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Thu, Jan 22, 2026

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PORCH PONDERINGS

by NormaJean AKA Writing Queen

Rated: 13+ · Book · Biographical · #2198921

Norma's Wanderings around a small section of Montana

Well, hey there!
Welcome to Roundup, Montana! If it's a nice day, we'll sit a spell on my porch and talk awhile.

A poem captured my attention the other day.

Even in our sleep, pain which cannot forget 
Falls drop by drop upon the heart, 
Until, in our own despair,
 Against our will,
 Comes wisdom 
Through the awful grace of God.

Aeschylus

What's on your mind today?

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Show Recent Comments

10 Most Recent Blog Comments:

Winter Wonderin' Wanderin'

Jan 18, 2026 at 12:37pm
In response to "Back Again "

Kudos for offering yourself as a test subject. One water slide does not seem like a tourist attraction. Imagine the added maintenance costs and the increased insurance for liability.

Kåre เลียม Enga

Jan 18, 2026 at 3:04am
In response to "Back Again "

There are many ways to make a town tourist friendly. Info is key. And a welcoming open attitude. No invitation = no visitors.

I need to do an entry on Roi Et someday. It's a delightful town in an ancient area. The museum is wonderful.

Soldier_Mike

Jan 18, 2026 at 2:09am
In response to "Back Again "

If I'd known you were gonna be here in town... well, probably nothing. You weren't here for fun and were likely not disposed to frivolity after that lumbar puncture.

It's cool that you're helping with some important research, though.

As you may recall, I've visited about the most southeasterly portion of Montana it's possible to visit by road: the town of Alzada. The B&J Convenience Store got a visit - gas for the car and coffee for me - but I didn't really have time to even visit the Stoneville Saloon, which looks like an interesting place. Since museums and such typically headline any Chamber of Commerce's list of reasons to visit, I don't get what the other Norma could possibly be thinking.

As far as alternative funding sources go, I can spare some GPs, but I don't think that's gonna cut it.

1 Like

Wordsmitty ✍️

Jan 1, 2026 at 11:18pm
In response to "Happy New Year! "

I never thought to use headphones to avoid the nuisance fireworks. Have a happy new year, at least until the next fireworks event or town drama.

Soldier_Mike

Jan 1, 2026 at 11:16pm
In response to "Happy New Year! "

Grandma Wilson - the mother of my dad's brother's first wife - used to do puzzles. She had a card table set aside for them and, if I remember rightly, never worked one with less than 1000 pieces.

I can't remember if she saved them somehow, or took them apart to re-work at some later date, but I'm pretty sure they never graced her walls. That's a nice bit of improv regarding the table; it easily could have lead to a most uncomfortable silence and big hiccup in the proceedings.

Spirit words 🦋📜

Dec 28, 2025 at 2:03pm
In response to "Spirit Time"

That's awesome 😎 you All had a wonderful and supportive time together. It's nice to know people still get together like that! I can almost smell the sage! Thanks for sharing your work also, it's a very visual piece of creativity 😁! Happy holidays 🎄🦌!

Kåre เลียม Enga

Dec 21, 2025 at 12:19am
In response to "Spirit Time"

It's great that you-all gather. Missoula... isn't quite as cozy... my fault, I'm sure.

Lawrence, Kansas... Tulsa, Oklahoma ... all "warmer" imho. But, that was also years ago.

Kåre เลียม Enga

Dec 16, 2025 at 9:36pm
In response to "High Winds "

Around 50 degrees here today. Even a visit by you-know-who who likes to hide behind clouds!

So far, we've missed all the bad weather around us.

Jim

Dec 16, 2025 at 5:39pm
In response to "High Winds "

Love this post of yours! I'd love to live in Montana, but I know my wife wouldn't like the snow you get in the winter. I've been there many times, the first was to meet with my good friend Bill Spencer, he lived in Billings. We drove from there to Idaho Falls for School. December 1973. The last time was 2024, when I went to Kalispell (worked at Hungry Horse Dam) on business. I love your state! I just don't think the winter would be that good for us.

If sounds like you had a nice time being out though. I think we'll visit sometime, Spring, Summer, or early Fall of course!

Kåre เลียม Enga

Dec 12, 2025 at 6:34pm
In response to "Snow Day"

Warmish here on the other side of the divide; but, we both know how fast that can change.

January 17, 2026 at 11:43pm

#1106238

Back Again

Mercy sakes - it has been a long time. I've been busy, as I am sure everyone is.

