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Archive for the ‘Fishing’ Category

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Will You Be My Neighbor?

Two For Sale signs went up in our “hood” this week.

That Mercer sign is for a 7 acre parcel right next door to us.
We could be next-door neighbors!

The ERA sign is at the end of the cul-de-sac – just a stone’s throw away – down where you see the telephone poles in the first photo.

Mercer sign w our house

See, there’s our house up there –  just beyond the sign. Aren’t you looking for wide open spaces and Big Sky, fresh air and a friendly, cheerful, inclusive neighborhood? Here we are!! You can build your dream house right here.

Hocking House - blue sky

This beautiful home with the best neighbors imaginable, Rex and Penny, could be your neighbors … besides us, the Beekmans with the robin babies in our back yard. Hey, look closely! That one on the right has her eyes open!

2 baby robins

This nest is on this porch where I am sitting right now with my laptop, Rita and Robbie are coming and going, feeding their babies, paying no attention to me! I love it!!

The nest is in the shadow just left of the small bedroom window. My chair is in the sun with my tabletop in the shade. I have a bird’s eye view of the robin activity.

3 joggers - cartoon

This morning was a beautiful, sunny. warm, still day – perfect for a walk in Lion’s Club Park by the Madison River that is less than 5 minutes from us. I met a couple of TOPS friends and we walked around by the river, the baseball field, the playground…

Madison thru weeds

From this view of the river, there is a bench, a painted sculpted fish, and a gorgeous view of the Madison Range across the valley.

Come go for a walk with me. There are benches along the way, picnic tables, barbecue pits, a baseball field and a playground. Young children usually flock here. But, I was early. They started to arrive as I was leaving.

On the way to the post office after my walk, I passed another For Sale sign. Our friend, Niel, died recently after a long battle with cancer. His cozy little house in town is for sale. Maybe you’d prefer this. You’d be on a smaller lot in a more modest neighborhood downtown. Look at this lovely place. Interested? Call the ERA number on the sign at the top of this post.

Niel Kent house

Your neighbors across the street have this lovely tree – and these beautiful opium poppies. What a great little town our Ennis, Montana is!!

Driving home from there, I took the golf course route. Here’s the scene just a mile from our home:

They keep it well maintained and lots of our neighbors love getting out on the course on a day like today.

Peaceful, beautiful, clean, clear, friendly …
 … what more could you ask?

Oh, I forgot to add there’s a darling little lake at Lion’s Club Park where the kids can fish and keep the trout they catch. The Madison River has a “catch and release” policy to preserve the natives. And there’s an old tractor at the park where the kids can climb and pretend FARMER. We have a lot of cattle and wheat farming in our Madison Valley.

But it’s best known for the Madison River and the fly fishing.

fish on Madison - painting

Will you come and be my neighbor?
Caroline & Chuck are building right down the hill from us.
They’d be great neighbors for ya, too!!

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Have a Wonderful Wednesday.
See ya tomorrow.
JanBeek

Free to Do, Free to Bee…

Thank you, Guideposts, for your inspirational daily messages. On this Memorial Day that is so different from those past, I am grateful for the men and women who sacrificed for our freedom.

Free to Live and Build

I am grateful for the freedom to live in this beautiful place in Montana where the robins sing, build their nests, lay their eggs, and feed their babies right outside my dining room window! I’m free to just bee… free to do nothing but sit and watch today… if that’s my choice!

I see that wall to the north of my dining room table. The window there leads to our bedroom.
I watched Rita and Robbie, the robin duo, build the nest and lay the eggs. Fifteen days later, they hatched!
Now Rita Robin brings worms to the babies.
They are hungry little robins, begging for more.
Rita Robin leaves… and Robbie Robin comes to feed them next! Robins mate for life. It is such fun to watch them take turns caring for the nest. Rarely is it left uncovered like this these days.

Free to Bee… Free to Recover…

I found this beautiful, stunned bird sitting on the front porch this morning. Is it a wren? It’s really tiny. Even when TazE (our Boston Terrier) went out to sniff at it, it didn’t move. It was free to just bee… bee still for a while. A half hour later, it was recovered – and thankfully flew away. Free to recover. Free to fly.


