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Archive for the ‘nature’ Category

Ready to Go Trail Riding?

Are you ready to go trail riding?
I have a deal for you!
We are selling “Lucille”
And her sturdy trailer, too.

Beautiful “Lucille”

“Lucille??” you question.
That’s what you named her?
Yup, like Lucille Ball…
A redhead -and no one tamed her!

On her, we’ve had a ball!
We’ve enjoyed her a lot.
But, for health reasons now,
We need something else in her spot.

So, if you or a friend
Is interested and can come,
We’d love for you to take them
Though it makes us mighty glum.

Check out our listing at
bozeman.craigslist.org/tro/d/ennis-bigtex-trailer/7669210550.html
Spread the word for us, OK?
Come to Ennis, Montana and meet us –
You’ll never regret the day!

TazE (our Boston Terrier) with Bob & me

Meet “Charlie!”

Our TazE already said her good-byes
And now Lucille will make way for “Charlie.”
He’s our new blue addition –
And no, he’s not a Harley!

We may be crazy sportsmen,
Loving to get outside and play,
But our “Lucille” trail riding days are over.
Are you interested in taking her out someday?

Oh, and Happy Autumn to you, my friend!
It’s a gorgeous day with blue sky & puffy clouds.
I love seeing all the changing colors.
Go up in the mountains to view them… avoid the crowds!

Hugs to you,
Thanks for visiting
JanBeek

Category:

Love, Montana, mountains, nature, pets, Poetry, Travel, trees

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September in Montana

Yesterday I peeked out
from the downstairs back door
surprised to see the signs
of our changing seasons

Signs of autumn
Sparkled from the plant
That’s hanging over the
Newly installed dry well

Orange leaves among the green
Remind me that summer
Is drawing to a close
It’s been too short

Inside, the sunflowers
from friends, the Conklins,
and Sue Newell’s ladybug card
brighten the table

The warmth of sunshine
And the grasses in the field
Beckoned me outside
To see beyond the yard

These “weeds” have their own kind of beauty
Browns and greens mixed with gold
Certainly spell the coming of fall
Alas, stores already sell Halloween

Our view of the Madison Range
beyond the field is spectacular
The clouds are ever changing
Giving our Big Sky character

We can sit inside here
and look out in amazement every day
At God’s marvelous creation
Never tiring of our Montana wonderland

Thank You, God of All Creation
For the beauty of this earth
Help us to be good caretakers
And never take these gifts for granted.

Amen

Thank you for visiting today
Have a Fabulous Friday!
Don’t forget to go out
and marvel at your September beauty, too!

Love,
JanBeek

Category:

flowers, God, Gratitude, Love, Montana, mountains, music, nature, Poetry, prayer

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September Promises

September blows in with its many promises
Of new beginnings and of endings, too.
Away with sandals, sunscreen, summer scorchers,
Mowing lawns, trimming hedges, trips to the zoo.

Enter colors rich in autumn hues,
Football mania, school admissions, taxes due.
Welcome loved ones who waited to visit
Until the bustle of summer was behind you.

September promises the joy of learning
New ways of navigating challenges that spring
Up unexpected as we explore new venues,
Putting the old behind, welcoming each new thing.

Each season has its own kind of newness
And this one is certainly no exception.
September ushers in a ton of TV shows
That viewers hope to see with clear reception.

But staying in and looking at some screen
Is not what this season’s all about.
The outdoors begs you to explore
September’s promises – take a new route.

  • There’s winter, spring, summer, and fall. Just like the natural seasons change, so do the seasons in our lives. The Bible tells us in Ecclesiastes 3:1, “For everything there is a season.” It also tells us in Ecclesiastes 3:11, “ [God] has made everything beautiful in its time.”

Paint a word picture for me here
Of what you hope September will bring.
I’m looking forward to our visitors –
Family always makes my heart sing.

What’s in store for you this September?

Thanks for visiting JanBeek.
Happy September first to you!

If you have time, listen to this beautiful song sung by my favorite singer from my high school and college days… Liquid Velvet!! The year Nat King Cole recorded this was the year I graduated from college and began my teaching career! Yup, an oldie, but goodie!!