The last event I had happened just this last week. I am in the beginning testing for the Michael J. Fox Foundation and their research into Parkinson's disease. I currently do NOT have this problem. But perhaps I may be chosen to be part of their monitoring. We'll see what happens.

I am happy to help in any way to find the reason for this disease. I know of two people that have/had this. One person was decades ago. Another is a friend's husband in town.

I answered a survey I received by email, then was sent a questionnaire. I filled that out. Then I received an interesting test - a smell test. Curious little invention. There was a series of booklets, each having scratch and sniff squares on a number of pages. You had to guess the scent on each square. I mailed that back, and in a few months received another. Then take some timed cognitive tests on the computer. THEN they contacted me about doing this research.

Last week I went to Aurora, CO for actual in-person testing. The organization flew me there, provided a hotel and a driver to take me around. I got a per diem for food and whatevers. Then I did bloodwork, 10 tubes, a neurologist exam, more questions then I had a lumbar puncture test.

Ever had that lumbar puncture test done? Well, I have. It's not horribly painful, but no fun nonetheless. But I guess sticking a needle into your spinal column is not a normal event. The doctor performing the test was kind, took great care to do this with as little pain as possible.

I did ask him when was the first lumbar puncture ever performed. He honestly didn't know, but told me he'd look up that history. I did and it was back in 1890 or so. The key is not to sit up immediately, or you'll get a bad headache. That has also happened to me in the past.

Seems there are a few interesting facts about beginning the diagnosis of this disease. Sense of smell is a clue, and acting out dreams or sleep disturbances.

Now that I'm back home, I will change a few things about my diet. I will try to cut back on caffeine. I figure it can't hurt, might help. In many ways.

There is now controversy about a tourism grant idea. The lady in charge of this was at the commissioners meeting yesterday. She is like a bulldog with this concept, and still will not consider the museum being in any way a draw for tourists. So annoying. She wants to build onto the city pool a water slide. The city, last I heard, is not a big fan of the project, due to increased costs like maintenance and insurance.

But this person, whose first name is also Norma, is sure this will be a done deal. $1.5 million. But she only has until January 22 to file the claim. And from what I heard, really she knows nothing about filling out the paperwork or what it all entails as to the immense amount of paperwork going forward.

Another person and I tried to get the museum to be a part of all this. But she shot us down, and then we decided to withdraw our plans. So now we need to find another way to fund a $1.5 million project we had developed.

It should be interesting. But then, life these days is certainly NOT boring.

Comment • View 3 comments

January 1, 2026 at 10:58pm

#1104884

Happy New Year!

Happy new year to all you out there.

It was not too bad last night as fireworks started here in town. I put on headphones and watched the movie "War Horse".

I enjoyed that film again. But this time I paid more attention to the story-telling of the piece. I liked the way the script started in England with a farmer and wife and son. The horse the father bought was to be a work-horse, but is more of a thoroughbred.

So the drama starts with the family. But the horse becomes quite a work-horse, and friend to the son.

Then WWI starts, and the horse is sold to the army with the money helping to save the farm.

So this is when the story gets interesting. WWI of course was horrible. And the horse experiences it in many places.

Finally toward the end, and I'll not give away much of what happens, the horse and son are reunited, through a quite wonderful set of circumstances. And we end up back where it started - at the farm in England.

By the end of the movie, the yahoos in my neighborhood were setting off the most intense fireworks of the night. But soon that quit, as midnight is the end of it all, or so it should be.

Tonight I haven't heard any, so far, and the fireworks stand is gone. So perhaps peace again.

I visited a friend today. She lives alone, except for her cat. Dorothy is my age, but looks 20 years older. We graduated the same year from high school. She, I think, in Montana. Me in Ohio. But we met when I used to volunteer at the senior center doing Meals on Wheels.

Dorothy was in the midst of a smoke break when I arrived. We then sat and talked for a time. She showed me a jigsaw puzzle in the works. She also saves her completed puzzles. They get glued onto her wallpapered walls. Now I have to admit that is something I've never seen before. Dorothy stated she didn't care for the wallpaper, and whoever buys the house after she dies can just do whatever they want to the walls. Not my decorating aesthetic but you do you, Dorothy.

We talked about my last play, and how much she enjoyed one particular scene. It was not in the script, but we covered it well. On stage an actor accidentally messed up a table with props. So the actor playing my boss, screams my character's name. I come stomping out on stage and righted the table, then stomped off again. Sort of in character for a lady's maid, the part I played. Evidently it made a big impression on my friend. She thought it was in the script.

