Yes, We're Still Around ...

Since my last post, spring has sprung on the Montana prairie.  Recent rains have brought forth green grass, budding trees and mud.  Spring on the Montana prairie is often referred to as "mud season". Twice daily we slosh feed buckets in mud and muck and my entry and mud room are a constant mess.  Although our temperatures have warmed up, it is too muddy to begin gardening ... but I'm confident it will begin soon.

As we've waited for spring and warmer temperatures to arrive we have kept ourselves busy with the following:

I.

Several weeks ago a dear friend of mine, Mrs.P, phoned to inform me that she was in Butte, MT, helping her family with a project.  After talking with Mr.B, we decided that I had to make a quick trip to Butte because it had been nearly 5 years since Mrs.P and I had had a face to face visit and we weren't certain when another opportunity might arise.

Mrs.P

One of the many things Mrs.P and I have in common is genuine enjoyment of history and historical architecture.  Butte, MT is rich in both.  We had a fabulous time on our walking tour of Montana's Copper City.

Did you know the entire city of Butte, MT is on the national historic register?  More than a billion dollars worth of copper was hauled out of the mines between the late 1800's and the 1940's.  The grand turn of the century architecture stands as a historical monument to the great wealth that this city once held.

Many of the doors, window casings, roof shingles, etc. are molded out of copper.  The craftsmanship and attention to detail is stunning.  It is a rare find to encounter a craftsman of this caliber in today's culture.

Even the interior of the hotels, bank buildings, markets,etc. is laden with exquisite detail and glamour.

Mrs.P and her lovely mom.

It was truly a blessing to have an opportunity to catch up with my dear friend.  Enjoying a little bit of Butte's history together is a memory I will treasure.

II.

Songbird and Farmer Boy joined our church youth in Great Falls, MT, at the district Fine Arts Festival.  Songbird sang a solo and a duet.  

Pastor's son & Songbird

Songbird's voice has matured and her control, pitch and range has developed beautifully.  I am amazed that my baby girl has such a beautiful voice.

Songbird on guitar, Pastor's son on kahone & Farmer Boy on harmonica

Farmer Boy and Songbird joined our pastor's son in an instrumental ensemble.  They ministered a self arranged bluegrass rendition of "Come Thou Fount".  They had everyone tapping their toes and introduced a classic hymn to today's younger generation.

Our entire church community is exceptionally proud of our youth and their desire to use their talents to minister to the church body.

III.

Spring rodeo season has begun.

Farmer Boy - goat tying

I think Farmer Boy considers this to be his "lucky" shirt.  It seems that most rodeo photos I have of him, he is wearing this same plaid shirt.

Farmer Boy overshooting his bucket in the flag race.

Farmer Boy's mare, Blondie, is out for breeding.  So he and Songbird are "sharing" her gelding, Quatro. Quatro is performing well in barrel races, pole bending, flag race and goat tying.  He's turned out to be a good investment for the littles.

IV.

Prom season arrived and our pastor's son invited Songbird to our local high school prom.  Since her "boyfriend's" high school prom (in another town)  was held on a weekend that conflicted with Songbird's 4-H state officer duties, she was not available to attend his prom.  But the timing was perfect for her to enjoy an evening of fancy glamour at our local high school's prom.

Songbird and Pastor's Son

Songbird may be a tough farm girl that works like a man and plays like a boy ... but, she's still a girl at heart and enjoys getting dressed "to the nine's" and being pampered and treated like a lady.

V.

Baseball season has also arrived.  I was hesitant about allowing Farmer Boy to play ball this season because it can conflict with the rodeo schedule.  However, Mr.B thought we could do one more year on the diamond.

Being home schooled in Montana shuts the littles out of many sports opportunities.  Little league, rodeo, and 4-H are open to all youth regardless of a student's educational choices.

The next several weeks will find us in high gear as we juggle all the littles activities, gardening season, and kidding season.  I hope your spring is off to a great beginning and the Lord is blessing you and yours in all your adventures.