What’s My Story?

If doors were made of paper
would you still lock it with a key?

If windows were made of sand
would you be angry at the wind
for blowing it away or blowing it in?

If lights spread joy or sorrow
what would you choose?

Choices are not what you make.
Your choices are what make you.

Sensational rings

Hugging planet girth to spin

‘Round a girl’s young heart

 

I’ve always had an infatuation with mysterious Saturn. As a girl, I researched this marvelous planet for a science fair project. The display board consisted of a hand painted planet with different substances as rings: sawdust, sand, glitter, etc.

Last night I convinced my family to drive 10+ miles up a dirt road out-of-town at 10:30 at night to partake in the University’s star observation night. I made popcorn for the ride and brought flashlights for the walk.

Oh what beauty! The Milky Way spilled across the table of the sky. Shooting stars were tallied. Satellite and planet fairies danced amidst the constellations.

But Saturn’s brilliance trumped it all and she hugged me with her golden rings. The girl I was and will always be.

Photo Challenge- Summer Lovin’

Nothing compares to a summer storm for exquisite beauty and power. Here in Montana, lightning can cause wildfires which quickly puts a damper on the rest of summer. (Irony intended.) Or, it could just rain while the sky is blue…

You’re hungry?  Let me give you a slice of Montana summer.

Ch-paa-qn Peak Salish for Sleeping Woman Peak (Aptly named for her breastly appearance.)

Yesterday marked a milestone. I have always wanted to hike Sleeping Woman Peak with my children but due to the technical difficulty of the terrain the wait lasted 11 years before I felt they were physically capable of achieving the task.

Getting there: Not for wimpy cars. Nearly 10 miles on a Forest Service road with overgrown bushes and deep ruts that send heads into the car roof. I am the last one to tell people not to go for it, but these guys: I passed two SUVs on the way up, one with new car license plates. They never made it to the trailhead, nor should they have tried (in a new car!). I saw a little kid’s skinny arm hanging out the car window; way too young for this hike.

Once there:

See the car next to ours? We passed two young women on the hike, the only people we saw the entire day. I say- girls rock.

Total climb: Elevation: Starts at 5,698 feet. Ends at 7,994 feet. Distance: 2.8 miles one way.  On our way, a tree fell 50 feet from the trail- a horrifying noise.

The Hike: A consistent ascent amid forested trail until you reach the talus slope at the top. Many, many fallen trees to cross. Scant huckleberries due to elevation. (Which means no bears. But I had bear spray just in case.) Amazing pine tree smell.

To reach the peak you need all fours-scrambling up rocks and boulders. We used Sophie’s red shirt as a beacon on a rock cairn to find our route back down.

The pride that comes with accomplishing a feat like this is immeasurable. As a mom, I feel this is the best gift I can give my daughters. All in a summer’s day.

 

Anglais

Wtihuot lnagague tehre rea on wrdos.

Wthiuot wdors terhe rea on sroteis.

Whituot soriets tehre si on lfie.

French

Snas lnague li n’y a spa ed mtos.

Snas mtos il n’y a psa d’hsitiroes.

Snas hsitiores li n’y a psa ed vei.