Mixed Company

Spring often comes to Montana in fits and starts.  This year it’s all about fits…no starts.  The trees are mostly as barren as they’ve been all winter but here and there you see buds opening up.  It makes strange bedfellows don’t you think?  Last year’s deathwith this year’s life.  I long to see some green but it’s hardly anywhere to be found yet.  The odd mixes of early spring prevail with these Mallards and Canadian Geese mixing it up at the pond behind our house.  Spring isn’t yet what I want it to be but until it is I offer you a Montana early spring bouquet .

Walking the Walk

Today I received a long awaited package.  Recently I sent a shoe design to Converse and they have been brining my design to reality.  One of the most amazing blessings in my life has been working on the mission field abroad.  These shoes are to honor Ghana which forever changed me and helped me so much in my walk with Jesus Christ.  These shoes have the Ghanaian colors and are custom labeled “Black Star” after the Ghanaian black star.  It seems a fitting symbol to literally walk in these shoes.  It’s not that I need a shoe to remind me of all Africa has done for mebut I found it a fitting (pun intended) tribute to a nation, people and continent that I can never thank enough.  Before I close I thank you personally Joseph Biasie (Bishop, Pastor, friend, Bros! and Black Eagle)!

Molehills from Mountains

That’s just what we’ve got…well, figuratively speaking.  Fifties and even sixties are in our forecast…it’s very windy but it feels great!  The extreme weather has chewed up our roads…terrible potholes everywhere.  Most of the snow is gone or in massive retreat now.  I’m very glad to see it but it’s not all that pretty to look at.  Still it gives me hope…spring is coming.  Some of the remaining snow reminds me of the ice used to make snow cones.  If the sixties truly arrive it’s goodbye to the snow.  I’ll not shed a tear over that but I do wish it would green up some.  For now I take comfort in the longer days.  Examining the buds is kind of fun though all but one today was tightly closed.  The one open bud is a sign of spring and hope if I ever saw it!  Be of good cheer!

Is 3rd Time Ever the Charm?

I think I doubt that with snow.  Not only did all the snow melt off after the last go ‘round but also the cold departed.  All too quickly it all came back.  We’ve shoveled out several times (even Gabby has helped).  The snow mushrooms returned with a vengeance.  Hand rails went back to being snow rails, the deck went back to being useless.  Is it beautiful?  I suppose it ishowever who can stand out and enjoy it when it’s far below zero.  The thermometer is snow capped as if to capitalize the situation.  It’s picturesque,  I can’t deny it.  The trees are neatly decoratedbut I’m weary with whiteand I’m ready to see the trees under the snow.  I mean are these evergreens or ever whites?  I’m way done shoveling…though it’s been my only outdoor exercise lately.  I never realized we lived in the North Pole…or is this Santa’s workshop?  Today it’s much warmer…it’s all melting off again.  Does this mean that the sun has set on winter at last?  Whatever the case, ring the bell, I’m done.