Thursday, August 23, 2012

rediscovering my surroundings


for the past several months, i've realized that i have been nowhere except the cottage where i work and home. for fourteen to sixteen hours a day, i've been inside at work, and the rest of the short days have been spent either travelling between home and work, or in bed, attempting to catch up on my sleep. it is no small wonder why i have been creatively blocked lately.

this week i am seeing for the first time in months, my regularly scheduled work hours...without overtime or team meetings! this means i actually have three days off in a row!! having spent yesterday catching up on much needed sleep, i decided to take a ride around town and share with you the wonderful place in which i live.

billings is the largest and most populated city in montana. it serves as the regional trade center, transportation base, and medical hub. billings is nestled in a valley at the foot of four mountain ranges and is sheltered by a sandstone rim that runs pretty much straight through the entire town and nourished by the yellowstone river.




these views are from the top of the rims, alongside the airport. as you can see, the city stretches out for what seems forever under the big sky of montana. though our idea of a "big city" differs, i'm sure, from what most people think of as one, seeing as our population hovers around a meager 84,000+ residents. fortunately for us, this gives billings a wondrous small-town sense of safety and country friendliness not available in what most folks think of as a "big city." it's a place where vast ranches and lush farmland mix comfortably with tall office buildings (granted, there are only a few), and where horse trailers can be seen as frequently as diesel buses. we boast the finest of medical facilities in the four state area, museums, landmark attractions, symphony, opera, local theater, fine dining and more.


as beautiful as all this is, i have decided, however, to live outside the city's limits. in all my travels, i've had my fill of big cities and enjoy living on the outskirts...affording me the opportunities of a big city, but the quiet of the country at the same time. fifteen miles outside of town, just a short stroll down the road from my house, the countryside opens up into vast farmland, currently planted predominantly with corn.


jumping on the back of my vintage kawasaki and the short ride of a mile or two and these farms begin to give way to ranches...


though, closer to home, you are more likely to find small farms and pastures...




so i am surrounded by natural beauty, gorgeous countrysides, and innumerable opportunities for inspiration! i only have to get outside and soak it up! somewhere, i lost this focus. i used to spend countless hours walking along side the yellowstone river. riding the old bike out into the country, exploring roads that i had not yet been down. walking downtown, watching people and soaking up the historical offerings of an old western town. recording thoughts in spoken word on my ipod and sketched ideas in my art journal. or just taking my guitar up on the rims or out into the countryside and noodling around on the strings while the dogs romp and play without fences to hinder them. instead, i've allowed myself to be boxed in by walls. but today, with you along for the journey, i've begun to break out of those walls and rediscover my surroundings!

thank you for joining me...

namaste'

11 comments:

  1. this sounds wonderful...whenever I get fed up with the ATL I find myself intoning "Mon-tan-a" even though being that far from any ocean would cause me fits...it's the space I adore.

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    1. ha! yes...it was difficult giving up the ocean after having lived in sun-soaked california for so many years... but i had to escape the crush of millions of people!

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  2. Joe, I'm thinking writing this lovely post took you right where you needed to go. Isn't that the way it is?

    You live in beautiful country, autumn approaches! xo

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    1. isn't it just, peggy? and yes. . .i am fortunate to live in such beautiful country. i am eagerly looking forward to autumn and its splendour of color and cooler temperatures!

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  3. I loved seeing your neck of the woods and totally agree...just outside of town with perks in each direction! Love a big sky! :)

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    1. there just is no substitute for a big sky, is there?

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  4. It can be easy to slide into the box when we work so much! Glad you got out and about. I've been to Billings once long ago - it was the final destination of a cross-country journey. But we didn't stay in Billings long at all, just dropped off a friend and then off we went. Too bad, looks like I missed a great place! Happy inspiration gathering.

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    1. it will always be here when you find your way back down those roads!

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  5. Joe, it sounds like you have been working far too much. So glad you finally have some time off. My goal is to work less and make art and have fun more, I have managed to get myself a 23 hour work week and it is magic for the art.
    Beautiful photos!

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    1. how i dream of such hours, annie! congratulations on attaining such a schedule! while it is not possible at this time to trim my work schedule that much, i am determined to try and keep it down to as close to 40 hours as i can manage. this week has been wonderful having had 3 days off. i could easily grow accustomed to such a short work week. . .

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  6. How lovely to see where you live; it looks like a beautiful place, lots of trees in those urban shots, sunlight, views, space - but I do remember your pictures of snow as well!
    Thank you Joe

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