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In deciding whether my daughter would walk to kindergarten, like any parent, I assessed the risk involved. Now that she’s in high school, we have different risks to consider. Risk management is something we all do every day. Monopoly utilities like NorthWestern Energy, Montana Dakota Utilities, and rural cooperatives also manage risk. As regulated utilities, NorthWestern and MDU are required to file a plan with the Public Service Commission evaluating the most cost-effective way to serve Montanans, considering all resource alternatives. N...
I've heard that phrase several times since moving back to the area and starting my position as the Seeley Lake Game Warden. I'd like to thank everyone I've met, from the bottom of my heart, for being so welcoming! This monthly column will be a place I can inform the community about important Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks information, dates and opportunities, as well as an expression of my creative side. I hope you enjoy! As the sun dips beneath the lodgepole horizon, I smile. It's the end of ye...
It's week three here at the Legislative Session and things are off and running. For the last 16 years, the bureaucracy in Helena has been told from on high that the best way for them to affect positive change in the lives of Montanan's was to be intimately involved in most of the decisions we make as individuals, towns and communities. You see it every time you interact with government, these days it almost feels like you need to get a permit to sneeze. We are looking to reverse that trend in He...
There was a time many moons ago I had a young stud quarter horse. He's lineage went to King P-234 and Peter Mc Cue. That's to those who knew the history. Anyway, this here horse, like many studs, liked to nip. I had him in a box stall and once as I walked by he quick reached out and grabbed my shoulder. Well sir there went part of my wool jacket. Think'n he got away with it, he retreated to the other side of the stalls as if to say, "Gotcha!!" So I was tell'n my great nabor, a good devout...
This week we gave the Oath of Office, promising to uphold the constitutions of the United States and Montana. This 67th Legislative Session proves to be a unique one, and as we begin, I want to thank the legislative staff who have done a tremendous job of making sure we may safely do our work. Many people have asked me what I hope to do for you all. This is my first time ever serving in the legislature, so the learning curve will be steep! That having been said, the primary answer to the...
Greetings, If you were wondering about current vaccination protocol, the Missoula City-County Health Department has a new web address, https://www.missoulainfo.com/ that will keep us up to date about the Phases of Vaccine distribution as set by Governor Bullock. You can also call 406-258-4636 to get current information. On the website, there is a tab at the top titled Vaccination; within it is a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers. At the top of the list is the question-Who will get t...
Since it's the holiday season, I believe it's fitting to describe some psychological traits associated with the season. During this season, people are more open, kinder and giving to others. Even to people they don't know! Why is that? There are many possible answers but let's explore a few from a psychological perspective. First of all, people let their egos (sense of identity and control) relax a bit. This means they are less territorial, less argumentative and less adamant about being right....
That there word sounds kinda like it is used by some foreign guru sitt'n there in front of his little shrine call'n bad karma down on his enemy. But I liked the way my dear Mother used to put it "What goes around comes around," or she'd say "Careful how you treat others. It will come back to you." Anyway, it put me in mind of a timber cutter I worked with at Cape Pole Alaska. That is on Prince of Wales Island of course. Most of the time you suffered through no lunch or maybe a bite off a...
Happy Holidays! I'll be writing in periodically with updates about our district and legislative activities. While the 67th Legislative Session for Montana won't officially begin until Jan. 4, folks have been working hard to create a safe and productive session despite the situation of COVID. The pandemic and economy are top priorities right now and we need to ensure taxpayer dollars are used responsibly to direct help where it is most needed. I am hoping for a safe and productive legislative...
HELENA - The Republican and Democratic caucuses recently met in Helena to elect those who will serve in leadership roles during the next session and at the same time, the Revenue and Transportation Interim Committee met to set the "starting point" revenue estimate upon which we will build Montana's next budget. Then, once leadership was elected, they met and decided on committee assignments as well. The House of Representatives will be run by our new incoming Speaker of the House, Wylie Galt...
The Missoula Public Health City-County Health Department is offering a National Diabetes Prevention Program called Prevent T2 starting Jan. 20, 2021. It will continue through December 2021. Prevent T2 is a lifestyle balance program carefully designed to help reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. This course will equip participants with the most recent research in healthy lifestyles. With a focus on nutritional education, physical activity guidance and stress management tools, Prevent T2...
In a recent discussion, some insights became clear about the human psyche (human psychology) and the separation experience due to the pandemic. COVID-19 has forced many of us to experience separation in new and penetrating ways, but it's not new for everyone. Cultures of color in the United States have experienced racism in numerous ways for centuries; separation is usually involved. For example, the Black culture has experienced separation, and therefore racism, as in bathroom use, bus...
Along the back trails of my memories this time of the year was all the hunts and the desire to gather winter's meat. Didn't seem to matter the weather in them there days, hunched up near some cover wait' n to surprise ol' mossyhorns. It all started when I was twelve. Traded an otter hide for an ancient single barrel 12 gauge Stevens. The only way you could open the barrel was drive the pin out, so I left it loaded unless I shot a grouse. Mom was scared to death I'd shoot myself. Told brother...
