Halloween @ Stevi UMC

Charles looks the part!

Charles had a fire pit going!

A proper mood

 We took part in the annual Trunk-or-Treat activity at the church. Belinda was involved in the setting up and Charles took part by passing out treats to the multitude of children who passed by the church on a chilly, overcast evening!

Belinda's birthday!

Clear view of St. Mary's Peak

buds on the Christmas cactus in Charles' office

Belinda's birthday is today and it was a picture-perfect day to mark another year wiser!

Today in Missoula!

Charles' six pots w/ lids

An active studio space!

Tonight @ the Roxy

Charles felt at home!

  Charles had a full day in Missoula with classes and a cultural event at the Roxy Theater.

First thing up today was time in the ceramics studio. Charles got some good comments on his six pots (with lids) assignment. He is learning to embrace his "wonky" style!

In painting, the class is working on a collaborative project. Each student did a quick painting over the during this week and then today exchanged that piece for another work done by another student. It will be interesting to see what Charles ends up creating! His studio is in high gear now with five paintings in various stages of production!

This evening, Charles attended "Steam of Life," a documentary about the culture of the sauna and the Finnish men who take steam at the drop of a hat (or a towel!). It was nice being among other Finns and getting a glimpse into this important part of the Finnish psyche.

A bazaar Saturday

Our church's women's group held its annual bazaar today on a damp & chilly autumn Saturday! We got some holiday shopping done and ate some wonderful food. All in all a great day in the Valley!

Mid-week news

Clouds over the Bitterroot Mountains

Belinda's birthday cupcake

Looking for a home

 A blustery night knocked out power in a large swath of Ravalli County last night to include Stevensville. It made for an early bedtime for us! Charles stopped in Missoula on the way home last night and picked up some camping lanterns for the next time!

Today at the senior center birthday lunch, Belinda was among those celebrated for their October birthdays!

And to make the day complete, we're helping this adorable calico find its forever home. Lisa Menery is on her way to see if it will work out!

More from the studio

Charles' latest effort in painting was well-received today. This was a triptych, oil on three 24x24 wood panels.

Homecoming at UM

Ready for the kiln

Here we go!

A perfect day for football

The band lines up for half-time

Charles was on campus yesterday to get some studio work in and is happy to have gotten in some quality time in both ceramics and painting. 

Taking a break, he visited with folk at the tailgate party of some church members, one of whom had an extra ticket to the Montana homecoming game against North Dakota. It was fun to watch the first half on such a beautiful day!

Where has the week gone, pt.2

Autumn at Third & College

In addition to keeping appointments in Missoula and other household chores, Belinda and Sheila were involved in a UMW crafting afternoon on Wednesday. A lot of fun was had by all!

Where has the week gone, pt.1

Trace of snow on Thursday

Ready for homecoming

Greetings heard at UM

Charles' mugs ready for bisque kiln

Have Beret, will paint

A busy week for Charles at UM following his being gone last week. He completed twelve mugs and a painting and started a new painting too!

Our weekend in Bozeman

Friday night with our light shining

Belinda chats with the bishop

Bishop Oliveto preaching at Bozeman UMC today

Autumn morning in Bozeman

Wesley awaits our return

We had a nice weekend in Bozeman where we were attending the annual gathering of the Yellowstone Conference UMW. While it was nice to get away, it is nice to be home again!

Charles on the road - pt.4

After Butte came several days at Fairmont Hot Springs for the annual clergy orders retreat. It was a busy time! Following the full day on Thursday, Charles joined other clergy for supper in Anaconda and the for a dip in springs

Charles on the road - pt 3

Snow in Butte!

 

Books for the collection!

A bonafide pasty!

Charles woke this morning to the first snow of the season here in Butte. About two inches fell overnight and while it was gone by evening in town, the mountains around the city are glistening with white capes!

He tried to get to some historic sites but most were either closed on Tuesdays or had closed for the season. One place that was accessible was the Granite Mountain Memorial which is dedicated to the 168 miners killed there in a disaster in 1917. He did manage to pay a visit to Second Edition Books which is a wonderful bookstore! He picked up a couple of Book of Disciplines from the Methodist Episcopal Church - South dated 1870 and 1888.

A lunch at Gamers Café for an authentic Cornish pasty ready put a seal on this morning's activities!

Charles on the road - pt.2

 

With JW scarecrow!

 After seeing the Mineral Museum, Charles stayed on the Montana Tech campus and took in the World Mining Museum which looks at the mining culture in this area.

Charles took the walking tour into the mine down to the 100 ft. level, fascinating look at this dangerous profession.

Charles on the road - pt.1

 

 

Charles went to Butte today to rest up ahead of five days of meetings - two in Butte, two in Fairmont, and one in Bozeman!

This afternoon he stopped for a quick visit at the Holy Trinity Serbian OrthodoxChurch. An amazing place with the walls and ceiling covered in frescos!

Next was a visit to the Mineral Museum on the campus of Montana Tech. The museum was nicely done and the price, free, was nice too!