Sorted by date Results 133 - 157 of 545
Ah, the holidays. The Fourth has grown on me over the years, it hasn't always been one of my very favorite holidays. Christmas and Easter are always special. The simplicity of Thanksgiving is extra sweet, gathering to break bread and give thanks. But July 4th is more and more remarkable to me as each year goes by. There is a feeling that summer is now finally in full swing. Locals and visitors gather for the parades, brats and burgers with friends and extended families. But it's more than that....
As the COVID 19 pandemic is finally coming to an end, we can now see a light at the end of the tunnel. Businesses are fully open; visitors are coming back to our community and people are just excited to live life again. However, our community still has some critical needs. Many of our neighbors are experiencing isolation and loneliness due to the long-term quarantine period and struggling with declining health and mobility issues. We are fortunate to live in a community where our neighbors are...
I just love June. It is a time of recognition, hope and celebration: the traditions of graduation, Father's Day and weddings. This is a time we can reflect on the potential impact we might have on other people. Reading last week's Pathfinder honoring the kindergarteners, eighth graders and high school graduates just warmed my heart. I enjoyed the diplomas and the honors, the proud families and the excitement for next steps. I am grateful for the teachers who are retiring after long careers of...
I love the four seasons. Each one has special meaning and opportunity. Fall is hunting which I love, have always loved. Yes, I continue each fall to pursue meat for the freezer. Also football, basketball, leaves turning gold, orange and softly falling from the trees, preparing to take a long snooze. Winter is clear and crisp with gorgeous snow or can't-see-a-thing blizzards! Skiing, snowmobiles and icy roads but beautiful none the less. We need the snow to provide the moisture for spring....
Leaving Mosquito Lake and head'n down to Sullivan River, we rode with gutsy Leo in his 14-foot Boston Whaler. Ya'll remember Leo? He killed the griz that attacked him in that compromised position. Leo was in charge, only me and Butch to start the cutt'n. Boy that boat ride in that rip tide about beat us to death. Leo had his D-6 there and stiff leg (walk logs to tie the log raft to) all set up. Van truck with all his tools, chokers, etc, emergency food and in the corner a 30-06. Leo sezs, "Boys...
Along with our gorgeous summer weather, we in the Seeley-Swan Valley have something to celebrate! Seniors who are 60 years of age and older, residents of Missoula County and meet federal income guidelines (one-person household maximum monthly income = $1,986; two-person household maximum monthly income = $2,686; three-person household maximum monthly income = $3,386), qualify to receive $50 worth of coupons to purchase fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables through 2021 Senior Farmers'...
Why consider dreams important? This is a question that is asked so many times. Most people consider dreams valueless or just a recap of the day's events with some memories. In fact, dreams are remarkably rich in expression and one of the most valuable human resources. Without dreams, people eventually hallucinate and are diagnosed with a psychological disorder. That's frightening! We don't, however, have to worry about that extreme, since we all dream, even if we don't remember our dreams. One...
T.S. Eliot wrote in The Ad-dressing of Cats that "A cat is not a dog." While most of us agree, there are more than just the obvious reasons why cats are unique creatures in their own right. Within lithe, compact bodies full of powerful muscles, cats are incredibly resourceful and famously self-reliant. Their ability to live as solitary creatures underscores just how well they can hide illness or disease. Often times it looks like a cat has suddenly developed a limp when, in actuality, a fight...
Several years back I returned for Mom's funeral. I laid eight roses on her casket, one for each of her children – one stillborn. It was a perfect spring day - made me remember all those Memorial Days she took us to this place. To show respect for loved ones and all the service men and women buried there. I didn't linger as they lowered the casket next to a stillborn daughter, Dad and brother Gilbert, who was killed in Germany. They placed a flag there. And years later Brother Wilson, who s...
The Seeley Lake area is renowned for great boating, paddling and fishing opportunities. Every year visitors from across the US come and enjoy the nearly two dozen lakes and rivers here. With the increased visitation from tourists and their boats comes an increased risk of new Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) being introduced into our watersheds. AIS has become increasingly prevalent in the West and Montana has recently seen several outbreaks of non-native species which threaten our aquatic...
I often reflect on the perfection and precision of God's design; on how the leaves and the animals change their colors with the seasons. This past week, however, as my wife and I vacationed in Mexico, I found those reflections focused on God's design for his church, as outlined in Acts chapter 2. My wife and I have been vacationing in Mexico for over 35 years now. In many ways it has become a second home to us. Some 25 plus years ago we discovered a church down there and have attended every visi...
The legislative session came to an end last week. It was truly an honor to serve you and look out for your interests in Helena. Thank you. While on the campaign trail, I tried to make no promises but shared my intent to work hard with my fellow legislators and focus on what we all have in common: a desire to have a good job that pays the bills and puts food on the table...and allows us a bit of time to enjoy with family and friends. This was my first session as a legislator but even experienced...
