I will be away for about three weeks. My wife and I are traveling to see family. This will be the last post until I return.
Thank you for your readership. I will look forward to catching up my blog during the second half of July.
Do you enjoy writing or reading poetry? Most of the posts on Big Sky Buckeye are filled with poetry, but I also share short stories, photography, and a few surprises along the way. You are invited to sit a spell and find something you like. I enjoy sharing my curiosity through my writing. You are welcome to like, comment, follow, share, or reblog a post.
The tabs at the top of this page offer quick access to my most recent posts and quotes. Additional tabs allow you to check out older posts dealing with the themes of Christian and general poetry, short stories, and other posts.
Big Sky Buckeye has been in motion since October, 2018. After retiring from teaching after 40 years, I was looking for a place to land. It has been a welcome blessing to meet other writers and readers.
My wife is also a gifted writer in her own right. She published her first book in July, 2025. With a theme of Christian family, BITS ‘N’ PIECES OF MY HEART, offers an outlet for her love of Jesus. The book is filled with short stories, poetry, and devotions for more mature readers. For younger children she shares energizing activities and fun songs. Her book is available on most online bookstore sites.
Today, I am pausing to reflect on my writing journey. Perhaps it is the teacher in me that wants to share these thoughts. I am definitely a “rookie” when it comes to writing, but I feel energized each day with my writing, which never seems to be a chore.
These points are written in no particular order. Just call them ramblings of a curious writer, who is enjoying his retirement while finding a new passion to fill some of his time.
Originally published on November 7, 2018. At this time, my writing and blogging were entering their second month. I have decided to share these reflections again. Feel free to comment about your own writing journey.
Big Sky Buckeye has been growing since its inception back in October, 2018. My enthusiasm for writing continues to fulfill the frequency of its posts.
Lately, I’ve been falling behind in keeping up with readers’ comments shared on my posts. In addition, I want to devote more time for reading and commenting on other bloggers’ sites. This interaction with readers and writers is essential for my own personal journey.
I have decided to make changes in the frequency of my daily posts. Instead of posting each day, Big Sky Buckeye will feature posts on alternating days of each week.
This week’s posts will be published on Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. The following week’s posts will be published on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. This alternating bi-weekly schedule will continue in the coming weeks.
I appreciate each of you so very much. God’s peace be with you all.
Welcome to “Behind the Scenes.” Today, we have returned to visit with Richard, the creative voice behind the writing journey of Big Sky Buckeye.
Welcome back Richard. It is a pleasure visit with you again.
You have mentioned previously that your first years of teaching took place at Plevna High School, which is located in a small farming and ranching community in southeastern Montana.
Yes, I moved to Plevna for the 1978-1979 school year. Today, I would like to shine the spotlight on two of my high school students.
Both of these gentlemen graduated in 1980. While their lives shared some commonalities, they each had far different backgrounds.
Paul Neumann and Loyd Ketchum played on the boys basketball team. As starting guards, they helped to lead the Plevna Cougars to a district tournament championship. Their team’s efforts earned the school’s first title in nearly 20 years. While Paul’s gifted touch allowed him to be the playmaker, Loyd was recognized for his hard-nose defensive play.
Paul was a town kid. His father ran a service station along the highway, and his mother operated a beauty salon. Paul’s musical talents were extraordinary as he played keyboard and trumpet.
Loyd grew up on a ranch outside of town. His parents raised beef cattle and quarter horses. His mother was an accomplished rodeo barrel racer.
Paul had always dreamed of becoming a member of a rock band. While many in the town were not too sure about his career choice, Paul would persevere and see his dream bear fruit.
In 1986, Paul (using his professional name of Paul Daniels) was a founding member of the heavy metal band, Rox Diamond. Paul played keyboard and served as one of the band’s vocalists. Paul’s band would remain active well into the 2000s.
Loyd was destined to find success on the rodeo circuit. He became a world champion bullfighter in professional rodeo. Sometimes called rodeo clowns because of their colorful attire, these men were gifted athletes who looked out for cowboys when they were bucked off of a brahma bull.
Loyd’s skills were evident for several years on both the PRCA and PBR circuits. His efforts were best described with this phrase, “Bullfighting with class and finesse.”
Sitting here thinking of these two men and their hopes and dreams, they each made a name for themselves as well as making the community of Plevna proud.
We have appreciated spending time with Richard from Big Sky Buckeye. Look for more “Behind the Scenes” in future postings.
Here is a recent recording from Rox Diamond (dated 2018). If you are a fan of heavy metal music, this might interest you to listen in.
Here’s a short video clip of bullfighters Loyd Ketchum and Justin Hawks from 1997. Look out Loyd, here comes Georgie Porgie!
On January 19, my wife and I headed to Montana to help with home care for my Mom. We had little idea what we would experience over the next two months.
Shortly before Christmas, she fell in her home and fractured her left hip. Following surgery, her initial care moved from the hospital to a rehabilitation facility. When we arrived, she had just returned to her home of 30+ years.
One of my brothers had been helping out during our Mom’s hospitalization, rehabilitation, and return back home. We intended to give him a respite to spend time with his family.
We are so thankful for the many warm wishes and prayers that we have read and heard. God’s presence has been with our family and our Mom during these many weeks of home care and rehabilitation.
Mom’s recovery has been a blessing. She still has more physical therapy to work through, and she cannot live alone at this time. Her progress has been an inspiration to many others.
Having returned back to my home in Ohio, I will resume my regular writing on Big Sky Buckeye. While I didn’t have much time to write while I was away, there are many posts waiting in the wings. I look forward to reading your blogs and catching up with each of you.
