Distinctly Montana Magazine

W W W. D I S T I N C T LY M O N TA NA . C O M 9 W E RATHER LIKE THE SOUND OF THE QUOTE, with apologies to oreau for substituting "Montana" for "the woods," though we are certain he would have approved the senti- ment had he been able to experience life in this magnificent state. ough oreau is long gone, his idea of living "deliberately," in our view is a characteristic we find in most of the Montanans we have met and known; and an attribute which, like a Rubik's Cube, has many sides and patterns. Consciously and intentionally, people in the Treasure State purposely turn and adjust their life-cubes in a variety of designs which usually include purposeful themes of work, outdoor activity, neighborliness, freedom (and room) to roam, with a stiff measure of solitude always near-at-hand. And we might add that these special Montana-cubes always include an edgy fragrance of caution, whether it be from weather, wildlife or tricky terrain. Winter, certainly, is the ultimate proof that we live in Montana deliberately, as skimpy daylight, biting temps, and every mani- festation of snow and ice known to the Eskimo pulls Montanans inward to hearth and home, as if cut-off from civilization itself. We venture out when and where we can, wrapped in woolly, warm garb, our winter gear, snow tires, and a certain "Montanatude" at the ready. If you are not lucky enough to live here, this may puzzle you a bit, but know that most everyone here has made a conscious choice to make this their home and to welcome the joys and chal- lenges of each glorious season. So enjoy another Montana winter…deliberately! BILL MUHLENFELD, PUBLISHER bill@distinctlymontana.com ANTHEA GEORGE, PUBLISHER anthea@distinctlymontana.com A N O T E F R O M T H E P U B L I S H E R S "I went to Montana because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived." ~ Henry David Thoreau: Walden, 1854 Montana's landscaping steel specialist B e c a u s e i t s h o u l d Set-in-place solutions On-site builds Custom steel accents when you come home does your yard make you smile? mc2mt.com 406-209-8014 kelly@mc2mt.com t h o u g h t f u l c r e a t i o n - p r e c i s e e x e c u t i o n CAROL POLICH

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