Let me amend that motion

The above picture was taken on a very rare rainy Saturday morning in September in downtown Billings at the Farmer's Market.

Top 10: Underrated Destinations

They aren't on everyone's "must-see" list, but they should be:

1. Charlotte, N.C.
2. Austin, Texas
3. Savannah, Ga.
4. Minneapolis, Minn.
5. Denver, Colo.
6. Grand Teton National Park, Wyo.
7. Newport, R.I.
8. Jekyll Island, Ga.
9. Baltimore, Md.
10. Portland, Ore.

I came across this list on some website or other. I can't say much about Savannah, Newport or Jekyll Island because I have never been there but the rest are top drawer places, worth a visit or to stay awhile. The only place I would add would be the whole state of Montana, especially my home town of Billings.

Just below is a paper bag from one of the places in Denver that must be taken into account when compiling lists of cities worth a visit.


And then just below is a snapshot taken at the local Albertson's. I guess we know now which side the trashy magazine publishers are on, or do we? Does Mrs. Obama chew or what?

A Wet September Morning in Billings MT

I was invited to stop in at the Alberta Bair Theatre Saturday morning for a Billings Symphony rehearsal in preparation for the concert this evening. I listened to some interesting stuff, sounded 20th century, maybe Charles Ives and/or Igor Stravinsky. I will find out tonight when I check the playbill. It's always fun to see how magic works or is put together.


After that I wandered down a wet Broadway, sampling strawberry and rhubarb pie, the latter instantly taking me back to Grandma's house of my childhood; and trying an egg roll, which turned out to be mostly vegetables but still fairly good. I was surprised by some jelly which I scooped up with a cracker, expecting nothing but sweetness: there was some jalapeño in it, enough to make your tongue smart if you were not expecting it.


Though some discouraging words were heard, that did not prevent this gay lady clown from doing her thing underneath the protection of some downtown building overhangs.