Category:

Bible Lessons, God, life, music, nature, Poetry

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5 Ways to Lower Blood Pressure

I posted this two days ago…
before I was bit by a nasty 24-hr. flu bug.
Felt like I was hit by a diesel truck!
My birthday “Flu By” yesterday.
Today this blog sits in “Jet Pack”
saying it wasn’t posted.
I know it was…
some of you responded.
But, it’s not letting me
respond to your comments.
So, here it is again
…maybe a little different;
(JetPack didn’t keep my latest revisions…
siiiiigh!)


I’ve discovered
there are many more ways
to lower your blood pressure
than there are ways to raise it!

Those of you who read my last few blogs
know I had a bout with increased blood pressure
that went up to over 200/80.
Dangerously high!

Well, it’s going down.
Soon it’ll be back to normal.
Besides meds, here are five ways
I have found that are very helpful:

1. Relax. Stay in my pj’s and robe til noon.

2. Spend quiet time in a special spot.
Pray.
Read my Bible.
Meditate on a favorite scripture or poem.

“The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make His face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn His face toward you
and give you peace.”
Numbers 6:24-26

So many friends/family
prayed for my health yesterday
as the Flu Bug hit me like a diesel truck!
God is good… He answered. Today I feel much better!

3. Latch on to your favorite friend
and accept the invitation
of other friends to go
and do something fun together.
(Thank God I got to do that
before the diesel truck hit!)

4. Hug a dog …
and the friends who brought the dog along
while we all went out on their ATV,
four-wheeling up into the mountains
to a beautiful lake.

Off we go…

Beautiful scenes along the way…

Wonderful fields of wildflowers…

Gorgeous SureShot Lake

Zeke is such an intelligent, sweet dog!
He loves riding in the canoe.

I rode in the canoe, too!!
What a beautiful get-away!
(Can’t get that picture to post here…
You can just imagine it!)

Oh, and the fifth way to lower your blood pressure?

5. Get a good night’s sleep after enjoying a beautiful sunset.

Do you have some ideas
for how to lower your blood pressure
if it’s too high
or how to keep it at a normal range?

Let me hear from you.

Thanks for visiting JanBeek
I send my love and appreciation for you.

Category:

Aging Gracefully, Animals, contentment, Faith, friendship, Gratitude, health, Love, Montana, nature, pets, Travel

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Alacrity

Do you know this word?
Alacrity!

happy sportspeople of different ages preparing to run in forest
Photo by Gustavo Fring on Pexels.com

Alacrity = cheerful readiness

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

When I chose my word for 2023, “Ready”
back on January 1, 2023,
I did not know what I needed to be ready for.
But I told myself, “Whatever comes my way,
I will be cheerfully ready!”

This past week, we had the privilege
of hosting my niece,
her husband and 16-year-old son,
and her bff from Utah, Melissa.
And mid-way through their visit,
our son and his wife came for
3 days and 4 nights.
A house full!
Was I ready?

Yes! When your guests are happy, helpful, and relaxed, it’s easy to be cheerfully ready for them!

A day in Yellowstone was a highlight. We all were ready for the bubbling geysers and pools, bison and other animals. Old Faithful always was a hit!

Are you ready to visit Yellowstone? Are you ready to ooh and aaah?

That photo captured only about 1/4 of the herd. It was the largest group of bison mamas and their calves that I’ve ever seen!

We were ready to see the elk and deer 🦌 So, yes, they did not disappoint us! We even saw a black bear. Rare!

My grand-nephew, Liam and I were ready to have our memories of “Artist’s Point” captured by a kind tourist. It’s my favorite Yellowstone spot!

And the guys were more than pleasantly waiting with alacrity for their day of fishing on the Madison. Each of them caught at least one fish … some caught three. No, we didn’t have a fish fry! The Madison River has a “catch & release” policy.

What are you ready for today? I hope you’re anticipating it with alacrity!

Have a Marvelous Monday!

