I'm so glad I found you--here from John Gray's blog. I taught Engl.101 in Bozeman for about 20 years (and it's about that long since I left). I won't go back for a visit (old and poor) but my memories of Montana are a great comfort to me--the cold purity of life there. And of course, for anyone who has lived in MT, Butte is a mythical place. Maybe a sort of inverse Machu Picchu? As a teacher, I quickly learned that St. Pat's in Butte was a moral obligation for many of my students, and tried to accommodate their pilgrimages by never scheduling anything too important for class on the days before and after. We drove from Bozeman to Spokane many times, visiting in-laws in Spokane, and I have so many memories of ground blizzards across the highway during spring break, stops for a quick drink to settle the driver's nerves, and wondering about the Darth Vader forms beside the highway that later became the Madonna of the Rockies! Thank you--a breath of fresh air in these troubled times! Kate
Welcome...when I saw your name I thought my oldest daughter was commenting. Regarding st. pat's....it's one of two 'holidays' I try to get out of town for, the other being evel keievl day. The town council thankfully cancelled the latter this year. At 72, I'm just to old to enjoy public drunkeness and obnoxious jerks. Sound grouchy, even for me. I like the town well enough, and I live in an excellent neighborhood, but I also head for Seattle every couple months for a few weeks to see kids and grandkids and get good seafood. Thanks for stopping by, and thanks for being a teacher.
The video was lovely. My SIL visits Montana every year for fishing and she has told me many times that it is the most wonderful place in country to be.
Great song from a great group of musicians and the photos of Butte(?) were enough to make an old Dakotan want to visit. Many memories from my Dakota Days would fit right in.
Great tune and performance. The video fills me with nostalgia. I don't know Butte, but it evokes a feeling from my Muncie Indiana youth when the car industry was growing and employing.
Butte is a curious mixture of the best and worst of Montana. It has an unemployment rate of at least 15%, perhaps higher, a high meth use rate, poor school system and questionable city council decisions. On the other hand, the view from town is unmatched; mountains all around, excellent hiking, camping, fishing and hunting, in some cases only minutes from town. And, it largely votes Democratic.
I hope the same for you, Martha. There's the first nip of fall in the air when I got up, it was 39. According to the forecast the mountains could get their first snow next week, which will help with the fires. Take care.
My sons and I raced from southeaster MN. to Bozeman without stopping to Bozeman. So many wonderful streams and rivers so little time to try them all. I do remember the huge mine above Butte and a fishing Mecca called Fran Johnsons where we got some last minute items...:)
I hate to be the one that tells you, but Fran's has been bought some 4 or so years ago, and is a pawn shop now. Nothing stays the same, does it Ray? Now there is one 'fly fishing' shop in town, and it's a tawdry place (the town) from the one you remember. The streams, the Big Hole, Madison, etc are all much the same, but the change in the cities is felt everywhere.
I'm so glad I found you--here from John Gray's blog. I taught Engl.101 in Bozeman for about 20 years (and it's about that long since I left). I won't go back for a visit (old and poor) but my memories of Montana are a great comfort to me--the cold purity of life there.
ReplyDeleteAnd of course, for anyone who has lived in MT, Butte is a mythical place. Maybe a sort of inverse Machu Picchu? As a teacher, I quickly learned that St. Pat's in Butte was a moral obligation for many of my students, and tried to accommodate their pilgrimages by never scheduling anything too important for class on the days before and after.
We drove from Bozeman to Spokane many times, visiting in-laws in Spokane, and I have so many memories of ground blizzards across the highway during spring break, stops for a quick drink to settle the driver's nerves, and wondering about the Darth Vader forms beside the highway that later became the Madonna of the Rockies!
Thank you--a breath of fresh air in these troubled times! Kate
Welcome...when I saw your name I thought my oldest daughter was commenting.
DeleteRegarding st. pat's....it's one of two 'holidays' I try to get out of town for, the other being evel keievl day. The town council thankfully cancelled the latter this year. At 72, I'm just to old to enjoy public drunkeness and obnoxious jerks. Sound grouchy, even for me.
I like the town well enough, and I live in an excellent neighborhood, but I also head for Seattle every couple months for a few weeks to see kids and grandkids and get good seafood.
Thanks for stopping by, and thanks for being a teacher.
The video was lovely. My SIL visits Montana every year for fishing and she has told me many times that it is the most wonderful place in country to be.
ReplyDeleteMost of it is, particularly Western and Central Montana.
DeleteGreat song from a great group of musicians and the photos of Butte(?) were enough to make an old Dakotan want to visit. Many memories from my Dakota Days would fit right in.
ReplyDeleteYeah, the pictures were all of Butte. Hope you're doing well, Bruce.
DeleteGreat tune and performance. The video fills me with nostalgia. I don't know Butte, but it evokes a feeling from my Muncie Indiana youth when the car industry was growing and employing.
ReplyDeleteButte is a curious mixture of the best and worst of Montana. It has an unemployment rate of at least 15%, perhaps higher, a high meth use rate, poor school system and questionable city council decisions.
DeleteOn the other hand, the view from town is unmatched; mountains all around, excellent hiking, camping, fishing and hunting, in some cases only minutes from town. And, it largely votes Democratic.
A beautiful love song, true love that lays it all out there. No wonder you've stayed these many years.
ReplyDeleteHope you and yours are doing well, Mike.
I hope the same for you, Martha. There's the first nip of fall in the air when I got up, it was 39. According to the forecast the mountains could get their first snow next week, which will help with the fires. Take care.
DeleteI've spent my whole life in the Southeast, down here where it's hot and humid and not at all like Butte, but I love this video.
ReplyDeleteMy friend Ed showed it to me, it was on youtube....I had not seen it before last night.
DeleteMy sons and I raced from southeaster MN. to Bozeman without stopping to Bozeman. So many wonderful streams and rivers so little time to try them all. I do remember the huge mine above Butte and a fishing Mecca called Fran Johnsons where we got some last minute items...:)
ReplyDeleteI hate to be the one that tells you, but Fran's has been bought some 4 or so years ago, and is a pawn shop now. Nothing stays the same, does it Ray? Now there is one 'fly fishing' shop in town, and it's a tawdry place (the town) from the one you remember. The streams, the Big Hole, Madison, etc are all much the same, but the change in the cities is felt everywhere.
DeleteThank you for sharing this, dad. I love the video. Love you!
ReplyDeleteYou betcha', honey. Love you too, dad.
DeleteThank you Sir!
ReplyDeleteThe song was really good. Also loved the video.
Yeah, it showed Butte in all it's reality, past and present. Good seeing you, pal.
DeleteHow beautiful and sad and emotional is this?
ReplyDeleteAlso her voice, did she compose it?
XO
WWW
Far as I know. I a friend brought this to my attention two nights ago, first time I've seen it.
DeleteI am very proud to be from Butte and can still get offended when someone calls Butte tawdry, even if it's true. Thanks for the memories.
ReplyDeleteMan, we should both be happy the previous reply I did got deleted.
ReplyDeleteOh, that’s wonderful.
ReplyDeletethanks
Delete