Beautiful Montana
Have you watched any of the TV series called “The Madison”? It’s filmed right here in and around Ennis.
Love, JanBeek
Posts tagged ‘river’
February Festivities!
First February Festivity: the 11th for our 64th anniversary-
A reason to celebrate and share a fabulous memory.
The year was 1961 and Bob was stationed in Germany
I was teaching a 1st grade in CA; he was in the US Army.
I left my darling first grade class in Stockton, CA to go roam.
Left my apartment, my language, Suzie, my roommate,
My family and friends… all that was familiar. Not great!
The wedding was spectacular and the reception would make
Family and friends smile & cheer us on and marvel at our cake.
At our 50th anniversary we asked a bakery to duplicate it for us.
One after another they said “Impossible” in an incredulous chorus.
I landed a job on the army base school in Germany, a first grade class,
And finished out the year joyfully, learning a new culture. It was a blast!
Back in California, I continued to teach the little ones in Turlock
And then in San Francisco & Hillsborough… while Bob graduated from SF State.
We started our family during those SF years… a boy, Ty, and girl, De.
They were a delight to us then … and still are a blessing each day to me!
Here’s a picture of Bob & me with Ty when he was a sweet little babe…
And one of DeAna with me in matching dresses I made!
As the years have gone by and our children have grown
We moved from the Bay Area back to the place we had known
As children and young adults; Bob joined the family with bees
While I continued to teach and moved to principal and District Office with ease.
Our 50th anniversary was a time to gather five decades of friends & family
For a weekend in Palm Desert where we golfed, ate, and reunited happily.
The memories of that grand occasion are alive and well in our hearts,
And we continue each February to connect with friends from our life’s parts.
When we retired, we continued to celebrate our February dates with flare!
But we’re doing it in Montana. Twenty years ago we moved ourselves there.
We love living in Big Sky Country, Ennis Montana, where the antelope roam.
We celebrate life every day and invite you to come share the joy in our home.
February 11th is a day each year to celebrate the joy of being together.
Valentine’s Day we celebrate at a Wine Pairings dinner – regardless of the weather.
It’s at Madison Valley Ranches, a beautiful setting for sure, with great food and friends.
Come join us if you wish… spaces are available … right out here where the river bends.
Time to celebrate! This February Festivity is my favorite one.
Having you here to join us would make it extra fun.
Call Manu at 406-660-2959 for your Valentine’s Day reservation.
It’ll make us so happy to see you! Come share in our celebration!
Love ya,
JanBeek (& Bob, too)
Favorite Place in My City
Hmmm… the prompt for today
asked me to tell what is
my favorite place to go
in my city…
Is that question assuming we all live in a city?
Thank God, I don’t!
Now, I don’t mean to offend those of you in cities
who love living where there are bright lights,
lots of traffic, big buildings, and crowds of people.
BUT,
Give me one main street,
cars I can count on my two hands,
businesses who know customers by name,
plentiful opportunities for building friendships
as well as volunteering to help others,
mountains in the background,
and a river that runs through it…
and I’ll be happy!
My favorite places to go in my little town?
1. Our independent version of McDonalds is “Sugar High”
(It has great burgers and terrific huckleberry shakes)
2. The Manor Nursing Home
(I love helping the residents there – it’s such a loving place)
3. The Madison Valley Library
(We have a five star library… doesn’t get any better!)
4. Lion’s Club Park
(The walking trail bordering the Madison River is divine)
In a little town like Ennis,
you can see the stars at night.
No bright lights to block out their beauty…
Now, why would I want to live in a city?
What’s your favorite place to go in your “city”?
Hugs to you wherever you are…
JanBeek
Reblog #8 – Be at Peace
Seek the stillness
Seek the tranquility
See the peace within
The calm in you and me
Imagine a peaceful lake
Breathe contentment into your life
Relax and be a gentle presence
Turn away all stress and strife
The wind drowns out my voice.
Just enjoy the scenery!
That is a video
Taking you down the driveway
to our home behind the trees
Do not let the wind
Disturb your tranquility
The wind moves the clouds
The clouds paint pictures
The clouds bring much needed rain
Wind whips them away
Let the wind help you
Blow away any distress
And just be at peace
When this post was first written,
Bob & I were headed out in the boat
to float the Madison River.
Since then, we have sold the boat.
A lot has changed in our lives.
I took TazE for a walk by the river.
She loved it.
Today it is snowy and blowy here…
No river walks.
But I will post a few pictures to show you
what peaceful scenes our Madison River provides!
Many thanks to Ed Coyle for his talented photography
.
Come and visit us here someday!
Be at peace, my friends.
I gotcha covered in prayer.
Have a peace-filled day.
