Filed under: The Wildlife I Love to See | Tags: birds, Canada geese, drama queen, geese, Montana, Mountain view, orchestra conductor, rain, Turkey vultures, vultures, Western photography
One day last summer, after a particularly hard rain (I love rain!), I was sitting on the deck and admiring the amazing view, when I noticed 2 turkey vultures had landed high in a tree, just up the river from our cabin. I called Hubby to come and see, then I grabbed the camera and got a shot or two, and then we waited and watched. Soon after, another vulture landed in the same tree…and then another. Finally, there was a whole flock (do vultures call themselves a “flock?”) in that same tree. Yes, I know it sounds crazy to be excited about birds in a tree, but ya’ gotta’ keep in mind… we’re in a remote location in Montana, so we get our thrills with stuff like this.
We watched those vultures and soon realized why they had landed. They hadn’t landed there to conduct an orchestra. It wasn’t to practice their drama queen routine for an upcoming stage debut, either. No, it was because the sun was just beginning to come out, and one by one, the vultures opened their wings. They were drying their wings in the sun! I wondered how they could keep their balance with their wings fully raised, but they did. This went on for 1/2 hour or so, then one by one they flew away.
Hey, they’re not much to look at (understatement of the year!!), but it was a fun afternoon with the vultures as entertainment. I didn’t give a lot of thought to things like this, when I lived in the city. Now that I’m slowing down and admiring the view, it’s a trip to see what the birds and wildlife are doing….at least, to me and hubby, it is. I wonder how many people never notice..
‘Scuze me…the Canada Geese are outside, cruisin’ on the river…gotta’ run!
Filed under: Crafts and Hobbies | Tags: baseball, basketball, Catholic School, college football, football, Montana State University, offensive guard, Phoenix Suns, Shaquille O'Neal, Sports, sports pictures, Steve Nash
With his sports picture collection proudly displayed on the vaulted ceiling in the loft, Hubby is so happy! Now he can sit back in his chair at the computer and gaze at his favorite sports figures. He loves all sports, and he has many favorite players (don’t ask me to name them….I go blank at the thought of most sports stuff). Maybe you can see in the pictures who his favorites are. There’s a lot of history in those pictures!
Hubby played college football at Montana State College (now MSU). Let’s see if I can remember…oh yes, I remember now……he was an offensive guard. And unfortunately, he’s got injuries that go along with it.
He has several cool trophies from when he played baseball as a kid in Brooklyn. He went to a Catholic school, and they had a winning baseball team! Who woulda’ thought?! Catholic school? Sports? It just never occurred to me.
Me? I was all thumbs and elbows, gangly and tall as a kid, so no trophies here…but I always secretly wished I’d somehow win one.
Since we got married, I’m trying to gain more sports knowledge, and I actually enjoy football and basketball now. I especially like Steve Nash on the Phoenix Suns basketball team. I had no idea a “short” guy (compared to his teammates) could play like that!! Dammit baby, white men CAN jump! I’m really looking forward to the playoffs, after getting familiar with Nash last year. And now the Suns have Shaquille O’Neal (did I spell that right?), so look out Lakers!
Filed under: Daily life in the Wild West | Tags: Animal Care and Control, Cats, dogs, Jack Russell terrier, veterinarians
It was a busy day for Cowboy the cat…stalking birds, contemplating the meaning of life, posing for pictures, taking naps on the dog’s bed, and generally enjoying life. He follows me around the yard, and even comes to the river with me and takes a long drink of the icy cold water. Hubby is still amazed that a cat would follow a person. I’m enjoying seeing how much he, a former cat hater, enjoys Cowboy!
Meanwhile, Daisy was playing in the snow, making a point of running as much as possible to keep her waistline trim. At 6 years old (or is it 7?), she’s still like a puppy in many ways.
Daisy is a rescue dog. The previous owners almost killed her from neglect (it makes me furious to think of those idiots!). As an animal welfare activist, I had heard about Daisy from a fellow activist. She knew someone across the street from Daisy’s previous owner who told her about the little dog.
