Time to Spring Forward

As the Earth continues it's tilt toward the sun, you start to feel Spring in the air. Today was such a day in Montana. A surprisingly toasty 65 degrees had humans and animals alike outside enjoying the day. I went for a tour of the north end of the Gallatin Valley with hubby John on a search for our first bluebird of the season. We were not disappointed! We saw about 10 bright blue male Mountain Bluebirds flitting about near some of our bluebird nest boxes. The males usually arrive first to establish their territories, then the females come a bit later to choose their favored nesting location. Whatever male bluebird has claimed that location is the one she will mate with. You know what they say, "location, location, location".

March 2012 - Health Update

I just finished up my last 3 month check-up this week. Now I only have to go into the oncologist every 6 months. Everything came out fine, but the mammo was very painful for some reason. I think who does it makes a big difference. I am also switching to an aromatase inhibitor, Arimidex, instead of the Tamoxifen that I have taken for almost 2 years. It's list of side-effects reads like a horror film, but I hope that I don't experience any of them! The most troubling is extreme joint and muscle pain. But the benefits outweigh the cons, the biggest being it is more effective in fighting a recurrence of breast cancer. Tomorrow is my 52nd birthday and I guess I have to feel pretty good about where I am physically and mentally. Here's to another year well-lived!

Health Update

I went in for my 3 month check with the oncologist a couple of weeks ago. He told me everything looked good, and that after my next 3 month app't, I could start coming every 6 months. He also tested my estrogen level, and found that I am now post-menopausal. That means I can change to a different cancer treatment medication (Arimidex), instead of the Tamoxifen that I'm taking now. Arimidex is better at reducing my risk of cancer spreading to other parts of the body and also the risk of a new cancer developing in the other breast. The list of side effects is pretty long, but I hope that I don't have any problems. I will wait to switch medications until my next appointment.

Snow Angels

I went winter hiking with my Monday group a few days ago. We got to hike on private property through a beautiful forest up to a snowy meadow. The snow was so perfect and soft that I decided to do something I almost never do... make a snow angel. Several of my friends followed suit, and we ended up with four perfect angels. Who says middle-aged women can't have fun?

Meeting a Taylor

John and I just returned from a two week trip to Seattle. He had back surgery there, and is recovering nicely. On our way home, we made a stop in Spokane to pick up a saddle for a friend. We met our contact in the parking lot of Molly's Restaurant (a Spokane favorite). His name was Dick Taylor. After loading the saddle and other accoutrements, including a branding iron, we chatted awhile. Both of us had noticed Dick was wearing a Taylor Guitar jacket. I asked him if he was connected with the company. He replied, "My son IS Taylor Guitars". Well, we were floored! You just never know who you're going to meet.

Yellowstone Weekend

John and I decided to make a quick weekend camping trip to Yellowstone last week. We loaded up our little camper and headed to Mammoth CG, hoping there would be a campsite available. Well, we found all the campgrounds in the park full, so we backtracked to Gardiner, where we ended up at a Good Sams RV park. Not exactly what we had in mind, but it was better than nothing. We spent two full days in the park, fishing, hiking and wildlife watching. I caught a nice cutthroat trout at Slough Creek on a dry fly. We also hiked the Hellroaring Creek trail, which featured a big suspension bridge over the Yellowstone River. Along the trail, we also came upon a bull bison, who decided to lay down near where we needed to go. After watching him a while, we decided he wasn't a threat and continued around him.

Looking Back to Summer

As fall has arrived, and there is snow again in the mountains, I find myself looking back over this past summer. It was all too brief, but glorious. The wildflowers were the best ever, and lasted well into late August/early September. My new-found interest in six-legged creatures also created another great and challenging photography subject, butterflies.


Fall, of course, is also beautiful with the leaves turning into a blaze of red, orange & yellow. It has always been my favorite season. Since Montana doesn't have the colorful maples and oaks, we have to rely on the quaking aspen for our fall color. The bottom photo was taken just south of Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone National Park.