7GbXydWcYKnQNjmetETUQ7at58xUtg3kG2k/s4032/IMG_7781.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitToMZP0gkaHdsRRIWUvgcwTQFHfxtpRvkbQxoShQhRjEhyphenhyphenG5UrZCG0iH6JTskNMFmN3BsD2ULU-ZIboMLcLXEnydQVB8bHVpvFG1WDrNOGffoKYEx9u6BjWFMaSHbCbXFelpDMXKmrSbUF09DGJs0AmOC7GbXydWcYKnQNjmetETUQ7at58xUtg3kG2k/s320/IMG_7781.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A pink cloud for the girls and a blue cloud for the boys and a crescent moon for all of us Montanans.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Full moon superstitions vary across different cultures and regions. In some Native American legends, the moon is held captive by a hostile tribe, while antelope attempt to rescue it but are foiled by the trickster Coyote. Chinese traditions involve offerings to ancestors during the full moon, and in British folklore, the timing of the moon's phase on Christmas is believed to predict the success of the following year's harvest.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Here's hoping the antelope can rescue the full moon again during this cycle, like they have done so many many times before.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Dave Van Nicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14805749269330722769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761906973921847097.post-81283987621722281392023-09-19T14:55:00.000-06:002023-09-19T14:55:16.513-06:00Too Many Rainbows<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKtvculzjgUwk107df6oO4Lj96b_TGp7ulIxvQzupe9SgFwrQvTlO0hWR9TW0fnBOrXYs3YfYebU8zFbdBFG04UadAjgUyzvNjmFsiNLoPg1l109c7uqF1ML2kCyw4DH7ldfwUqgCWcCIVwmpKPH55ZDJVL0buhUgkRv2b26Hc1AuQfb00emYlVFLj-Yk/s4032/IMG_E7263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKtvculzjgUwk107df6oO4Lj96b_TGp7ulIxvQzupe9SgFwrQvTlO0hWR9TW0fnBOrXYs3YfYebU8zFbdBFG04UadAjgUyzvNjmFsiNLoPg1l109c7uqF1ML2kCyw4DH7ldfwUqgCWcCIVwmpKPH55ZDJVL0buhUgkRv2b26Hc1AuQfb00emYlVFLj-Yk/s320/IMG_E7263.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p>Why do people think they have to post every rainbow picture online? I've been posting to Facebook for about ten years and I doubt that I have posted more then 20 rainbow photos. Just kidding! Every rainbow deserves a showing and this one was a doozie. Pictured is a rainbow that was spanning the hills above the Chico Gift Shop after a thunder storm that cleared out the pool.</p>Dave Van Nicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14805749269330722769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761906973921847097.post-5466828246501832352023-09-18T10:49:00.001-06:002023-09-18T10:49:23.989-06:00Pickle People<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg85kFbSWeVO8ZJGFyxfzkLpvRYUrMGdChFmkknac2-o388g0Do6DkjiYaUjwR4692AX9ZmiUMHOZIpcft-4ecpEu28x_yN3JIiRvwvK9Tda17WNpuGPirdNA077QydrEMXg9qCQbpIIYv2SwqB-eYFYAqF0YywjpSnpDiMeNizNoWPnUXgRub1c-7_gsc/s4032/IMG_7754.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg85kFbSWeVO8ZJGFyxfzkLpvRYUrMGdChFmkknac2-o388g0Do6DkjiYaUjwR4692AX9ZmiUMHOZIpcft-4ecpEu28x_yN3JIiRvwvK9Tda17WNpuGPirdNA077QydrEMXg9qCQbpIIYv2SwqB-eYFYAqF0YywjpSnpDiMeNizNoWPnUXgRub1c-7_gsc/s320/IMG_7754.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />You can identify them by their knee braces, AARP hats, Medicare cards and Beatles t-shirts. For a number of years I resisted joining this cult with their dinks, kills and third-shot drops. I said, "Maybe I'll give it a try when I get old". Ahh, but then there comes a time when you have to admit that some of your assigned parts have limited athletic value. Alas, it has resulted in a new addiction. <p></p>Dave Van Nicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14805749269330722769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761906973921847097.post-22669084079125261112023-09-17T08:41:00.000-06:002023-09-17T08:41:00.921-06:00Is That Thunder?