MontanaMama
MontanaMama's JournalMy kiddo took his first solo flight today!
Its been a big week at our house. Owen turned 18 this week, took his first solo flight in a tiny Cessna 152 this morning and tonight hes off to the prom with a posse of friends. I didnt expect to be emotional today but when Owen landed and his instructor hopped out of the plane and the child took off on his own, I just sobbed. He did great. No complications and it was a stunning Montana day. O will continue to take lessons throughout the summer until he has enough flight hours to get his pilots certificate. He hopes to have that completed before he starts college this fall.
I dont know where the last 18 years went
it feels like life is going a million miles an hour. Everyone tells me that Ill be ready when Owen leaves the nest
that kids make it easier on their parents by being difficult but I have to tell you that this will be so hard. I like Owen so much, I mean, I love him of course
but I just LIKE him. Hes so smart, responsible and kind. He thinks about things before acting and hes measured and thoughtful when he decides to do or say something
.unless someone is being an asshole then he most definitely will call it out. Hes got a wicked sense of humor and makes me laugh every single day. He doesnt put up with drama from anyone. Hes a talented pianist and guitarist and a really good student. I never have to remind him to do his homework
ever. Being his mom has been the most important thing Ive ever done.
Thanks for reading.
Barbershop in Missoula, Montana offers gender affirming haircuts...for free.
Compass Barbershop in Missoula has started offering free, gender-affirming haircuts to LGBTQ+ members. It's an initiative in partnership with the Western Montana Community Center.
https://www.kpax.com/news/missoula-county/missoulas-compass-barbershop-offers-free-gender-affirming-haircuts
I'm a proud resident of blue Missoula! I am grateful for businesses like this who care for all of our citizens.
Gianforte's (MT thug governor) son one of many lobbying governor against trans bills
David Gianforte has told his father the bills will harm the LGBTQ+ community hes a part of...
https://www.ktvq.com/news/montana-news/gianfortes-son-one-of-many-lobbying-governor-against-trans-bills
On a side note - I have mentioned this on a couple related threads that my 17 year old son, Owen, was in the house chamber when the anti trans legislation was being proposed. Owen said that Zooey Zephyr's statement was measured in tone...she never raised her voice. In response, rethugs yelled at her, misgendered her and were terribly disrespectful. Kids came home from that field trip shell shocked.
David Gianforte's father, our thug governor, sent the bill back to rethuglicans and asked them to "make the bill stronger" because with him and the rest of republicans, cruelty is the point. It is not a bug it is a feature and this is proof of it. Gov Gianforte asked for stronger anti-trans legislation knowing it would hurt his own child. THIS is who these people are.
Iris is BACK!!!
Locally beloved Iris the Osprey has returned to her nest at the mouth of Hellgate Canyon. Experts believe Iris to be over 25 years old. I can tell you that spring must finally be coming to Missoula if Iris has made her way home. Lots of us have been patiently waiting for her. Her return takes place just one day after her most common return date, April 7. She's spent the past few days sprucing up her nest and battling some annoying starlings.
Hellgate Osprey live-cam:
I'm experimenting with a homemade/brined corned beef this year. ☘️
Back story
for many many years there has been a meat manager at a locally owned grocery store who would corn 400-500 pounds of beef per year, using his Irish born grandmothers recipe. People stand in line for his corn beef. Its just that good. I would buy three of his roasts every year
One for St. Patricks Day, one for September to welcome the first frost and one for December just because.
Fast forward
The meat manager retired in 2022 and word was out that there would be no more Butte America corn beef! The end of an era for sure. I decided to try my hand at corning/brining my own this year. I bought grass fed beef roast from a friend who has a local cattle ranch and corned a second one
and elk roast from the elk my husband got last fall. I used a recipe that included allspice berries, juniper berries, cloves, mustard seeds, cinnamon stick and whole red chiles.
Turns out that the meat manager came out of retirement to make his corned beef again because the demand was so high. I found out too late and had already bought the ingredients to make my own. Oh well.
Heres a pic of the roast going into the instant pot
its nestled in Cold Smoke Scotch ale. My hopes are high!
My 17 year old kiddo began flight lessons today.
Owen and his instructor flew a Cessna 152 on a freezing cold blue bird Montana day. He had a blast. He wouldnt let me take his photo but I snuck one as he was getting into the aircraft. They flew over the snow filled Bitterroot Mountains. I watched with binoculars until they flew out of sight. Hes made all the arrangements for his lessons. Hes taking them from a local aviation company that used to let me walk the child around the hangar when he was a toddler to look at planes and helicopters when we had cabin fever in the winter. Im just thrilled for him.
Peep update! Wonky photos...🤦♀️
Trying to spend a few minutes each day snuggling the chicks
.telling them what good girls they are and using their names so they learn them. Nugget and Polly were especially cuddly this afternoon. This is my process with chickens
its not for everybody. My mother in law thinks Im nuts
she might be right. Even if shes right, Ill dont regret doing it.
I brought home 6 new chicks yesterday! Photos!!!
I have four adult hens that are four years old...they're slowing down in terms of egg laying so it was time to pull the pin on an additional flock.
Meet Peep Team 2023! This is so much fun.
Scarlett:
Polly
Kitty:
Nugget:
Roxanne:
Fig:
Montana youths take climate case to trial in historical first
On March 13, 2020, 16 young Montanans filed a constitutional climate lawsuit against the state of Montana two days before COVID-19 started shutting down the United States. Held et al v. Montana is now the nation's first-ever youth constitutional climate case set to go to trial.
This is our nations first ever youth climate lawsuit. I dont know what will happen but I am hopeful. I have a 17 year old kiddo I work every single day to model hope for him. Our kids are losing hope for their future and I lose sleep over this fact.
More at link:
https://missoulian.com/news/state-and-regional/montana-youths-take-climate-case-to-trial-in-historical-first/article_590dced2-ef5c-5305-a413-ffb2a27bf188.html#tracking-source=home-top-story
She's BACK!
Maybee is playing frisbee, running and jumping
good as new. X-rays confirmed no shoulder fracture. The vet says she can do whatever she wants to do as long as shes not painful.
Cant put a price on youth and excellent anti-inflammatory meds. Im so relieved and happy to be back in action with my sidekick again. Thank you all who wished her well after she got hurt.
🐶
Profile Information
Gender: FemaleHometown: Montana
Home country: USA
Member since: Mon Oct 31, 2016, 02:23 PM
Number of posts: 23,314