Free to Marvel

As I sit here and watch the robins take turns in the nest, I am eternally grateful to those service men and women who gave their lives that I might enjoy the peace I have today. Peace to sit here and marvel at nature. Free to enjoy the peace, and to FaceTime with my daughters across the continent and across the Atlantic.

De & Laina

Peace to watch Bob head off with a neighbor to fish the Madison today.

I hope he is free to catch a big one, like my friend Susan Phillips did this week… and then free to catch and release so someone else can be free to have the thrill of catching this beauty! Our Madison River has a “Catch & Release” policy because the trout all are natives… no “planting” allowed. It’s a world-class fly-fishing mecca!!

The pristine Madison River in Madison County, Montana

What are you free to do today?
Tell me about it.
And what are you most grateful for?

Bee grateful
You are free…
Free to
Bee silly…
Free to just Bee!

See ya tomorrow.
Have a Meaningful, Peaceful Monday.

I Love Good Art

“Good art is as close as people get to overcoming mortality.”
Nick J. Wood

Photo by Fiona Art on Pexels.com

How do we recognize “Good Art”?

Nick J. Wood wrote on his WordPress blog, Artfully Bridging The Ages — The Nature Of Art,
“… although the styles of expression change, it is the way it (art) touches the inner-self, the part normally obscured by mundane routine that confirms it as having artistic value.”

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Architecture is art as much as creating sculptures or painting on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. I believe “good art” preserves history in a myriad of ways.

Photo by TravelingTart on Pexels.com

Sewing is an art. I have a quilt hand-sewn by Bob’s mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother in 1933. Talk about history preserved!

Photo by Gustavo Fring on Pexels.com

Photography definitely is an art. The way it preserves history is evident.

Photo by Suzy Hazelwood on Pexels.com

Yes, art takes on many forms; and artists come in every color, age and size. Who decides if you are an artist or not?

Photo by cottonbro on Pexels.com

Is poetry an art? Nick J. Wood posted this video on his blog. I love the poem and the voice recording it. Listen! You’ll love it, too.

How about gardening? Is it an art? Ask my friends, Lexi Sundell or Nancy Smrka, with their greenhouses… They’ll tell you! Ask Bob as he tends our spring flowers.

What about cooking? Yes, they call it “culinary arts” for a reason! My son-in-law, Andre’ is a chef who creates the most delicious, artistic plates imaginable. (This isn’t one of his… but you get the idea)

Music is an art, too. Through their gift of song and instrument, musical artists live on long after they have left this earth. Karen Carpenter died young. She suffered from anorexia. But she has overcome mortality – her voice lives forever in my heart.

Karen Carpenter
“How Could Anyone Mean More to Me than You?”
“One Love”

I love good art –
art in all its many forms.
And I love artists.
They are so predictable …

Hah! Don’t be fooled. This is a cute little cartoon/meme, but with artists being as diverse as they are, believe me, they are ANYTHING but predictable!

Here is an artist I love. He has a special spot in my heart. He and his wife, Lexi paint, garden, make jewelry, and create art by their very existence. Bernie Sundell is one of the first persons we met when we moved here. He helped Bob select and buy and go to Idaho Falls to buy his drift boat. He tutored him on rowing and casting and catching fish on the Madison and he painted a fabulous picture of Bob that hangs in our dining room. Here’s artist, fisherman, friend Bernie:

And here is the painting of Bob on the Madison River.
Bernie created it after one of their memorable outings.
It’s a beautiful rainbow trout –
but here it’s only catch and release!
Toss it back in, Bob!

Can you see why this painting
touches my “inner self”?
Bob & Bernie will live immortally in it!

Do you have a favorite form of art?
A favorite artist?
Do you create art?
Tell me about it.

Have a Terrific Tuesday.
See ya later.
JanBeek

When is it Enough?

Caught Enough?

Have you caught enough?
Not everyone in this world
Has caught enough fish.

Many without jobs
In this COVID-19 world
Are short of supplies.