<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigjNK8t4q8L3NbC9Ys7-KkEj3XDTQB_5s0YGdBSSDAQqEFgLXvAe6CRDiRIZptZ7ssJUdq3iiwt5lP1mLjbnehmpd0xFT5Pphl8HLmScA5LpSyaIHINNji6BiWjuVSdEHEWXQ7NJp6tBrrvNAH8f7vJUil6PPGfFaA_cJXavZOJNenePQyZBLgLRaHy0I/s4032/IMG_7474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigjNK8t4q8L3NbC9Ys7-KkEj3XDTQB_5s0YGdBSSDAQqEFgLXvAe6CRDiRIZptZ7ssJUdq3iiwt5lP1mLjbnehmpd0xFT5Pphl8HLmScA5LpSyaIHINNji6BiWjuVSdEHEWXQ7NJp6tBrrvNAH8f7vJUil6PPGfFaA_cJXavZOJNenePQyZBLgLRaHy0I/s320/IMG_7474.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Our buddy the giant is backlit by sunlight during a late summer shower. Is that thunder or is the giant snoring. Roll over on your side pal so the folks in the Helena valley can get some shuteye.</p>Dave Van Nicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14805749269330722769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761906973921847097.post-60189190387085549492023-09-16T07:15:00.004-06:002023-09-16T07:15:58.099-06:00Friday Night Lights<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh09UZO6NYuXB2B51-bFsHAyUOhmckP_ZWr0qLn8Oomlp5z1HAmIg6qvFgkD8-GMkLJuaUQg61TaSLX8A0Pd94H1FVTN1Gdp_ZgFpjSjJNDcFRFsnZpdtFKkZuCJ8uqBG0rd86dcUMhl4WGrBRgXwNXr625I3EOuNmBhrsbhKGQ22Eci71iHkXh71l2Xqs/s4032/IMG_7538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh09UZO6NYuXB2B51-bFsHAyUOhmckP_ZWr0qLn8Oomlp5z1HAmIg6qvFgkD8-GMkLJuaUQg61TaSLX8A0Pd94H1FVTN1Gdp_ZgFpjSjJNDcFRFsnZpdtFKkZuCJ8uqBG0rd86dcUMhl4WGrBRgXwNXr625I3EOuNmBhrsbhKGQ22Eci71iHkXh71l2Xqs/s320/IMG_7538.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /> Sometimes you don't have to throw the power switch to light up Vigilante Stadium in Helena.<p></p>Dave Van Nicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14805749269330722769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761906973921847097.post-4212189205275412582023-09-15T06:41:00.001-06:002023-09-15T06:41:25.531-06:00Long Term Relationship<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkEQQ3R30x-UHkNJUN8CqTYVPAfEGpc4a3BRe592K8Oi2akk8dgkr2UCoggqN8JOuSis-5wQNcOHwBPQ18UhSVFi2SwXdKoJmbfEKo5orTssBphKwcNXkQ4KmuGmEaMzGfl_QMQW3bqR524ptmfL4qMO-vpf5A3bOy54jEQAaMEO-W_jHQkDPQU4cuvds/s4032/IMG_7546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkEQQ3R30x-UHkNJUN8CqTYVPAfEGpc4a3BRe592K8Oi2akk8dgkr2UCoggqN8JOuSis-5wQNcOHwBPQ18UhSVFi2SwXdKoJmbfEKo5orTssBphKwcNXkQ4KmuGmEaMzGfl_QMQW3bqR524ptmfL4qMO-vpf5A3bOy54jEQAaMEO-W_jHQkDPQU4cuvds/s320/IMG_7546.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>From the children's section of the library in the basement of what is now the Grand Street Theatre to the recently remodeled facility just down Park Avenue, I have been fortunate enough to enjoy a long term relationship with the Lewis and Clark Library.</p><p>Even though videos, talking books, digital books, podcasts, chat rooms, listservs, social media and other modern conveniences have changed our options for obtaining information and helping us explore the world of fiction, there is still something magically satisfying about holding and reading a hard copy book from one of our favorite authors.</p><p>L&C Library thank you, I salute you!</p>Dave Van Nicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14805749269330722769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761906973921847097.post-67041302806134843572023-09-14T07:34:00.000-06:002023-09-14T07:34:19.245-06:00A Great Decade<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2GJ_siR7bSEtzGcHZLAfVWnZ0IOSj2FwGZbwkGEQ-G44t5Qw-p-BN1tT_npyS3ZpVroWLrldL8PHjmqG57tunQL97d_h6xUbC6hW0FbMWdCKZNbjk5G0pPioDTHr2IYdbBz710SMl3bRsSecH5wsyQqYDZPe3HlowI74luVkR9pZOJGVqSuumZtPbZnA/s4032/IMG_6904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2GJ_siR7bSEtzGcHZLAfVWnZ0IOSj2FwGZbwkGEQ-G44t5Qw-p-BN1tT_npyS3ZpVroWLrldL8PHjmqG57tunQL97d_h6xUbC6hW0FbMWdCKZNbjk5G0pPioDTHr2IYdbBz710SMl3bRsSecH5wsyQqYDZPe3HlowI74luVkR9pZOJGVqSuumZtPbZnA/s320/IMG_6904.