Tuesday, November 20, 2012

"Custom will render it easy"


I'm still sick.  I've been laying low, curled up with books and dogs and boys, trying to rid myself of what is looking like a sinus infection, cough, and  hoarse voice.  I feel okay, I just can't round the corner and rally completely.  Dr. Panwalkar prescribed some heavy duty antibiotics and said if I don't feel significantly better in three days, I will have to go in and be checked out.



In the meantime, I stumbled across a few more photos from our trip in October.  I realized I left out a pretty profound couple of moments on our last day of travel.  But here- let me just show you.

Theres an old saying: Choose always the way that seems the best, however rough it may be. Custom will soon render it easy... Pythagoras

We arrived in Bozeman, MT on a warm afternoon.  We had thought we'd keep driving, but something about the sun and the mountains and the beauty, made us look for a room early.  



We took a drive at sunset soaking in the amber hues and golden warmth.  



A pheasant scurried alongside us... distracting us as...



two deer leapt across the road in front of us.  I was not quick enough to fully capture their fleeting escape through the tall grass.  Bozeman has always appealed to me, and I relished the few free hours of driving around taking it all in. 






We awoke to grey skies and drizzly rain.  The temps had dropped and we faced 12 hours of gloomy driving.  The clouds were supposed to break up at some point, and I continually scanned the horizon waiting for the haze and fog to lift.  


It was out of the corner of my eye, that first I turned, then Rick, as we noticed several cars had pulled off the highway.  We assumed they spotted a herd of wild something or other.  But then we both caught a glimpse.  One break in the clouds had created a slit of light that happened to be hovering just over the top of a mountain.  That mountain, in the haze, was not visible to our naked eyes.  But with the light?  We were in awe that the majesty was hidden in plain sight.  The top of the snow capped mountain was outlined by the sunshine beaming through the cloud.  How much is really "out there" unseen, just waiting for a little light to shine down on it for us to see it was with us all along?

It was such a metaphorically beautiful statement come to life~ just another way I've noticed my word "light" show up in my life.





The clouds soon closed in again and the rain steadily fell. We were just outside of Billings when we saw the sign.  We've seen the signs for Pompey's Pillar a kajillion times.  But a twelve hour drive doesn't leave a lot of time to stray off course.

We decided this time to stray.  

But the road leading in was not open.  We were allowed to walk in, but the buildings were all closed for the season.  It would be a long trek!  It was cold and rainy.  A part of me wanted to stay in the car, warm and comfortable.  Besides, would my deconditioned lungs be able to keep up?  I grabbed my phone and started the pedometer app on it.  It was time to find out. 




Below is the "pillar."  We were already over a mile into our walk and we had a lot of stairs to climb.


It was raining steadily by now.  But I was discovering something really valuable...


Suddenly we arrived near the top to spy with our own little eyes- the signature of William Clark- of the Lewis and Clark expedition- July 25th, 1806- as clear as could be.  History, brought to life.


And way down there, back by the flag, was our car.  My pedometer was reading over 1.5 miles.


The view from the top was spectacular.  


While we were technically in Montana, if you ever wanted to know what North Dakota looks like?  This would be it.  









Choose always the way that seems the best, however rough it may be. Custom will soon render it easy...


  The big revelation I had?  We hiked over 3 miles that day.  It was manageable for me.  My breathing was not labored or hard.  Our pace was not fast, but not slow either.  It had taken 7 days of physically pushing myself, further and further on our trip. We walked and climbed and hiked everywhere.  And instead of feeling depleted, I had a new found energy.  An internal lightness, shining bright, even through the drizzle.

Another piece of me, returned to me.  







34 comments:

  1. Absolutely stunning photos! There is so much beauty to behold in our world, if only we take the time to see. Thank you for sharing such lovely images and encouraging words today!

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    1. Hi Jane! Thank you- I think you're spot on- I've passed by these places so many times without having time to truly enjoy them. I'm very honored if something I said encouraged you :) Thanks for visiting!

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  2. That quote definitely requires some thought. Your photos are wonderful. What a beautiful time you must have shared.

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    1. Susan, I have mulled that quote over and over again- so many applications. Blessings to you!

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  3. Custom will render it easy...love that, and love the beautiful way in which you've made it real.

    I also feel so fortunate for the generous way you have shared pictures and experiences from this trip with us. Like all of your journeys, I feel changed by the view you provide.

    Happy,happy Thanksgiving!

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    1. Thank you Marion! Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

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  4. oooh, such beauty! .. in an area of the country I haven't seen yet. Thank you for sharing it with us... what a great experience!

    Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family xo

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    1. Thank you Karen- Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

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  5. What inspiring photographs, Vicky! I'm sorry to hear that you have not been able to shake the cold. Hope the antibiotics kick-in real soon.

    You have such a knack for finding so many things for which to be thankful - so I am sure you will have a Happy Thanksgiving.

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    1. Thank you for the well wishes Bonnie- I think I have some improvement :) I know we feel thankful for so much and am happy to have a day in which to give thanks along with my family!

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  6. These photos are breathtaking! I hope you are feeling better soon. Happy Thanksgiving!

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    1. Thank you Barbie- Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

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  7. Oh, thank you for not forgetting about these moments. As a Montana girl, the setting is familiar, though I never got that close to the pillar; only drove past. The saying, though...thank you, Vicky. Boy did I need that this moment!

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    1. Roxane- I was so happy to stumble across it and the quote is applicable to so much it seems-I'm glad it spoke to you!

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  8. YEAH!!! Another piece of you, returned to you!!! That is wonderful. Wishing you a most BLESSED Thanksgiving. XO, Pinky

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    1. Thank you Pinky! Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

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  9. your photos are beautiful....and i pray that those antibiotics take care of whatever is making you feel puny.
    i hope they kick in fast and do some major butt kicking !!!....xo

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    1. Thank you Beth- I do think the horse pills are packing a powerful punch! So good to see you out and about :)

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  10. Isn't it interesting how pushing oneself a bit further every time opens doors so much wider than we previously thought xo
    Sending you love and strength to feel better soon

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    1. Anyes- so true! I've been hesitant to push- my body pushes back- and I have backed down. But with the added incentive of all the nature surrounding it was worth it to push back! Sending love to you today...

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  11. Please take good care of yourself....lots of tea and rest. I miss Montana and I hope we can go back sometime to bike the trails.

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    1. Lisa- I am resting and resting- I think my family wouldn't know what to do if they found me any other way :) Montana would be spectacular in to see from bike trails- I hope you get to ride them again too!

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  12. I am over joyed to hear you had a great day. The pics are spectacular.
    So much color , as it seems, were also in your cheeks that day.
    Great job! :)

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    1. I was a soggy girl- but truly happy to have the experience! Thanks Vic :)

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  13. Oh, sweet, sweet lady! I wonder if it is possible for you to comprehend how much God is using you to touch, inspire and encourage so many? Your words and pics are beautiful.
    On a side note, do you know how exciting it is to find your blog post on Bozeman, MT? I am heading there on Thanksgiving morning for a 10 day stay with my daughter and her family. So excited!!
    Hope you feel better soon!
    Blessings!

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    1. Hi Kim- so great to hear from you! If something I've said touches you in any way I am so honored by that. How exciting! 10 days in Bozeman would be a dream come true! Enjoy Thanksgiving with your daughter and have a great time in Montana!! Blessings to you!

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  14. Thank you Robin- feeling a bit better already :) xxoo

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  15. Oh sinus is the worst Vicky. Hang in there. Beautiful photos. You find magic always. And look at you, 3 miles is a long way.

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  16. i enjoyed the little travelogue, and shared in your triumph of a piece of you returned to you. the pictures are wonderful--thanks for sharing!

    hope you get some good return from those antibiotics. i know tomorrow will have a void in it without Rick's mom. hugs to all.

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  17. What great pictures, sweet friend. And being the true North Dakotan that I am, these pictures made me feel right at home! :)

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  18. I was really struck by the cars pulling over to see that mountain top. It's a fantastic photo. How often I appreciate life, rainbows, palm trees as I zoom by. great food for thought. Thank you and God bless you and your guys.

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  19. Well, I'm so glad you were able to stop and enjoy these beautiful spots! Especially glad you could walk for 3 miles and really soak it in.

    I hope that by now you are feeling better!

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  20. Glad to see more of the lovely places you visited and glad to hear that you were able to make it to the top. I hope the thoughts of this trip and the victories you achieved help tide you over through this valley you're in and I pray you are OUT of it SOON! North Dakota is so flat and your pictures were right on. Couldn't live there. I'm a mountain girl! We moved to Iowa/Illinois when I was a little girl and I was never so glad to move back to California in all my life! Come and visit us sometime!

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  21. Oh, forgot to tell you....my mom's best friend (93) is a Clark descended from the famous explorer. They have a big reunion every now and again and she STILL tries to go. Always glad for her to have the experience and connection. :) Little known facts you can do without but, why would you want to? haha Big hugs, friend.

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