I wish the Front Street camera was still operational, but it looked like this in Fort Benton this morning, pretty cold, with steamy protests from the lazy Missouri River:

The road to Shonkin...

It wasn't the road ahead that scared me...it was what was in the rearview mirror, bearing down fast in the form of ominous BLACK clouds. Right after I snapped the shutter on this poorly focused picture I turned to climb back in the mini-van and a fierce gust of hot Montana wind nearly sent me tumbling arse over teakettle like the proverbial prickly weed. I didn't turn around though, until after I crested the rise and passed the single tree you can barely see on the horizon. A person just feels compelled to drive to a tree, when they find one in Montana.

I made it back to Fort Benton just in time to hear the news of the damage caused by that "little" summer squall , from Highwood all the way to Fort Benton. Torrential rain, high gusts and hailstones the size of hardballs...and I beat the whole shebang, thenkyewveddymuch!

Be prepared to fight for survival if you come to Idaho...

in search of your ideal retirement setting...unless you're independently wealthy, with disposable income oozing out of your carpetbag.

SHOSHONE COUNTY — While the state’s unemployment rate went unchanged — 8.8 percent in July and August — Shoshone County reported an increase from 12.6
percent to 14.2 percent unemployment between those same months, according to the Idaho Department of Labor.

Here's some sobering numbers by states from July...which can't begin to tell the story of the jobless situation as it stands this minute, as we prepare for winter. http://www.bls.gov/web/laumstrk.htm

Cartunes

This old church (Baptist, I think) is located in Fort Benton, MT. Last year it was for sale. The sign was gone this year, but as you can see, the lawn needs watering and the weeds look pretty secure. The building isn't particularly historic, but I like old structures, and this was worth a drive by and a notice at least.

My first attempt at upside down gardening...so far so good, although you can't see the blossoms clearly...the tomato plant is doing just fine, even after getting quite a late start. I will get some more of these curious Topsy Turvy things next year...if I'm still able to do so. Who knows...

Just a picture I scribbled...

a couple years back, on an online drawing site. It isn't good, it's just a doodle I tried to do, that turned out reminding me of a friend I knew years ago in Nevada. She was the best friend/neighbor/roommate I had in Reno. She also had the distinction of being the first photographic model ever published nude in the UNR annual. It was a terrific photo and created quite a controversy at the university. For a shy woman, she accomplished extraordinary things for a female of her era.

Friend Shannon & me...

I should stand next to larger people if I want to show off the weight loss.
Shannon is one of the dreaded size 3 people. My new sveldt self has lost about 23 lbs though; believe it or not.
I haven't weighed 140 in at least 25 years, probably more. I know that even if no one else does.

This is as tan as I ever get in summer too. Shannon is an outdoorsy person, moreso by far than I. And considerably younger I might add. She was born in Germany I think, but came to the states very young. She is partners with a good friend...Al should be in the picture dammit... at 6'5" (or more!!) he dwarfs the both of us!

Perhaps I'll get a haircut soon...makes me look slimmer/younger...I haven't lost a bit of vanity...

Tune test