Love,
JanBeek
Embrace Obedience
Obedience
First listen
Learn to absorb
Take it all in
Heed
We all know what it means to be obedient, right? Listen, absorb, heed…
Did you hear any of these expressions when you were growing up?
“If you don’t stop crying, I’ll give you something to cry about!”
“Why?? Because I said so, that’s why!”
“Yours is not to question why. Yours is just to do or die!”
Where did those images of obedience come from? Certainly not from a Loving Father.
He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” — Luke 11:28
“If only you had paid attention to My commandments!
Then your well-being would have been like a river,
And your righteousness like the waves of the sea.”
Isaiah 48:18
“If you consent and obey,
You will eat the best of the land”
Isaiah 1:19
“And we are witnesses of these things;
and so is the Holy Spirit,
whom God has given to those who obey Him.”
Acts 5:32
Who or What to Obey?
Obedience
Differs with
Who you obey
Make it “The Word”
God
Samuel said,
“Has the Lord as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices
As in obeying the voice of the Lord?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,
And to heed than the fat of rams.”
1 Samuel 15:22
To heed God’s Word
Is better than honey
Better than palaces
Better than money
To heed God’s voice
As He whispers in your ear
Is to hear His angels speaking
And to cherish what you hear
Obedience to the teachings
Of wise men and women, too
Is the road successful people
Travel daily. How about you?
Are you tuning in to wisdom
Are you listening really well?
If so, then your obedience
Will show – others will tell.
They’ll tell of your goodness.
They’ll see what brings you peace
And they’ll want to have a share
In the joy that will not cease.
“But this is what I commanded them, saying,
‘Obey My voice, and I will be your God,
and you will be My people;
and you will walk in all the way
which I command you,
that it may be well with you.’
Jeremiah 7:23
When we live in obedience,
We can sing with the best of them:
It is well with my soul –
And we can can pray for the rest of them!
Embrace Obedience!
Easter is coming… when we set aside time
To thank our God for sending the Perfect Example
Of what Obedience – even to the cross – looks like.
Praise God!
Hear – Heed -Obey!
Thanks for visiting JanBeek today.
I pray my Embrace series is encouraging you.
See ya tomorrow.
Two Birthdays in Big Sky
Where’s the perfect place
to celebrate a birthday
if you live in Montana?
Well, Big Sky, of course!
And what’s the best way to celebrate in Big Sky when you get there?
With a friend who shares the same birthday, of course!
CG’s birthday was today, too.
It was their first trip up to Big Sky
through the Jack Creek Canyon …
and the day could not
have been prettier for the trip!
Easy to socially distance
Tables set 10 feet apart
We all ate outta the dessert plate!
Everyone was equally obedient.
Can’t be too careful in this COVID world!
But we’d hate more to get the virus, so we comply!
While up at Big Sky, I saw a lot of mask-wearing
that confirmed the concern!!
and a memorable, fun day.
Time to kick off my boots!
I hope your Tuesday was a Terrific as ours.
Do you have a birthday to celebrate this end of the year?
If so, I hope you do something memorable.
Have a Happy last week of 2020…
time to kick it off, too!
Where would you like to kick 2020 off to
while you welcome 2021?
A beach in Hawaii might be nice!
Thanks for visiting Big Sky with me vicariously today.
We all need to look forward to a safe, healthy 2021
I wish you could travel here for real.
We’ll take you up Jack Creek Canyon!
Hugs,
JanBeek
Reblog #8 – Be at Peace
Seek the stillness Seek the tranquility See the peace within The calm in you and me
Imagine a peaceful lake Breathe contentment into your life Relax and be a gentle presence Turn away all stress and strife
Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in all situations, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
Do not let the wind Disturb your tranquility The wind moves the clouds The clouds paint pictures The clouds bring much needed rain Wind whips them away Let the wind help you Blow away any distress And just be at peace
I gotcha covered in prayer. Have a peace-filled day. When this post was first written, Bob & I were headed out in the boat to float the Madison River. Since then, we have sold the boat. A lot has changed in our lives.
Thanks for stopping by.
See ya tomorrow.
Hugs,
JanBeek
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:
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?)
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.
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!
The Madison River runs through our little town of Ennis.
It’s a fly-fishing mecca!!
Can you feel the peace of the river?
I think she took it on one of her ATV ventures with CG.
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.
Throwback Thursday
THROWBACK THURSDAY
HAIKU X4
It’s Catch and Release
On the Madison River:
It’s Throwback Thursday!
Each of us changes,
But the Madison River
Keeps on producing.
Fly fisherpersons come;
They come from the whole wide earth
To catch these wild trout.
Keep the river wild.
Don’t overfish or pollute –
And always throw back!
What’s your favorite sport?
