PNW BackStories

09/18/2024

A New PerspectiveSponsored by ChrisDentalThe house sitters are ready, our bags packed and Kathy’s friend in Bozeman ready to take us to the airport. Okay, actually at the time of this writing Kathy is still re-packing.We are headed overseas for 22 days. We decided as long as we’re there we might...

09/15/2024

Official Music Video for "Be Alright" by Evan Craft, Redimi2 & Danny Gokey, the official english version from "Todo va a estar bien"."Be Alright" is availabl...

09/13/2024

Sponsored by CrisDental EugeneRemember When?Remember when freedom of speech used to be so important we fought for the right to say what we needed to say?Remember when people from opposite sides of an issue could sit-down and discuss those differences but still get along?There was a time when fairnes...

09/11/2024

09/10/2024

Maybe This Is Normal?Sponsored by CrisDental EugeneDo you ever feel like your life is just one change after another?It’s like you are in a boat, try to throw out an anchor, but the anchor never sticks.New ideas are tried and failed.Some work for awhile but seem to disappear and all around you it a...

09/09/2024

God talks a lot about soil so soil must be important.
Sponsored by Crisdental Eugene

Like the old house in the picture, our gardens are in need of repair.

Many are satisfied with a thin layer of topsoil but a true productive garden needs depth in order for things to grow.

I was reading in "Streams In the Desert" this morning and it talked about the fruitful seed can't do anything if the soil it lands on has no depth.

When the soil (people) are shallow and simply want to feel good, birds of prey, the wind, or a little rainfall will wash wisdom away.

These are folks moved by a tender appeal, a good sermon, or virtuous words.

Our hearts are the same as soil and if we fail to cultivate them with the knowledge of good and evil, evil, like a bunch of weeds, wins.

"The profound character looks beyond all these, and moves steadily on, sailing past all storms and clouds into the clear sunshine which is always on the other side, and waiting for the afterwards which always brings the reversion of sorrow, seeming defeat and failure."

We live in a world that applauds shallow and discourages depth. Those in charge want an audience where seeds fail to take root so that the puppet masters can control the crop. Worse, if we stop looking for depth our dependence falls on them rather than God.

People are smarter than we give them credit for being. It's easy to let someone else tend your garden and do the weeding until that day you wake up to realize your life, the garden, is unproductive and full of weeds.

America, we are there. Our garden is unproductive, filled with thistles and the bugs and worms are eating everything in sight.

Our garden must be tended by us.

Time to haul in some topsoil and get serious about living rather than existing.

We live in exciting times.

We were made for such a time as....THIS.

09/05/2024

I Can’t Stop Thinking About The Mountain

Do you find the hard things always take effort, overcoming fear and a bit of tenacity?
Our trip to Sperry Chalet defined something new in me.
The hike up to the lodge was not overly challenging.
Don’t get me wrong it’s tough.
But Kathy and I do tough with little resistance.

The climb to the top of Sperry Glacier was a big test.
I’m a bit fearful of heights and had to get my head in the game and I’m happy to say I did.
What I got from that part of the experience is when we challenge our fears and our heads we can do anything.
“Hard” is in the head.
Pushing forward is in the heart.

We climbed over so many rocks and obstacles I can’t even begin to explain.
But when we finally got to the top I understood how tough Kathy and I are and refuse to hear anyone discount us/me because we are in our 60’s.

We had a beautiful evening in Columbia Falls. A cool, vibrant, growing downtown near the park. We could live there if not for the cloudy weather. I’m done with cloudy weather.

Had a beer at a brewery we really like and Dinner in a cool downtown spot called Three Forks that was perfect. The waiter and his wife moved here from somewhere else but love it. He wasn’t afraid to share his life and filled us in on Columbia Falls.

We rented a place over a shop in the rural part of the area. It was perfect. Slept like babies in the KING SIZED BED. We burned so many calories I was starving so had a breakfast sandwich and decided to take the long way home.
We’ve never been to the part of the state we were about to go to and figured, WTH.

We drove along the East side of Glacier to a place called Choteau MT.
The big employer is the hospital (according to the young woman who waited on us) and farming.
They also have several residential homes for people with disabilities which was cool to hear.
Drove through Augusta, a cool little town and then to Helena and home.

Our trip reminds us of why we are here. Perfect? Hell no but real and for me and my partner in this life real is more important than comfort or services. Fake is the worst four letter word for us.

I don’t know that Kathy and I will ever be settled but I look at stories about folks like Abram, Moses and many others and realize God did not call all of us to a life of stability and comfort. I’m okay with that. When I climb a mountain like I did this past weekend I know this is right where God wants me until He doesn’t.

08/13/2024

Wow, thoughts?

As millions of Americans across the United States move every year, a new WalletHub report analyzed the best and worst places to live — ranking Oregon among the top 10 worst states to live.

08/12/2024

Madison Buffalo Jump State ParkExploring Montana is so amazing. We end up on roads that go to nowhere, in farmers fields and today at a cool Saloon/Cafe called Woolzie’s Willow Creek Cafe in Willow Creek.Willow Creek is six miles from the town of Three Forks.Great food, cool atmosphere and great s...

08/06/2024

We found the in Bozeman MT on Mother's Day but wow they were so busy we didn't get a feel for the place only knew the food was amazing.
Went back on Sunday and again, great food with less crowd.
This place is an old barn that probably used to be out in the country but is now just on the outskirts of Bozeman.
The staff is supeWr nice and helpful.
The food is over the top good.
Their breakfasts look freaking amazing but we aren't huge breakfast eaters.
Try the french toast it is so thick you'll never eat it all.
Kathy had a turkey sandwich on homemade wheat bread. I had an elk burger with local ham and bacon, that I swear is nearly a quarter inch thick.
Salad on the side instead of fries and pickled veggies.
You must try this place.
It's worth it.

06/23/2024

Focus On Your CallingSponsored by CrisDentalI was at the eye doctor the other day getting a routine test when I thought how easy it is to lose focus.With one click of a lens the little letters become clearer or out of focus.Rather than wait for her to find a lens that works, my lens, I strain and pu...

06/07/2024

The Man Who Found MeSponsored by CrisDentalSomeone asked me “Who is your hero?”I had to think about it for a second.I’m not a real “hero sort-a-guy.”Then his name came to my mind.Harold Eastman.Harold was my boss at Copeland Lumber Yard in Hillsboro Oregon.I started working there right out...

05/27/2024

To Worry Gets Us NowhereSponsored by CrisDentalI woke up last night and struggled to fall back to sleep.The failures of my life kept nagging at me.Jordan Peterson defines “sin” in a way I’ve never heard in all my years growing up in the church.To “Sin” is simply to miss the mark.When I’m...