Still uncertain as to where Custer fell and when

 

Thicket Reno was forced to fight through

 

Always a solemn place

 

Good warriors fell on both sides

Where Custer crossed the Little Bighorn

 

 

This weekend is the 137th Anniversary of the Battle of the Little Bighorn. The Battle of Greasy Hills to the Cheyenne and Sioux.

 

My history lessons didn't include the fact that Custer was an arrogant, self-absorbed jerk of a leader.

 

The Glory of "Custer's Last Stand" is, by and large a myth. Custer may have been one of the first to fall, as the Native Warriors targeted him from the beginning.

 

Custer's troops were poorly trained, poorly equipped and greatly out gunned (also not covered in the history books)

 

 

A series of misguided judgments on both sides led to this day. Gen Crook, a week earlier had engaged a Sioux war party at the Battle of the Rosebud. He greatly under-estimated the size and strength of the party and chose to retreat.

 

The war party saw the retreat and considered it a great victory, giving them a serious false sense of confidence.

 

If Crook had pressed the attack to victory, Sitting Bull would have never had the confidence to attack Custer and the 7th Cav. a week later.

 

It's good the archeology has helped to rewrite the story to get it right. Revision's of history wouldn't be needed if the truth were told in the first place.

 

Sometimes in life we just get our butt's kicked. We need to just admit it, learn from it, and move on.

Storms brewing over the rez

Green, green grass of home

 

The view from the top of the hill

 

 

The amazing thing about storms is that, as imposing as they may be (Not to mention downright dangerous), They provide greatly need moisture during the spring.

 

Any moisture added in the spring puts off the fire season just a little long, making same fire season that much shorter and less dangerous for everyone.

 

Green grass has never looked so good.

This time of the year, the biggest concern in this piece of Montana, is, if it's gonna rain again.

No more rain for the season means, a very dangerous fire season. This weekend has been a blessing, as rain cloud after rain cloud has rolled through. Also bringing rolling thunder but no lightening strikes.

Storm clouds are awesome under most circumstances, but knowing the rain means it will stay green just a little bit longer. And that means a calmer, less dramatic fire season!

SSSCCCOOORRRREEEE!!!!!

All eyes on the puck

 

 

So the Hawks take game 4, winning 2-1. Now the Hawks come home to a sold-out crowd in the Rose Garden on Friday, with a chance to win the series at home.

 

 

Photos courtesy of:

 

Amber Bracken/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency 

GO HAWKS

Sometimes you need to take a step back and relax. So for the moment, I'm going to share a shot from last nights hockey game between the Portland Winterhawks and the Edmonton Oil Kings.

The Hawks consist of mostly teenagers from 17-19 years old, playing in the most competative league in all of amateur hockey. All have dreams of playing professionally, either in the NHL or overseas. Very few ever have their dreams realized, buut that does nothing to dampen the enthusiasm on the ice every night.

As hockey has always been a passion of mine, I have followed the Winterhawks since they came to Portland in1976.

This is the 'Hawks third straight trip to the league finals and a rematch of last years finals. After 3 goals in the 1st period, the Hawks hung on to beat the Oil Kings 3-1, in Edmonton, to regain home ice advantage.

Game 4 is tonight in Edmonton. Historically, the winner of game 4's in a tight series gains  a huge advantage. Should be an exciting game.

GO HAWKS

Photo courtesy
(Amber Bracken/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency)

Of cows and grass

Hi, there!

I gots an itch!

Green grass

 

 

After devastating wild grass fire last summer, there were questions whether the grasslands would ever recover, and with it, the cattle ranchers livelihood.

 

This winter started out very dry, but late winter and for most of the spring the moisture has been more then enough.

 

The grass has come back and the cows are grazing just fine. This area has an amazing ability to recover the most drastic of events.

Lessons learned from my dog

 

 



It amazes me how little it takes to care for an animal enough for it to love you unconditionally.
The simple act of providing a dog with some food and shelter and you have a friend for life.
There is a lesson to be learned in that. We as humans devote so little time in simple acts of kindness to our fellow man that could have dramatic impact on their lives.

We can all learn a lesson from our dogs.