Introducing


Just wanted a place to put my thoughts, vent, celebrate, whatever came to mind when things happen.   I am interested in a variety of things.  Politics, human rights, Reading, Computers, Cultural Anthropology, and more.

I am originally from San Diego, CA.   I have lived all over the United States along with living in Germany and Massachusetts while in the Air Force.  I moved to Wyoming in September of 2001 and haven’t regretted it one bit.  I do miss the things available in San Diego, but do not miss the traffic or the number  of people.  If you want to see some of the Wild West, it is still around up here in Wyoming.

I take picture, lots of them. If you’d like to see them, please visit my Four Blue Hills – Wyoming Foto Blog

I love to read, have all my life.   I especially enjoy History, Biographies, Mysteries and Folklore.

I enjoy architecture, not so much the modern stuff, but older architecture such as Baroque, Classical, Gothic, Medieval.  I LOVE “bizarre” or “unique” buildings.

Photography is my hobby, during the summer months I take a lot of pictures.  Not so many during the winter months because it gets very cold here in Wyoming and driving around wide ranges of open areas is not a good idea.  My life is ruled by “Murphy’s Law”; I would break down in the middle of nowhere (lots of it up here) and in a dead cell zone during a blizzard.  So, I don’t.

I live about 100 miles from the East Entrance of Yellowstone National Park and 6 miles from the Montana border.  Love it there too, lived there for ten years when I was a kid.  Wyoming is a very pretty state, flat and treeless in some areas, mountainous and green in others.  You should come visit!

I am a veteran of the United States Air Force.  Early 80′s.  Ya, getting up there.

Big Horn Mountains

Big Horn Mountains

I like having a blog.  While I “say” it is to vent, celebrate, etc… I found, after starting this blog, that I am not much of a writer.  :)   I enjoyed it, but found myself extremely limited with the topic I chose to write about, my knowledge is/was limited.  Not a good thing.   Having said that, I also find I don’t really have a whole heck of a lot to say at times. :)   I post articles, videos, photographs and items that interest me and while reading them I think about many things.  Then, I try to write.  Brain farts galore, insecurities about my writing abound, along with wondering, since I really don’t consider myself to be extremely original in many of my thoughts, if it has all been said one way or another.  I really don’t like beating the proverbial “dead horse”.  Have no fear, you are safe, in that aspect, while visiting this blog.  I just post what grabs my attention, not here to influence or persuade any one to change their minds.  Altho, I would imagine, with the things I do post, you can see what moves, influences, or provides something to myself.  If you don’t like it, that is ok too.  I don’t mind.  Everyone has their own opinion, a good thing, the world would be oh, so boring if not.

I do not mind hearing about any thing I post.  In fact, I love it!  So, comment away.  Feel free to ask me any thing that comes to mind.

The name of the blog, Four Blue Hills, is a tribute to the four mountain ranges that surround the area where I live.  The Pryor Mountains, Beartooth Mountains, Big Horn Mountains and the Absaroka Mountains.  Beautiful, beautiful mountains, as the picture above shows. :)   That road, going up the mountain, in the picture, has a 16% grade.  Drove DOWN it the first year I lived here, took me 9 more years to go anywhere near it again.  I’m proud of myself, have been back up and down three times.  Closed in the winter!  (It is known as 14A when going OVER the Big Horn Mountains).  All of the  header pictures are photos I have taken of scenes around the Big Horn Basin area where I live.

About comments, if you are a blog selling some thing don’t bother to comment just to get it approved in order to have a link here, not gonna happen.

P.S.  I also read ALOT OF NEWS! Forewarned! :)

P. S. S. I also work at night, so if you leave a comment, might not get approved until early morning hours when I am awake.  Depending on the time you leave the comment.

Related articles
About these ads

129 thoughts on “Introducing”

  2. I love your post about the mayor who is a cat, although wasn’t able to comment directly, it is a brilliant story. I think I like best: “He doesn’t raise our taxes — we have no sales tax. He doesn’t interfere with business. He’s honest”! Very funny. More cats should be mayors – and presidents!

    Reply ↓

  7. I wanted to say thank you for all of your inspiration and the messages you keep adding to my blog. I love to read and we have that in common. I am learning how to accept your award and excited. You are so kind. I am having fun getting to know you and by next year we will be best of friends, if not now. Blessings, Jackie ~

    Reply ↓

    • Why, thank you, what a very nice thing to say! I enjoy your blog, wish I could visit more often. You are too sweet! I am glad you are excited about the award too, makes it even better. What do you like to read? Right now I am reading Mary Stuart by Alexander Dumas, very, very good book. I am enjoying getting to know you too, the blogging thing has brought myself more rewards than I ever thought possible. :)

      Reply ↓

  8. Hi there,

    I like the picture you put up up there! The one that says, “BSA Buffalo Hill Campground”. And your blog name sounds great too! :-) What a quite imagination.

    After enjoying a joyful ride in your blog, I’d like you to now visit mine. I’ve got some poetry and flash fiction that may be of interest to you:

    “Dance, Dance Under the Rain!”: http://subhanzein.wordpress.com/2012/03/02/dance-dance-under-the-rain/
    “Love is the Water of Life”: http://subhanzein.wordpress.com/2012/02/22/love-is-the-water-of-life/
    “A Hug from My Heart”: http://subhanzein.wordpress.com/2012/02/29/pantun-sz-012012/
    “God Invites You to a Party” : http://subhanzein.wordpress.com/2012/03/08/god-invites-you-to-a-party/
    “Love is a Heart Throbbing Joyride: http://subhanzein.wordpress.com/2012/03/16/love-is-a-heart-throbbing-joyride/

    “The Scholar and the Boatman: http://subhanzein.wordpress.com/2012/02/08/the-scholar-and-the-boatman/
    “Two Rupiah Notes”: http://subhanzein.wordpress.com/2012/02/19/two-rupiah-notes/
    “Chinese Bamboo and Paulo Coelho”: http://subhanzein.wordpress.com/2012/01/24/chinese-bamboo-and-paulo-coelho/
    And the latest: “Pham and Her Gold Fish” http://subhanzein.wordpress.com/2012/03/04/pham-and-her-gold-fish/

    Please feel free to have a look at them. Thank you and have a great day! :-)

    Warm regards from Down Under,

    Subhan Zein

    Reply ↓

  9. You’ve seen a bit of the world. So fortunate to be living in Wyoming. I was there for a short time many years ago and was struck by to things: space and the purest air ever.

