A friend of mine passed away last week, I got the word via email while we were still on the train journey from Montana to Illinois. Father Paul T. Brouilette was a fine priest, a great preacher, and a terrific musician. He played guitar, and a mean banjo – he had a Pete Seeger model, complete with "this machine kills fascists" motto. He was also an avid runner before being diagnosed with liver disease almost 2 years ago. It’s been a long, slow fight, and we had some hope when he was approved for a transplant. But then the match…

Actually slept last night and a bit this morning. It’s a pretty rough ride, though the people are nice. And heck, the steward just brought us mimosas. Doesnt help the people who’ll miss their connections in Chicago, but it’s pleasant to drink and watch the morning roll by. I saw where @RuthieGledhill (UK religion journalist) was complaining about a "foul, noisy" train between Chester and Euston and pronounced herself glad that Virgin Trains had lost the rights to run an entire area of the UK’s British Rail system. Wonder what she’d make of Amtrak and BNSF? It sure seems that…

Somewhere west of Harlem, MT — Stopped again on a siding, probably waiting for another freight train with higher priority to go by. These are probably the Bear Paw Mountains, or maybe the Little Rockies, according to my Roadside Geology Montana book. Soon the sleeping car attendants will start making the rooms up for what passes for sleep on the train. We’re currently delayed at least 6 hours. No telling how much of the time I’ll be wakeful or snoreful. Or whether I’ll have cell service (David’s been able to get some stuff done, though). Good night! Via: Flickr Title:…

— ginny Life. Short. Dessert NOW Via: Flickr Title: Backtracks By: GinnyRED57 Originally uploaded: 16 Aug ’12, 9.46pm CDT

We’ve shimply GOT to get shum of thish shtuff! Via: Flickr Title: Fourteen Hands Cabernet Sauvignon Was Delicous By: GinnyRED57 Originally uploaded: 16 Aug ’12, 4.23pm CDT

— ginny Life. Short. Dessert NOW Via: Flickr Title: Just Won The Gewürtztraminer in the Trivia Challenge on #Amtrak8 #fb By: GinnyRED57 Originally uploaded: 16 Aug ’12, 4.10pm CDT

— ginny Life. Short. Dessert NOW Via: Flickr Title: Grouse Mountain Lodge Weather Report: Sunny By: GinnyRED57 Originally uploaded: 10 Aug ’12, 5.37pm CDT

— ginny Life. Short. Dessert NOW Via: Flickr Title: Tudy On Deck Ready For Stargazing By: GinnyRED57 Originally uploaded: 7 Aug ’12, 3.45pm CDT

— ginny Life. Short. Dessert NOW Via: Flickr Title: Lunch With Boats By: GinnyRED57 Originally uploaded: 5 Aug ’12, 3.44pm CDT

— ginny Life. Short. Dessert NOW Via: Flickr Title: Dinner with boats By: GinnyRED57 Originally uploaded: 4 Aug ’12, 8.02pm CDT