Okay. So we also talked about her no longer doing a Bingo game twice a week, she was the organizer of these games. But after 13 years of doing that, she figured it was time to let someone else take over. Plus there is just too much drama at the senior center now.

There is indeed drama at the center. And it's not good. Claims of mismanagement, blackmailing seniors to pay for something that is donation only, not wanting to comply with state orders. But nothing is happening with shutting them down. Somehow they are managing with donations only to stay afloat. The state is withholding funds until they get their financials in order.

Tomorrow is my day to sit with the county commissioners at their public Friday meeting. I love doing this, and learn a lot about the goings-on in the county. Then I report on this in the local paper. And sometimes it is tough to condense what happens and make it non-political.

But this small town has lots of drama, always something happening to someone that gets everyone all upset. Never a dull moment.

Comment • View 2 comments

December 25, 2025 at 10:21pm

#1104435

Merry Christmas

Today I went to visit a friend in the nursing home. Nothing happening at our home so I spent time with a person who used to live next to us. She had invited me to spend time with her, have a Christmas meal.

E.R. is recuperating after an illness, and has now been permanently ensconced in the local hospital long term care unit. She had to vacate the house she was renting. All her personal belongings shrunk down to fit the small room while the rest got spirited away by her landlord. Even her car was sold. But when you're on Medicaid, you cannot have property, so that's okay.

E.R. is convinced she is not going to be around much longer. She is adamant about this. I've tried to tell her, no, you'll be fine. But now every time I go I come home with some of her treasures. Today I was loaded up with books, note cards, two stuffed animals, and even a Christmas stocking given to her with goodies in it.

Now my motives for going are to first of all check on her, and second to inform her of my goings on. I read to her, share poetry written lately, inform her of the town gossip.

So that is what we did today. Talked about the news of the world, the town news, the drama she experiences at the nursing home. We ate a pretty decent meal and talked about the chef. E.R. is younger than I, pretty sure. But she is adamant, as I stated, that her time on this earth is almost over. When we first moved to Roundup she was our neighbor for at least 5 years. All that time she kept stating that the ship will be here soon to pick her up.

Now I don't know if I believe that, but she sure does. I always kidded with her that I also would be joining her one day. But perhaps the ship would probably take one look at me and say, "Nope, she's too much trouble."

So my Christmas present to E.R. were copies of my two last poems, along with the photographs that accompany them. Perhaps she'll keep them, perhaps not. It doesn't matter. And her gifts to me I carried home and considered what to do with the treasures. As I looked inside a wallet that was in the Christmas stocking, I found cash. Huh. That was curious.

Now I can go back next week and deliver to her the unexpected cash. She will be surprised, I hope.

Curious how life works out sometimes.

Comment

December 20, 2025 at 7:44pm

#1104054

Spirit Time

Another writing session at Pictograph Cave today was fabulous. The weather was okay, no big wind. The sun was out, the temperature was moderate. No snow falling. Perfect for December in Montana.

We had a little introduction by the leader, then off to think and write and walk and be creative. A wood fire lent a bit of cheer and warmth. Someone brought sage to be used for smudging, if you wanted. In case you never heard of this: Sage smudging is a ceremonial practice, primarily among Indigenous peoples of the Americas, where dried sage leaves are burned to create smoke that is believed to cleanse and purify spaces or individuals of negative energy. This ritual often involves setting intentions...

After private time, we met in the classroom of the visitor center. About 20 people attended this session, some professors, some with doctorates, some artists, and some just people who love writing like me.

We read our work, if so desired. Comments were plentiful and uplifting. We actually started calling it our therapy session since many discussions led to tears about past hurts and current personal problems. But in a community such as this, where we all know each other, if not personally close, a safe place to share is precious. We all shared the same love of writing.

Here is the first draft of what I composed, inspired by the rocks and sun and fire, as well as the impact of past civilizations on our world.

STATIC

Spirit

(E)
Pictograph Cave - 12-20-25
#2351740 by NormaJean AKA Writing Queen

Comment • View 2 comments

December 16, 2025 at 5:04pm

#1103773

High Winds

So after the snow and a big melt from temps in the 50s, now we are in a high wind situation.

I woke this morning to the sound of wind, so strong I feared the roof would sail away. It's died down now, but again tomorrow and Thursday they are giving us this warning.

Of course, I don't live in Big Timber. In that area, they routinely get winds up to 80 MPH. I've stayed at a hotel there and the windows in that old place would rattle all night from the wind.

