Winter and spring on the other side of the divide – the Continental Divide – is different than on this side of Montana. For one thing, the temperature extremes are greater, and more sudden and much more distinct. Missoula stays closer to the line, creating fewer undulations whether it is temperature or storms. Eastern Montana sticks to regular sunshine interspersed with the odd day or two of overcast weather as a storm comes south or beats a retreats north; thunder storms barrel through in August with all the drama of a classic thriller leaving the sunsets only the flat land can experience; the temperature can go from 64 (Monday, March 2nds high) to the previous Thursdays low of -2 below zero in only a few hours, although this week it took a few days. And it made short work of the snow, which lingered only in the deep gullies and the north sides of the eastern foothills along highway 200.

In my mother’s flower beds I found the first tulips and daffodils poking through the mulch

but no signs yet of her crocus. Her roses and other perennials are still as dormant as most of mine here in Missoula.

At home in Missoula I missed the few warm days here but the evidence of their presence was evident – the snow and iceberg surrounding my parking area were almost gone, and the Hellebore that started blooming at Thanksgiving is again blooming above the snow. The Hens and Chicks are giving their best winter color. How might they look under a reddish-brown Juniper? While not evidence of spring they continue to show the progress of the seasons.

On the highway between Missoula, Lincoln and

Great Falls, over and back, there was other

evidence of the passing of the seasons – the brightening reds and yellows of the willows and dogwoods along the Blackfoot River and in the beaver ponds above Lincoln created years ago when the Mike Horse Mine tailing dam broke and before the beavers moved in. Incidentally the first water birds I had ever seen there, mallards if I remember correctly, showed up only three years ago, and two years ago I noticed one of the largest beaver lodges I’ve ever seen. It is easily bigger than my own living room, so there must be something to say about building your own home.

Things have gone wild inside as well with

several orchids blooming again, or for the

first time. The white flower is Phalaenopsis

Sogo Yukidian 'Odom's Snowfall.' The plant is almost

too big for my house but is so beautiful it is going

to stay. Fortunately, the many small plants leave

room for a few bigger ones.