Karbon Kounty Moos

These are all unused real photo post cards.

Rolling Slopes of the Big Horns From Hospital Hill - U.S. 16, Wyo.
Sanborn Souvenir was a busy seller. I’d have cropped this photo first.

Since they used white here - on the river rocks - I can’t decipher exactly where this one was taken. Red Wall on No W…….? Ten Sleep Hwy. 16, Wyoming.
Any ideas, Bonnie?

Powder River Pass (Alt.9666 Ft.) - Summit of the Big Horn Mts.
A rockhound’s dream.

Both of these are unused real photo post cards. The images are crisp. Something to be said for those old big negatives.
Click on them to view in a larger window.

Black Tunnels, Wind River Canyon
I wonder who the car belonged to. Too bad the train wasn’t there at the time.

Ten Sleep Canyon in Big Horn Mountains, Black and Yellow Trail
Is it the shadow of the car on the lower right? I wouldn’t want to meet someone on this narrow road.

They don’t give me much room.

We brought a snack to the Baron - who is out cultivating.

Not a great shot of the tractor - but you can see snow on the peaks.

Lucky is waiting - she knows that when he gets here - he’ll share.

Getting to the end of the rows.

Twelve row cultivator turning around.

Lucky doesn’t mind getting on the back. Which was nice of her, since she was swimming in the ditch.

is the title of this unused Mirro-Krome card
by H.S. Crocker Co., Inc., New York 36, N.Y.
Pub By David E. Traub, 2313 South Rd., Baltimore 9, MD.

It reads:

R. McGill Mackall’s painting of a little known moment in American history - which took place in a Baltimore brewery, where the stars were put on the flag that inspired Francis Scott Key to write our national anthem - hangs in the new Carling Brewery Company plant, Exit 9, Baltimore Beltway. Tours 10 A.M. Tuesdays and 2 P.M. Thursdays.

Visit the Flag House, Fort McHenry, the U.S.F. Constellation
STAR SPANGLED BANNER SESQUI-CENTENNIAL
Baltimore, Maryland, 1964

I started out doing yard work, but decided to check on our cattle in the hills mid-mow-morning.

Click on the images and they’ll open in a larger window.

“What’s all this then?”

Oh, motorcycle races, too. . .
Not again! A few head were out. It was almost noon, so I went home to eat and call in the reserves. After lunch, the Baron grabbed fencing supplies and off we took.

First things first.

Come on, girls.

Get going girls.

Kids - always stopping for a snack.

This is one view from the top.

And another.

By the time we arrived home, I tried to mow while preparing supper. I did get the front yard finished.

We’ve spent some time in the hills the last few days. We went out to check the cattle on Wednesday night, discovering a gate down and the herd in the wrong pasture. So we brought them back to where they belonged. On Thursday morning we checked the water situation. I was able to take some photos both days. Yesterday was spent mostly here on the place - with one side trip to Bridger. We moved some cattle around here last night, too.

What I’m having the hardest time with is not being able to see what I’m focusing on. I never liked auto focus cameras. The digital wants to do the work for me, which is fine - but I like to work with my subject. I know that it’s a matter of getting accustomed to - but I am an old dog.

I’ve uploaded more photos here.

You can view and comment on them there.

Thank You!

I have two of these.
If you click on the image you can see the man standing at the bridge.

One was sent to Mr. H.E. Smith
Bridger, MT
postmarked 30 Apr 1910 from Joliet, Montana
Back reads:
4/29
Received your card from Billings, thanks! Dandy rain we have had, wasn’t it? Every body around here are rejoicing over it. Hope you had a good time at the hop in Billings. I’m going to a big country hop tomorrow night. My old home is Fair Play, Missouri. I don’t remember of hearing of Gallatin.
Your friend, Bess

The second was mailed to Mr. Lewis Skillings
Springfield Ohio R.D. SE of town
postmarked 13 Apr 19__? from Joliet, Montana
Back reads:
They have had a fine winter here - seeding nearly all done - We have done very well with horses here - Have sold 16 + have 12 to sell yet - I hope you all keep well - Lots of love to all
Herbert

In honor of HNT
I present a story (what else?!)

I have always been a sun worshipper.
I know, I know. . .
Fortunately, I inherited my Dad’s Greek genes. . .

From my teens on, I would sunbathe in the backyard as soon as possible - usually the first warm days in March. I’ve always loved the beach. I find the combination of sand, sun and surf impossible to resist.

Years later- when I’d get off the 12-8 shift in New York -
I’d drive to Brighton Beach to:
nap in the sun; swim; relax; eat pirozhki; and visit with the Russians.

When I returned to Montana, my sunbathing window of opportunity wasn’t open as wide. I found some deserted places outside of Red Lodge to catch some rays. I would take full advantage of them when I could. It didn’t take long for me to become known as that “nude sunbather”. Red Lodge is a town that thrives on rumor and innuendo. My attitude was to keep ‘em guessing.