    Working on my post for Sunshine award now and to go up tomorrow. Thanks again! ;-)

    Jamie Dedes

    Reply ↓

    • I love it here, wide open and the air is still pretty pure. :) I hope you get to visit again someday, if you do you have to let me know. :)

      Oh, can’t wait to see your post! You are so welcome!

      Reply ↓

  10. Your photography is most beautiful. Only a few can capture the true essence of the mountain sates and the high desert … you do both very well.

    Thank you for your service. I hope you had the inclination and good fortune to enjoy the time you gave to your country. I did, but it has been 51 years since my discharge, so the memories dim little by little.

    I appreciate your visits to my blog and I hope you’ll always feel welcome there.

    Shoot some more and take care.

    Reply ↓

  11. Pingback: Four Blue Hills Nominated Wyomingstorygirl for the ABC Award | wyomingstorygirl

  13. I love Wyoming…so don’t get too many people hooked on it!! We have a place in the Bighorns outside of Sheridan which we get to every summer. I love it there. Glad you like Wyoming and thanks for your service, too.

    Reply ↓

    • Oh nice, Sheridan is a gorgeous area. I always enjoy going up there, the VA sends me about once a year. I love it here. The people are so nice, wish I could pick up some of the self-sustaining abilities they seem to have known all their lives.

      Thank you for the kind words about being in the service. :)

      Thank you too for visiting my blog!

      Reply ↓

  14. Last year, during a mini mid life crisis, I took a position in Kaycee, Wyoming. Close to those majestic Big Horn Mountains. I do know what life can be in these small towns. I do miss those mountains, though. As time continues on, I am discovering more and more great blogs..including this one. I will be back…

    Reply ↓

    • Kaycee? Is there much there? I am wondering if I am thinking of the right place. Are you still in Kaycee? The Big Horns are absolutely beautiful!! Thank you so much for the visit, I do appreciate it very much.

      Reply ↓

  15. Betty, I know that Dolly from allaboutlemon nominated you for the Awesome Blog Content Award recently (as she did my blog; bless her little heart) however, I too must include your blog in my nominations; it would be a crime not to. I love the conversations that we share; I enjoy reading your news items (your articles are always uplifting). In general you’re just a great girl and I want to thank you by way of this award. ;)
    http://abcofspiritalk.wordpress.com/2012/02/10/awesome-blog-content-award/

    Reply ↓

    • Heck, I did forget to say thank you here after I posted that you gave me the award! I’m losing it. Thank you SO MUCH, Carolyn! :) You are such a sweetie. Can you move over here? Need a friend like you! Not sure about ballroom dancing tho, don’t think there is much of that here. :(

      Reply ↓

      • Hey, you are so welcome…!!! ;)
        I don’t know how you keep up with all the posting and commenting plus return comments; you are a wonder girl; that’s for sure.
        Hey, you got a friend in me; here on-line… not quite the same thing as being able to go for coffee however; it’s really nice to know you, too…. ;)

        Reply ↓

        • I LOVED these movies! Have seen every single one of them. Bring out the kid in me, easily I might add. (It is never far from the surface) Thank you for such a nice compliment. Surely wasn’t expecting the video. A beautiful, beautiful touch! And, I must say, right back at ya! :) It is great to know you too! A pleasure.

          I don’t keep up, I am behind all the time! LOL I just try.

          Reply ↓

  20. Hi Again, Thanks for getting back to me. Your photo blog looks wonderful. How come you haven’t told me before now? I was a little confused about the web address from your reply so incase anyone else wants to see what you’ve been hiding they should head for http://fourbluehillsphotoblog.wordpress.com/
    How about having a page on this blog which has nothing but a link to just your photo blog? It is something you should be shouting about!
    My other little bit of feedback about this blog is that I think Done Reading and 2012 TBR Pile Challenge could be consolidated into one tab under the heading of Reading or Books. I say this so that the header doesn’t become too cluttered and you want people to click on the new PHOTOBLOG tab! It’s important people see your creativity and any clutter might get in the way of this.
    I couldn’t see the photoblog mentioned on the Wyoming links page either! It should be there at the top…..!!!
    I have subscribed to the photoblog and really looking forward to following your work.
    Good luck and best wishes
    Nigel

    Reply ↓

    • Hello!

      I’m sorry. I think I posted about doing it, but then it was a few days before I actually did create the blog! :)

      Actually, that is a good idea, or three. I will combine the TBR Challenge and the Done Reading. What a good idea! :) I didn’t even think of that. Heheh I will put a link on my blog, on the about page so people can see it! :) Thanks for the heads up, now you got me laughing! :)

      Thanks for following the foto blog! I do appreciate it very much! I have a link to your blog on there too! :)

      Reply ↓

  21. Hi again, Your blog is full of interesting and nourishing content and it’s clear you commit a great deal of time in maintaining it. Regretably I have had to un-subscribe because of the volume of posts. There is no way I can keep up! I’m sorry but I will drop by from time to time. Before I finish I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t nag you to get taking some more pictures for your blog!!! Keep up the good work. Best wishes from Postcard Cafe

    Reply ↓

    • Not to worry. It was MONTHS before I found out, or realized, that many people don’t post quite as umm…obnoxiously frequently as I do. I am trying to cut back. Honest. I don’t want people to run from my blog in horror. Heheheh I only noticed it when I received quite a few posts from another blog, and I thought, “Wow, that is a lot of posts.” Then, the light slowly clicked on in my brain. :) It will take me some getting use to, but gonna try to cut back. :)

      I have a foto blog, same name as this one, but with Wyoming foto blog added on the end.

