Early Fall morning in the Bitterroot Valley

I awoke, one morning, to a glorious sight. The fog had settled onto the floor of the Bitterroot Valley. My back yard was bathed in a fine mist and the sun was just beginning to rise above the eastern mountain range.

I love mornings like this...all is peaceful and quiet. It makes you appreciate the wonder of nature all the more.

The Encounter

While walking through the forest
On a beautiful Spring day
I came upon a meadow
I believe it was in May.

The wildflowers were blooming
The colors so vivid and bright
I was hoplessly enchanted
I stayed far into the night.

I couldn't help but wonder
How this meadow could be so lush
When I heard a sound a'stirring
In the thick underbrush.

I sat there very quiet
When much to my surprise
A little Gnome came forward
The moon twinkling in his eyes.

He carried a rake and shovel
The tools of his trade
He went to work very quickly
And what a commotion he made.

He snipped and he clipped
Made each blade of grass stand tall
Then he slowly stepped back
And admired it all.

He looked up at the sky
And suddenly there came
A small, dark cloud
And it began to rain.

The rain was a soft mist
Just a very gentle shower
So as not to harm the petals
On even a single flower.

Suddenly, he looked over
And saw me sitting there
He smiled and winked at me
Showing no fear or care.

He walked around again
This time without a rush
When all of a sudden
He disappeared into the brush.

I awoke the next morning
Not believing what I had seen
For I was fairly certain
This had all just been a dream.

I started to rise
It was time to go home
T'was then I saw the sign
It read,'Planted by a Gnome'.

Angelika Joy

Copyright 2006

Mountain Storm

Here it comes...a picture of a snow storm rolling in over St. Mary's Peak in the Bitterroot Valley of Montana.

A Wonderful Montana Holiday

Another Christmas day comes to a close. It was a wonderful holiday. Once again the family was together and the food and festivities were a success even though the long list of gifts from last year had to be cut in half this year. I can honestly say that we enjoyed this years giving more than the last. We found ourselves delighted with the handmade gifts that we shared. Simple things like knitted potholders, recipe boxes complete with recipes for the young cook, handmade 2008 Keepsake Christmas tree ornaments for the kids, hand knit sweaters, polymer clay keepsake boxes and lots of grandmother's home made brownies and cookies. Grandpa made sure the room was nice and warm by tending the fire in our little wood stove while the snowflakes danced past the windows outside. There was popcorn, candy canes, chocolate Santas, spiced cider, cheesecake in a multitude of flavors, hot chocolate with marshmallows all served after a scrumptiously moist ham and pork roast dinner with all the fixings.
Outside, the deer and some pheasants were nibbling under the birdfeeders while the snow created a beautiful white blanket covering the Rocky Mountain tops and the pastures and meadows. It was a beautiful sight to behold making us all thankful for the things we hold dear.

A Moment in Time


Shadows cast upon the land
The land of winter’s snow,
Shadows cast long and deep
From a gentle full moon’s glow.

Peaceful and quiet
The Earth is at rest,
I am on this Earth
Just a short term guest.


My life is but a minute
Between the future and the past,
It will vanish just as quickly
As the shadows the moon has cast.


Angelika Joy

© 2007

Credit for the picture entitled 'Sleepless Nights' goes to skybase at http:www.deviantART.com