One might say that having something to look forward to is a big key to happiness...
Uhh, that would be my philosophy I suppose. Without a vision on the horizon I find it pointless to get out of the bed that only wants to be made, even as one slugs down the first cup of coffee.
There's always something that needs getting done, no matter who ye are, and it's usually some drudge job that I find ways to put off. I find drudge work boring and plodding. Which is why I love almost anything that smacks of extra-ordinary and gets me OUTTA tha' mundane RUT. For instance I adore my dishwasher, and my car, simply because they make drudge work easier.
Still,getting away from the house is my favorite thing to do. Which is why this very morning I called over to Quinn's, in Paradise, Montana and booked a short getaway.
They have remodelled and upgraded the resort since our last visit. They're only an hour away, and by golly it's been six years since we were there last. The senior discount works out great for the budget, and bigod I'm worth the small expense.
My whole mood has lifted now that there's something different waiting just up the road. A hot soak, mountain air, a rustic bar and BIG SKY...a fitting conclusion to a relatively ordinary summer. Three trips to Montana in one year...who'd a thunk it possible?
Friday, September 19, 2008
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Local news: Just another day in Paradise....
Sterling Mines shuts down the Sunshine operation
Yesterday we pulled the Beemer into the local parking lot the same time as a new Hummer pulled in. The two vehicles added a little classy look to the empty parking lot of the old bar.
We were already being served when the three men and a woman entered and sat at the corner end of the bar near us. Himself knew one of the men and they exchanged hellos and a handshake.
It became clear that Happy Hour would be a little less jovial when we learned that most of the patrons in the place had just got their walking papers from the promising new mining company, after a surprisingly short span of operation.
Of the four closest to us only the woman still had her job for the moment...women underground is pretty commonplace here now, but her husband had worked his last shift. The $85K Hummer was their car. Sterling Mines paid very well and apparently the generous production bonuses hadn't hurt this couple either. He appeared nonchalant about the layoff...well respected miners can be selective about where they want to work and he wasn't worried about getting on anywhere, except for the fact that they own a home here and the wife is not free to take her son from a previous marriage out of state; following him as he tramp mined around the country was not an option.
The Sunshine didn't run out of silver, from what I understood of the conversation...the company ran out of money to operate. It wasn't a huge operation, but in a small area like here, it may just be the beginning of a bust that could really impact the whole Valley...just as it has in the past. Hopefully it was just bad management by one outfit, and not the portent of a domino effect from the numerous mining outfits.
During the roughly two hours we were there I never heard one utterance of anything remotely akin to politics or politicians. The talk was mostly about who is hiring in the Northwest, and much gratitude that hunting season is looming within days now.
Today the sun rose and graced us with yet another summery day. Autumn is forecast to arrive right on schedule next week.
Tomorrow I'll take a drive south to St. Maries. Must remember to take the camera.
Yesterday we pulled the Beemer into the local parking lot the same time as a new Hummer pulled in. The two vehicles added a little classy look to the empty parking lot of the old bar.
We were already being served when the three men and a woman entered and sat at the corner end of the bar near us. Himself knew one of the men and they exchanged hellos and a handshake.
It became clear that Happy Hour would be a little less jovial when we learned that most of the patrons in the place had just got their walking papers from the promising new mining company, after a surprisingly short span of operation.
Of the four closest to us only the woman still had her job for the moment...women underground is pretty commonplace here now, but her husband had worked his last shift. The $85K Hummer was their car. Sterling Mines paid very well and apparently the generous production bonuses hadn't hurt this couple either. He appeared nonchalant about the layoff...well respected miners can be selective about where they want to work and he wasn't worried about getting on anywhere, except for the fact that they own a home here and the wife is not free to take her son from a previous marriage out of state; following him as he tramp mined around the country was not an option.
The Sunshine didn't run out of silver, from what I understood of the conversation...the company ran out of money to operate. It wasn't a huge operation, but in a small area like here, it may just be the beginning of a bust that could really impact the whole Valley...just as it has in the past. Hopefully it was just bad management by one outfit, and not the portent of a domino effect from the numerous mining outfits.
During the roughly two hours we were there I never heard one utterance of anything remotely akin to politics or politicians. The talk was mostly about who is hiring in the Northwest, and much gratitude that hunting season is looming within days now.
Today the sun rose and graced us with yet another summery day. Autumn is forecast to arrive right on schedule next week.
Tomorrow I'll take a drive south to St. Maries. Must remember to take the camera.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Christonabike...
I just heard on the news that as many as 16% of Hillary's supporters have jumped over to the McCain camp because of that ditz from Alaska. Who might these Barbies be I wonder...a battalion of Stepford wannabes? Zealots looking for a speaker of a kicky language they hope to master? Gawd, most women make me nauseous, and this flip flop attitude on parade is a good reason why.
