Saturday, December 22, 2012

The Kolden Report: This, that and the other, part one. 12-22-12

Hi, kids!
 
Today's report is dedicated to the Rensvold family who mourn the loss of Leroy.  I wish you all peace. 
 
Once again, I welcome new subscribers!  Enjoy, feel free to share and comment or question as you wish.  It's all good!
 
Now, the report...
 

 
If you see this woman delivering your packages, wish her well.  Sister Cindy is WEEKS away from retirement!  After MANY years behind the wheel  AND running the local center - she's about to hang up her brown uniform.  Congratulations Sis....your last Christmas is nearly under your belt.  I can't wait to see how you reinvent yourself!
 

 
Hope the mailman has gloves!
 

 
Silver sentry.
 

 
Snug as a bug in a rug.
 

 
Nature's flocking.
 

 
Frosted foliage.
 

 
Dill bliss. 
 
 
Shades of gray. 
 

 
Peaceful, easy feelin'.
 

 
Flocked stem.
 

 
Foreign world.
 

 
Curly queues. 
 

 
Winter wonderland.
 

 
Edge of the world?
 
 

 
Being a fog lover, I laid down in the snow and took it all in...
wide eyed with wonder at the beauty before me, 
comforted by soft fog and snowy silence.
 
 
 

 
River's edge.  (Hard to tell that's water, isn't it?)
 

 
Mother Nature's Christmas tree.
 

 
Finite world?  Or does it go on forever, just out of sight?
 

 
Branch bliss.
 

 
Soft surroundings.
 
 

 
And then there were three...
 

 
Dinner and a movie?
 

 
Choices....
 

 
I can't believe I ate the WHOLE thing!
 

 
Quiet contemplation.
 

Berry Bliss.   (What ARE they?  Are they edible?)
 
 

 
The path to anywhere.
 

 
White Christmas.
 

 
Feathery frost.
 
Stay tuned for part two!
 
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Take the world as it is, and try to make it what it ought to be.  - Unknown
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Saturday, December 15, 2012

The Kolden Report: It's a Crystalline World! December 15, 2012

Hi, kids!
 
It's that time of year when our thoughts turn to giving.  In today's world of excess, how about downsizing those expensive gifts that will lie idle soon enough and give the difference to your favorite cancer fund, youth group, homeless shelter, etc?  Better yet....take your children to the grocery store and have them help you pick out staples. Then deliver the food to your local soup kitchen.  Let them see, firsthand, the power of GIVING to those less fortunate.  Or, let the kids decide what percentage of your gift budget they are willing to donate to a children's charity or hospital so that others might benefit.  They just might surprise you! 
 
Here is Northeast Montana, clean and serene, painted white with glittering frost crystals.  A dense fog, moving upriver on the winds left behind a sleek, alien world of wonder.  Here is that world for your viewing pleasure.
 

 
Why roofs collapse under the weight of snow.
 

 
Hills and valleys.
 

 
Snow fence in snow.
 

 
Moonscape?  (Having trouble deciding which of the two I like best).
 

 
Sparklets in the air...
 

 
Antenna?
 

 
Gathered gaggle.
 

 
Flotilla flight.
 

 
One sided wonder.
 

 
.....on the dark side....(Bruce Springsteen)
 

 
The power of "three".
 

 
"Oh, Christmas tree....oh Christmas tree......how lovely ARE your branches?"
 

 
Forest of frost.
 

 
Shape and shadow.  (Couldn't decide which I liked best.  Sometimes I'm like that....)
 

 
Lone soldier.
 

 
Shadow-stripe.
 

 
No two alike.
 

 
The BIG picture.
 

 
O' Christmas tree....O' Christmas tree! 
 
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Jim brought home this snippet from the Great Falls, MT Tribune and I bet ALL of you know where this is!  Go ahead and enter....won't the Trib be surprised that SO many know where these bridges are?  Besides...someone will win it and it might as well be YOU.  You only have until 5pm on Monday to enter...
 

 
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One can go a long way, after he is tired.  - Unknown
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Saturday, December 8, 2012

The Kolden Report: Winter Wonderland. December 8, 2012

Hello, kids!
 
We woke to find a winter wonderland yesterday.  On my way to and from town, I gathered enough material for a short report.  My creative needs have been satisfied (for now)...and...in the process, several ideas have formed for future reports!  Yippee, Skippy!
 
I am sad to say that I missed the Grand Opening of "Prairie Pickin's" in Circle, MT.  Connie has an assortment of "big city" truffles (my favorite being the sea salt) and other candies, unusual coffees, jams,  hand woven denim rugs, flowers and unique gift ideas.  Stop in and see her next time through Circle, Wednesday through Saturday, noon to 6pm (I think).  And if you go....please bring me some truffles! 
 
Now, on to the report!
 

 
Winter wonderland.
 

 
Flocked foliage.
 

 
Hello, WINTER.
 

 
Backside-frost. 
 

 
Crystalline coat. 
 

 
Into the drink...
 

 
Sliver of river.  (Amazing how perspective changes the same view, isn't it?)
 

 
Silver striations. 
 
 

 
 
Frosted tuft.
 

 
Shapely shore ice.  (And is this the dreaded Eurasian Watermilfoil AGAIN?)
 

 
Scenic shores.
 

 
The world is black.  The world is white....
 

 
Downstream.
 

 
What once was lost....now is found.  (Bonnie, I will be returning this to the library however it has suffered some damage). 
 

 
Coincidental title...
 

 
Little Miss "Can't be Wrong".
 

 
"Udder" disbelief!
 

 
Silver shores.
 

 
Eating...
 

 
...and drinking.
 
 

 
A good "flocking".
 

 
Bullberry bliss. 
 
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Ride on, but look before you.  - Unknown
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