MONTANA

I went home in September and stayed a month.  There is really nothing like Montana.  I love Eastern Montana--this is where I grew up and it will always be home.  The population is sparse, spaces seem to go on forever.  The towns are few and far between, and the people are the best.

  Meanwhile, out at the ranch the cat is taking a nap, and the snap of the camera caused a brief interruption in his snooze.

I love to go for long walks, and look at the grass, animals, snakes or whatever is out there.  Amy likes to go along for short walks, even though she is getting up in years and her little bones hurt. I don't know how many more winters she will make.

Here comes Cash!  Looking for a handout.  He and all the other horses love cotton seed cake.

 I was empty handed this time.  Next time I will remember to stick a goody or two in my pocket.

Cash is waiting expectantly, and I feel so bad about letting him down.

I love to feel horses noses, especially right behind their nostrils.  The texture reminds me of that washed silk fabric that was so popular back in the 90s, or was it the 80s?

Cash and Amy are friends.  She is so good with other animals, and she likes baby animals.

Amy, the sweetheart.

This old relic was supposed to become a hay stacker or something, but Dad didn't get that project done.

The horse shoe bend in the Big Dry where I spent a lot of time wading in the water.

The water is pretty murky this year because of the drouth, and sure wouldn't be good for wading.

This old tree is so bent and gnarled now, that you would never guess it was a favorite climbing tree about fifty years ago.

These cotton woods are out in the buck pasture.

Cowboy and I roamed all over this little pasture.  We had to amuse ourselves because there was no TV, cell phones, or telephones for quite a while.  We certainly did not have an obesity problem, and I am so thankful to have grown up out here in the open spaces.  There was a spot out here in this little buck pasture where a homesteader had their house and I still have some treasures they left behind.

I remember running down through this crossing toward the corrals, and telling my brother that I thought I could hear a mountain lion (just to scare him).  It wasn't long before I was just as scared as he was, and I could swear I could feel the lion's hot breath on my neck.

  
Here they come.  They are also looking for a handout, and I really don't have anything for them and the young pup who is with me  is trying to bite their heels.  I will just get her and head for the house.

LOVE THOSE LAMESA GALS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

On October 17, 2015, I made a trip to Lamesa, Texas for the Love Conference at the Methodist Church.  My dear friend, Jackie Hahn and her Grace Ladies put it together.  If you didn't get to attend--I am sorry.  Plan to go next year and be blessed!

Ann Devnam, Sarah Dotson, and Norma Thomas

Pam Vogler and Joy Barkowsky.  Pam graduated Lamesa High with Jackie.

Dorothy  Evans

Janelise Bowman greeted everyone and got names for door prizes.

Sound crew was Mike Hughes and Stacy Leonard.

Ann Devnam, Maria Aguirre, and Gloria Garcia

Gloria and Jackie Hahn

Maria, Jackie, and Gloria worked hard to make this program a success.

There were lots of goodies to go with the pulled pork, slaw, and the trimmings.

God can take the broken, shameful pieces of our life and put them together like a stained glass window to let His love shine through to the world.

Dorothy

Norma and Sarah

Everything was pink, and I hear that next year, yellow will be the color for the conference.

Angie Owen and Bertha Fretwell

Mary Lou Peterson and Betty Swearingen

Lamesa ladies dress to the nines, their nails are beautifully manicured and their hair is always done.

Just some of the attendees.

Norma, Ann and Maria

This is a great photo of Norma!

Roxie Seymour

The praise music was wonderful.  Shelley Barron and Amanda Jones were first.

Michelle Martens and Esther Miller

Jackie Hahn

Daphne Delay was our incredible speaker.  She has published Facing the Mirror, Finding a Self to Live With.

Daphne told us about her life and how God mended it.

Then she blessed each lady individually.

Blessings.

Daphne and Jackie

Thanks to the Grace Women for an inspirational and blessed day.  Plan to come next year everyone.

Good food and fun fellowship.

The meal was the last thing on the agenda, and right after the drawings for door prizes.  There were many prizes, and every lady went home with a registration gift and most got a door prize.  Thanks for such a wonderful day.