DEAR MOM,

Dear Mom,

     It has been nearly six months since you left us and I miss you every single day. I catch myself thinking, just for a nanosecond, "I'll tell Mom!" I always wanted to tell you the news or any little tidbit of information that I thought you might like to hear and to hear your comments. I have discovered a website called familysearch.org, and oh, how I wish I had found it while you were here with us because  you and I could have looked up family members from long ago. I even discovered that you are a blood relation to someone you thought was only an in-law, and not one of your favorites at that! That would have been too much fun. Thank you for being such a wonderful example of a woman with morals. While some people your age were having flings, you stayed home and behaved yourself. I can't even imagine what it would be like to have a mom who was sneaking around to see someone else. You taught us to enjoy reading, and writing. We learned to write letters, which is a dying art now that we have texting and doing one line comments on Face Book. You taught us to work. Thank you for that. You taught us to love and care for animals; all the cats and dogs could talk to you. I know they did because you told us what they said. You let us use our imaginations to create things. Most of all you taught Bible school and took us to Bible school. That was my foundation to a relationship with Christ and that is the most valuable thing that could have happened to me. I could go on and on. 

     I am so thankful that you were here with us for two good months, but I sure wish it could have been longer. I am thankful that I could be there those last few days and be there holding your hand when you drew your last breath. I know where you are now, and it is a blessing to know that you are not in pain, that you can hear, and see and that you are with Jesus Christ, and to know that  I will see you again. Thanks for everything.

Love, Rosy

                                                  Margaret Dutton at home 1963.

                                          Margaret Dutton at the Billings airport 1973 seeing me off to Texas.

                                            Margaret Dutton and Boy Horse 1966

                                                Margaret Dutton and cousin Dave 1973.

THE HEADQUARTERS

 Way out here in West Texas there is a little town called Aspermont. It's not really in the middle of No Where but you can see No Where from here, and that is the way we like it. No traffic, no gangs coming in the stores to rob and destroy. None of that. It is peaceful, and the people are friendly. If you have the great fortune of coming here or are just passing through you will see The Headquarters mural, created by an artist named Lexi Haag. I recommend that you pull over, go in to get something good to drink and do some shopping.

This little oasis is owned and operated by a mother-daughter team, Lisa Flowers and her  daughter, Prairie.

This is Paige. She is a town cat, but was so friendly and greeted me at the front door. I like cats.

There is yard art for sale.

There are lovely colors and the front windows are so inviting.

Fall is so pretty in West Texas.

Don't pet the bear--he bites.

Wall art galore.

Tops, jewelry and caps.

All kinds of cool bags.

Kitchen ware

Dishes. I do so want a gurgle pot.

Lots of colorful pillows.

T

Towels

Pickles, hot sauce, and other good stuff in jars.

So, grab a latte, a home baked cookie or whatever the sweet of the day is and enjoy shopping. And then follow The Headquarters General Store on Facebook. Lisa says they do lots of mail order so if you can't come to Aspermont just order what you want. You will not be disappointed.

MONTANA COWBOY HALL OF FAME

Bill Dutton is now a member of the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame.

 The induction ceremony was August 14, 2021at the Western Heritage Inn in Great Falls, Montana. Bill's bio is in a blog titled Congratulations Cowboy (just type Congratulations Cowboy into the search bar to pull it up)so I am not going to go over it again. The celebration started on Friday night with a casual get together. The award presentation was Saturday morning after the brunch. Then we had a lovely supper with a silent auction and a live auction.  It was so much fun being with family and friends, and to hear the biographies of  the 24 inductees. I tried to get pics of everyone who came to honor Bill and here are the best photos.

Candy Murnion, friend, neighbor and a 20 year veteran volunteer for the MCHF.

Bill Dutton and Jim Peterson from the Judith Gap area.

Bill and Karen

Karen, Bill and Allison Wollenburg

Darren and daughter, Kam Pitcher

Karen and Bill Dutton, Jennifer, Kam and Darren Pitcher.

Mr. Angus

Top row: McKenzie Morrison, Sydney Murphy and Tristin

Bottom: Maggie and Angus

Sydney and Tristin

Allison and John

Karen, Allison and John

Bill and John

Maggie, Dallas Currey, McKenzie

Sandy and Joe Gibson

DeWayne Murnion, neighbor and friend, and McKenzie

Jennifer, and daughter Kam

Jennifer, Kam and Darren

Bill and Candy

Bill and Madilyn

Mary Pluhar and Cari Novotny with Madilyn

Friends and family:  Candy, Jennifer, Kam, Darren Sydney, Tristan, Karen, Tristen, Bill, Tristen's boyfriend, Cari and Madilyn, Michael, Joe, Allison, John, Dallas, Angus Rosie, McKenzie, Maggie, Mary, Meghan, and Ellie. Sandy Gibson is missing because she was taking the photo.

Sandy Gibson, Karen, Joe Gibson

Tristin, Sydney, Mary and Maggie

Bill, Class of 2020

Tristan, Sydney, Tristin and Maggie

Michael, Madellyn,Cari, and Ellie

Karen, Bill, Maggie and Angus

Angus, Jennifer, and Kam

Bill and Kenny Rauch

Candy, Sandy, and Karen

Reil Cornelius, Tristin, Sydney, and Tristin

Karen, Tristin, Bill, Meghan and Sydney

Bill and Karen

Bill and Tristin

Bill, Tristin, and Karen

Bill and Sydney

Maggie and Ellie

Candy and Mary

I don't know who this first man is. It is not hard to get people to take a photo with Jessica Criss, Miss Montana. John, Jessica and Bill.

Me and Jessica Criss.

The mission of the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame organization is:

"To honor our cowboy way of life, American Indian Cultures, and collective Montana Western heritage. We exist to serve as a resource to all who wish to see this way of life passed forward to the next generation."

I am really proud of you, Bill. You are such a good brother.

Thank you to all who made this once in a lifetime experience possible.