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Times Of Day Or Night
Author: Bill Garwood

Times of Day or Night

A few years ago, I wrote an article about the different “shifts” during the day, of people in and leaving our restaurants & bars. I thought about that this week. Observation is a great way to get to know an area or village. I’d love to walk around and photograph the locals at their normal business day, but somebody would call the Police. “Hey, that crazy Army guy is wandering around Townsend taking pictures of everyone”. No, thank you, I don’t think I’d like my photo on the Post Office wall.

Watching our town wake up and then slowly go to sleep is entertaining. Also informative, the way a friendly small town reacts to visiting tourists and just everyday local folks. This brings the feeling of home to many who have chosen to live here. We all need to look at our town and understand how unique and special we have it here, “our hometown”. Safety and happiness with the people we know.

As much as I’d love to sleep late, that’s not happening. So, I am out the door at 6:45 am to go to the Gym / Fitness center, and as I drive through town, I see the lady in the Insurance company already at her computer. Busy staying ahead of people’s problems.

The restaurants (Mint & Bread & Butter) are all ready, with their signs out or lit up. Ready to serve those early risers who need to get on with their business.

Copy Cup already has a line up to their window for the folks who need their morning coffee. We don’t want them to go berserk at work, not having had their incredibly strong cup of Joe!

The breakfast crowds show up and get busy chowing down: need that energy to move and shake in life. The good folks who deliver our mail are all over town running from business to business, dropping off the all-important supplies and well-wishing cards. Our local waste management is hauling already, and Police officers are on patrol. (I am not saying a word about them at the Donut Shop.) As mid-day comes around, the lunches are served, and the army of UPS drivers shows up from Helena, along with the Federal Express folks.

Our local ranchers are getting their cattle, hay, and lumber trucked through town. The loud trains are running on their tracks, scaring the crap out of people as they blow their horns. All in all, a bustling country town.

As the sun finally starts to set, the town takes on a beautiful blue glow. (Ask any photographer about evening blue light.) People start to gather for evening brews or libations, games of pool, and gambling. After several hours of business, things settle in for the night.

You should walk around really looking at the homes in town after dark, there is a quiet dignity and warmth of lighted windows in homes - don’t go peeking! There is just a quiet feeling! This is nice and brings a happiness to the heart. It’s then you realize, you are home! As the old Buffalo Bills coach used to say, “Where else would you rather be?”