Well, we made it back from the edge of the Montana mountains late last night. We were a wagon train of two pickups headed west, our cargo of guitars and sleeping bags, boots and coolers of beer, musicians and friends, a little more dusty than when we arrived in that Montana cow pasture ringing with music on Friday.
It was a long haul. 800 some miles, three small town diner stops,
countless fuel-ups, sunflower seeds and coffee refills and only one “could have been major but actually turned out ok for once” pickup hiccup on the interstate east of Billings, MT.
Because, as Husband says, “It isn’t an adventure until it’s an adventure.”
And so we had one out in White Sulphur Springs, Montana, a bunch of neighbors and friends from the oil fields of North Dakota headed west to hear Merle Haggard sing “Momma Tried” and pick a little themselves on stage and around the campsite at night.
I’m home now with the memory of it turning the corners of my lips up a bit as I unpack and pack my bags again to head east for another gig.
I go to Devils Lake, ND today to sing in a park, but the band will stay home. They have work to do and things to catch up on so I’ll go it alone and that’s alright.
Although it’s always more fun with the boys around.
It’s going to be August in a few days.
August. The last month of summer at the ranch, rolling in with big thunderheads, sunflowers, prairie grass and wheat that turns gold over night.
Summer is fleeting here and I’ve spent this season chasing it–behind my camera, on the highway, on the back of a horse, on the top of a hill, down in the cool draws and behind my computer making plans.
I wish it were longer. Everyone does. But it doesn’t matter really. I’ll think of summer when the snow falls outside my window in December and I won’t think about its lifespan.
I’ll think about the life we put into it.
Coming Home: Berry season brings good intentions
By Jessie Veeder
7/28/13
Fargo Forum
www.inforum.com
Because summer means so many things to me, and so I’m happy to be here in it while it lasts…whether it’s picking wild raspberries in a cool draw on our North Dakota ranch
or singing to the wild landscape and wild, wonderful people of Montana!
I’m glad to be home for a minute, and then I’m glad to be on the road.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch... 
You were great on the side stage! Hope to hear you play again sometime.
Jess, I lost Dad at the end of April. He was 93 and the best ND Governor ever.!! Those in your area called him “Wild Bill”. Governor William L. Guy
You speak to everything ND. We were suprised when Mom had a stroke in June. She was a remarkable First Lady of the state and I miss her so much.She passed July 5th.
We had great talks and then it was done.
I want you to know that you give to all of us and those who dont know the land the heart, breath and the great land that North Dakota is…. the reality of it all..
You do it in a great way and iI will always think so highly of your thoughts and expieriences.
Take care dear heart, XOXO Holly PS Bill and Jean are dancing forever:-)
I always enjoy your photo’s and your story. Keep on keeping on
wish I had watched more closely, my brother lives in white sulphur. hope he got to see you