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1) Have your septic tank system inspected and pumped regularly Sludge in large quantities can only be eliminated by a professional pumper. You should have a pumper inspect your septic system to determine if the accumulation of solid waste is too high and needs to be removed. It is recommend the average septic system should be inspected every 3-5 years. Five key factors that influence the frequency with which you'll need to have your septic system pumped: household size, total wastewater...
Happy New Year all. I hope you had a healthy and happy holiday season and are now finding yourselves ready to take on 2022. Wow, it's hard to believe it's already 2022 - every year there is a bit of awkwardness around saying or writing a new year, somehow it just doesn't feel normal. That having been said, if we've learning nothing from the past two years, it's how to function with hiccups and uncertainties: having to cancel plans with family and friends, how to work on Zoom meetings instead of...
As the New Year begins, we'd like to share a story with you of how a local family was able to fulfill their promise. Local residents like Les and his family can find support to navigate life's changes at Missoula Aging Services. After serving in World War II and then working for the railroad for 25 years, Les was happy to retire in the beautiful Bitterroot Valley. Les' retirement didn't last long. He was soon back keeping busy as a clerk at the local Post Office but that initial feeling stuck...
What is a dog symbol? For that matter, what is a conditioned instinct? Well, when we look at dreams, most images in dreams are symbols. Symbols are expressions from the human psyche (our psychology and more) that have deep and varied meanings. A dream image of a car, for example, is a symbol with a variety of meanings, such as the way we move through life. Frequently the symbol of a dog in a dream represents a conditioned instinct. To understand this, we must ask: What is a conditioned...
Readers of the Pathfinder have enjoyed the special feature “20/35 Year Look Back” during this past year. Since Double Arrow Ranch was in existence 35 years ago, let’s take a look at what it was in 1986 (35 years ago), and how it had changed by 20 years ago in 2001. In 1986, the most recent phases of the Ranch were eight years old. While it was an established subdivision, in many ways it showed its youth. The Homeowners Association as we know it today, Double Arrow Ranch Landowners Association (DARLOA), was still coming into existence. Since...
It's that holiday time of year when we give thanks and gifts to our neighbors, friends and family. I want to let you know how grateful I am for you. It truly is an honor to represent our district. November was an especially busy month legislatively. I attended the national conference for legislators and I learned a great deal on everything from economic issues to bringing dignity back to politics and I was asked to present on college access and affordability. In order to address the housing...
Missoula Aging Services (MAS) announced the expansion of a program to connect older adults with online resources, family and friends. Technology can address many of the challenges associated with social isolation during the pandemic but some of our older neighbors have limited access to computers or an Internet connection. Others have outdated equipment without cameras or microphones, leaving them unable to take advantage of telehealth opportunities to stay connected to their physicians. MAS...
Many, many, moons ago whenever I took to the hills, there was some good advice in that famous packers guide and artist Joe Backs book, "Horses, Hitches and Rocky Trails." Have yer check list so ya don't forget. Elk season com'n up so I went over my list like them folks go'n over Obama's birth certificate. Yup, looked good at the time. Sett'n up the wall tent with Indian autumn com'n on sure was grand out here in the great outdoors. Had the ponies on the high line out back. Gave'um a little hay...
Thanks to advances in veterinary medicine and increased nutritional knowledge, many animals are living longer lives. This means there are more and more senior pets out there who tend to have specific needs. In general, most veterinarians consider a dog or cat who is older than seven years to be a senior pet. Most pet parents will notice things like more grey hair or a slower pace as their animal companions age but there can also be subtle changes that people don't always realize are a symptom...
HOW DOES YOUR SEPTIC SYSTEM WORK? The septic tank holds the wastewater from homes or businesses until solid debris settles at the bottom of the tank (the sludge layer) and lighter waste, such as oil, rises to the top (the scum layer). Between the two layers lies the effluent liquid, which flows into an outlet pipe and is gradually dissipated through a drain field. Bacteria in the septic tank naturally break down organic waste matter and slows the accumulation of the sludge layer. WHAT IF THERE...
Depression is a common affliction. The percentage of people suffering from depression is staggering. Of course, the pandemic contributed to these numbers, but even before the pandemic the numbers were staggering. There are many ways to define depression. I want to use descriptions, not definitions. Depression is experienced as feeling low -- not having much energy for daily events or situations. Sleep tends to be affected, as well as thinking and focus. Depression affects appetite, and a person'...
Missoula Aging Services is hosting Medication Review appointments in partnership with the University of Montana Skaggs School of Pharmacy. The hour-long appointments will be with both a UM Pharmacy student and a supervising licensed pharmacist and will be available Wednesday and Thursday afternoons through Dec. 7. The Medication Review appointments are available for people aged 55 and older who are currently taking five or more medications. To better serve the residents of Seeley Lake, these...
What a glorious September we had: sunshine, minimal smoke and still a busy economy. I recently had a lovely visit with Grace at Mission Mountain Mercantile and Nathan, wearing his hat as chair of the Seeley Lake Chamber of Commerce. I appreciate their time and dedication to our community. If I haven't reached out to you yet and you have something to share, please call me and let's set up a time to visit! Government is here to help, not hold you back with red tape and taxes. Okay, speaking of tax...