Live, laugh, love ❤️ JanBeek

Category:

Animals, Family, Fishing, friendship, learning, Love, Memories, Montana, nature, relationships, Travel

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Blessed to Be a Blessing

You are blessed to be a blessing.
You have been given many gifts.
They are meant to be shared;
Pass them out – give others lifts!

Share Gifts

Whether its an ice cream
That you share with your best friend
Or an outing planned to surprise
Your spouse, let your love extend.

Last night we shared a dinner
At a restaurant – mighty fine –
I had my favorite rack of lamb
In a place so fine to dine.

Bob had his favorite seafood
In a curry sauce with cream.
We shared the blessing of the meal
In this gorgeous spot… a dream!

It’s an Asian fusion restaurant
In the heart of Bozeman city.
The waitress, Marisa, did a great job –
Shared her talent – Ain’t she pretty?

If you have the special blessing
Of being able to go out for a meal
With your favorite dining partner,
Do it! I know just how you’ll feel…

Oh, and if that fabulous chef
Tucks a surprise inside your dish,
Be sure a let him/her know how much
You appreciate it… and how it was delish!

My rack of lamb with broccolini
Had a flower tucked inside.
Oh, what fun it was to find and taste it …
Some blessings like to hide!

If you’re ever in the city of Bozeman,
Look up “Sweet Chili Asian Bistro.”
It’s a delight – a real blessing – a treat!
And, take your sweetheart when you go…

We came home to a Montana sunset
That was a treat indeed for our eyes.
My friend in North Carolina sent her sunset –
Sadly Canadian fires created her smokey skies.

But the blessing in her mind was
It could be a whole lot worse.
My daughter in the Baltimore area showed
The smoke there is a real curse.

Meanwhile, returning to our home
A rainbow greeted us as we drew near –
God’s promise wrapped in the scene –
A reason always to give a cheer!!

We’re blessed with Rocky Mountain grandeur
And our intent is share it with you.
As the day draws to a close here,
Here’s a scene for you to review:

Taken from our back patio
You can see the highlighted shelf.
As the sun sets to the west behind us,
We thank God for nature’s wealth.

Bob mowed the lawn before the rain
Came and watered the grass so green.
Yes, we are blessed to be a blessing – – –
Come visit us and see what I mean!

Love,
JanBeek

What blessing are you
blessed to share with others today?

Category:

blessings, contentment, food, friendship, Giving, God, Gratitude, Love, Montana, mountains, nature, Poetry, Serving One Another

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For the Beauty

Oh, the beauty of the earth
Is astounding day by day
Don’t take it for granted
Ot it may fade away!

The Tetons – and the oh so beautiful river

Montana wildflower hike

The Hardwick’s Montana sunset

(Psalm 98:7-9) 
“Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
the world and those who dwell in it!
Let the rivers clap their hands;
let the hills sing for joy together before the Lord,
for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteousness,
and the peoples with equity.”

Have a gorgeous day
wherever you are
Enjoy this beautiful earth
The sea, the mountains,
the sun and stars…
And praise our God
Who made them all.

Amen

Love, JanBeek

Category:

Bible Lessons, flowers, Living in Harmony, Love, Montana, mountains, nature, respect

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Fun Exercise

What’s the most fun way to exercise?

Walking in the Ennis Lion’s Club Park on a sunny day is the most fun exercise for me. What’s yours??

Our Madison Valley scenery is so inviting!
TazE made the walking more fun. We miss him!
TazE made everything more fun!

Do you have a dog I can borrow to make my walk in the park fun again?

What’s a fun exercise for you?

See ya tomorrow. Love, ❤️ JanBeek

Category:

blessings, contentment, happiness, health, Love, Montana, nature, pets

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Make Way!

The scriptures and the devotionals that popped up this week
all point the way to our preparation for spring.
Get ready!
Be prepared!
Make way for the new!!
It will come, won’t it?
Eventually?

I am more than ready for our ice (used to be snow) piles
to melt and allow the bulbs to wake up and begin to sprout!

Isaiah 43:16,18-19-

This is what the Lord says,
“Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing…”

But, I do remember those former things!!