      Reply ↓

  26. Thank you for being Beethoven! And yes it’s a very good thing, and no need to lose your hearing to qualify, because that might be kinda off putting for some folks… Thanks again for your generous compliments on my blog. Yours is cool too, and I’m gonna take a nice long look at ya! (or at least at your blog) Lol :-)

    Reply ↓

  27. I just finished reading what you’re all “About” and found it very interesting. You live in some spectacular country and you’ve lived a very varied life, which is cool, and I’m impressed. I’m also Chris from “Word Play” and thanks for liking my posts and following my blog! :-) As Arnold S. would say, “I’ll be Bach!” (but only if you’ll be Beethoven) cause that’s what I often say! :-)

    Reply ↓

    • Thank you for visiting the blog AND for the kinds words. ;) I do live in spectacular country, it is absolutely beautiful up here. I love it. I feel lucky to have lived in the places I have lived too, many are not able to, they are missing a lot. Aahhh….Word Play. A great blog! I try to get over there as often as possible. Love your stuff. I will be Beethoven. I hope that is a good thing! HAhahahah

      Reply ↓

  30. Hi,

    Thanks for posting on my blog. You definitely seem a very interesting person including your interest in politics and military service. My degree (“major”…kinda, but not quite) was in modern history and politics so there is one similarity there. I guess politics is even more prominent than it generally is with the elections for the Republican candidacy, and I’m sure you have opinions on Ron Paul who seems to have a lot of endorsements from military veterans including his views on foreign policy.

    As you probably read on my blog as a non-American I had no idea about Wyoming and even thought it was in the east, somewhere on the map (which as I saw today on Google) is actually occupied by Ohio. I think people in “less developed” (which has an inherently negative connotation to it, even perhaps patronizing) areas – or should I use words such as “less industrialized/less polluted/less crowded” – such as Wyoming retain a lot of the traditional values, warmth and hospitality which can be difficult to maintain in a more anonymous urban environment.

    From the video I posted people seemed very friendly and with the happiness characteristic of many “non-big city” people around the world. However these days in the digital age, Iphones, communication is not a problem.

    Reply ↓

    • I could not resist posting! I saw your post about having few visitors from Wyoming so I just had to help change that a bit. :) I enjoyed your blog, I will be going back to visit too! Thank you for the kind words! I love history!!! What period are you most interested in? I, like many others I believe, am especially interested in medieval history. Not sure why, but I am.

      Ron Paul? Nope, not voting for him. I consider myself a “middle of the road” kind of person. Many in my family consider me an outright flaming liberal. :) Only put up with because I am in the family. This is not one vet who endorses him, and this vet at the moment is pretty disgusted with ALL the contenders and has no idea who she will be voting for as of yet. Sigh…..

      “Less developed” does sound very negative. I think just saying you are from another country is sufficient. I am sure there are people in “well developed” countries who are not sure where Wyoming lies on the map! :) So, you are not alone.

      The people in Wyoming are great! Very, very friendly and generous. I like them quite a bit. I don’t think tho, I have ever really met people anywhere who are not friendly, except for one particular European country and that might just be the few I came in contact with at the time and a few since. But, not saying, don’t want to cause a fuss over something like that. ;) And no, communication is definitely not a problem any more! Isn’t it great!

      Reply ↓

  31. Wyoming, eh? I just moved to Denver a couple of years ago and have great plans to finally see Jackson Hole and Yellowstone. For mountain lovers like me, those places are the stuff of legend. I’ll be back when I have more time to look around.

    Reply ↓

    • Yep! Denver is beautiful too. I went to tech school there many years ago. You will love both Jackson and Yellowstone, they are fantastic! The last few years we have had more rain than usual, leaving Yellowstone looking very much like an “emerald”, even in July/August. Both months that are usually hot and things begin to look a bit browner. I was in awe last summer when I drove up that way. Beautful! Thank you for coming to visit the blog. :)

      Reply ↓

  32. Okay, I’m not sure if this is the “proper” procedure, but doing it anyway. How else would you know I nominated you for “Candle Lighter Award” – unless you read the post, but life happens and you may miss it. I should do this for all my nominees. Congrat’s! You deserve it. LOVE YOUR BLOG! http://motleynews.net/2012/01/03/candle-lighter-award/

    LOL… and your replies to replies thread above looks like it’s about to implode on itself… :)

    Reply ↓

    • Really? Oh, thank you so much! I think this is how you would do it, it is how I have done it too! :) I have never heard of that award. How sweet you are! Thank you so much! I am honored! :)

      I have noticed how replies look like they are going to implode myself. I am not sure if it is because of something I have done in the settings or just the way it is!

      THank you so much!

      Reply ↓

  33. Lizards; don’t know really. It’s hard to know /remember, I just do. As for chooks; I grew up with chooks in the backyard. I used to love going for eggs. I just loved to watch them. They gave me an ‘earthy’ feeling. Also, they told it like it was. If they didn’t like each other they would spat and carry on. I found them ‘honest’ in their interactions. Snakes have always made me curious. They seem such intelligent creatures. Also, I like the fact that they ‘need’ to be ‘respected’. There is an element of ‘danger’ about them….. Never really thought about it!

    As for the reflections; all of the reflections are to be a ‘page’…. I love to do them… And yes, please go ahead with your idea; it should be interesting…..

    Reply ↓

    • What is a chook? I have never heard of it. A type of lizard? I am going to have to look that up on the net!!!

      Snakes. Yes, they do need to be respected! In all ways. They do good too. We have rattlesnakes up here. Always have to be on the look out for them.

      Oh, nice a page just for the reflections? That is wonderful.

