I am not sure what is the most frightful: the upcoming election, the pandemic, jack-o’-lanterns, or six inches of snow in October.

Cultured Montanans. Yeah, it’s a thing.

The cold is driving us back indoors to our streamed concert series season. Last evening, we enjoyed watching the Missoula Symphony perform outdoors on a local ranch. Our daughter, formerly a flutist with the symphony, is now one of their directors. And, her husband is the symphony’s first trumpet.

Our good friend, Jere (red sweater), brought us to our first “apple press.”

And up until now, I always thought apple juice came from a spigot in an apple tree’s trunk.

Our two children and their families from Missoula, Montana and Afton, Minnesota, along with their five net dogs, converged for a rare gathering in Lakeside, Montana. We enjoyed a week of fun and chaos, with our house being tipped upside down.

Now we are empty-nesters again, enjoying the clean, orderly house but missing the action.