Greetings Big Sky Buckeye readers! As you read this post, I am heading to my native state of Montana with arrival today (January 21), and I will not return back to my home in Ohio for about a month.
My mother is recovering from surgery to repair a broken hip, and she needs help from my wife and I. I will not be publishing anything until I return home.
While I am away, I will be turning off my comments until I return. Since my mother doesn’t have an Internet connection, it would be challenging to keep up any type of blogging schedule.
My mother will need our care pretty much around the clock. Your prayers are welcome and appreciated.
I apologize for not being very active in reading other blogs the past several days. My plate has been pretty full, and our travel plans changed from our original dates.
In case you are looking for me (but I’m not Waldo), you can check out the highway map at the top of this post. A few of you may know which city is my hometown from previous posts or in sharing comments.
Thank you for your patience and please take care.
Welcome to “Behind the Scenes.” Today, we have returned to visit with Richard, the creative voice behind the writing journey of Big Sky Buckeye.
Welcome back Richard. It is a pleasure visit with you again.
You have mentioned previously that much of your previous teaching experience takes place in Montana. It would be wonderful to hear more about your journey from those years.
With 40 years in the classroom, a total of 29 take place in Montana. Here’s a narrative about the first of four stops under the Big Sky.
My teaching career starts in the southeastern corner of the Treasure State. Nestled in the quiet hillsides and prairie, Plevna will be my home for three years (1978-1981).
The community’s economic lifeline is tied to farming and ranching. Founded in 1909, this small town in Fallon County provides a home for about 200 citizens, and it is situated about 80 miles from Miles City. Bulgarian railroad workers on the Milwaukee Road line will name the town after one in their home country.
Being one of the rookies on the staff, here are some interesting details from teaching in Plevna:
Despite its small size, Plevna is home to four churches: Congregational, Baptist, Catholic, and Lutheran.
In future posts, I will write more about my other Montana teaching stops.
We have appreciated spending time with Richard from Big Sky Buckeye. Look for more “Behind the Scenes” in future postings.
Welcome to “Behind the Scenes.” Today, we have returned to visit with Richard, the creative voice behind the writing journey of Big Sky Buckeye.
Welcome back Richard. It is a pleasure visit with you again.
You have been writing and blogging for two years. What have you treasured most from this experience?
One of the gems I have enjoyed most is exchanging comments and thoughts with other bloggers and writers. When I first arrived at WordPress, I didn’t expect to establish dialogues with so many wonderful people.
Here are a series of short questions. We are sure your readers would enjoy learning a bit more about you.
Favorite Book
One of my favorite books is Blind Your Ponies by Stanley Gordon West. The fictional story is set in a small town in southwestern Montana. Having lived and taught in some smaller communities in Montana, I can identify with the setting and the surrounding area.
Favorite Music
I still enjoy much of the music from my youth (60s and 70s oldies). Current music tends to be pop or country.
Favorite Architectural Marvel
Growing up in Billings, Montana, I was always in awe of the Moss Mansion, which was built in 1903 by businessman P. B. Moss. His last remaining family member was still living in the house during my high school years. The home is mentioned in a feature published earlier in: Visit the Magic City.
Favorite Quote
From a high school commencement from many years ago, the keynote speaker left a treasure with the graduates: “Promise less, deliver more.”
Grade School Memory
In the 6th Grade, my teacher (Mike Hink) required his students to write with a fountain pen. He even refilled our empty pens with more ink when needed.
Favorite Spot to Hangout
With my enjoyment of coffee and books, I have always welcomed a visit to Barnes and Noble.
We have appreciated spending time with Richard from Big Sky Buckeye. Look for more “Behind the Scenes” in future postings.
Photo by Daria Shevtsova on Pexels.com
Welcome to “Behind the Scenes.” Today, we are visiting with Richard, the creative energy behind the writing journey of Big Sky Buckeye.
Welcome back Richard. It is a pleasure visit with you again.
You have been writing and blogging for about 19 months. Why did you start writing and sharing here on WordPress?
Following my retirement from teaching, I was looking for an outlet for my energy and time in the fall of 2018. With some encouragement from others, I took the plunge with a goal of writing poetry. My first poem was “Early Morning Moments.”
Watching the flame dance in early dawn
Feeling the warmth of a new born fawn
Warmed by an early morning, blazing fire
Viewing a hungry deer jumping over a wire
Enjoying a comforting warmth from the fireplace
Seeing a startled pair running to a new place
Dreaming of a day to stay inside by the flames
Looking out of a window to see deer playing games
You are quite creative with your writing. In the past, have you pursued any musical interests?
My first taste of formal music was with instrumental music, beginning in the fifth grade as I played clarinet. I continued to play through the ninth grade until more and more of my time went into athletics in high school. I haven’t really played since the late 1970s, and the clarinet has been passed down to two of my daughters.
Several years ago when I was teaching in Montana, I sang in the church choir. This was a wonderful experience in sharing with the congregation our appreciation of singing some favorite hymns.
Before we wrap-up, please tell us of some your interests outside of writing.
I enjoy traveling, and my wife and I have enjoyed two highway trips during the past couple of summers when we meandered and found our way back to Montana to see family. Without a need to return home on a tight schedule, we enjoyed taking the scenic route through different states, towns, and attractions.
As some readers have found, I enjoy sharing my love of nature photography in my blog’s Photo Gallery. While I don’t profess to be an excellent photographer, I have found the time well spent in taking photos while traveling or even walking through a nature park near my home.
An early March walk at Walnut Woods Metro Park offers a view of an old farm building framed with an opening in the trees along the border of the park.
We have appreciated spending time with Richard from Big Sky Buckeye. Look for more “Behind the Scenes” in future postings.
Big Sky Buckeye 