      Oh, it wasn’t such a big idea. Just about my favorite animals, and maybe personalizing how I feel about them and why I like them, then linking to your post for others to see. :)

      Reply ↓

      • LOL…. Pardon me…! I didn’t realise that the term ‘Chook’ is an Aussie expression until now…. It’s slang for ‘Chicken’…. I can’t imaging what you must have thought when I said I loved to ‘collect the eggs’… LOL :0 :) I can’t stop laughing…! Isn’t it wonderful that we (from different countries) are so similar and yet have our own national idiosyncrasies. (You have made my morning…)

        I’ll hopefully get to do the update for the Rattlesnake sometime soon; I find them fascinating.

        Reply ↓

        • I did wonder, but thought you were actually collecting the eggs of chickens while seeing the “Chook” fight amongst themselves. :) LOL Nope, never heard the term before. Fun to find out interesting things like that, isn’t it? It if funny, I sure didn’t expect you to write back it is a chicken! I hadn’t gotten to looking around for it on the net yet! :)

          Reply ↓

  34. When I originally commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get several emails with the same comment. Is there any way you can remove me from that service? Appreciate it!

    Reply ↓

  35. I see you have been checking out my blog. Thanks for that.
    This past summer my wife, sister-in-law and brother-in-law took a two-week road trip through Wyoming. We flew into Salt Lake City, drove
    up through Logan Utah, Jackson, through the Tetons (stayed at Jenny Lake Lodge which was a major budget buster and worth every dime), horse back riding, kayaking and taking loads of pictures. We stayed at the old Roosevelt Lodge in the north part of Yellowstone, out through the Lamar Valley, down through Cody, Thermopolis, Cheyenne and home from Denver. Although I am a confirmed city boy, we loved every minute we were in your state.

    Reply ↓

    • Yes, I have visited a few times. It is a very nice blog! :)

      Wyoming is great, I live in the smallest town I have ever lived in, about 150 people. I like it very much tho, after the traffic jams and all the people in places like San Diego, Boston and even Las Vegas, it is pretty dang nice up here. The people are great too. Thermopolis, very nice town. Every time I drive through there I think I wouldn’t mind living there. Jackson is gorgeous. As a kid my dad worked down there when there was a strike or something where he worked in Montana. We all went to visit him during the summer. Watch out for the Yellowjackets! That place is loaded with them. Are you coming back up here sometime?

      Reply ↓

          • I just recently graduated from university so including my time at school I guess about 3 years now? Wow, I’m surprised I’ve been doing it for that long! I like writing for newspapers sometimes but it’s a little fast-paced for me I think. I love watching television and then a took a couple courses on writing for it, and they were my favorite classes! I watch a lot of half-hour comedies, but I only know how to write one-hour dramas so far. So what I’ve written so far is a comedic drama. I wish I was as funny as Tina Fey, but I’m not there yet :)

            Reply ↓

            • It sounds like you have found what you are passionate about, that is wonderful! Are you going to take more courses to write for television? Is there a degree specifically for writing for television?

              You will get there! Tina Fey is pretty remarkable, isn’t she? :)

              Reply ↓

  37. Thanks for stopping by my blog earlier. Best wishes of the season to you. Will we be seeing anymore of your photography in 2012? How about setting of a page on your blog for your photographs? Have a good Christmas and a creative new year…

    Reply ↓

    • Thank YOU for stopping by here too! :) How was your Christmas? I hope it was absolutely terrific. :)

      Oh, I will put more photos up, I just get caught up in what I am doing at the moment and forget about the photos. :) I hadn’t thought about a page for them, what a good idea. Thank you for that tip. :)

      Reply ↓

      • Nice to see some new photos inthe header! Now all you’ve got to do is set up a page for your photography and we can all enjoy your world through a lens. No pressure I’m just nagging because I like the pics I’ve seen. It’s good for us all to use the creative side of our brain. It’s a part that many people don’t exercise enough!
        Christmas for me is nearly off the radar.
        I’m not religious and the rest of Christmas now seems to be about all things commercial. I know there are good parts to the celebrations and if people want to celebrate then great. It’s just not for me. I prefer to extend the spirit of Christmas into my life throughout the year!
        Christmas unfortunately now brings with it a lot of negative aspects. There is enormous pressure for people to be part of it all. There is a lot of emotional pressure for people and many feel lonely and isolated. Pressure on parents in the UK often leads to many going into a huge amount of debt that can prove difficult to repay. Some spend the whole year clearing christmas debt. A great deal of money is spent on excess and there is a great deal of waste. The pressure on families and couples results in a huge rise in domestic violence at this time of year. Alcohol fuelled violence rises in the UK also. Anything to do with religion is largely sidelined. I could go on but you get the general idea.
        Caring more, thinking of friends and family, expressing our thoughts for others and perhaps giving gifts when we feel inspired to do so are all things we can do more of throughout the year. Maybe when I was younger I was more inspired by the pop band Wizzard when they said I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday. I like the sentiment.
        I’m not down on people who celebrate Christmas. For years worked on Christmas day and boxing day helping at a project who provided services and meals for homeless and marginalised members of our society. I don’t do Christmas myself but perhaps I can help someone else enjoy or simply deal with all that this time of year brings.
        There you go a long winded answer to a short question! My Christmas was minimal to say the least. I enjoyed the quiet and that things stop for a few days. I also take the time to make my new year cards which is something of a tradition for me.
        I read that you were working so it sounds like you were helping to keep things up and running for people.
        Best of seaonal wishes
        From Little bits of Sheffield….
        ps. Shouldn’t you be out with your camera instead of reading my wordy nonsense?