So one day, my friend and I knocked on the previous owner’s door. My friend, always fast on her feet, told the owner that we were from Animal Control and were following up on a complaint. The lady went and got the dog and brought her outside, all the time holding her. Long story short, after 45 minutes, we talked the lady into handing me the dog, after telling her the dog would die without veterinary care. After she handed me the emaciated dog, we immediately turned and left in my friend’s car.
My friend and I were so appalled and disgusted at the dog’s weakened and emaciated appearance that we discussed involving Animal Care and Control to press charges against the owner, but we decided not to, realizing that they would take the dog as “evidence,” and I didn’t want to give her up.
The vet’s office was closed, so I took the dog home with me, planning to take her to the vet in the morning. The dog was skin and bones and was so weak that she could not stand up. I determined that she was not only starved, but she was severely dehydrated, too. She hadn’t even been given any water!!
That night, the dog began convulsing, which scared the hell out of me. I stayed by her side for hours, and it occurred to me that her name should be “Daisy.” The next day, the vet took the dog as an inpatient for 3 days, warning me that the dog would probably not survive. Somehow, I knew she would survive! The vet said that without care, the dog would have been dead within 24 hours, due to the severe dehydration. She told me the dehydration had caused the previous night’s convulsions. Daisy was in “intensive care” for 3 days.
Once I brought her home, she still had trouble standing up. I gave her tender loving care, as she began to gain weight and become stronger. It took 2 months for her to get her full strength back, and then look out! She’s part Jack Russell terrier, and I found out quick how active they are!
She has a happy go-lucky, adorable personality. What a sweet, loving little dog. How could a person treat her the way those people did?!
Filed under: Daily life in the Wild West | Tags: Absarokee, grocery store, Montana, mountain town, Mountain view, What Time Is It?
We need a few groceries, and it’s a 25-mile ride into Absarokee, the little town closest to us that has a grocery store. It is such a cute little mountain town! It’s crazy how people speak to each other on the street or wherever they might pass each other…so different from cities. I’m glad that I had a chance in my lifetime to live in such a cool place. Cold, yes…windy, yes, but cool… and gorgeous!
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: high winds, Hobbies and Little Projects, Log Cabin, paneling, tongue and groove
Our log home is built in the traditional log cabin style, with exposed logs on the interior. While this is gorgeous to look at, the logs do tend to dry out as they age and the resulting shrinkage of the wood leaves with cracks through which the cold…or hot…air can intrude. This is especially relevant on the south to southwest side of the house, since the wind blows hard from that direction on a regular basis. Some days, we have winds gusting to 75 and 85 miles an hour. It’s beautiful here, but dang those winds!
Anyway, we’re thinking about putting tongue and groove wood paneling on the interior of the walls facing southwest, with an insulation behind it. We’ve just begun investigating the possibilities. We’re both thrilled with the beauty of the exposed logs and would hate to lose that, but the benefits of the paneling idea are starting to outweigh the downside of hiding the logs.
Neither of us know how we would do this ourselves, since our skill level is low, so if anyone has any hints or tips, please comment!
Filed under: Daily life in the Wild West | Tags: Edwards, election results, Eli Manning, Fair Tax Plan, Giants, Mike Huckabee, Obama, One day at a time, Patriots, Rudy Guiliani, Super Bowl, Super Tuesday, Tom Brady
While I like Obama’s personality, while watching him I feel as though I’m watching an over-zealous college student who wants to change the world, but has neither the experience nor the determination to actually see that goal through.
I love Mike Huckabee’s support of the Fair Tax plan. I got the Fair Tax book 2 or so years ago (eliminate the IRS!). I’ll admit I didn’t read the whole book, but what I did read made excellent sense to me, and I greatly wish the Fair Tax could gain more public support. This plan would abolish the IRS and would allow people to keep their whole paycheck, and a higher sales tax would be implemented, so that we paid taxes whenever we purchased something. Food would not be taxed, nor would used items, etc. Special provisions are built into the plan that would protect low income citizens and seniors on a fixed income. This plan does not favor the special interests or give corporate loopholes, thereby benefitting the middle class (me). As a whole, citizens need to write to their senators and congressmen and insist that they support the Fair Tax for this plan to ever go anywhere. It is up to us! Now I’ll go and check the TV…I’m on the edge of my seat here…dying to get the scoop on what’s happening with the candidates…
















