It is interesting to go from the chilly rainy Montana early June to the unusually hot and unusually humid southwester. I am in New Mexico. Eastern New Mexico. I came down as far as Raton on Tuesday (6/23/09). I finished the last three CD’s of Harry Potter’s last book. J K Rowlings is an amazing writer. What an epic! Then on the 24th I drove to Tucumcari for a show. I came the–not back way but not on the interstate. I don’t think I have ever been on that road before. At one point there was an historic sign saying that the river we were about to cross was the Canadian and that it had been able to cut through much of the terrain over the centuries. This proved to be an understatement. I started down and down and down with switch backs every hundred yards until I crossed the Canadian. It must have been more powerful at one time. Yesterday it was a slow meandering stream. Eastern New Mexico is a stark landscape but there is a tough harsh beauty too. Tucumcari is looking much worse for wear. Many of the stores are closed. Two or three gas stations look abandoned with the gas price of a time no more still tempting me. I saw gas prices at $1.25 and $1.40. Interesting. Today a show in Clovis then on to Santa Fe for 3 shows.

I did a show in Augusta Wednesday. It is a very small town in north central Montana. It was a town that made me feel right at home. It reminded me of several of the towns I grew up in. The library was small but the librarian was hopeful for a good turnout. The pool had opened that day so there was some fierce competition. Five minutes before I was to start, a mom and her 3 year old son, Wyatt came in. Wyatt was something. He was wearing a cowboy hat and boots and was very self assured. Slowly the space began to fill up and by the time the show started, it was a good crowd. Afterwords, the librarian told me she had researched and written several scripts about and for Blackfoot Middle school kids. I am going to write to her for copies. She also told me to go to Mel’s Diner and the library would buy me lunch. So I headed off to Mels with just a little time before I had to head to Lincoln. When I got settled who should be my next booth neighbor–Wyatt and Mom. Wyatt turned out to be one of the smartest 3 year olds I had ever met. He wanted to know why the Knock Knock Rock from the show had been so mean. Then he want to know how I made the puppets. When I told him about the foam covered with fabric. He said he understood that but each foam shape had to be different because they looked different when they were done. At one point the cook came over to visit she was wearing old fashion basketball shoes. She asked Wyatt if he want to trade. Wyatt looked at her shoes and then at her with such a look then he said “No thank you. I like my cowboy boots.” When I left. I said good bye and shook his hand. It seemed like the right thing to do.

I am sitting in the wind capital of Montana-Cut Bank Montana. They have the largest wind farm in MT. It seems appropriate! The wind is constant and very strong. I did shows here and in Valier yesterday. There is a fierce pride in this still wild country. People are proud of the wildlife. As I left my show in Valier yesterday, the librarian told me to watch in the open fields outside of town. There had been a grizzly bear spotted with her cub. In Augusta the day before a lady told me to watch on the left side of the road after I went over the pass toward Lincoln (my next show) for moose. Now so far, I have not seen anything but I am in hopes. I want to see a moose. I have been looking for one and making all who love me look for one for years! You can always tell when asking about moose whether or not the native has had experience with moose. If they have not, they direct you as best they can. If they have had experience they grumble and want to know why on earth you want to see those “mad creatures” The lady this morning said ” I love all animals except moose. Everytime I see a moose it chases me! Another lady said that she had been chased across her land that very morning. “They are just a nuisance!” Still I want to see a moose. Maybe today.

My summer season has begun. I went to Miller SD for an Art in the Park on June 7th. but the rain was still falling so it was a the church instead. It was a fun show. Then on the 8th I did a show at the Miller library. Miller is a neat town. I had a great time there. Then on to Huron for a library show at the Ymca. That was fun too. Home for a half of a day and on to Casper. The show are going well with lots of good questions. It is so good be be back on the road! But I am really tired tonight. Tomorrow is another day only two shows not three and then on to Bozeman to see Lang.