Not every pantry
Is filled to overflowing.
Some have no pantry.

So what must we do?
Sit back and enjoy our life?
No, we’re called to share!

There is enough food
On this, our beautiful earth,
To provide for all.

The secret is: SHARE!
Just count your many blessings;
Reach out to others.

You will discover
The more you give, the more you
Have to give. That’s TRUTH!

Accumulation

Accumulation as a definition of success fails to realize that if you store up treasures on earth in excess of what you need, you may discover they bury you… and you really can’t access it all, anyway. How is that bunny gonna get that carrot outta the ground, huh?

On the other hand, if you’re all show and no growth, you won’t have enough to feed yourself, let alone give any away!

“All show” is that fancy car, extra large TV, more shoes and purses or wallets or clothes than you need, elaborate houses, etc. You get the picture. Spend it all on the “things that pass away” – and you will be one lonely fisherman!

Photo by Yogendra Singh on Pexels.com

Generosity is the Key

It was the little things you did
The sacrifices that you made
The small donations from your little
The generosity from your abundance
That made such a difference
In the lives of others

Generosity is the key
To a richer, fuller life
Not the number of your barns
Filled to overflowing,
But the love you freely gave
From the depths of a grateful heart

I wish – Bob Perks

I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.
I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life
appear much bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all you possess.
I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final goodbye.

I wish you enough gratitude to help you live with joy.
I wish you enough generosity to help you give generously.
I wish you enough health to give you strength to serve.
I wish you enough love to give it all away.


Whatever you send into the lives of others,
comes back in to your own.
But, do not give for what you can get,
give because you have been richly blessed.

I send lots of love and virtual hugs your way.
Thanks for visiting JanBeek.
See ya later.

Get Some Fresh Air

Let’s get some fresh air.
Let’s for outside for a walk.
Go enjoy the birds!

Jose’ Luis Rodriguez

Social distancing
Is not for this bird cluster.
They’re ready to sing!

Michael Smith

Let’s sing a duet –
Sing with this Loggerhead Shrike.
Harmonize today.

Singing’s not your thing?
How about going out to fish?
The river’s calling!

Curtis Morgan on the Madison
Susan Phillips Photography

It’s easy to be
Six feet apart over here.
Come enjoy fishing!

That mountain’s the Sphinx;
It’s a landmark in these parts.
More from Susan’s lens:

Susan Phillips Photography

Listen to River
Singing its beautiful song.
It’s inviting you!

Let’s get some fresh air.
Go for a walk or go fish.
Let’s be creative.

Brian Christianson Photography

The clouds threaten snow
In my part of the world now,
But that won’t stop me.

Get some fresh air.
It’s good for your heart and soul.
See you tomorrow!

Hah!
Let’s isolate together.

Some of My Favorite Montana Scenes

Some of you are new to JanBeek, and maybe you have not had a chance to peruse my blog enough to see this beautiful area around Montana’s Madison Valley where I live.

Here are some of my favorite shots of the scenery around me:

I found this one on the web and did a screen shot.
In the springtime, Bob & I take our ATV up to this outlook.
The wild flowers are magnificent
and the snow-capped mountains are breath-taking!
(God is quite an artist, isn’t He?)
I think this one was taken by my favorite photographer, Ed Coyle,
but he usually has his name on his.
So, if it’s not… and you know who took it,
please let me know.
I love it!!

Our fall colors are so beautiful and the “Big Sky” filled with wonderful cloud structures never fail to amaze me. We are so blessed to be here.

I love this one with the cattle out in the snow.

That was the scene that greeted us when we returned home late January from a 5 week vacation in California. The winter break was good, but it’s always good to be home!

My friend, Susan Phillips, took this one.

The Madison River runs through our little town of Ennis.
It’s a fly-fishing mecca!!
Can you feel the peace of the river?

My friend, Caroline Feldman, posted this one.
I think she took it on one of her ATV ventures with CG.
Go to Ed Coyle’s website, click “LOVE”…
because I guarantee you WILL love his photos!!
(Don’t use them without giving him credit, please.)
Ed Coyle Photography

You should put Ennis, Montana on your “Bucket List.” If you have never ventured to this part of the USA, make it a “Must Do!” We’ll be happy to welcome you.

