Pictures from Philipsburg

We spent the day in Philipsburg, first shopping at the world famous candy shop and then meeting my brother Andy for lunch on his 18-acres of land that he owns (and is selling, fyi). Andy is a project manager. He manages a 3-story house in Philipsburg that has 4 apartments. (see pburgapartments.blogspot.com). He manages bees, he manages chickens, he manages several acres of land he owns, he manages a garden, he manages to work a full-time job, he manages 2 dogs. Not by himself. Brenda, his wife of one year, (happy anniversary) has been a godsend in helping Andy manage his many projects (was that out loud?). Please take a look at their blog, you will see perfect color choices, charming details. Brenda has a master's degree in art history and has used her obvious eye for the aesthetic on the apartments. After lunch, Andy drove us around Philipsburg. Great town. Andy recently had to step down from city council because his job now has him fulltime in Missoula. Where I hear there might be more project managing opportunities.

Pictures bottom to top:

1. Andy and Brenda's bees

2. Mom and Andy diagnosing a sick plant.

3. Log left exposed in one of the apartments on purpose is part of the original home built in the late 1800s. VERY cool.

4. The apt., 3 stories tall sits at the end of the main drag. Walk out the front door to restaurants, bars, antique stores, jewelry stores, and the best candy store in likely the entire world.

5. Sneaking a pic of my dad. He caught me.

6. Stuffed buffalo head in the sweet sandwich shop where we bought lunch to go. Unusual decor? Maybe not.

7. Tail gating chicken and veggie sandwiches, potato salad, fries and sugar-free fudge on Andy's land with my car. Andy said if he had known I didn't have 4-wheel drive we wouldn't have taken my car. A little rocky and a lot steep. We were parked alongside a creek. wished I had audio. To die for.

8. Pintler Mountain Range visible from town.

Philipsburg is an hour and a half from Missoula. we sang along to Frank Sinatra on the ride home. Nice day.

Tomorrow we head to Spokane to see my brother John. He's the family favorite. Everybody likes John. My mom and dad would say "Noooooo. we love all the same...blah, blah, blah" Not true. Everyone likes John the best.

Montana traffic jam

On the road to Philipsburg. I have to give credit to my brother Andy for the heading... we followed hundreds of heads of cattle... hundreds of cattle... however you say it. Andy says they were being driven from their winter grazing land to the summer grazing lands. Pretty cool sight. The bottom picture was expertly taken by my father Frank. He also told me to honk my horn. Which I did and it sent them RUNNING! My mom said not to do that anymore. We didn't.

Big Dan's Birthday party

Our first gathering since arriving Tuesday night. My nephew Dan's birthday! We had the gathering at my brother Jim and Dawn's home where I also am staying. From bottom to top: Great-niece Delaney with water balloons; Jim and Dawn; birthday boy Dan; my dad Frank with Delaney; blowing out candles (you can see half of little Dan, my nephew, on the right); crazy nephew Eddy; my mom Shirley with great-nieces Irelyn and Teya; Molly, my brother Andy and Brenda's dog; Andy and Brenda; and Teya trying to stuff (successfully) a balloon into her bag.

who/what will I miss the most?

Sunday I leave for Montana and will be gone a few weeks. I wonder, who will I miss most?

Paul? He will say that he's going to be fine, but in reality, he will be soooo lonely. He'll probably sleep with some of my clothing or my pillow just for the scent of me. Just like he did for Mika when she went to behavior school. I guess I could hide my socks in several key locations for him to find while I am gone.

The dogs? I really considered taking Tex but she would HATE the long drive. She's right next to me now as I write this. Baxter isn't as cuddly, so I probably won't miss her as much as Tex or as much as Mika. Mika is going to be very confused and probably punish the other dogs as a result.

Addison? She's only 8 months and will probably forget me, or rather, when I come back she won't know who I am. I can't imagine that. I know I will miss some of her milestones too. As it is, between Andrea's and my work hours, I only see her once a week.

Andrea & Jack? As I said, between our work hours, we only see each other once a week. We do most of our communicating by phone and that won't change.

John or Jen or Michael? I didn't want to leave them out, but I don't see these guys but once a month for Jen and Michael and once every couple of months for John.

My home? My work?

I guess the purpose of this trip is to focus on my family in Montana, not the one in Texas or Rhode Island. I will miss all equally (except for Baxter as previously mentioned). But I won't be a sissy about it. Maybe it will even make me appreciate what I have even more than I do now - if that is possible.

Meandering in Leander...

Jenny and Michael are entering the next stage of their lives. Jenny graduated with honors from her rookie year of teaching. Well, they asked her back so it had to be with honors. Michael is busy 6 days a week working and going to school. Again, impressive. And now they have a house!! In Leander, a few miles northeast of Austin.

They will be spending hours cleaning, painting and constructing things. The house is a little beat up and bruised, but Jen and Michael have all sorts of plans to nurse it back to health. The space if perfect. Large living and dining area, great sized master bedroom and good sized baby and guest rooms. That's their description - the baby's room. Nothing to report. Of course I asked.

The location, though, is brilliant. Turning into the area, you see horses in pastures as you follow along meandering roads: go left, go right around the bend, then turn... A park with disc golf, swimming, tennis, walking, playground is within walking from their house. Just a couple of blocks. Then 5 minutes in the car to shopping centers with Austin-ish influence. At the Lowes there I counted THREE dogs. One was really large, another tiny, another a black lab about 3 months old. I've NEVER seen a dog at the Arlington Lowes.

The only problem going there is that you don't want to leave ...

Don't kick them while they're up

Ok, so we are watching the sportscast tonight on the local NBC station. First it's all about the Rangers, then the Cowboys. About 20 seconds on the World Cup at the tail end, if that long. So the sports guy, Mr. Barrie, walks over to the anchor desk saying something like, "See, that's what I can't stand ... no one wins. Couldn't they have a winner..." Something like that. The anchor smiles, but doesn't encourage this kind of ignorant comment. He mentions something about it being all about "point system." Can I let this go? No I cannot. So I fired off an email to the station that will never get to anybody, I am sure. But I am also sure after sending it, I felt better. Don't worry, I was diplomatic.

I told him shame for his unintelligent comments and dismissing the efforts of the US team, who left nothing on the field by the way. Altadore was ON FIRE. I explained to Mr. Sportscaster, for his sake, the tie could be compared to the TCU Frogs tying the Cowboys.. and wouldn't that be something? I may have said I understood that people don't like soccer and I get that. Just don't pretend you're better than the game.. right? Oh, yeah, I also threw in my mother's tried and true: if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. Kabam!!

Go USA!

Almost here

I feel like a kid nearing summer break. Two more days this week and 4 days next week. The countdown to my sabbatical. I leave for Montana the 21st. My attention span is shot. I think I actually was skipping a few steps yesterday.

So Paul is home alone for a few weeks. This could be good for him, I think. I do worry that he will be too lonely, but he has the dogs and Andrea and Addie. He can take a day trip to Austin to see Jen. And John will be home the end of July, so he will only have 4 weeks to himself. In Paul time, that is ... a long time. Anyone reading this PLEASE remember to post on his Facebook (Mika) and email him and text him and call. Those in the area, take him to a movie or Costco.

I am going to miss my Addie. That I am trying not to think about.