A WHOLE lot of NOTHING!

And this is what we have looked at for 1 week.

We arrived in Montana last Saturday evening and it was the longest drive and longest week of our journey. We stayed in the small town of 1200, in a 70's semi-clean motel room, 5 bars and 1 restaurant. We were the strangers that had came to town. Everywhere we went, the people would stop what they were doing and look at us. I have never felt so strange in my whole life. Just a little bit on edge---we were the strangers---and all the people were there to take care of themselves and their hometown. I found it very interesting that not one sole in Scobey, Montana is on welfare!! Noone that wants to do nothing wants to go to a place of nothing. We did get to meet several good people and listen and learn about their life in this area. It is in their lively hood and their blood. We learned you either love it or hate it! I fell into the latter category. We actually could have stayed for another week to finalize our work, but it is the hunters opening weekend and the motel was needing rooms---so, I was excited to say we could move on back to North Dakota to finish the audit work. I was happy to see that in the rear view mirror.
We did adjust some lentil beans for a 79 year old lady that still ran her farm on a day to day basis. She was the most exciting thing there was in Scobey, Montana. We visited with her for about 2 hours, which I could have stayed all day. She was born in her original home and her mother as born there in 1904. She started telling us about her childhood days when her mother worked just as hard as she and had to deal with gunslingers and outlaws. She said the Indians were very friendly when they crossed their land, mutual agreement that if you don't mess with them, they wouldn't mess with you. She told a story of an outlaw coming upon her families place when her mother was attempting to kill chickens for supper. The outlaw ask her mom how many she wanted for supper and with her mothers reply--We need 2 to feed everyone--the outlaw drew 2 silver shooters and blew off the chickens heads at the same time---WAY TO MUCH OUT WEST FOR ME!!!

We traveled over 2100 miles this week--and I am feeling it. Everyday was a huge jaunt--Friday we drove 119 miles before passing the first town--then we drove 248 miles one direction and passed only 3 towns--so you can get the jest of it!! We saw lots of deer and 1 red fox---looked for a moose all week, but it wasn't meant to be. Every farm we visited had seen moose withing the last month. The agency had one in their back yard just 10 days ago. We would have loved to seen one--but I hate to say maybe next time--but I really feel we will be called back to this area at some point. The company has only 2 adjusters in the whole state of Montana! Not enough for the God forsaken country.

Before we left Huron last Saturday, the town was having a scarecrow and pumpkin decorating contest. We enjoyed walking thru the park and checking out all the entries. I decided since their was not much to share about Montana--I would share some pictures of the creative ideas that these people came up with. It was a great event and some really neat ideas. There was 49 scarecrow entries and they have had this event for over 30 years.

We are in North Dakota for just 3 nights and we received the call to go back to South Dakota on Monday. We will be doing some more work for the same people that we had spent so much time with previously. Believe me, we are looking forward to it!! I will keep you posted---

Lots of word about lots of work all over the country--so who knows where we will land.

Until then...................