We are now in Medicare's Annual Open Enrollment Period, Oct. 15 – Dec. 7. It is time to think about your Medicare coverage for 2021. Open enrollment is when Medicare beneficiaries should review either their Part D, prescription drug plan (PDP) coverage or Medicare Advantage plan (MA) coverage and make any changes for 2021, effective Jan. 1, 2021. This year there are 28 Part D, prescription drug plans (PDP) to choose from with premiums ranging from $7.30/month up to $104.70/month and d...
In my early twenties, I worked for a non-profit for survivors of relationship violence and their families. Each survivor I worked with taught me something new about relationship violence and the journey to freedom from violence. In honor of all survivors of domestic violence, I wanted to share what they taught me: 1. Domestic violence can mean many different things. Relationship violence includes: • Physical abuse including slapping, shoving, kicking, hair-pulling, choking, throwing objects, etc., • Sexual assault including any kind of unw...
What do you think you're doing? You can't do that! I don't want you to do that! Do what I say! These are all expressions of authoritarianism. Often, these types of expressions are found in some form of relationship. The more personal the relationship, the more likely this type of expression is directed at the other person without any subtlety. The more distant the relationship, the more subtle the wording and manipulation, but the same authoritarianism is conveyed. In all cases, these are...
We often wonder at what politicians must be think'n when they take their oath to uphold the Constitution, then turn right around and do just the opposite. Perhaps they're think'n--well God knows politicians are prone to lie – it's just the way it is. I like to remind them when they take this oath, they do say "so help me God." Do they even know that their days are numbered? Is it greed or power that clouds their integrity, or perhaps both? Almost every one of them become multi-millionaires in a...
Can I save some of my peas to plant next year, or do I have to buy seeds? There are only complicated answers to your question, not a simple yes or no. Here is a list of things to factor in: Although peas are among the easier seeds to save because the flowers can pollinate themselves, be sure that your peas are open-pollinated. The seed packet will tell you, or it will describe them as an heirloom variety. That means the same thing. If your peas-or any vegetables in your garden-are hybrids, do no...
What season is it? It is Medicare's Annual "Open Enrollment" Oct. 15 – Dec. 7. It is coming up quickly! What can you 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 offers drug coverage. • Switch from...
Guilt and feeling guilty are extremely common. Guilt describes a condition or state of being, while feeling guilty describes, well, a feeling. Why do we experience the two and is it important to ask the question? Let me begin by reminding you that there are four basic emotions: fear, anger, happy and sad. So, it seems that guilt is not a basic emotion. In fact, it's not an emotion at all. Although it is a psychological condition with an associated feeling, it is quite different than an emotion....
Many moons have passed since I took a group on a fishing trip to Lena Lake in the Bob. It consisted of myself, daughter Tracey and two gals from back east, who came recommended by a man I once guided on an elk hunt. Pastor Hodges too, and his cousin, a dentist from Portland, Oregon. That was back before the criminals took over the city. We hired Virgil Burns to pack everything and was furnished horses for the group. Me and Tracey had our own mounts. Arriving at Virg's outfit early there was...
This September I'd like to highlight three excellent programs available to us which can enhance our lives and those we care for. First, Missoula Aging Services is offering two Virtual Caregiver Support Groups which offer a safe place for caregivers to share experiences, advice and practical strategies for managing caregiver responsibilities during the pandemic. All caregivers are welcome, including dementia caregivers. You can participate online or by phone using ZOOM. The evening support group meets the second Monday of every month from 4-5...
For any gardener who has used, or wants to use, an electric shredder for chopping garden debris and turning it into mulch, here is updated information: For years I have used chopped garden plants-even weeds, if they had not yet made seeds-to cover every bit of bare soil in my gardens. Finally, I wore out my shredder and then discovered that a replacement was impossible to find. All the electric "chipper/shredders" are just chippers, useful for dry branches but nothing soft or green. After a...
At the moment, we can ask this question about so many discrepancies in our social lives, but I want to focus on one: people denying the validity of science and scientific findings. Let me begin this way. Centuries ago, Copernicus determined that the earth was not the center of the solar system. The sun was the center. Copernicus was a scientist, using the science of his day to determine his conclusion. Yet, people didn't believe him. The key word here is "believe." His discovery existed over a...
Hello SSHS families, We are rapidly approaching the start to the year! A couple notes to remember. If you have an incoming ninth grader or a new student to town that will be in the high school please get your registration paperwork in ASAP. If you don't have it or cannot find it, please call or stop by the school and we will get you one. We have pushed our start date for school back from Aug. 24 to Sept. 1. On Aug. 31 from 2 - 3:30 p.m. we will have freshman orientation. This will be a time for...
