welcome to montana musings

Welcome to Montana Musings! My name is Russell B. Crites and I am a lifelong Montanan who has never strayed too far or too long from the Hi-Line. I started this site in the hopes of repaying the gift I received when people took an interest in my life. I hope to give away some of the knowledge and help I’ve been given in my trek through life.

This site is like a buffet table – take what you can use in your life and if something doesn’t fit leave it for someone else. I have written poetry, a book, working on more books and as my family says I can talk non stop. My sincere hope is that you find something that maybe will make you smile, think, or go another day in this old world with a new perspective.

If you decide to spend some time here with me I certainly appreciate it. As my old dad used to say,” If you get up in the morning and your name ain’t in the obituaries it’s gonna be a good day!”

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latest from the blog wire

The other day I was considering what to say on the blog. Then it occurred to me that I just need to be myself and talk like always. I thought about my kids and the stuff I talked to them about. I was talking to my youngest son on gmail the other day and told him that cyber space was about to find out why he moved so far away, they would understand that all this talk finally drove all my kids to the far reaches of the country.

Seriously they all think I have something to say. Only time will tell. Proof is in the Pudding so to speak..I always said ol Dad talked nonstop, My God I’ve turned into my Dad. Not all bad

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writing books have been a dream...

…of mine since childhood. Over the years several attempts were made with no success. A large part of the problem was time, with work, kids, sports and just life in general. When retirement came a couple of years ago a start was again made with the result the book “The Long Awakening“. The initial response has been tremendous. Thank you all for your support. A second book is nearing completion, another time and place but hopefully some food for thought and some entertainment. Your encouragement is greatly appreciated to this old railroader son of Prairie people.

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"that boy will grow up remembering that junk!"

My dad loved poetry, little ditties my mom didn’t approve of. He also loved to quote good poetry especially Edgar Allen Poe and others. When he went to school in the teens and 20’s they must have had the students memorize a lot of poetry as he could still quote pieces in his 70’s word for word. Mom hated some especially the ones they made up in North Africa, Sicily and Italy in WW2. She would yell, ” Bill Crites that boy will grow up remembering that junk!” Yes mom I did. Dirty Gertie from Bizerte was a good one.

When I started to write poetry it was always the middle of the night when I couldn’t sleep. I started writing in my 20’s which was awhile ago. It seemed to clear my mind and helped me sleep. Over the years I’ve written a lot for different occasions. I hope I’ve helped someone to get in touch with things that go on in life and with death through the years. Click the Read More button below to continue on to the poetry. Thanks.

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