Spring Thaw

I am taking a break from normal Sunday activity (which includes going to the tiny Mtn. View Methodist Church up on the hill—we and one other MTech student are the youngest attendees in the church of maybe 20 people.) So I can write and do nothing. I feel like we have been traveling at warp speed these last few days and maybe that is because I have gotten too used to the slow ticking of time in Butte and anything that moves faster than slow seems too fast. Or maybe it is because we actually have been doing too much (for me). I realize that my favorite pastimes include a lot of alone time: writing, painting, cooking. So I haven’t had much time to do my favorite things and I am feeling a little discombobulated. No worries though it is very easy to hide away here…which is what I intend to do today.

A moose and her calf wandered into town last Tuesday. They were near the filling station, maybe looking for some gas or they wanted to play power ball, I'm not sure. But it did make the front page of the paper. http://mtstandard.com/image_1236bd80-36f3-11df-834d-001cc4c002e0.html

The weather has been beckoning us outdoors, and even after a mild (by Butte standards) winter, I feel a tiny glimmer of warmth and it makes me feel like life is grand, hope is on the horizon, and all that business. Lucy feels it too and has been sitting on the front lawn with her eyes closed and her face stretched toward the sun.

Photos: sharp-tailed grouse and Keith & Lucy at Moulton Reservoir, friendly horses @ Chico.

Keith had his spring break the week before last and for one night we headed to Chico Hot Springs Resort in Pray, Montana (near Yellowstone). Since the resort is dog friendly, Lucy traveled with us and we all hiked in the shadows of the 11,000 ft peaks that circle the resort. Keith and I also sat in the hot springs pool, which normally would be relaxing after a long hike, but Keith (who always likes to add excitement to everything we do) stayed just a little too long in the 104 degree water and briefly passed out on the side of the pool. And the Montanans being Montanans left us to ourselves as I pulled Keith off the ground and ran to get him a cold cup of water. So Keith recovered and we awoke the next morning to a pack of mule deer outside our cabin door. And as the sun came over the high mountains, we hiked a new trail that ended in a horse pasture with very welcoming horses to greet us.

On returning home, we found an offer for an internship with Fidelity Oil for Keith in Glendive, MT. Glendive, where the tourism website says something like, “If your idea of a good time is counting the stars at night and having staring contests with the wild animals, then Glendive is the place for you!” I don’t know about you, but that sounds to me like there is nothing to do in Glendive. It doesn’t matter though, Keith will be working rather than being a tourist and I will be heading back to NC for some green mountain views and leisure time with friends (what a life I lead!).

Finally, with all the spring like weather, we got out yesterday with our friends Jonathan (from Florida) and Mark (from Calgary) for some target shooting up on the East Ridge (called Homestake Pass). I only stayed for an hour or so, but I did get to shoot a 22 and prove that I am not a markswoman, although we never wondered anyhow. Here are the pictures to prove it.

We also went x-country skiing last weekend and made a new friend on the trail. This big ol'thing stayed with me for 5 miles and when I fell, he would sit down and wait patiently for me to get up.  No, he did not come with the barrel around his neck. I still fell deeply in love with him though and evidently he with me.

Home again, home again, jiggety-jig

So here I am again at home that doesn’t completely feel like home, but even familiarity is nice these days…and I am familiar with this town and the good thing is the longer I am here, the more familiar it will seem. (Yes, this positive outlook is a stretch, but I am presently buying it.)

View coming into Butt, I mean Butte and our neighbors Italian Greyhounds: Deniro & Pacino.

I have been home for 2 ½ weeks and the snow is melting, days are getting longer, the semester is half over. It has been warm here, upper 40s, nearly 50. I keep hoping for more snow so I can ski, but alas, I guess I’d have to move to North Carolina for that. Instead, I maneuver around mud holes and slush piles while walking. The thing about thaws is they bring the great uncovering of what has been covered for so long. Sure the snow is drizzling down the downspouts, exposing the roof, the grass is peeking out of the icy clumps, and with all the undressing of winter comes a clear picture of just how much dog poop has accumulated on my lawn.

I counted 5 piles just on my short walk to the mailbox this afternoon. This isn’t from dear Lucy, who prefers to hide in the back to do her business. Have I mentioned the dogs in Butte? You know about the cows in India right? The dogs here seem to have a heightened status. They roam freely through our potholed streets and lawns. The upside to unrestrained dogs is slower traffic on the busy street in front of my house, the downside is the poop. So not only do I swerve through the mud and muck, I must watch for piles as well. I’d take a picture, but that would be vulgar (and aren’t I already borderline in discussing this???).

Old kitchen being disassembled.

                                 New kitchen.

So the kitchen is nearly finished. I have promised pictures to many of you so here they are. Just some tile work left to finish the backsplash and the shelves for the bookcase need to be assembled as well. We are in the process of trying to figure out a way to dye the seafoam vertical blinds in the living room, wood stain, maybe? Who knew something so ugly would cost so much to replace. Any ideas from anyone?

Finally, I wanted to share my friend’s new website he just put together. I met Jim on my plane when I flew back from Italy a few years ago. He is a talented wood turner and if you are interested check out his site. http://www.jsannerud.com/