Archive for ‘May, 2008’

Evening light

After an unseasonably warm period, we are now unseasonably cool. And an unusual weather pattern is bringing rain and mountain snow swirling in from the east-southeast instead of the normal western flow.

After two cloudy, overcast days, the sun came out early last evening. Karl and I took our normal evening walk. The weather coming in from the east and the sun still high in the western sky made for a beautiful contrast. Sunny green grass and trees stood out against the fresh snow on the mountains, a brilliant blue sky and fluffy white clouds as well as dark snow and rain filled clouds. The temperature rose to a balmy 55 after hovering near a damp 50 through the day. A soft wind blew through the pine trees…it was a smorgasboard of color, light, sound and the softness of a spring evening…

Evening Mtns

Evening Mtns

Evening Mtns

Evening

Evening Mtns

Evening Mtns

Evening

Skywatch Friday…Somers, Montana sky

Skywatch Friday which is hosted by Tom Wigley on his blog Wiggers World

Before we get to this week’s photos – I have a question…Where is it Friday first? I know that on MDT I am UTC-6. Does that mean UTC -0 is the first place it is Friday?? I know I could “Google” and find out but was just thinking of it and probably someone looking at my sky watch knows the answer…Where is it Friday first?

This weeks’ photos from earlier this week walking in Somers, Montana…

Somers Sky

Somers Sky

Somers Sky

I love when the mountains have the misty, shadowed look – ridge after ridge – like the last 2 photos – that is what I was trying to capture when I took these. I used Photoshop CS3 to enhance the contrast (curves) and boost the color (hue and saturation) a bit.

Karl goes shopping

I had to take an unexpected run into town this morning…got to thinking that I should do all the stuff I normally save for the weekend – both to save on fuel (50 mile round trip!) and to save myself from Memorial Day crowds…well “crowds” being relative here in the MT state (MT…empty…get it??). It is not like I have to “fight” for a parking space or stand in long lines…but weekdays, it is REALLY quiet and relaxed – just the way I like it!

Karl shopping

One stop was Murdoch Home and Ranch Supply. Critters of all types are allowed and welcome at Murdochs. Karl is a regular – I always take him in with me when we stop on a weekday and are just getting pet stuff – which was the case today.

Karl shopping

Karl knows the drill – he heads straight for the pet aisles…

Karl shopping

But first we stop to see one of the girls…Karl likes the girls…

Karl shopping

“Hi Sweetie – how about a kiss?” All the girls get kisses!

My hands and arms were full when we got to the counter to pay – full of bags of treats and the pigs ear that Karl chose from the bin of pig’s ears. He always picks his own and it takes awhile. He sniffs for just the right one.

Karl shopping

Back in the Jeep – snacktime!

Karl shopping

A successful trip and home we go.

Things in the woods

There are all kinds of interesting things in the woods…my 8 acres of woods as well as the woods at the park on Flathead Lake where Karl and I walk…

In the Woods

Bob is in the woods…

In the Woods

…and Karl

In the Woods

…and lupins. You’ll have to take my word that there are a bunch of lupins along the path.

In the Woods

In the Woods

See…lupins, really! In my 8 acres of woods…

In the Woods

And in the park by Flathead Lake where Karl and I walked yesterday morning…and they as well as the other wildflowers are a bit ahead of the things in my woods.

In the Woods

Lupins in the woods.

In the Woods

Deer in the woods – LOTS and LOTS of deer…but for as many as there are and as often as I see them, I still love seeing them. I am always awed by their grace and the power they have to bound over obstacles…except for cars. They seem to have some sort of deer dyslexia when it comes to moving objects. I had one run into my car from behind as I was going about 25 mph. That is a different story -YIKES! Karl and I startled the deer above and she lept up the cliff-like slope above the trail and then obligingly struck a pose long enough for me to get this photo.

Bob, Karl, lupins, deer, trees, sunlight, mountain and lake vistas…just a few of the things in the woods.

New home at LiquidWeb!

Thanks to a stellar support and migration team at LiquidWeb , From the Front Porch is in it’s new home. Not only were all the members of tech support and migration knowledgeable, professional and just plain nice – they got ‘er done and they did it for me – a “little guy”. I currently have the most basic type of account with them (read least expensive…). LiquidWeb is the host of choice for most of the “big guns” of blogging which is why I went with them when I started having problems with my prior host. As From the Front Porch grows, LiquidWeb has the options and team I will need to keep things working well.

***Note added 3:18 p.m. MDT Everything should be resolved through the web now. I am seeing all links working, feed is current. If something seems not quite right to you – and it does not get better with a refresh of your browser, leave a comment or send an email: beardogco@hughes.net. Tomorrow, From the Front Porch will get back on track with its regularly scheduled post!

Visiting a friend

A week ago Sunday, just one night in my own house, I went tired – exhausted actually – from travel, emotion, getting settled… and sore from chronic back stuff that is slowly coming around – to visit my friend Kris. She and her husband, Hal, have been building their current home over the last several years while living with Kris’ mother so as to allow her to remain in her own home. Kris’s mother has since passed on and that house is for sale – Kris and Hal are now in their new home on a secluded and beautiful piece of land with gorgeous larch and aspen, magnificent views of the mountains and ravens…

I don’t remember my back hurting after I stepped out of the Jeep, smelled the pine, felt the soft breeze and looked at the mountains through the trees. We took a walk around with the dogs, Arrow and Karl, before even going in the house….then sat in the light filled living room that looks to those same mountain views and talked…another walk with the dogs in a different direction. I drove home refreshed after visiting with my friend.

Visit

Visit

Visit

Visit

Visit

Visit

Visit

Visit