C'mon Enjoy Yourself this Holdiay Season

We're feeling the Christmas spirit around here. How about you?

Ho-hum? Read this.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY USA - A POWERFUL FORCE FOR GOOD

Citizens of the United States of American, this Independence Day weekend, sometime between eating the macaroni salad and lighting the sparklers, you should read the Declaration of Independence. Our Founding Fathers and the people they represented wanted to get the world back on proper course and create a government that protects, by law, people's rights to be free, to pursue happiness and prosper. This is what humans are here for. This country was to be a shining example to all others. The document our Founders sent to King George, defining man's God-given rights, was and still is one of the greatest ever written. Another one is our Constitution. (That came later) Read the Declaration of Independence and you will know the word of God reasoned by a group of the smartest men on the planet at the time, maybe of all time so far. The governmental structure they put in place and approved by the citizens, set free a powerful force for good. People around the world, who understand and promote these inalienable rights, celebrate with us today. This powerful, loving force has done more to improve the lives of humans and all living things on this planet than any other method. We must stand proud.

Take Your Fast Car And Drive Somewhere - While We Still Can - Oh Freedom

Diane Medved writes about how our cars help us realize our dreams and come closer to the divine. Remember the song Fast Car by Tracy Chapman? You just can't get the same feeling riding the bus.

Gone Camping

Gone camping, again. See you Thursday.

Ford Golden Jubilee On the Farm

Found this slide of Bob's grandparents working with their Golden Jubilee. Like most small farms across America, having a multipurpose hard working tractor like the Golden Jubilee allowed farmers to get so much more done in a day, which of course translated into more profits and less heartaches and perhaps a few less backaches for the average farm family. Bob remembers his father telling him how important the tractor was to the family. We're glad we can keep her going.

Grandpa Howard and Grandma Hattie hooking up the sickle-bar mower

Western Montana circa mid-'60's

The Family Station Wagon

My father took this picture of me during the autumn of 1964 atop our '61 or '62 Oldsmobile compact station wagon. No one in the family remembers what circumstance initiated the photo. My Dad loved to take photographs back then and he had a very good eye. (Dad, you need to find your old camera and get snapping.) That's my middle sister Mary in the car oblivious to what's going on. Being in the car always made her sleepy. She conked out before we pulled out of the drive way.

Halloween 1930

"Halloween at my first school"

From Grandma Siers scrapbook.

Somewhere in Glacier County, MONT.

Counsel For the Average Man

If I have even just a little sense,

I will walk on the main road and my only fear will be of straying from it.

Keeping to the main road is easy,

But people love to be sidetracked.

Keep your garden free of weeds,

Your pantry full

And don't over indulge.

And let's pray these robber barons have learned their lesson.

A rewording of chapter 53 of Tao Te Ching by The Skirt.

1950's - 60's Pinup Matchcovers

Bob's folks are clearing out some clutter and they sent us a box of pinup matchcovers. They know we like that sort of thing around here. The man pictured below, Bob's dad, Paul Bissonette would tuck 'em in his shirt pocket before leaving the Drummond Bar. He remembered at least six times to take them out of his pocket before laundry day. Happy 77th Birthday, Paul!

Depression-Era Chic

Anyone who knows The Skirt knows I am not obsessed with watching and wearing the latest fashion trends. But a few weeks ago, while sorting through some old family photos, I had this thought that soon designers would come out with clothes that look like something Olivia Walton would wear. So, I was only a bit surprised to see this article on the Drudge Report yesterday. It's not really a stretch to see this coming given how some people perceive the current state of affairs in America today.

Another family photo.

Depression-era Chic Rod Builders-Style

Happy Birthday USA

It's been so hot around here the strawberries are slipping off the molded Jell-O salad faster than you can say cheese. We're off to find some water to play in and celebrate Independence Day! Blog at ya Monday.

The Blessings of Freedom

Just in time for Independence Day Fox News has put together a beautiful web show called Real American Stories.com. Choked us up. Hope Fox doesn't mind the link. By the way, these are family photos.Update: 9/9/08 Nagged by the question of just who these fellas are family took a copy of this photo taken circa 1953 to the Helmville Rodeo last month. The photo was passed around most of the grandstand with consensus being, from left to right, Jack Hanson, of Drummond MT, Bob's father, Paul Bissonette, Hall, MT and the fella with the side arm is Don Tinnen of somewhere in Montana. Paul can't remember what they were up to, but they were well armed.

Washtucna Auto Show - Now That's Country

We can't remember now who it was who told us this was a fun show to go to, but we're gonna go and see for ourselves. With gas prices so high we can't justify going to the Puyallup Show, a.k.a. the Pacific Northwest Nationals, so we'll shoot for beautiful Washtucna, Washington. We're not afraid of rural America. It's not like Spokane is this big city. In fact the saying around here is Spokane is the "smallest" big city in the country. Advice to Spokanites: better watch what you say about people when you're in line at Costco. Yes, Spokane has a Costco. But we are desiring some real small town America and as you can see from these family photos we know our way around a FFA meeting. Car owners register for the show at www.washtuncna.com.

Rare Night Out for RBI Crew

Something we seldom do is go out for a drink together, but the mood hit us and off we went to Northern Lights Brewery & Pub. The restaurant located in a neat old warehouse is dimly lit, which is great for ambiance but not for cell phone picture taking. Anyway, we all totally recommend the place. They make excellent beer and the food is tasty and filling. FYI Kayla says the portabella mushroom burger is just that, a portabella mushroom on a burger bun.