Dads always seem to know everything, and recently I had a conversation with my dad in which he explained the benefits of consuming local raw honey. He said it was good for helping with allergies. Prior to my conversation with Dad, I bought honey without giving it much thought. I had always purchased honey from […]
Things We Find Interesting
Showy Beargrass Popping Up all Over Montana
Beargrass is popping up all over Northwest Montana. It is a beautiful plant to see in nature and also to photograph. However, beargrass has very little to do with bears and isn’t actually a grass. Beargrass is part of the lily family. When not in bloom its slender leaves make grassy clumps that […]
Anna Jarvis, the Founder of Mother’s Day Would be Disgusted!
A printed card means nothing except that you are too lazy to write to the woman who has done more for you than anyone in the world. And candy! You take a box to Mother—and then eat most of it yourself. A pretty sentiment. —Anna Jarvis source: The Free Dictionary I like to […]
The City of New Orleans Celebrates 295th Birthday
The city of New Orleans is celebrating its 295th birthday. Founded on May 7, 1718, it was named after Orle’ans, a city located on the Loire River in France. New Orleans is well-known for its culinary delights, great music, many festivals, perhaps most notably Mardi Gras. It’s the birthplace of jazz, home […]
Charlie’s Treasure Chest
While I was in the office at work one day, I overheard a couple of my coworkers conversing about Charlie Russell. One of the women happened to be married to a relative of Mr. Russell’s wife. Through her husband, she’d learned the following story: During his times of poverty, Charlie Russell would frequently stop […]
Downton Abbey, Connections, and The Strap and Crap
Highclere Castle (Downton Abbey), photo source: Richard Munckton My family and I have been watching Downton Abbey. You know, the exceedingly successful British television series produced for PBS Masterpiece. I finished watching the 3rd season over a week ago and let me tell you, I was hooked. I couldn’t wait to watch it at every opportunity. I […]
December 28th, Card Playing Day
Did you know that December 28th is Card Playing Day? I didn’t, until I checked my email and saw a message about this Lens of the Day on Squidoo. It never ceases to amaze me that there is a day set aside for almost everything! It is said that Card Playing Day was […]
The Spirit of the West: Unchanged
It was once mused that the character of a city is formed by the character of its founders; this rings true especially when we discuss the towns of the Flathead Valley. Late in the 19th century, the city of Kalispell was brought to life by settlers hailing from all across the country. They all shared […]
Visiting the Shay in Columbia Falls
Adventure on the edge of the wilderness can take on many forms… We crossed the railroad tracks and were heading into town when I made the decision to stop at Depot Park. My family and I had passed the park going to and from town since moving to Columbia Falls; the park is small […]
Louisiana Bald Cypress Meets Western Larch
As Northwest Montana reaches its peak of fall color, let’s talk about trees. Not a major lecture, just a couple of elementary basics and a few connections. Most of you know that trees fall into two categories; deciduous and coniferous. Deciduous trees have leaves that change color and fall off early […]