Big Sky-Montana

Such beauty; don't think I have ever seen as much beauty as from Billings to Missoula.  The Continental Divide, the headwaters of the Missouri, rock formation and just the memories of playing cowboy and Indians with my brother, Jerry.  Before that term became politically incorrect, we play and played and had no feelings about good Indians, bad Indians, good cowboys or bad, we just played.  The rimrocks have scrub trees at the top and we would lay behind a mound of dirt and pretend we were about to be attacked.  All the western movies of Tom Mix, The Lone Ranger, Roy Rogers, Gene Audrey and Hopalong Cassidy could have played their roles better than we did.  "Those were the days"
And, as I entered the motel tonight, I saw me and Taylor 15 years from now.  I'm bent, carrying a cane, salt and pepper hair and walking at .001 miles per day or less.  Taylor is patient, kind and carrying on a conversation with me.  There is a time for everything under the sun. 
Two tiny pills plus a couple more helped me to lose 5 pounds today.  3 pounds at Albertsons in Billings and 2 more at Butte.  I was lucky.  I may have lost a few more at most inconvenient times if you know what I mean.  Guess I have to be more careful when I take laxatives.
Plan to leave here tomorrow by 9:30 or earlier so that I can be in Richland by dinner.  Take care, my friends, 

Talk about a Mover

And I don't mean Mover and Shaker...I mean moving between houses.  I love my relatives and my friends and I'm so happy they love me but I really wish they could come visit me at one location.  Because I show hospitality in Maricopa of course they want to reciprocate.  I'm thrilled but can't get my toothbrush to dry out because it gets packed away wet every couple days.  Does it sound like I'm complaining, yep, it does.  Forgive me, we are having a super good time with lots of laughs from different phases of my life.  Brother and sister stories, HS friends reminiscing and sister-in-law stories of my older brother.  It is getting late though and I was up at 6:30 to be in church at 8:00.  Emanuel Baptist Church with a western swing band playing the old time version of "I'll Fly Away" plus several other tunes to put a smile on my face and a rhythm in my soul.  It has been a great day.   

No AC

Air conditional isn't something many people in Billings Montana find necessary.  My brother being one of them.  The humidity is anywhere from 25 to 40 percent and since Arizona has "dry" heat I'm suffering.  Been a little sick to my stomach for the past few days so looking forward to changing venues to my other brother's house.  Dale past away a few years ago but his wife and I are close and she will use the air.  Not a low as I would like but good just the same. 
It has been a great trip thus far.  Probably a little too much eating out but that sort of comes with the territory, right?  Last night friends took us to a very nice steak house and because I had only had my smoothie I was starved.  Had ribeye steak, loaded baked potato and Caesar salad.  Couldn't eat all of it but sure did make a dent in it.  I love it. 
Today I have been reading most of the day.  Jerry is working, Bobby played bridge this morning and is now with the friend who is accompanying her to China in October.  She could have asked me but honestly I'm glad she didn't.  14 hours on a coach flight to China doesn't really appeal to me. Almost like a slow boat to China.   My trip to Israel was 13 hours and I would go again in a minute.  But for some reason, China does not have much of a pull for me.  I'm sure it will be very interesting but it is a tour and more that 20 people are going. 
I'm really tired.  My oldest and wife are celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary at the end of the month and my youngest will be 40 in November.  Memories, memories.  So many things I would have done differently but Jesus tells me everyday not to look at the past or future.  Only today is my gift.  I love all of you who may read this and so many more who do not.  I'm thinking of a creative writing class when I get back to Maricopa.  We have a new community college 5 minutes from my house and writing is something I enjoy doing.

Two Months from Home

Yes, Maricopa by September 12th or before.  Right now I plan to be home by 9/10.  Gosh, how that date seems to stick in my mind.  September 11 will always be an important date.  Since that time so many bad things have happened.  Maybe because of 9/11 all acts of terrorism or natural causes make a major impact on me.  Shootings, hurricanes, tornados, wild fires they all result in death and destruction.  Where are the happy times?  My thankfulness is with the young who have such aspirations for the future.  God is so good giving youth hope and faith, if only in themselves, to continue what has been so graciously given them to protect.  I question my faith as I have concern for my children and grandchildren.  Will they find happiness in family and friends, keeping them close and overlooking shortcomings.  It is definitely my prayer that Jesus be a part of their lives. 
Tonight is not particularly happy for me.  I am not feeling well.  My stomach hurts and I have a headache.  Bobby and Jerry are going to a V8 Ford party tomorrow and I'm invited to attend but think I will stay home and just stay quiet.  The humidity is 40 or more and it is taking me awhile to acclimate.  Ya'll know about our Arizona "dry" heat. 
Take care, my friends and Angel.  Angel, I think you are the only family who may read these once in a while.

Billings, Montana

The old town looks the same as I step down from the train and their to meet me is my momma and my poppa....no such luck.  Passenger trains stopped running through Billings many years ago and as for momma and poppa, they too have been gone for a while.  Many things have changed here, some for the better, some not.  Of course Billings population has increased by probably 40,000 or more since I left in 1962.  The farm where I stacked hay and milked cows has been turned into houses.  The road where cows grazed and my horse and I kept watch is now 56th St. West and a proposed middle school is about to take shape.  The 3 room school that I attended from 3rd grade to 8th grade is now a photography studio. 
One of my best friends died this year and my brother and sister-in-law are thinking about moving into a retirement center.  Where does that leave me?  Well, it sure has got me thinking.  My eyes are going along with my hearing.  If my ass was not attached to my body, I would forget it.  I'm tired 3/4 of the time.  I did feel alive as I drove here from Arizona though.  Officer Gonzalez, who practices law enforcement in New Mexico, was so impressed by my organizational skills and travel plans that he wished me well and didn't even issue a warning.  I did slow down and that was a good thing because Officer Gonzalez passed me again, lights flashing, on his way to something pressing. 
Jerry and Bobby have welcomed me with open arms and I'm so grateful that I have such wonderful relatives.  I will be with them for most of my visit except for 3 days at my other sister-in-law's home and a day or two with friends.  My plan is to leave here on the 23rd and spend until August 20th with Michelle, Rob, Alexis and Keegan in Richland and Sandpoint, Idaho. 
Getting on toward bedtime now so good night, good luck and may the Good Lord take a liken to you.