        Reply ↓

        • Thank you! I am going to edit the headers I have on the blog and try to put the names of the places/areas where I took them, so people will know where they are. You think that is a good idea? I am glad you like the pictures, that makes me happy! :) I have to go look at your blog again, I didn’t notice last time, are your photos just on one page???? If so, is there a way to keep them separate that I don’t see, like a specific post for each one? That has been puzzling me. I am afraid it would be one long messy post. I don’t exercise that part of my brain enough either and I agree, we all should.
          Christmas is off the radar, for another year. A whole year!?!?! To pay off Christmas debt? Shoot, I paid for mine in cash. If I can’t afford it, you don’t get it. :) Just how it is. No apologies. And if you want it that bad, get a job. Although I DO usually put Christmas presents on lay-a-way. Still, they don’t cost so much it would put me in debt for a year. I can’t even imagine that. In April I will pay my car off, can’t wait. The only bill, aside from utilities, groceries, gas and insurance for my car that I will have. My house was paid off about two years ago. VERY NICE! :) I love it.
          I am not very religious myself, organized religion I guess. Been to a lot of churches and one I am sure was a cult, I ran SCREAMING from that one after they told me I would have to share an apartment with three other girls and that if one of the brothers asked me out I HAD to go. Yeah, right. I asked them what they would do if I wanted to go out with a Jewish person, they said, and I quote, “We’ll talk about that later.” (According to them you can only go out with someone of your own religion. I understand the reasoning, same goals, values, beliefs, etc…) I just remember thinking, “I don’t think later will be coming.” :) I left. Oh yeah, told me I would have to give them my paycheck too. Nope. There are times when I can be REALLY weak, like trying to quit smoking, but just tell me what to do and that is it. Even now at my age! LOL Some things are just not anyone else’s business.
          It is COLD here! I don’t take too many during the winter, I try to stay on well maintained roads during the winter months. The towns here are few and far between. If I broke down on my way to work I could sit there for hours before anyone drove by. Summer not so bad, everyone is going all over the place then. I am thinking of driving toward Yellowstone this weekend, not in the park, many of the roads are closed for winter, just head in that direction. Providing it isn’t snowing.

          Happy New Year to you!!!!

          Reply ↓

    • Oh, yes, they are pretty intimidating too. The Beartooth Mountains, to the West of me, have the longest area with NO ROADS, shoot I can’t remember now if that is for the state of Montana or for the whole U.S. They are scary. :) I don’t mind driving up the West side, but I will, and have not, drive down the Eastern side. The one time I did drive down, my brother-in-law was driving, I shook in the back seat, hid my eyes, I actually ducked down, and kept hearing him whisper to my sister, “What is she doing?” Heheheheh The Western side, the old Chief Joseph’s Scenic Highway doesn’t have sloping drops and such. It is nice. I don’t know for sure why they scare me. As a kid, when we lived in Butte, MT my dad would take us for rides all the time in the Rockies, they get fairly steep and have some pretty windy roads. I didn’t hide my eyes nor duck back then. Maybe I know I am not immortal anymore. :)

      Reply ↓

  39. Hi,

    I read a few of your blogs, they are entertaining and that’s what counts. You could use photography more. I do a blog once a week and write very little but use 4 or 5 photos. I have managed to write blogs most days, although I have scheduled blogs this week and forgotten which days I have scheduled them for! I think it’s Monday and Tuesday! I started blogging because no one wanted to publish the novel I wrote. I intend to do a self hosted one in 2012.

    I hope you’re having a good Christmas.

    Reply ↓

    • What a very nice thing to say! I really appreciate it very much. Someone else mentioned putting up more of my photos, guess I am gonna have to do that, aren’t I? :) I always mean to put them up then get sidetracked or distracted and forget. I too schedule blogs. That is a very neat option I think. I also have to go back to see when I have them scheduled to post too! Hehehehehhehe Did you post your novel on your blog in chapters or something? I don’t remember seeing parts of a novel on there, if so and I have forgotten I apologize.

      I hope you had a terrific Christmas!??!!? Did Santa bring you all you wished for?

      Reply ↓

  40. Human trafficking you say – I did a fair bit of research on this but most people don’t want to read heavy stuff. I then chose to write a novel – Code Shield, A Peek Into Singapore’s Secret Services – which speaks of human & drug trafficking and organised crime. Now people are reading my stuff – but in a thriller genre. Well, we simply have to modify to taste I suppose.
    With regards to not knowing what to write – please do check out Mechanic Leigh in my blog. I am sure that you can do better – start a series on your airforce days – must be somewhat easy, I would think, from the wealth of experience you have.
    Thank you for following my blog. I have ticked to receive your posts.
    Keep blogging :-)

    Reply ↓

    • Hi! Thank you for visiting. :)

      Yes, it was originally about Human Trafficking and everything that encompasses that tragedy of life. I felt very STUPID after trying to “write” about human trafficking, original articles that I wrote. Just felt I lacked the knowledge I needed to do it justice.

      When did you write your book? Can it be purchased as a Kindle book? I would love to read it! It sounds very interesting to me. Hey, if it works as a thriller, it works! :) Nothing wrong with that at all, IMHO.

      Thank you for following my blog, I do appreciate it very, very much! I will look at Mechanic Leigh to see what it is about, thanks for the tip too! Happy to be following your blog too! :)

      Reply ↓

      • Why ‘stupid’ – your heart is in the right place – how can that be ‘stupid’ in any way. Sometimes writing from your heart betters any serious research stuff.

        My book was launched in late October 2011. You can get my novel Code Shield on Amazon USA. Or, you can buy the print version direct from publisher http://www.Lcabooks.com – PayPal. This is not a sales pitch, I assure you – just trying to help.

        Write from your heart – you’ll be alright :-)

        Merry Christmas,
        Eric

        Reply ↓

        • I felt like my knowledge in that area lacked way too much. Made me feel stupid. :)

          I looked for your book on Amazon, I have it on my wish list and I am going to get it on my next payday. Which is this Thursday. ;) Not too long to wait. I can’t wait to read it. It sounds very exciting.

