Montana Things I’m Thankful For

Bigfork

I spend a lot of time complaining on this site.
 
Today let’s take a different tact.
 
What are some things in Montana that we’re really happy about and thankful for?
 
I’m sure you can name quite a few off…if you sit down for a minute and think about it.
 
Maybe some of mine will be similar to yours. I think a lot of it has to do with your life experiences and world perspective.
 
Well, let’s not get into arguments. Instead, here are some Montana things I’m thankful for.

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Traffic
 
I know a lot of people like to complain about traffic, but gosh – it’s pretty tame. Actually, there is none. Maybe in the morning, around lunch, and after work there is…but not really.
 
I think your view of Montana traffic ultimately depends on whether you’ve lived out of state or not. No, I don’t think traveling out of state is enough.
 
You actually have to live in a city where you sit in traffic for an hour or so each day, maybe more.
 
I did that when living in China…if I wanted to go downtown. That’d be an hour bus ride down there and another back. When the metro went in the ride was nicer, but still took just as long with all the stops.
 
So I can’t complain about sitting at a light for a few minutes, or even staying at that light for two cycles. That’s really nothing to complain about, although we still do.
 
The Quiet
 
Take a listen – pretty quiet, huh?
 
Even on the busiest Montana streets things are pretty quiet. There are no honking cars, music blaring, or people making lots of noise.
 
It’s a quiet state, even in the cities. If you live on a side street you rarely hear more than some car doors slamming now and again, maybe a loud truck going by.
 
Outside the cities you don’t hear much at all, except the wind and weather and maybe animals sometimes.
 
So it’s quiet and I like that.
 
Seasons
 
I’m glad we have four seasons in Montana. It’s good to live in a place where the trees change color, the air changes temperature, and even the water takes different shapes throughout the year.
 
I lived in some places where you get a super cold winter but no snow. It’s nice to have snow.
 
I can say that because I’ve lived in places where it rains all the time. I’d rather wipe off snow than have rain soak in.
 
It’s nice to feel the anticipation of the changing seasons – it gives you something to look forward to.
 
Our Dams
 
I’m thankful we have so many dams in Montana that supply us with all our electric needs. More, we can sell this power out of state for a profit.
 
I wish we still owned it, or at least that it was owned locally. Not sure it ever really was, though, at least not after the rich businessmen built the first dams in the early-1900s.
 
Regardless, we have good sources of power. There may be some environmental damage because of that, but it doesn’t concern me too much.
 
I’m glad we had smart people a long time ago that gave us this great resource.
 
Snow Plows
 
I’m real thankful we have snowplows and snowplow drivers. I think about this when I go down McDonald Pass in the winter, heading to or from Helena.
 
They keep the highways and interstate in good shape. I wish the city crews did as well (especially on 6th Avenue in Helena), though they do a pretty good job too. Maybe we just don’t have as many plows as the state.
 
Anyways, it’s nice to have passable roads in winter.
 
Neighborliness
 
In Montana you know that the people living around you are good people. This is a good thing.
 
You don’t have to worry about locking your door all the time, you can leave your car running in the morning without worries.
 
If you have problems your neighbors will usually help you out. Most are happy to lend a hand or let you borrow something.
 
The people we live around are happy to help our businesses too. In Montana many people like to go to local businesses before chain stores or national retailers.
 
So it’s nice to have people living next door, around the block, and across town that are good and nice and will help you.
 
Commiseration
 
I’m glad I can commiserate with people in Montana. Nearly everyone is, has been, or knows someone that’s:
 

• Down on their luck;
• Living paycheck-to-paycheck;
• Having troubles with the law;
• Going through a rough patch;
• Having family issues;
• Dealing with medical bills;
• Sorting through legal issues;
• Having a helluva time of it.

 
So most people can identify with whatever it is you’re going through.
 
Everyone knows what it’s like to have weather problems, car troubles, or work/life dilemmas.
 
Most people in Montana have been through it or know someone who has. They don’t judge as much, or if they do, they at least let you know they’ve been there.
 
So it’s accepting and forgiving.
 
There are many more things I’m thankful for but that’s probably enough for this holiday.

​Thanks for reading!