Today I plan, once again, to visit my new Roundup writing friend. I tried yesterday, but never found her home on this gravel back road. I had to use 4 wheel drive to get there, and then I never did find her. Seems no one on that road posts addresses or names. So back home I traveled, in the dark, to call her. We'll try again today.

We want to discuss an upcoming writing event in a few days. Saturday is the solstice celebration at Pictograph Caves in Billings. This state park has a writing events every solstice. The same teacher from the book shop seminar is also holding this event. It will be outdoors- and a campfire is promised. As well as access to the visitor's center if you cannot deal with cold.

I attended the fall equinox event and thoroughly enjoyed being outside and letting the environment speak to me. I wrote

4 Dances

(E)
Poem for Pictograph Cave - 9-20-25
#2348598 by NormaJean AKA Writing Queen

during that afternoon.

As I'm sure everyone knows, the solstice can be summer, approx. June 20, or winter, approx. December 20. These dates are when the sun reaches its northern or southern limits. Then the sun travels back to the next solstice. In between we have the equinox, fall and spring. Equal day and night. It's all about light.

Lately I've been exploring poetry a bit more. A few books from the library, my own book by Garrison Keillor. And keeping ideas in a notebook. New ground to explore. Life currently is a bit challenging on a lot of fronts. I find poetry a good outlet for getting emotions into words.

Comment • View 2 comments

December 12, 2025 at 2:27pm

#1103524

Snow Day

We are in the midst of a winter storm - so far about 6 inches of snow has fallen. Our temperature yesterday was 54° - today it is 9°. I am sitting in the courthouse at a commissioner's meeting. The discussion is about shutting down the courthouse at noon.

So now people are calling and wondering why, since the notice is on local radio and a Facebook page and the county website. Well, the roads are rural and not plowed, the city streets are not plowed, and the state is busy plowing the main routes. Plus the county employees are worried about getting home safely.

Now I wonder about schools today. Perhaps this was the Friday no-school day. Whatever. Hard to keep track of that schedule. There are two in the county, Roundup and Melstone. Plus some students that live 20 miles out of town.

What else is new? Beyond the winter storm, which is bringing much needed moisture to our dry land, not too much. I have read a few little poetry books from the library. I also found my copy of Garrison Keillor's book, "Good Poems for Hard Times". Lot of fun reading some interesting poetry.

I was supposed to meet up with my new Roundup writing friend tonight. Seems like that will have to wait. I don't think I'll be able to reach her house with 6 inches of new snow on an unplowed road. Darn.

Comment • View 1 comment

December 7, 2025 at 7:46pm

#1103169

Winter Snow

It's been a busy time. as usual. Yesterday was the town's Christmas Stroll. I sat all day and visited and helped out at the museum.

The nicest part was sitting and watching the snow fall outside. Perfect to get people in the holiday spirit.

I remembered a photo I took years ago, above Gardiner, MT in the wilderness area on a hike.

So today was a day of recovery, and reconsidering things. I volunteered to help as treasurer for the museum. The current lady is elderly, in her 90's, and just had a bad fall. Now she is in an assisted living facility in WY and probably won't be allowed to come home to Roundup and live alone on her ranch. Somehow we on the museum board knew this would probably happen, as she was treasurer for over 40 years. Yes, that's right. And there is no way she was giving that up. So since I live right across the street, I volunteered to pick up the mail and do bank deposits if needed.

There was a bit of cash just sitting in the museum office today, so I gathered it up and got the checkbook and will make sure things are back on track. But if this becomes permanent, I'll have to drop another activity. So I've been thinking on this all last night and today.

I was talking yesterday to the owner of the local radio station, a friend I know. He invited me to come to his morning show this week, just come in for a chat. He does this all the time. People drop in to talk about what is happening in town. So perhaps in a few days I'll walk on over and do this. But since the show is from 6 AM to 9 AM, I'll have to hustle to get there.

There is another writing event happening on December 20 - to coincide with the Winter Solstice. My new Roundup friend and I will be heading to Pictograph Cave in Billings again for that. It's outdoors, near an open fire. I pray it's not too cold but there is an option of being in the visitor's center if needed. I really enjoyed the last event, so this should be good. I always celebrate the end of darkness and the gaining of a few precious moments of daylight.

Comment • View 2 comments

November 22, 2025 at 9:58pm

#1102198

It's been too long

It's been a while. A long time, I guess. But when you're occupied, busy, stressed, and just generally trying to stay out of trouble, well sometimes writing takes a back seat.

