And the cat sleeps on

Wesley has been enjoying his naps today, well, every day come to think of it!

A stroll in the Refuge

The quiet forest



Mallards coming in for a landing

Early migrants at the Refuge - Sapphire Mountains in the distance

Bitterroot Mountains covered in mist

A pair of Bald Eagles at the Refuge

We enjoyed some slightly warmer weather today though the rain continued off and on all day.  Charles took advantage of a brief clear patch to do a mile-long stroll in the Metcalf Wildlife Refuge.  It was cool to see some of the ducks and geese passing through.  Charles even saw a pair of Bald Eagles perched high above a marsh.

Our wet weekend

Charles enjoying the children's time this morning

Belinda enjoying the fellowship time this evening

We have had a very full, but wet weekend here and boy, are we tired!  Our day was filled with our Sunday morning routine and then this evening we took part in the Stevi UMC's first "Fifth Sunday Hymn-sing."  Belinda spent several hours in the kitchen this afternoon as well, preparing banana nut bread to share after the evening sing.

Belinda will have to go to work tomorrow just to get some rest from the flurry of activity this weekend!

Wesley's back yard adventure

 
While Charles was working in the back yard, Belinda brought Wesley out for a romp in the grass.  He is such fun to watch scampering around the yard, looking for birds, and just soaking up the fresh air.  Winter is coming and it won't be many more trips outside for the kitty!

Back yard clean-up

The look at 215 College Street

Wesley supervises the work

We took advantage of some splendid weather today to get some yard work done in the back yard.  Charles cleared out the flower beds and put in some edging. We ended up with five large trash bags from the flower beds!  Next spring this place is going to look awesome!

Lovely Saturday in the Valley

Cold Creek on an autumn Saturday

The drive was beautiful

Rainbow over Stevensville

Belinda and Trudy after choir practice

Chokecherry tree in our front yard

The first Saturday in autumn has arrived with thoroughly pleasant weather, perhaps the last for the coming week. 

Charles went east of town, in search of a rainbow reported by one of the UMW choir members.  It looked like the rainbow was settled over the town!

Frost in Stevensville

Leaves are turning on 3rd Street

Wesley keeps an eye on the goings on

Snow on the Bitterroots

Snow on the Sapphire Mountains

Sign of the times

We've had a wonderful week here in Stevensville and we are thrilled now to be home, safe and sound!

 

The rain we've enjoyed this week took the day off today, more is coming, but today was dry.  We woke to a heavy frost on the car and a temperature of 28F!  It is such a treat to be here where there are seasons!!!

DoD Casualty report for Sept.20-26

Arlington National Cemetery

The Department of Defense announced this week the death of seven service members who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

+Sgt. William D. Brown III, 44, of Franklin, N.C., died Sept. 19, in Laghman Province, Afghanistan, from a non-combat incident. The soldier's death is under investigation.  Brown was assigned to the 94th Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Polk, Louisiana.

 +Spc. James T. Wickliffchacin, 22, of Edmond, Oklahoma, died Sept. 20 at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, of injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his dismounted patrol during combat operations in Pul-E-Alam, Afghanistan on Aug. 12. He was assigned to the 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, Fort Stewart, Georgia.

On Sept. 21, three soldiers died at Forward Operating Base Shank, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their unit with small arms fire while conducting range training in Gardez, Paktia Province, Afghanistan.

Killed were:

+Staff Sgt. Liam J. Nevins, 32, of Denver, CO, assigned to 5th Battalion, 19th Special Forces Group, Watkins, Colorado.

+Staff Sgt. Timothy R. McGill, 30, of Ramsey, N.J., assigned to 2nd Battalion, 19th Special Forces Group, Middletown, R.I.

+Spc. Joshua J. Strickland, 23, of Woodstock, GA, assigned to Group Support Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.

On Sept. 22, two sailors were killed as a result of an MH-60S Knighthawk helicopter crash while operating in the central Red Sea. Both sailors were assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Six at Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, California.

Killed were:

Lt. Cmdr. Landon L. Jones, 35, of Lompoc, California, and

Chief Warrant Officer Jonathan S. Gibson, 32, of Aurora, Oregon.

A damp day in the Valley

A neighborhood cat stops for a rest before the rain started

The view from Fran & Fred's home in Hamilton

The perfect place to enjoy a cup of tea

What a delightful day we enjoyed in the Bitterroot Valley today!  The rain which moved into the area last night stayed around today with a light drizzle falling all day.  The temperature didn't get above 50 which made it feel like the perfect autumn day for us!!

This evening we met up with two couples from our church at the home of one of the couples in Hamilton.  It was such fun, getting to know folk around the supper table!

Now for a cup of tea!

Snow in the mountains, golf in the Valley

A beautiful sight

A foursome playing through

The first Monday of autumn started off somewhat damp and chilly which is quite a welcome change for us!  The rain we've gotten has been enough to give the mountains more than just the dusting they'd gotten last week.  Charles took advantage of his day off this afternoon and got in nine holes at the local golf course before a band of sprinkles came into the Valley from the mountains to the west of town.

Founder's Day Event in Stevi, part 2

Flag of the Salish-Kootenai Confederated Tribes

Establishing the Mission, September 24, 1841

"Father Pierre DeSmet, SJ"

"Father Gregory Mengarini, SJ"

Representing L-R: Chief Charlo, Chief Big Face, Chief Victor, and an Iroquois warrior

Founder's Day Event in Stevi, part 1

Autumn has arrived in the Bitterroot Valley, and with it, some much needed rain and the cooler temps that we enjoy so much!

Sunday mornings are a whoosh of activity for us.  Belinda is leading a church school class and singing in the choir, and Charles, of course, is doing what preachers do on Sunday!  Today's worship service had some wonderful music.  Our church is blessed to have  people willing to share their talents in the community.  (See the church blog to see more.)

Following a brief rest at home, we attended the 172nd anniversary ceremony of the founding of the St. Mary's Mission, the oldest permanent settlement in what would become the state of Montana.  Today's ceremony honored the Salish (pronounced Sell-ish) people who had invited the "Black Robes," the Jesuit missionaries,  to the Valley.

There were re-enactors portraying the Jesuits, the French trappers and mountain men.  And there were representatives of the Salish people, including a direct descendent of Chief Victor.

A visit to a parishioner's home in the late afternoon rounded out our day.  Now, for a restful Sunday night!!!

It's a pie social!

One of the nice features of living in a small town is that there is always something going on!  This evening, we took in the pie social at the Stevensville Museum.  We met some lovely people and enjoyed some fabulous home-made pie!  Life is good!