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Rated: 13+ · Book · Biographical · #2198921

Norma's Wanderings around a small section of Montana



Well, hey there!
Welcome to Roundup, Montana! If it's a nice day, we'll sit a spell on my porch and talk awhile.

A poem captured my attention the other day.

Even in our sleep, pain which cannot forget

Falls drop by drop upon the heart,

Until, in our own despair,

Against our will,

Comes wisdom

Through the awful grace of God.

Aeschylus


What's on your mind today?






Quill 2024 Nominee






2023 Quill FinalistQuill Finalist Logo 2022. Signature for use by anyone nominated for a Quill Award in 2020Signature for nominees of the 2019 Quill Awards



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December 16, 2025 at 5:04pm
December 16, 2025 at 5:04pm
#1103773
So after the snow and a big melt from temps in the 50s, now we are in a high wind situation.

I woke this morning to the sound of wind, so strong I feared the roof would sail away. It's died down now, but again tomorrow and Thursday they are giving us this warning.

Of course, I don't live in Big Timber. In that area, they routinely get winds up to 80 MPH. I've stayed at a hotel there and the windows in that old place would rattle all night from the wind.

Today I plan, once again, to visit my new Roundup writing friend. I tried yesterday, but never found her home on this gravel back road. I had to use 4 wheel drive to get there, and then I never did find her. Seems no one on that road posts addresses or names. So back home I traveled, in the dark, to call her. We'll try again today.

We want to discuss an upcoming writing event in a few days. Saturday is the solstice celebration at Pictograph Caves in Billings. This state park has a writing events every solstice. The same teacher from the book shop seminar is also holding this event. It will be outdoors- and a campfire is promised. As well as access to the visitor's center if you cannot deal with cold.

I attended the fall equinox event and thoroughly enjoyed being outside and letting the environment speak to me. I wrote
 4 Dances Open in new Window. (E)
Poem for Pictograph Cave - 9-20-25
#2348598 by NormaJean AKA Writing Queen Author IconMail Icon
during that afternoon.

As I'm sure everyone knows, the solstice can be summer, approx. June 20, or winter, approx. December 20. These dates are when the sun reaches its northern or southern limits. Then the sun travels back to the next solstice. In between we have the equinox, fall and spring. Equal day and night. It's all about light.

Lately I've been exploring poetry a bit more. A few books from the library, my own book by Garrison Keillor. And keeping ideas in a notebook. New ground to explore. Life currently is a bit challenging on a lot of fronts. I find poetry a good outlet for getting emotions into words.

*Thought*  Comment   •   View 2 comments
December 12, 2025 at 2:27pm
December 12, 2025 at 2:27pm
#1103524


We are in the midst of a winter storm - so far about 6 inches of snow has fallen. Our temperature yesterday was 54° - today it is 9°. I am sitting in the courthouse at a commissioner's meeting. The discussion is about shutting down the courthouse at noon.

So now people are calling and wondering why, since the notice is on local radio and a Facebook page and the county website. Well, the roads are rural and not plowed, the city streets are not plowed, and the state is busy plowing the main routes. Plus the county employees are worried about getting home safely.

Now I wonder about schools today. Perhaps this was the Friday no-school day. Whatever. Hard to keep track of that schedule. There are two in the county, Roundup and Melstone. Plus some students that live 20 miles out of town.

What else is new? Beyond the winter storm, which is bringing much needed moisture to our dry land, not too much. I have read a few little poetry books from the library. I also found my copy of Garrison Keillor's book, "Good Poems for Hard Times". Lot of fun reading some interesting poetry.

I was supposed to meet up with my new Roundup writing friend tonight. Seems like that will have to wait. I don't think I'll be able to reach her house with 6 inches of new snow on an unplowed road. Darn.






*Thought*  Comment   •   View 1 comment
December 7, 2025 at 7:46pm
December 7, 2025 at 7:46pm
#1103169


It's been a busy time. as usual. Yesterday was the town's Christmas Stroll. I sat all day and visited and helped out at the museum.

The nicest part was sitting and watching the snow fall outside. Perfect to get people in the holiday spirit.

I remembered a photo I took years ago, above Gardiner, MT in the wilderness area on a hike.

Snow in the wilderness area


So today was a day of recovery, and reconsidering things. I volunteered to help as treasurer for the museum. The current lady is elderly, in her 90's, and just had a bad fall. Now she is in an assisted living facility in WY and probably won't be allowed to come home to Roundup and live alone on her ranch. Somehow we on the museum board knew this would probably happen, as she was treasurer for over 40 years. Yes, that's right. And there is no way she was giving that up. So since I live right across the street, I volunteered to pick up the mail and do bank deposits if needed.

There was a bit of cash just sitting in the museum office today, so I gathered it up and got the checkbook and will make sure things are back on track. But if this becomes permanent, I'll have to drop another activity. So I've been thinking on this all last night and today.

I was talking yesterday to the owner of the local radio station, a friend I know. He invited me to come to his morning show this week, just come in for a chat. He does this all the time. People drop in to talk about what is happening in town. So perhaps in a few days I'll walk on over and do this. But since the show is from 6 AM to 9 AM, I'll have to hustle to get there.

There is another writing event happening on December 20 - to coincide with the Winter Solstice. My new Roundup friend and I will be heading to Pictograph Cave in Billings again for that. It's outdoors, near an open fire. I pray it's not too cold but there is an option of being in the visitor's center if needed. I really enjoyed the last event, so this should be good. I always celebrate the end of darkness and the gaining of a few precious moments of daylight.
*Thought*  Comment   •   View 2 comments


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