I had a discussion today with a new friend. She and I have attended writing classes together recently. She is very organized in her record keeping and goal setting. So I got motivated.

It's sort of like when you watch those shows about people and their hoarding habits in houses. Then you feel motivated to deep clean your own space. But soon the impulse passes and you're back where you were, stuck in bad habits and spinning your gears.

Anywhoo,
I've had a few exciting things in the past months. My first political rally, EVER. Done. And the other night, my first glimpse of the Northern Lights EVER. Done.

Both of these events were epic. The rally - exciting. I attended with this new friend, so I wasn't on my own. It was good to be with a friend.

The Northern Lights happened on a night when I was on the phone with a friend that lives near Billings, south of me. He mentioned how strong they were right then. So I marched out to my back porch, and ZOWEE! Red, pink, green. And this is in town with street lights. So I mention it to my husband. He comes out and claims it's cloudy, those aren't the Northern Lights. Well, excuse me, yes, no clouds! See the stars just behind the red and green? I don't know if he ever believed me. So I go out to the front yard, and up and down the street people are out and about, kids out and all to see the aurora borealis! So wonderful.

Ribbons of red, pink and green
streaming down from heaven.
Stars blinking behind the veil
hands unseen folding the fabric

It has been wonderful here, warm during the day, but frosty at night. Perfect fall weather. But no rain or snow for weeks. Perhaps we are overdue for some moisture. And cold weather is coming, guaranteed.

Thanksgiving is coming. A cooling trend is now forecast, with single digits and snow by next week. Just in time to muck up travel. Be safe everyone.

Comment • View 2 comments

November 5, 2025 at 4:34pm

#1100938

The Writing Class

I attended all five sessions of a writing class in Billings. I ended staying in the city three of the nights. I found that the Doubletree was too expensive, the Dude Rancher was too cheap, but the Best Western was just right. Just like Goldilocks and Three Bears. Best of all, all three lodgings were within walking distance of the bookstore.

Independent bookstores are great, and 'This House of Books' in downtown Billings is wonderful. I'm sure they loved hosting us, as many bought items before and after our sessions. I found a different Dino book each time, plus a few personal items.

But the best was the interacting with over a dozen strangers, who quickly became casual friends. We gathered to learn, to share, to read and listen to poetry. I did learn about poetry, a type of writing I knew little about.

I learned about different types of poetry. I learned about how to listen to poetry. I learned how to read poetry. I learned about rhyming or not rhyming. I learned about structure or not to structure. But more importantly, the idea that I could express my feelings in poetry more quickly and easily in poetry.

So really it is all about the love of words. How to use them, how to tell a story with them.

One exercise was to create a meaning for a word that really does not exist.

STATIC

Zooglea

(E)
A definition created 10-27-25
#2349352 by NormaJean AKA Writing Queen

I chose that one because of the sound.

Write on!

Comment

October 13, 2025 at 11:43pm

#1099267

Session 1 of Writing Class

Tonight I had the pleasure of attending the first of five writing seminars in Billings. These will cover poetry and prose. They are happening at a wonderful little independent bookstore not too far from a motel where I am tonight.

So as I walked to and from, about 3 blocks, in the largest city in Montana, I wondered at the peace and calm there was. No problems, just a little light snow/sleet at times. A few pedestrians on the sidewalks, but no crowds.

A lady from Roundup will join me for the next one come Sunday. She is another published writer I met at the meeting at Pictograph Cave state park. We feel fortunate to have met one another. She is also the kind heart that gave me flowers at the play a few weeks ago.

We read aloud some selected poems from the instructor.
I really enjoyed this one:

The Bat
By day the bat is a cousin to the mouse.
He likes the attic of an aging house.

His fingers make a hat about his head.
His pulse beat is so slow we think him dead.

He loops in crazy figures half the night
Among the trees that face the corner light.

But when he brushes up against a screen,
We are afraid of what our eyes have seen:

For something is amiss or out of place
When mice with wings can wear a human face.

But then there was 'Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout Would Not Take The Garbage Out'
That was a page and a half long. Hilarious.

From the reading we were to write our thoughts from several prompts. I chose my favorite hiding spot - the basement of our home growing up. And also my first memory which was evidently my bedroom as a toddler.

So the memory story I read, and it went from that bedroom to walking into a tree to always being clumsy to having a brain tumor. Really, it does tie together and I may rewrite that soon.

These sessions are about 2 hours in length and only cost me $15 for each. Oh, and the motel so I don't have to dodge deer at night.

Money well spent to spend time writing and thinking and remembering.

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