Thanks for visiting JanBeek
and enjoying a few of our scenes with me.

See ya tomorrow.

Beautiful Montana Skies

From sunrise to sunset the Montana skies are a thing of beauty.
This is sunset reflected on the eastern Madison Range from the western Tobacco Root Range.
In every season, Montana skies are a wonder to behold. That’s the mountain called the Sphinx. I think Ed Coyle took this photo. He is magical with his camera.
We were so happy to be greeted by these blue skies and snow-peaked mountains when we returned from our trip.
This gorgeous sunrise over the Madison Mountain range was taken by my friend, Susan Phillips. She’s a great fisherman and the waters of the Madison River lure her to fly fishing in every season.

This was our sunset … settling over the Tobacco Root Range … and luring me outside with my camera.

You can see why Montana is known for its big skies, can’t you?

Uninhibited by tall buildings and city lights, the skies are a majestic wonder. God smiles on us with such wonderful beauty here in Montana.

The sun greets us from our bedroom window with a bright “Good Morning!”
I think this is another Ed Coyle photo. Check him out on FB!

As the setting sun reflects against the mountains on the east,
the glow of evening sends the fish to their slumber…
and tells the anglers, “Time to go home!”

Photo by James Wheeler on Pexels.com
That’s our house behind all those trees.
We loved our time in CA, but it’s always good to be home!
Don’t you agree?

Good night! And good-bye January!
See ya in February.

Beautiful Scenery

When I posted this morning, I told you today was a beautiful day to travel. We stayed in a lovely Wyndham Hotel (La Quina in Twin Falls) last night. I highly recommend it.

It was a terrible day to travel yesterday. But today made up for it.

Let me show you some of the sights we enjoyed on our trip home. I hope you enjoy them as much as we did. The camera doesn’t do them justice, but you can get the idea.

First, entering the Island Park, Idaho area,
we marveled at frosty trees.
Then the evergreens were partially snow-sprinkled.
Traveling on, the trees were snow-laden!
The snow-covered evergreens were magnificent!
These Jack Fences were
deep in the snow
with powder puff toppings.
So picturesque!
Blue sky re-emerged, the sun peeked through, and the trees sparkled. I’m sorry the camera didn’t capture the sparkling for you! But you can imagine.
Approaching our home, the Madison Range was a welcomed sight.
Those dots in the snow are cattle!
Home Sweet Home!!

The tracks in the snow are evidence that our neighbor came down our driveway earlier today. He blew off our walkway and prepared a clear spot for us to enter the house. God bless him!

Are you blessed with helpful neighbors like ours?
I hope so!

It was a wonderful trip to California and back. We had a marvelous set of experiences with family and friends. Thank you for traveling along vicariously with us!

But, as much as we enjoyed the trip, the friends, the time with family, the sun-filled desert, the reunions with colleagues and former classmates, the Tahoe area skiing, etc., you know…. there’s NO PLACE LIKE HOME!

It’s good to be back in the Madison Valley
where the Madison River
beckons people from all over to the world
to come and fly fish…
and where the big sky
smiles a welcome
and neighbors are so grand.

Thanks for visiting JanBeek.
Which of my photos from today’s travel did you like best?

See ya tomorrow.

Teach Us to Number

Psalm 90:12
(The prayer of Moses – the man of God)

“Teach us to number our days,
that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

80th Birthday – 2018

A year ago this day, we also were here in Placerville with our son and his family, joined by friends who came to celebrate Bob’s 80th birthday. The picture above shows Bob with the card Ty & Monika created for him using candy bars to accentuate the message.

Aging Gracefully?

The days between then and now find us both slowing down a bit. He finds it necessary to catch cat naps during the day more often. Outdoor chores take a toll on the back and leg muscles. Physical activities (like downhill skiing) are still fun, but hours on the slopes, taking the double diamond runs, without a break… well that’s not a good idea anymore.