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /> <br /><br /><u>A Student's Prayer</u><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Now I lay me down to rest</div><br />I pray I pass tomorrow's test<br /><br />If I should die before I wake<br /><br />That's one less test I'll have to take.<br /><br /> - Anonymous<p></p><p><br /></p><p>I started my college education in the fall of 1968 and finally graduated in the spring of 1977.</p><p>I had so much fun. but more importantly I learned so much, some of it in the classroom.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Dave Van Nicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14805749269330722769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761906973921847097.post-85673631053671323342023-09-13T07:05:00.000-06:002023-09-13T07:05:04.761-06:00Roadside Elk<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhqpnP1DlXXS4L8U11K3kYN7st0nkTG0G4qMCLapPumS1YASUgJm12Vm5vWGyuky0nTu7eKBThGsQlHRu-PUOO_LMAn9MQBxc1h2y-1NBer5eYc5_v3cbTj8Mh6R8QJqtO9um_tRhinhy8T-XQaALfGHcwIrAUGbdtcNMuJ4kgOVt7Cp6L7FyMhezZy84/s2490/IMG_7305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1636" data-original-width="2490" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhqpnP1DlXXS4L8U11K3kYN7st0nkTG0G4qMCLapPumS1YASUgJm12Vm5vWGyuky0nTu7eKBThGsQlHRu-PUOO_LMAn9MQBxc1h2y-1NBer5eYc5_v3cbTj8Mh6R8QJqtO9um_tRhinhy8T-XQaALfGHcwIrAUGbdtcNMuJ4kgOVt7Cp6L7FyMhezZy84/s320/IMG_7305.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>These grazing elk didn't bother to look up as we stopped to snap a couple of photos of them. It was mid-July and we were about five miles north of Gardiner, Montana. I suspect they had wandered out of town, but are probably part of that Gardiner gang of elk that are habituated to automobile traffic and human interactions</p><p>They remind me of our Helena urban deer population who will stand in the middle of the street, stopping traffic with that "Yeah, so what are you gonna do about it?" look on their faces. Don't push your luck Bambi!</p>Dave Van Nicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14805749269330722769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761906973921847097.post-42399508372274342232023-09-12T15:52:00.002-06:002023-09-12T15:52:56.704-06:00Plums Or Apricots?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBxe7bB66ejmKUkhtZVUog-77K4qKgNnq4mfzgVDiOk7NuIImasmLgI8dDarUxPXOaQC3tpUzQWaeha-yBLjnCPHAU3W7qgvE1lEFy4igABmNer39MmYly9-9LwK49QSplq62UCVP98n-djM5aWVKwoqHDx66b0bYbj2wnDflGNyfhdLCBWo97vkUJFGU/s4032/IMG_7640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBxe7bB66ejmKUkhtZVUog-77K4qKgNnq4mfzgVDiOk7NuIImasmLgI8dDarUxPXOaQC3tpUzQWaeha-yBLjnCPHAU3W7qgvE1lEFy4igABmNer39MmYly9-9LwK49QSplq62UCVP98n-djM5aWVKwoqHDx66b0bYbj2wnDflGNyfhdLCBWo97vkUJFGU/s320/IMG_7640.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p>I was driving up Jimtown Road near Canyon Ferry Dam when, near the road a tree laden with yellow fruit caught my eye. The fruit was smaller than apples and had a different more yellow color than any apples have this time of year. There were hundreds of fruit on the tree and so I figured I would investigate. This photo was taken with an iPhone from about 15 yards away. Hmm, why hadn't wildlife harvested this fruit yet? I grabbed a small bucket intent on bringing some of this low hanging produce home for identification, but it became obvious why the fruit was still on the tree. Five to six foot high thorny bushes surrounded the tree in every direction and there were no gaps between bushes. It would have been like fighting with a continuous barbed wire fence to solve the mystery.