          Writing from the heart sounds like the right thing to do. I will give it a try. Thank you so much for giving me some great tips, I am surely gonna give them a try!

          I hope you had a terrific Christmas!!

          Reply ↓

  41. Noticed that you’ve been visiting a lot of the blogs that I have. Not trying to sell anything – honest – (‘cept maybe a few ideas) like you. I too really haven’t a lot to write about..! If it were up to me I wouldn’t have even starting blogging. I’m really quite a private person (even though I enjoy socialising in the dancing fraternity). I’m a medium and my guidance inspired me to begin my blog. I’m lucky in that respect; they have asked that I update my animal reflections (one per day except Sundays and holidays) which means I have something to blog about. If it wasn’t for that I’d have nought to say. Though one thing has surprised me..! I am finding that I am really enjoying browsing, commenting, etc., on other’s blogs. This blogging really allows me to ‘see the world’ through other’s eyes. It’s good.
    I maybe different (being a medium) however, I’m really just like everyone else with their ups and downs, talents and limitations.
    As you can see; I too find it difficult to ‘keep my writing short’… :) Like your blog and I too like the name – enjoy Chrismas.!

    Reply ↓

    • Thanks for visiting! I believe you. LOL :)

      Originally my blog had a “theme”, it was to be about Human Trafficking, which I want to help end. I am not educated enough, only some college, to write about it in such a manner that it would benefit people. Plus, it is hard to write about the same thing all the time with some new flair. :) Plus, plus, there still really isn’t a lot known about it. So, I stopped. I find I do much better if I decide to write something spur of the moment, about something that has happened than to try writing every day about the same thing. I still support ending to Human Trafficking.

      A medium? Very weird, somewhere on all these blogs I wrote a comment, not too long ago, about a man at Seaport Village in San Diego who was reading palms. All except mine own. He refused for some reason. Left me standing there confused and wondering if I was evil in some way and didn’t know it. ;) (There were some things happening in my life at the time that maybe had much more to do with it than any “evil” I might have in me, but at the time I didn’t want to admit to that cuz I wanted to bad to ignore a great loss that had just occurred in my life). Have you done this long? What do animal reflections involve, from a medium? How did you get in to that part of it? If I may ask?

      Reply ↓

      • Just as ‘Eric Alagan’ commented above; people don’t want to read ‘heavy’ stuff. That is one of the reasons for my ‘animal reflections’ being ‘light-hearted’ yet with a real life message; they will be read and understood on a much deeper level than if I were trying to shove the information down unwilling throats. Maybe you could find another form of writing to ‘get your message out’; as Eric suggested.
        As for my mediumship; it started back in the eighties. I started to meditate and then started classes and then went to a yoga weekend and my ‘third eye’ opened (meaning I then had the ability to see the future, hear spirit, see spirit, etc). All very confusing, at the time. I had always been an empath (I feel others pain, both mental and physical). I have given ‘readings’ in the past however, now I work mostly on the work I’m doing now – as in my blog; which I’m enjoying immensely… I will be posting little excerpts of my journey on the blog… It’s a bit ‘heavy’ to be taken all at once…. Thanks for asking… Have a good one; Cheers

        Reply ↓

        • Very true, about reading heavy stuff. I don’t always like to myself. I am gonna fish around for a way to let more people know about human trafficking. (Among other things) Just have to take my time and see how I can figure it in somehow.

          You have been a medium for quite a while then. I have to confess, I am a “Doubting Thomas”, if you will, (on many fronts, not just this one) but I have always been interested in the idea. I am not sure why except to say that I like the idea of how it would make things and time connect in ways we don’t understand. I think there is much more out there somewhere, just not sure what. ;) Hope that is ok.

          Did you have a nice Christmas?

          Reply ↓

          • Love your new tag line – ‘A repository of sorts’ – It is ‘new’ isn’t it? And the pic is different too?? They are either new or I am not very observant….
            All of the suggestions you are getting are so good. Pics tell what a thousand words sometimes can’t. And you have a good heart. To write from there is a sound idea. You do in your comments which make them good to read.
            ‘Bout mediumship; you’d be very unwise not to listen to your own judgement. Just as with any profession there are good and not so good. Plus there are sooooo many ‘pathways’ it seems that no one can agree. In my experience this is as it is meant to be; albeit very confusing for many.
            Christmas is not over for us yet. We still have family to see and swap gifts and all. I must be getting old because it doesn’t hold the same interest for me as once it did. This year my blog has been ‘on my mind’ whilst entertaining or shopping, etc.; seems I’ve been bitten by the computer bug. :)
            Has your Christmas fared well?

            Reply ↓

            • The tag line has been there for a few weeks now. The pictures, headers, are all different. The theme I use allows you to upload header photos and it goes thru them randomly if you mark it do so. A neat feature I thought. I took all the Christmas headers off, now need to find a Happy New Year header. :)

              Yes, the suggestions are good! I think so too. Now I just gotta try to remember to use them.

              What you say about following your own judgement makes sense. There do seem to be multiple paths, don’t there, almost too many to count!

              I feel the same way, feel like I am getting old because Christmas doesn’t hold the same interest to me either. It is all for the kids, altho I do enjoy the decorating and such. Christmas is still a favorite, but, when for instance I stayed at work during this Christmas holiday, (I work at a hotel), due to my headlights going out and waiting for the parts, I wasn’t too unhappy. ;)

              I am glad you are enjoying writing your blog!! That is great! I really enjoyed the blog article about dogs, that was wonderful! Got me to thinking about my favorite animals! LOL I am going to write something about that and link to your article about dogs. When I get myself motivated. Head in the sand feeling still holding sway over me. :)

              Christmas was good. I stayed at work, but that is ok. Now my brother and sister and their families will have a second Christmas because of me. I still need to give them their presents, heck, I need to wrap them! It will be fun tho, extend it a bit longer and I don’t mind one bit. Yours?