How can we accept the aging process that seems to limit our energy? Well, duh … what’s the alternative? We die – or we become grumpy – or we listen to our bodies and take those breaks when the need arises! Aging gracefully means thanking God for all the things we CAN still do … and not focusing on the things we CAN’T do anymore… at least not at the speed and length of time we used to. Right?

Number our Days

We know our days are numbered… and only God has the answer. We know Jesus Christ promised He would come again and take all who believe with Him to our eternal home. Only God has the number of that day, too. So, our job is not to worry about what the numbers are, but to live fully for as long as He gives us.

Living Fully

That photo of Bob with our son, Ty, granddaughter, Faith, and her husband, Kyle was taken at our house in Montana last Thanksgiving.

A year ago Bob went skiing with Ty & Faith here in the Sierra Nevada mountains. This year, the crowds and the conditions caused Bob to say, “Let’s wait til we come back through in January and ski then.”

Someday Bob’s skiing may be limited to pulling our great-grandchildren on a sled in the snow… that is if we are fortunate enough to live long enough to gracefully accept the limitations that numbered days may bring!

Meantime, there are spring times and summers, autumns and early winters when the fishing is great in Ennis, Montana…

And there is always yard work that beckons him to keep the lawn trimmed, the flowers healthy, and the weeds at bay…

… and in the winter there is rarely a time when there is not snow to shovel!

We look forward to the numbered day on our ATV when we can enjoy with friends the beauty of the mountain trails above our Madison Valley.

Gain a Heart of Wisdom

Yes, looking at what we CAN do and not dwelling on the things we find more difficult to do as we add to the number of our days… that’s part of wisdom.

So is taking time daily to read God’s Word, and apply his principles to our lives.

In Psalm 90,
Moses’ prayer also says,
(in verse 10)
“Our days may come to seventy years,
or eighty, if our strength endures;
yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow,
for they quickly pass and fly away.”

Thank God, Bob can say, “The best of them are here and now… and with God’s blessings the best are also yet to come.”

They may quickly pass (as we age they seem to fly by more quickly with each sunrise and sunset), but we do not focus on the trouble and sorrow.

Focus on your blessings, my friends. Focus on the CANS, not the CAN’Ts!!

Enjoy each day… and look for the wisdom it contains.

BOB!

Thanks for visiting JanBeek
on the occasion of this wonderful 81st birthday.

See ya tomorrow.

What is Heaven Like?

Photo by Min An on Pexels.com

If you’ve followed my blog for a week or more,
You know that I attend the Presbyterian Church
in Ennis, Montana each Sunday, and I take sermon notes.
I take them in poetry – that’s just the way my brain
filters the message as I hear it.
It helps me listen, and remember,
and share with Bob when we get home.

Today’s sermon by our pastor, Rev. Steve Hundley, was
titled, “What is Heaven Like?”
Here’s my take-away on it:

If Heaven is as it should be,
Then I’m gonna sit on the bank
Of a beautiful river with my rod
And thank God for every yank.

But I know Heaven is beyond
My wildest imagination.
I know it’ll be flowing with life,
With no death, tears or stagnation.

I’m gonna ask God for help to
Understand what Heaven is like;
And since I have a Harley here,
I’m gonna ask if I’ll have my bike.

I’m gonna ask God for help to
Understand how I’ll recognize
The loved ones who went before me.
Will I know ’em when I look in their eyes?

Our Bible assures us that we
Will experience joy beyond bounds,
So I’m sure I’ll know the angels
Who’ll welcome me with glorious sounds.

I know I’ll be healed and whole
In Eternity with those I love.
So, Heaven will be as it should be
When I join my Lord in Heaven above.

When I get to Heaven, I’m gonna
Run and leap like a frisky deer.
So, when I leave this earth, friends,
Don’t weep, don’t cry; Take joy and cheer!

Bikers will find their Harley, and …
I’ll meet my Bostons there!
And Jesus will meet me at the Pearly Gates!

It’ll be Thanksgiving
with all our loved ones gathered ’round,
and it’ll feel like a Homecoming!

What do you think?
Will you be flying solo?

Hah!
See ya tomorrow.