Ticket Girls Jackson, Wyoming 2012

Two ticket-takers in a staring contest at the Jackson rodeo.

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Night Rider Jackson, Wyoming 2012

At the Jackson Hole Art Fair last weekend, the cheap artists like myself were allowed to stay in the parking lot of the fairgrounds for free. (Most had campers, but I just slept in my van.) The gravel parking lot in the middle of town provided pretty spartan accommodations, which was just fine except for Saturday night–the night of the regular rodeo they put on primarily for the tourists. That night we ended up more or less surrounded by pickups and horse trailers, which was also just fine except that apparently it is accepted behavior to just shovel manure out of your trailer onto the parking lot. So that evening the crisp night air was laced with a rather pungent odor.]]>

Sunflower Bozeman, Montana 2012

I couldn’t think of a catchy title for this one, sometimes a flower is just a flower I guess.]]>

Peas Bozeman, Montana 2012

Some more bounty from the community gardens. Connie had some healthy looking peas like this in her garden until a *%@#! marmot got into them and destroyed them. Fortunately it didn’t seem to have much of a taste for beans, carrots, onions, or lettuce.  ]]>

Who’s Your Farmer? Bozeman, Montana 2012

The “who’s your farmer” tag-line is a favorite bumper sticker slogan for those involved in the various community supported agriculture movements around the country. What better way to know your farmer than to be your farmer? I’ve never noticed any really overweight people among the folks working in their plots at the community gardens. It’s probably a combination of them being food-conscious enough to watch what they eat and the exercise they get tending their gardens. It made me wonder if that would still be the case if big macs and donuts could be grown in our climate zone. I know I’d be right out there plowing up my yard if M&M’s grew on trees.]]>

Just Add Water Bozeman, Montana 2012

In a normal weather year (whatever that is anymore) a few rows of healthy looking corn would hardly show up on my photo-radar. But given all the shots of the drought-stricken crops in the Midwest I’ve been seeing on the news lately, this small patch in the community gardens in Bozeman appeared noteworthy. One advantage of global warming is that it extends the usually short growing season in places like Montana, making sweet corn a more viable crop. Of course a major disadvantage is all the dying trees on our land due to the explosion of tree eating insects that are usually kept reasonably in check by harsh winter weather. But that’s another story.]]>

Respite Bozeman, Montana 2012

Retreating to the aspen-shaded deck next at our townhouse when I’ve been working in my upstairs studio (which tends to overheat a bit on hot summer afternoons) is a nice treat. Makes me wish my printer was more portable.]]>

Mistaken Identity Steamboat Springs, Colorado 2012

When my friend Steve booked us into the Rabbit Ears Motel for our get-together last month my mind conjured up visions of the Playboy Club. But as it turned out the place was more of the Bugs Bunny variety.]]>

Losing Your Sparkle Creston Junction, Wyoming 2012

A close-up of the sign on the old fireworks stand at Creston Junction. I’m sure it used to be really flashy in its day–kind of like some people I know.]]>