What season is it? It is Medicare's Annual "Open Enrollment" which happens, Oct. 15 – Dec. 7 and is coming up quickly! What can Medicare beneficiaries do during "Open Enrollment"? • Change from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan. • Change from a Medicare Advantage Plan back to Original Medicare. • Switch from one Medicare Advantage Plan to another Medicare Advantage Plan. • Switch from a Medicare Advantage Plan that doesn't offer drug coverage to a Medicare Advantage Plan that offe...
When young children play together, they often begin to assume the behaviors and dress styles of their peers. They tell their parents how they want to dress and are adamant about what is acceptable as "in" and what is considered "out." In school, being a member of an "in" clique is critical. Being an outcast is devastating for anyone outside the clique. Being inside, usually means members talk, think, dress, behave and assume attitudes that are similar to each other. They mimic each other....
Many veterinary clinics are implementing routine Wellness Exams. These are examinations of pets who appear healthy. These physical exams also include questions about your pet's lifestyle with a focus on maintaining an ideal well-being for your pet. How often your pet should have a Wellness Exam depends upon their age and breed. In general, puppies and kittens should have monthly Wellness Exams, adults can be seen annually, and seniors should have semi-annual Wellness Exams. It is commonly...
Anthropomorphism (pronounced: ann-throw-poe-MORF-ism) is the term used to define when we give animals (or inanimate objects such as rocks & trees) human characteristics. Here are a few examples: "Gus" is the world's largest Western Larch Tree and a full-time resident of Seeley Lake Montana. He is over 1,000 years old, 160 feet tall, 34 feet around. He has seen countless changes in human activity and loves his local celebrity status. Just south of Helena Montana is the "Sleeping Giant", a...
During its reorganization period, the Sewer Board has developed an "Action Plan." The purpose was to create a working document that would guide the actions of the board over the foreseeable future. This is a living plan that will be updated as time goes on but will form a foundation for moving forward. The areas of focus, with sub-points, are: 1. Improve communication throughout the District. Securing member contact information to use for surveys, digital newsletters, share information,...
I often think of September, and not January, as the new year in our calendar. Kids are with new teachers, summer vacations are over and we're all settling back into a routine of sorts. It's a time to reflect on the last year and look ahead to the upcoming year. I've been thinking about the concept of "We the people..." and the opportunities we have to work together to solve problems. I always want to under-promise and over-deliver, but I will say, as your senator, representing our district in...
Last spring the voles really did a number on my plants. They ate the bark off trees and the roots off several flowers and bushes. Is there any way to prevent damage next spring? Yes, but there is no single miraculous cure for stopping vole damage. There are various ways to reduce it. Usually, the solutions work best when combined and the time to start vole control for next spring is now. Voles-not moles-are the culprits. Moles live underground, as do voles. However, moles are smaller than voles...
Happy Fall, Now that temperatures are dipping it is once again time to apply for Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) and Weatherization. The State of Montana, through the Department of Public Health and Human Services, offers two programs to help individuals reduce their heating costs. LIEAP pays part of winter energy bills for eligible people and the Weatherization Program helps participants improve the heating efficiency of their homes and thus reduce energy consumption. When and...
Many moons ago, while be'n a glutton for punishment, I made a trip to the wild horse corrals near Sparks, Nevada to get a couple of broomtails. While wait'n on things to happen, I noticed a black man showed up to guard the gate. Seemed a little bored there all by himself. He had to check on everyone's invite 'cause some radicals were lurk'n about to disrupt proceedings. Anyway, I moseyed over to chat with him, introduced myself, he likewise sez his name was Jim. I shook his hand, looked him in...
What could conscious evolution possibly mean? Well, we know that consciousness is an awareness of people, events, objects and ourselves. We also know that evolution is a natural process that results in species, for example, surviving for a period of time (long or short), and that characteristic traits form for the different species. Usually, species adapt to their surroundings. So, conscious evolution means a changing consciousness that adapts to the surroundings, or lives, of humans, resulting...
There's still some of us around that milked the cows by hand. My first encounter with this age-old routine came when I was 11. I'd been hired out to Uncle Lesile for the summers' hay'n. A bad storm left us without power and so there we were at 5 a.m. milk'n 24 cows by hand. Uncle, wife and me. Their children were grown and gone. Uncle milked seven, Marie 16 and me one. Otherwise, Marie never went to the barn. And she was ex-city gal from California. The Golden State was a different place back...
Summertime in Montana brings warmer temperatures, blue skies, and blooming wildflowers. This summer, however, much of Montana is blanketed in smoke, and the lack of moisture paired with record heat waves is causing some unexpected consequences. Seeley Lake has always been a destination for fishing and water-based recreation in the summer- for both locals and tourists alike. This summer, particularly, the conditions have created a perfect storm, bringing humans and bears closer together. My...