My friend, N asked to join me one day. It was springtime, sunny and very warm in town. We stopped at the IGA and picked up some fresh baked French bread, cheeses, and fruit. We packed a cooler and I directed her to one of my favorite spots. When we arrived it was overcast with patches of snow on the ground.

No matter, we spread blankets and uncorked the wine. I had brought some long stemmed wine glasses - no paper cups for extreme sunbathers. This turned out to be a good thing. The wind was whipping from the west and the south. Through chattering teeth we snacked, sipped, giggled and gossiped.

N was telling me a story, wineglass aloft, making a very serious point. The lid from the cooler blew off and smacked her in the head, immediately ending any semblance of seriousness. We were glad for the extra blankets when it began snowing. Too bad we didn’t think of wool caps, snow boots, thermal underwear and scarves. We ate most of the food and polished off the wine. We went back to town and bought another bottle or four. Leaving the car in the drive, we went out to N’s deck. Finally, I was able to shed my motorcycle jacket, but nothing else. A friend dropped by N’s. He was taking an old Willys jeep out for a test drive - did we want to go? I think that we left the wine and glasses on the deck. Next thing I remember is riding down Main Street in this half nekkid (topless) Willys.

N & I were waving at everyone as though we were in a parade. Passersby waved back, amused. The Willys driver got such a kick out of it - that he drove back and forth several times.

A few days later, N & I made another attempt at sunbathing. We ended up on the road east of Bearcreek, trying to rope a calf. I think that there may have been wine involved in that episode, too. But that’s another story.

Okay, this isn’t a good “half nekkid Thursday” photo - but the four of us are showing some skin.

I never bought a camera during my school years. My after school jobs and summer jobs helped my parents pay my tuition. Twelve years of Catholic school, remember. I was interested in photography, but music was my first love. I squirreled money for guitar purchases in those days.

My first camera was a rangefinder 35mm. No, not a Leica. Morgan Guaranty Trust didn’t pay that well. It was a Ricoh. Not long after that I purchased an Olympus OM-1 with my profit sharing check. I’ve been taking photographs with my meditation camera for close to thirty years. Mostly snapshots, and mostly for fun - but I have been gainfully employed at it on occasion. I have made a little money (very little) in the past. Never enough to quit my day jobs - whatever those happened to be at the time. About fifteen years ago I did get a Nikon. After a few months I got rid of it. It was too automatic for me. I prefer doing things the hard way.

Recently, my wonderful husband decided to purchase a digital camera for me. Yes, for me. The Sugar Beet Baron knows his way around farm equipment, but doesn’t know how to program the VCR/DVD. I’m the “go to girl” on anything with a manual. Unfortunately, at this stage of my life - this also requires reading glasses.

We were in Costco, looking at the digital camera display. Looking, but what were we looking at? Mega pixels, memory cards, rechargeable batteries, 2X zooms. I may be half Greek - but it was all Greek to me. The Baron bought the Nikon. The thing was as big as my Olympus, maybe bigger.

Two days after we brought it home, I opened the box. Yes, we’ve been busy. All I took out was the manual. Hmmm. . . I need a memory card before I can use the thing. I googled the model, searching for memory card information. I discovered that we had paid $200 more for the camera than it was selling for at most places. That’s not good. I did a bit more searching and decided that it was going back to Costco.

Then I ordered this.

Much better suited for the conditions that I’m usually in: mud, manure, dirt, dog hair and dust. The size is nice - digital is supposed to be convenient. This little thing goes right in my pocket. Okay, it might not be the best - but I think that it’s the best for what I plan on using it for. I already own this baby - now that’s the best - and another long story.

What is it they say about the best laid plans? The manual for this cute little thing is 182 pages and weighs almost as much as the camera. The manual for the software is only 75 pages. All in that tiny little print, too. Thirty years of 35mm photography has not prepared me for this. I played with the camera. I perused the manual. I played with the camera while perusing the manual. I put my reading glasses on. I took them off. I don’t have the time or the patience for this.

I believe that there is always more to learn. I guess that I’d better get with it. Get ready for some learning experience photos. That’s a promise - and a threat.

But I need more coffee.

Yesterday’s afternoon shower - from the comfort of the “front room”.

My apologies to Neil Sedaka for butchering his lyrics - naaah. . .

This is to be sung to the melody of

Breaking Up is Hard to Do:

You tell us that you’re leaving
I can’t believe it’s true
Boy, there’s no fun blogging without you

Don’t take your blog away from me
Don’t you leave us empty politics free

If you go then we’ll be blue
Breaking up the blog is hard to do

Remember when we all would fight
Fuss about who was right
all through the night

Think of all that we’ve been through
Breaking up the blog is hard to do

They say the trolls don’t know what to do
Where to go and with who to screw

Don’t you know
You know it’s true
Breaking up the blog is hard to do

Don’t say that this is the end
Instead of breaking up the blog
I wish you were driving them crazy again

We beg of you, don’t say goodbye
Can’t you give your blog another try
Come on Craig, just start anew

‘Cause breaking up the blog is hard to do
Breaking up the blog is hard
So hard
To do

**************************
In case anyone is in the dark -
this is dedicated to Craig at mtpolitics.