</p>Dave Van Nicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14805749269330722769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761906973921847097.post-55785845139111905442023-09-11T06:27:00.001-06:002023-09-11T06:29:59.821-06:00Nothing Burger<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi81TyfuQlRu4HrLPJx3aWRijwy8dLRmfkxqX6i2LbSnMu1mPx-u30CqSrhN6U9B-xm2AqWAnXSJsKGX2uFyqNXiIgyCXyogSCO2Fr7JPWkFumyBbnafXCKu926Qz_JVzn5BtTT1HRZTatHYG_3anYGB49NIR2p_IWFm_LX6QTuxJ2p-1veOpZep6q4snA/s4032/IMG_7489.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi81TyfuQlRu4HrLPJx3aWRijwy8dLRmfkxqX6i2LbSnMu1mPx-u30CqSrhN6U9B-xm2AqWAnXSJsKGX2uFyqNXiIgyCXyogSCO2Fr7JPWkFumyBbnafXCKu926Qz_JVzn5BtTT1HRZTatHYG_3anYGB49NIR2p_IWFm_LX6QTuxJ2p-1veOpZep6q4snA/s320/IMG_7489.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Using this simple Haiku</div></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<p class="Normal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="tm5">I try to explain</span></p>
<p class="Normal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="tm5">How to understand women</span></p></div><p><br /> </p>Dave Van Nicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14805749269330722769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761906973921847097.post-25891128261047302492023-09-10T08:29:00.000-06:002023-09-10T08:29:07.671-06:00Opportunity Kid<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZjB2Zk5-k7SrEL56nZRKKmCkdbI6vRk0_lZDLABaJj5eRzHLiDpHEsSLT0ryHI3QCAZ8HrjH8Cojy8jS8Y3mKFNRI23EUVfK13Pszz-QqSAXZtlaH0rFDULccFZPaLnss411g9N1Q-fCnhbBOIGvFyElE1JWUdPdlEQohC2ElbfJuTynB1HEqmW4CsXg/s4608/IMG_3353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZjB2Zk5-k7SrEL56nZRKKmCkdbI6vRk0_lZDLABaJj5eRzHLiDpHEsSLT0ryHI3QCAZ8HrjH8Cojy8jS8Y3mKFNRI23EUVfK13Pszz-QqSAXZtlaH0rFDULccFZPaLnss411g9N1Q-fCnhbBOIGvFyElE1JWUdPdlEQohC2ElbfJuTynB1HEqmW4CsXg/s320/IMG_3353.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Roger Rouse(1934-1999) is remembered as one of Montana's greatest boxers. Raised in Opportunity, just outside of Anaconda, Rouse was a standout high school athlete in football and basketball and then went on to Idaho State University where he excelled as a boxer. He competed as a middleweight in the 1956 Olympics (Melbourne) and then as a professional, he had two title shots as a light heavyweight.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">In 1967 Rouse lost on a 12th round TKO to world champion Dick Tiger in a Las Vegas title fight. His second title contest was held in Missoula in 1970 against champion Rob Foster. Foster won that bout on a 5th round TKO. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">After retiring from boxing. Roger worked at the Smelter in Anaconda until it closed in 1980. Rouse was active as a youth boxing coach for several years.</span></span></p><p><br /></p>Dave Van Nicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14805749269330722769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761906973921847097.post-20567976754843415602023-09-09T15:20:00.003-06:002023-09-10T06:56:59.221-06:00Heartthrob<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaGWGfjXgOlke_DD5QZ0VUWZ5phNUIfJxZ1LZql9vEYEGUEjNMaIkfW_o0QyLHB66RhsBY7ZD4jU2YQnISwCg--KmTGiWoM_c8PWMMNIkVe2sC9CykNR5la1rTV6XhUjyWpIIimgeGtAA6Nhi5IVxU1JSDDQwSaA7BLgUywLOZ2yn34ua0QpVt2RxkNPA/s3311/IMG_7613%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2253" data-original-width="3311" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaGWGfjXgOlke_DD5QZ0VUWZ5phNUIfJxZ1LZql9vEYEGUEjNMaIkfW_o0QyLHB66RhsBY7ZD4jU2YQnISwCg--KmTGiWoM_c8PWMMNIkVe2sC9CykNR5la1rTV6XhUjyWpIIimgeGtAA6Nhi5IVxU1JSDDQwSaA7BLgUywLOZ2yn34ua0QpVt2RxkNPA/s320/IMG_7613%20(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Yup, nuf said.