Missoula Aging Services is offering three excellent classes this spring and two virtual support groups! In the educational courses offered you may participate online using ZOOM. Pre-registration is required online at missoulaagingservices.eventbrite.com or by calling Missoula Aging Services 406-728-7682. 1. Virtual Social Security Workshop: The next class is Wednesday, May 26, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. An additional class is offered July 14, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Cost $10/person with no-cost...
The story of the first homesteaders and the first working ranch in the upper Swan Valley begins in the 1880s with the arrival of Benjamin B. Holland and his son, Charles. According to family accounts, Ben Holland, his wife, and children crossed the Great Plains in a covered wagon. They lived a nomadic life, moving from one place to another, traveling from Missouri to Iowa to Utah to Idaho before settling in Montana. Ben Holland, the patriarch of the family, was born in Missouri in 1841. He...
Could you give me some basic rules about fertilizer? What kind and what brand should I use on the garden? The lawn? Trees? Flowers? Much of the fertilizer that gardeners use is the pelleted kind that we buy in sacks. It offers the basic three nutrients which plants need in the greatest quantities: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. They are the three numbers listed on a fertilizer sack, in that order. Many fertilizers, but not all, also will contain "micronutrients," substances which plants...
Hunting is hunting, fishing is fishing, right? Should not make a difference what it is, my opinion. I've got a pee-down-your-leg, belly laugh story. True, happened last night.... I am a woman who has hunted and fished all her life. I enjoy all types of adventures and especially enjoy hunting. I have hunted many species. Last night. Mouse. I live in a top floor condo. Somehow mice are finding their way in. Me and my Jack Russell girl named Winnie have successfully bagged several. A couple days...
Many moons ago, we were hav'n breakfast at the Hungry Bear. In the booth next to us was Joe Wilhelm and wife. We struck up a conversation 'bout cutt'n timber in Alaska. Joe asked if I'd heard of a place called the Kelsaw? Yes, it was near Mosquito Lake, North of Haines. Joe sez he was there once. Didn't say if he cut there or just looked it over. The years I knew Joe he worked at the Rustics log yard. If ya didn't like Joe, there was something wrong with yer gene pool. When pard and I went...
What does holism have to do with psychology? For that matter, what is holism? The old tale about an elephant and several blindfolded people, touching different parts of the elephant while trying to determine what they're touching, comes to mind. One person touches an ear, another a tail and another a foot. Each exclaims what it is they're touching. Each is wrong, because only a small part of the whole – the elephant – is being touched. In fact, we can never understand the whole from any ind...
It is a true honor to represent you in Helena. Although we have covered a wide variety of topics in the legislative session thus far, I would like to share a few issues we are currently working on: • Building and protecting good jobs, especially in tourism and natural resources. • Guarding the backbone of our democracy: voting rights and integrity. • Making certain high quality public education is accessible for everyone. • Increasing access to broadband and computers for rural communi...
In recent weeks the Montana Legislature has advanced bills to support critical infrastructure and conservation projects across the state. Starting with House Bill 632, Republicans committed to investing the latest round of federal COVID relief dollars in infrastructure, telecommunications and economic stabilization which will support our economy for future generations. While it was fiscally irresponsible for Congress to pile up more national debt, we invested the funds wisely. Several other...
Warming temperatures and clear skies have started to thaw the valley floor. Even though snow will remain at high altitudes for a while longer, grizzly and black bears have emerged from their winter dens. These bears have spent the last few months in torpor, not hibernation- a common misconception! Torpor, defined as a state of physical or mental inactivity, differs from hibernation in one surprising way- bears can- and do- wake up! For example, female bears will awaken from torpor to give birth...
Each year there is confusion regarding the budget for the Sewer District and the Annual Assessment Methodology that is sent to property owners with the cost of the assessment per parcel. I hope to explain the relationship between the two items and point out ways to be involved and give the Board input on the budget and plan of work before the budget is adopted. As you know, the qualified electors did not approve the bonds required to repay the loan portion of the project the District has been working toward for years. Therefore, at the March 18...
This month I would like to share with you an excellent state program to assist with completing your estate planning documents – Phone Legal Document Clinic. The Montana Legal Services Developer Program in DPHHS-Senior and Long-Term Care Division, P.O. Box 4210 Helena, MT 59604 Phone: 1-800-332-2272, provides preparation of estate planning documents for adults 60 and older at no cost. Clinics are conducted one-on-one via the phone. A member of the legal team works with each client to complete t...
Last year I started my tomato plants in walls of water. The walls did protect my plants from cold temperatures, so that I had earlier tomatoes than usual. But one of the walls fell over. By the time I noticed, part of the tomato plant had been smashed under the wall. The plant recovered but never grew as big as the others. Have you ever heard of this happening? Yes, occasionally. It happened to me once, when I first was using walls of water but never again. Let me pass on a few tricks for...
Things have been pretty crazy in the Legislature. We finished up the budget in House Appropriations and it will have moved across the House floor by the end of the week. The budget is in really good working order. We have been coordinating with Senate Finance and Claims to put the finishing touches on it. We said we would hold the line on State spending, delivering to the people of Montana a conservative budget that covered our essential services without any tax increases and that's exactly...