              Reply ↓

              • Right… Well I won’t be surprised to find a different pic when I come here!!
                Sounds like your car gave you a chance for a ‘change’. Does the heart good!
                We have nearly finished our Chrissy giving. Should be done next weekend. Then it’s onto another year. They do seem to be going faster and faster. When I was a kid the days passed (in comparison to now) ever so slowly. Seems the less days we have the faster they go. Oh well, case in point for ‘making the best of everything’…
                So what are some of your favourite animals? I may be able to post a few; if you’d like. I really do enjoy doing them. Gives me a chance to go to where the calm energies are when I’m focusing. And I too get to learn…
                Have fun wrapping; I do !

              • Actually my car isn’t too bad. I have had the normal stuff, tires, battery, just the basic wear and tear things. The headlights and rear lights were a pain in the behind! Over now. I hope nothing else happens for a long time! ;) Knock on wood. Heheheh

                Yes, they are going faster. Every year it seems worse than the year before. We will be giving presents this weekend too. I am going to stay at my sister’s house on New Year’s Eve and we are going to drink that bottle of wine that was given to me. Probably not all, we aren’t big drinkers…but who knows. Might revert to younger years. (Not that I did then, except when in the service, and it doesn’t take much to make me fall over.)

                My favorite animals, panther and polar bear. Have been since I was a kid. LOVE THEM! Yours? What is your favorite? My favorite dogs are Labradors and Rhodesian Ridgebacks. They are GREAT dogs! Very smart. What is your favorite dog?

              • We’ve a lot in common…. When I was young they called me a ‘cheap drunk’ because one drink and it was all over! I’m still the same today – can’t (and don’t want to) drink a lot. I don’t like the fuzziness in my head, and I like to remember what I’ve done!
                http://abcofspiritalk.wordpress.com/dog-reflections-2/ This is the address for the Dog Reflections already done. The Labrador is amongst these…… I’ll be really happy to do the others that you’ve mentioned. My favourites are really way too many to write. I just adore the dog I have at present; she’s part Chihuahua and part Pomeranian. Wasn’t my choice originally; she was the daughter’s dog and we ‘acquired’ her after taking care of her while she (the daughter) and family went overseas. We fell in love with her and didn’t want to give her back. As it turned out the daughter was very grateful because she had just started full time work and felt very guilty ’bout leaving her alone all day! So we got to have her and she is just gorgeous. The Sea Horse/Chickens/Cows and Lizards of all varieties…. and Snakes are some of my favourites. I have always loved the Panther, especially….You see what I mean; the list could go on and on. I love nature and animals. I’ll make a start on your favourites tomorrow….

              • I never really drank much when I was younger. I didn’t enter the Air Force until I was 20, late-bloomer all the way around here, and I did then. I can remember the last time I SWORE to myself I was never drinking another German beer. Playing quarters, which I always lost because, I am sure, I am a girl. I was chosen quite frequently to drink the shot. After I got out of the Air Force I went to clubs with friends, but that got old, to me. It doesn’t take much tho! I like being in control too.

                Oh, you finished the Dog Reflections! YAYAYYAy I need to go have a peek at the page! Fun, fun, fun! I bet your dog is cute! Can’t wait to get mine. :) I have acquired a dog too, but then the owner, my brother, took her back. Kids loved her so that was a no brainer on my part. Snakes? Not a favorite of mine, not afraid of them, unless of course they are poisonous, but not a favorite. Lizards too!?!?!? Chickens? Why? If I may ask? :)

                I wasn’t expecting you to do a page for me, didn’t mean that. But, I will say I would love it! LOL I do want to post your dog page with some words about my favorites on the same post. I hope that is ok?

  42. This is my favorite and best ‘about page!’ I think, creating an attractive and readable “about page” is the most difficult part of blogging. We could be an expert writing about others, but the self confuses us always. I repeatedly try hard to give a brief and descriptive information about myself to my readers, but I couldn’t continue after writing “I am…”

    By the way I live Ethiopia. Probably, You have not heard of it. That is ok, because I am going to ask you about Wyoming. Is it a State? I know almost every State in US but unfortunately not about Wyoming. May be one day I will tell you about Ethiopia about you will tell me about Wyoming.

    Reply ↓

    • Thank you so much. What a very nice thing to say! It has changed a few times. Mostly added to the page. :) I CAN be long-winded at times. LOL I am not much of a writer, I just started with a few things and as time went on I expanded on those same subjects. Made it easier as things came to mind later. I think it was much shorter when I started. :)

      I can’t read the language on your “About” page, afraid to say I could not even tell which one it is. Sometimes I wish I understood every language in the world. What language is it?

      Yes, I have heard of Ethiopia. It is in the news once in a while.

      Wyoming is a state, there is one other state, Montana, between Wyoming and the Canadian border. I am in the
      Northwestern part of the United States. You may ask me whatever you like. Have you heard of Yellowstone National Park? I do not live far from the park, it is a very beautiful place. I enjoy visiting.

      I think you are a Lawyer in Ethiopia? What is it like living there? Have you always lived there? Have you been able to visit other countries? If I could travel, that is all I would do. I would love to visit every country in the world if I could. That would be very exciting, to me.

      Thank you for asking me to be your friend on Facebook. I see you left me a message on Facebook, I recieved a notification in my email. I will answer when I return. I have to go to a doctor appointment. (No worries, just a check-up.) I will talk to you later!

      Have a beautiful day.

      Reply ↓

    • Thank you very much! It is hard to write sometimes. My brain just goes blank. :) Big V-O-I-D. LOL Thanks so much for visiting too. I went to your blog, had to follow it. I loved the story about Mutt and Jeff.

      Reply ↓

    • It is kind of nice. I miss the things there are to do in San Diego, and other places, but it is quiet up here, no traffic jams and NOT a lot of people. Well, unless I go to Billings to shop for Christmas, which I don’t. :) Not if I can help it. I do like living here very much.