</div><br /> <p></p>Dave Van Nicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14805749269330722769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761906973921847097.post-41056648725806602692023-09-08T12:20:00.005-06:002023-09-09T07:04:45.311-06:00Virgelle Mercantile<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSfJALz1luREl3C2VhHqnaHBOZqZEo3TxjnEnejs9IndMUhGiOcBW0dyg1APZjM2NfKqyJDrtdIL8p9t1kuwLVX9xjFDYiauczW20u5KzBPLQPDm4CLRydT40gFzIfdeDJnkLPfFeSsY2WYPz99dtRnu5ldUjWeL5niVCYmGfDuSCjaDc5Z8CB7DvH4tc/s3264/IMG_9313.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSfJALz1luREl3C2VhHqnaHBOZqZEo3TxjnEnejs9IndMUhGiOcBW0dyg1APZjM2NfKqyJDrtdIL8p9t1kuwLVX9xjFDYiauczW20u5KzBPLQPDm4CLRydT40gFzIfdeDJnkLPfFeSsY2WYPz99dtRnu5ldUjWeL5niVCYmGfDuSCjaDc5Z8CB7DvH4tc/s320/IMG_9313.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You don't just run into the Virgelle Mercantile by accident on a leisurely Sunday drive. However if you are in the Loma, Montana neighborhood and planning on experiencing the Virgelle Ferry( which will take your vehicle across the Missouri river), you might want to visit this unique antique store/Bed and Breakfast. It's another one of those fantastic Montana locations where you aren't quite at the end of the earth, but if you stand on a ladder you might be able to see the edge from here.</div><p></p>Dave Van Nicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14805749269330722769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761906973921847097.post-19814776890229628442023-09-07T06:03:00.002-06:002023-09-07T06:03:54.218-06:00Grasshopper Jim<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJKp1i3Tv9IdgRYRR1TKKS_1v9WUlVnnFapn4gGJZ5w_H6MqJwa7Pu01W0qyR6eVDaYmHAUaMJMXqlSmW2YczPDKoL5rgFxoQzEvV97nKMtCeiz5W_tyWO5xiOlmdTwTca-HwQDd1cBkqH7GLX_rCXTBwEXkGhQGAaYL5gn3odogYcmsSPA-z4iy-i2lQ/s4032/IMG_7216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJKp1i3Tv9IdgRYRR1TKKS_1v9WUlVnnFapn4gGJZ5w_H6MqJwa7Pu01W0qyR6eVDaYmHAUaMJMXqlSmW2YczPDKoL5rgFxoQzEvV97nKMtCeiz5W_tyWO5xiOlmdTwTca-HwQDd1cBkqH7GLX_rCXTBwEXkGhQGAaYL5gn3odogYcmsSPA-z4iy-i2lQ/s320/IMG_7216.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p><span style="font-family: verdana;">James Sanks Brisbin was a Pennsylvania native who served as part of the "First Dragoons" cavalry during the Civil War. In 1868 Brisbin was stationed in the west where he served at many of the early forts including Fort Pease on the Yellowstone River, Boise Barracks, Omaha Barracks, Camp Stambaugh, Fort Ellis, Fort Assiniboine, Fort Keogh, Fort Custer, Fort Niobrara, Fort Robinson, Fort McKinney, and finally at Fort Meade. Brisbin purchased a ranch on the Yellowstone River in 1882. He was a prolific writer and a student of agriculture. His ranching activities earned him the nickname of "Grasshopper Jim". </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Today there is a community hall named after Brisbin that is located just south of Livingston in Park County. It is a popular wedding venue.</span></p>Dave Van Nicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14805749269330722769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761906973921847097.post-68287245059428359232023-09-06T07:02:00.000-06:002023-09-06T07:02:39.189-06:00Ravenna<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp49UMYUjYThrxA_v4caYCH7oxUfIudgjWvJXqFe2fQOEKxfpn9WwSrZqbe3MM9szH6N_N6wT8XibMDP4Yy76qDZKkeG4zgATHsa2T-Uka_F9XiqFmSLZZyfJ3kEswF9Ix9vsRXo9hItulN7yV0gLudnNaaqEmBYwqFS8B2BMmCFIf93DMxhS_u8fXhxc/s4032/IMG_7379.