I'm a Libra and accustomed to difficulty in balancing out what works for me, but once I committed to being Hill's Angel...and she saw fit to throw her support to Obama in the interest of Party unity, I never had a thought to change Party, for Christssake. Especially not on the account of McCain's decision to weigh anchor and set sail with a nobody aboard, in some desperate attempt to woo the Christian Right...whoever THEY are.
I can't say a lot about her...there's nothing to say. She's a married woman with kids, who shows no sign of slowing that down. Her education record is ludicrous...her demeanor is phoney, her voice is irritating as hell. And she has no pores. Women with no pores do not belong in office. She might be the best damn thing that ever happened to Alaska...she should stay there and be that thing, and all the women who would follow her should go to Alaska, and let her govern them for awhile. Make Alaska a 'refuge state' worth going to, when the time comes to freeze yer ass off to "survive" the whatever.
Arghh the topic has made my sinuses bleed. Sorry I brought it up.
I'm a Libra and accustomed to difficulty in balancing out what works for me, but once I committed to being Hill's Angel...and she saw fit to throw her support to Obama in the interest of Party unity, I never had a thought to change Party, for Christssake. Especially not on the account of McCain's decision to weigh anchor and set sail with a nobody aboard, in some desperate attempt to woo the Christian Right...whoever THEY are.
I can't say a lot about her...there's nothing to say. She's a married woman with kids, who shows no sign of slowing that down. Her education record is ludicrous...her demeanor is phoney, her voice is irritating as hell. And she has no pores. Women with no pores do not belong in office. She might be the best damn thing that ever happened to Alaska...she should stay there and be that thing, and all the women who would follow her should go to Alaska, and let her govern them for awhile. Make Alaska a 'refuge state' worth going to, when the time comes to freeze yer ass off to "survive" the whatever.
Arghh the topic has made my sinuses bleed. Sorry I brought it up.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
When the going gets tough...
the Poor & Obscure go shopping.
That's Himself's credo...I think.
Yesterday when he came in from work a few minutes later than usual I didn't think much of it until he asked if I wanted to go with him to the town directly west of us, a matter of about three miles, from whence he had just come. I assumed he'd found a yard sale that needed my perusal. But when I asked where we were going as we climbed in his car he sheepishly replied, "Well, remember that car I told you I've been watching...I bought it, WAY cheaper than the asking price."
I should have known this was coming. It doesn't matter to me what he buys as a rule; he rat holes his money, the same as I do, for spending on toys, trips or needful things down the road. He's a mechanic and knows a bargain, so if he found a BMW that was worth anything it was no surprise to me. Cars, trucks, vans, boats, boat motors and riding lawn mowers follow him home regularly. I call them lawn ornaments these days, mostly. The economy has slowed down the ambition of most people to buy anything that runs on gasoline, so we have a lot of 'toys' bought on spec, sitting around the driveway.
Anyway he is now the proud owner of a 1986 Beemer, 325E Coupe, with a sunroof.
It seems to run quiet and smooth, has GOOD rubber all round, and a nice stereo. He says the A/C is very efficient. Ahem, the clock works too. So...another vehicle joins the our little motor pool.
In his unnecessary defense he remarked, "I got it WAY below the book price...and I talked the guy down $300 from his asking price." He is also documented as the third owner of this particular car. It really doesn't take much to please him.
He could have worse habits, eh...
That's Himself's credo...I think.
Yesterday when he came in from work a few minutes later than usual I didn't think much of it until he asked if I wanted to go with him to the town directly west of us, a matter of about three miles, from whence he had just come. I assumed he'd found a yard sale that needed my perusal. But when I asked where we were going as we climbed in his car he sheepishly replied, "Well, remember that car I told you I've been watching...I bought it, WAY cheaper than the asking price."
I should have known this was coming. It doesn't matter to me what he buys as a rule; he rat holes his money, the same as I do, for spending on toys, trips or needful things down the road. He's a mechanic and knows a bargain, so if he found a BMW that was worth anything it was no surprise to me. Cars, trucks, vans, boats, boat motors and riding lawn mowers follow him home regularly. I call them lawn ornaments these days, mostly. The economy has slowed down the ambition of most people to buy anything that runs on gasoline, so we have a lot of 'toys' bought on spec, sitting around the driveway.
Anyway he is now the proud owner of a 1986 Beemer, 325E Coupe, with a sunroof.
It seems to run quiet and smooth, has GOOD rubber all round, and a nice stereo. He says the A/C is very efficient. Ahem, the clock works too. So...another vehicle joins the our little motor pool. In his unnecessary defense he remarked, "I got it WAY below the book price...and I talked the guy down $300 from his asking price." He is also documented as the third owner of this particular car. It really doesn't take much to please him.
He could have worse habits, eh...
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