      Reply ↓

  48. What do you mean by “I am not much of a writer”? If the “brain farts galore” phrase is original, I’d say you’re a very imaginative writer. And even if it’s not, you’re writing is very interesting. You actually do have quite a bit to write about, and you really should. If you’re not satisfied with the way you write it the first time, keep at it until you are. I’m 75, consider myelf to be a writer (4 books, dozens of magazine articles, and hundreds of newspaper columns), and have a pretty keen eye for potential. You’re a pretty damn good writer.

    Reply ↓

    • Wow, thanks so much for saying so! A friend of mine told me the same thing, but I thought she was being nice. :) Sorry, Janice! LOL I will keep trying, I do like writing, I just feel stupid quite often when I try. :) Did you start writing later in life? What do you write about, your books I mean? Articles too? Sheesh….I wish I could say the same!

      I like your blog too, always like seeing what has happened lately in the natural world, very informative!

      Reply ↓

      • My first attempts at serious writing were provoked by very small politicians in a small Maine town who thought they could intimidate the local people by pretending to be smarter than they were. That was back in the 1970s when I was in my 30s. Jimmy Breslin said most writers are initially motivated by rage, and I believe he’s right. I was so enraged by their arrogance that I started writing a column in the local, weekly paper focusing primarily on local political shenanigans.

        I few years later I decided to arrange interviews with some very interesting local folks and a regional, monthly magazine published every one of them. (The magazine, called BitterSweet, is no longer in business. Sure hope I’m not responsible for that.) Inquiries to New England Outdoors, Mother Earth News, and Yankee magazine also resulted in a few articles. I was working full time as a regional rep for a biologicals company at the time (I had a family to support), but in the 1980s discovered my employer was importing human blood plasma from Haiti, and some of it was probably contaminated with the AIDS virus. One again motivated by rage, I resigned, and found work with UN organizations delivering humanitarian aid to refugee camps in Central America, and later evacuating war wounded children from Bosnia.

        After a heart attack in 1994, I went to work as a Maine historian at the Portland (ME) Public Library and quite by accident stumbled over a lonely paragraph in an old Maine history book about an Englishman named Thomas Bird who was hung in Portland on June 25, 1790, for murder and piracy. Turns out, Bird was the first person sentenced to death by order of a US federal court under the authority of the then new US Constitution. The search for court records finally led me to the Federal Archives in Waltham, MA, several years later, where I found a file folder containing 12 hand-and-quill written pages over 200 years old. It took another two years to decipher the pages, but I decided there was enough material to write a small non-fiction account of the incident, which I did: Portland Neck: The Hanging of Thomas Bird. In the interim I wrote a historical novel about Portland in the aftermath of the American Revolution: Stoking the Embers of War. And also a book about pathogens commonly found in nature: Unseen Hazards That Threaten Hunters, Campers, and Hikers. I’m thinking I might try my hand at a thriller next, perhaps something involving the human blood industry that made me so angry back in the 1980s.

        Sorry to ramble on so. I won’t be offended if you delete this. Just wanted to demonstrate that writing, in my experience, stems primarily from personal experiences and emotions, and I’m betting you’ve got a bundle of both.

        Reply ↓

        • Wow!! You have done some writing!! Sheesh. Now I am intimidated to heck. How wonderful you “fell” into it tho, I think that is great. You obviously love writing too, I can tell when I read your articles. They are very good, sincere and heartfelt. Personal experience and emotions, oh yes, I have LOTS. LOOOOTTTSS! :)

          Why would I be offended? I am honored you took the time to write to me about your take on writing. You have done a very nice thing and I most certainly would not delete it.

          Thank you for sharing this with me too, it has been very insightful and very helpful to me. I enjoyed reading it very much.

          Reply ↓

  49. I have always wanted to come out to Wyoming and Montana that photo makes me want to do so even more. I’ve never lived anywhere like that — always in big cities or the suburbs, with 18 months in a small town in NH.

    Reply ↓

    • It is beautiful here, I love living here very much! I live in a town with 150 people, the smallest ever for myself. Prior, while in Germany, I had lived in a small village with about 300 people. That was almost 30 years ago! Other than that it has pretty much always been big cities for me. I do like it. Very quiet and peaceful. I heard a dust cropper a few weeks ago and it took me a minute to pin down what was making the noise, not many aircraft here either. :) You should go visit, you would like it very much I think.

      Reply ↓

      • Yes, as in “the downhill side of the pass” not the cost of living. I have a friend who lives in Cody, you might see her working the Kraft foods concession at the local Walmart, her name is Pam … Good people.

        DS

        Reply ↓

        • Oh good, wasn’t sure! LOL Glad I clarified tho! Shoot, was just at Walmart the other day, I will check the next time I go! Most of the people up here are good people, one of the things I love abotu living here! :)

          Reply ↓

    • I live in Northern Wyoming, 6 miles from the Montana border in Deaver, which is about 45 miles from Cody. It is beautiful here. In this spot, NOT including Cody, we do not get a huge amount of snow, I think being surrounded by the mountains all around the Basin helps. Cody gets quite a bit and I think that is because they are at the base of the mountains. :) However, it still gets plenty cold, last year almost 40 below. The coldest yet for me. I am originally from San Diego, and I have now lived here, on September 6th, for ten years. The people are great here aren’t they? I wish I was as self-sufficient as many of the people here are. A lot can be learned from them. How long have you been gone now?

      Reply ↓

    • Why thank you! For stopping by here and for liking the name of the blog! I really enjoyed your post, reminded me of when I was a kid and I liked snow. (Don’t much like it now.) LOL

      Reply ↓

I'd love to hear from you.

Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in:

Gravatar
WordPress.com Logo

You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. ( Log Out / Change )

Twitter picture

You are commenting using your Twitter account. ( Log Out / Change )

Facebook photo

You are commenting using your Facebook account. ( Log Out / Change )

Cancel

Connecting to %s