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp49UMYUjYThrxA_v4caYCH7oxUfIudgjWvJXqFe2fQOEKxfpn9WwSrZqbe3MM9szH6N_N6wT8XibMDP4Yy76qDZKkeG4zgATHsa2T-Uka_F9XiqFmSLZZyfJ3kEswF9Ix9vsRXo9hItulN7yV0gLudnNaaqEmBYwqFS8B2BMmCFIf93DMxhS_u8fXhxc/s400/IMG_7379.JPG" width="400" /></a>My maternal grandfather worked for the Milwaukee railroad at their substations in Idaho and across Montana. What's a substation you ask? You see, the Milwaukee was an electric railroad. So they had electrical substations (14) set up every few miles of the 440 mile route. My grandfather Walker worked at substations in Avery, Idaho, Two Dot, Montana and Ravenna, Montana. These substations usually sat alone on the landscape with a house or two for the workers.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The two little white houses that sat beside the Ravenna substation are long gone. My mother's family lived in one of those houses and used the swinging bridge (also gone) that used to get them across the Clark Fork River and onto the road into Missoula. Ambitious artists have recently added graffiti to the old substation. I'm curious how Sophie or Sophie's admirer managed to produce their spray paint art so high on the building and wondering how they got across the river at night when that type of artistic endeavor usually occurs.</div>Dave Van Nicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14805749269330722769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761906973921847097.post-73888782447604356952023-09-05T07:25:00.003-06:002023-09-05T07:25:42.204-06:00Hot And Smokey August<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjngUMfVFxx1d1ype3-zxl3oLYAagMdKmtrRDAE1oIZno54O76GiDCJZzRPFNyI6-RYOfUoF6pyjvGgIHM2sWsW7Muw3Df_365y4vNhNt-TgAyWCmWpcnRxxZc5LbqusuncGuazzpjAZm67btwAY-IxfZjaUU80EYy-Wmlhm1Pxra7CTZzQvLp2mniwMG8/s4032/IMG_7418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjngUMfVFxx1d1ype3-zxl3oLYAagMdKmtrRDAE1oIZno54O76GiDCJZzRPFNyI6-RYOfUoF6pyjvGgIHM2sWsW7Muw3Df_365y4vNhNt-TgAyWCmWpcnRxxZc5LbqusuncGuazzpjAZm67btwAY-IxfZjaUU80EYy-Wmlhm1Pxra7CTZzQvLp2mniwMG8/s320/IMG_7418.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /> Sometimes it's just nice to turn the calendar over to a new month.<p></p>Dave Van Nicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14805749269330722769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761906973921847097.post-33156090282254308012023-09-04T07:19:00.000-06:002023-09-04T07:19:05.895-06:00Skylights<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf8vlENbHIPkNHhfk8G0FH3Qf8mvykWszXYUKmbC_kZtv3DBqSQwr9TMFyVy6wapFct5nskaR8rCGyHcWYHgD1fRVG4UvmTBqs9rH6KQTC-1BJREN2jUPmuw05Gwdq7nDvKpjRDDNnTQjZ4PzodIcJ4gQwwQgG9mVxaz0kQCFwg5FV475HtealI8oXpQo/s4032/IMG_6609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf8vlENbHIPkNHhfk8G0FH3Qf8mvykWszXYUKmbC_kZtv3DBqSQwr9TMFyVy6wapFct5nskaR8rCGyHcWYHgD1fRVG4UvmTBqs9rH6KQTC-1BJREN2jUPmuw05Gwdq7nDvKpjRDDNnTQjZ4PzodIcJ4gQwwQgG9mVxaz0kQCFwg5FV475HtealI8oXpQo/s320/IMG_6609.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Just reflecting on Mother Nature's magnificent display at the end of April. It gave us all a chance to add "aurora borealis" to our vocabulary. The city lights of Helena are slightly blurred in this handheld iPhone image of the northern lights. </p><p>Take that trip to Norway off of your bucket list. We had these beauties delivered right to our doorsteps in Montana. </p>Dave Van Nicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14805749269330722769noreply@blogger.com0