These were the last of them from last spring.

I am ready to hang my spring wreath
and I am ready to “Spring Up!”
my clocks tonight in preparation for
Daylight Savings Time.

I am ready to keep that time schedule
all year round to give us more hours of daylight
in our waking hours. How about you?

Get ready for a sunny Sunday!
I am ready for more sunshine.
How about you?

I love it when my friend, Lisa,
sends me photos of her sunrises
above the lake near her home in North Carolina.

I’m ready for a ride on “Lucille”
(our redheaded ATV who is a “Ball”)
into the springtime wildflowers
on our mountain trails around here.

Right now, looks like that’s a couple months away.

This year we won’t have our TazE
(our beloved Boston Terrier
traveled over the Rainbow Bridge
last December. We miss her!)
to keep us company on our rides.
She was sure a great trail companion!

We saw some mighty PURDY sites together on those rides!
Sometimes we’d take the trail all the way over to Pony, Montana,
the cute little town northwest of us where there is a
cute little tavern. We’d meet our other ATV friends there.

So, get ready, my friends.
Make way for the realization of
those dreams once more
when we can take that ride again!

But, will springtime ever come to Montana?

Have faith!
It will!!

Ecclesiastes 3:1-22 
ESV 

For everything there is a season,
and a time for every matter under heaven:
a time to be born,
and a time to die;
a time to plant,
and a time to pluck up what is planted;
a time to kill,
and a time to heal (that’s my time right now);
a time to break down,
and a time to build up;
a time to weep,
and
a time to laugh (that’s ALWAYS now!);
a time to mourn,
and a time to dance (let’s do!!);
a time to cast away stones,
and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace (let’s do that, too),
and a time to refrain from embracing; …

May your storms diminish
and your sunshine increase;
May your troubles decrease
and your joys abound.

May your eyes clearly see
the beauty all around you.

God bless you, my friends.
Make way for those blessings!
They are coming!
Rest assured!!

Love and Lotsa Hugs,
JanBeek

P.S. My eyes are healing after the cataract surgery last week. Thank you for your prayers. The farsighted vision is bright and clear – beautiful colors. Single lens replacement instead of the multiple variety was my only option. It has to do with the age of these tired 83 year old eyes and the shape they were in. But I’m not complaining. Another follow-up appointment is scheduled in 3 weeks. I’ll keep you posted. Thinking positively!

Category:

Animals, Bible Lessons, blessings, Family, flowers, God, Gratitude, happiness, Living in Harmony, Love, Memories, Montana, mountains, music, nature, pets

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Travel to Uganda

I probably never will travel to Uganda, but my friend, Lisa Glines, just returned from a trip there. I was privileged to travel with her – vicariously, of course.

Lisa’s daughter-in-law, Aneesa, was Lisa’s travel partner. Aneesa celebrated her birthday with their wonderful Ugandan travel guides and travel partners. This photo is their friend, Sam, celebrating with them. Happy Birthday, Aneesa!

Thank you, Lisa, and Aneesa, for sharing your adventure!
One of their guides was a bird expert.

This is the Crested Crane, Royal Uganda’s national bird

Other guides were animal experts
who knew just how to find
where these exotic animals
lived,
swam,
and dined.

Doesn’t Aneesa look like a fun-filled travel partner?

Waiting for a hand-out?
Sunrises and sunsets were spectacular!
Must have been quite a thrill to get so close to these beautiful animals.
Ready to travel home. Thank you so much for sharing!!

Luke 3:11  

And he answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.”

I may not have had a tunic to share… nor food to share with you today, but I had travel photos that were graciously shared with me… so time to pass them on with gratitude for Lisa’s big heart! I hope you enjoyed the virtual Uganda trip, too.

Sharing colors my world. I hope it colored yours today, too.
Have a Happy Presidents’ Day here in the USA,
and a Marvelous Monday, my friends.

Lotsa Love,
JanBeek

Category:

Animals, Bible Lessons, Love, nature, relationships, respect, Serving One Another, Sharing, Travel, trees

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