Search where?

This Portfolio (normajeantrent)

All of Writing.Com

◄ January ►
S	M	T	W	T	F	S
			1	2	3	4
5	6	7	8	9	10	11
12	13	14	15	16	17	18
19	20	21	22	23	24	25
26	27	28	29	30	31
Archive				RSS

Create New Item

Read & Review

Community

Browse By Type

Browse By Genre

Writing Resources

Monday, Jan. 20, 2025

12:16pm EST

Members: 911

Guests: 1,907

Total Online: 2,818

PORCH PONDERINGS

by QueenNormaJean snow finally!!!

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.

"All the resources we need are in the mind.” Theodore Roosevelt, our 26th President of the United States of America.

I am the Captain of my ship.
God is my co-pilot.
Often I sail stormy seas,
Am flung onto rocky shores.

What's on your mind today?

Signature for use by anyone nominated for a Quill Award in 2020

Signature for nominees of the 2019 Quill Awards

Show Recent Comments

10 Most Recent Blog Comments:

Beacon's Anchor

Jan 13, 2025 at 7:29pm
In response to "Everyone is mad about something"

Yup, the wildfires are still going and its really sad to see the families lose their homes. On the News, one woman said, her parents got fire insurance and the insurance company cancelled on them without them knowing about it. That made me wonder why the insurance did that.

We got winds for sure and we have driven on Pacific Coast Highway (PCH for short), well I loved going to Santa Barbara but on the way, I would admire the houses. Now since the wildfires burned the houses down, I know I'm going to cry, if we go back to Santa Barbara. It is sad to see it happening.

I was hoping MT. Wilson would not get into the wildfire because I wanted to go back up there and see the observatory again. From up there, on a clear day, you can see Downtown LA from up there. Also you can see LA from Griffith Park observatory near the Hollywood Sign.

If you ever come to California, you have to go to the Observatory because they hold history and it's really interesting to know the solar system.

An apple a day....

Jan 4, 2025 at 1:51pm
In response to "Lots of Snow - at last! "

I'm sure that knitting was difficult but it sounds like the sense of accomplishment made up for it. Good for you! I use to knit a lot but haven't for a long time now...make a simple shawl the last and need to wear it to get a sense of purpose!

I've never been to Montana but photos are beautiful...being in snow, not so much. I'm very used to and content in warm weather. We are having a cold snap at the moment...it is January and even winter here in Gainesville, Florida. Forecasters say next week is to be colder...brrr. I'm looking forward to spring!

Wordsmitty ✍️

Jan 4, 2025 at 2:42am
In response to "Lots of Snow - at last! "

And here I thought you just sat around staring out the window wishing for snow. Guess wishes come true.

Sounds like a happy new year is starting. Glad to see your hand is much better. Hopefully, the more knitting you do will get it back like the good old days.

Wordsmitty ✍️

Dec 30, 2024 at 2:40pm
In response to "Snow at last"

Snow falling gently without a wind is so relaxing. Hope it lasts. Enjoy.

lucky dog

Dec 26, 2024 at 9:49pm
In response to "Day After "

It Christmas sounds a like ours. No gifts only for one daughter small trinket kind of stuff. We're not looking for snow, we in a drought so were looking for rain. We had a good Christmas and I enjoyed reading about yours.

Kåre เลียม Enga

Dec 22, 2024 at 8:37pm
In response to "Blood Draw "

They could 'get the blood out but not back in' or something to that effect. Darn.

... as every vampire well knows ...

1 Like

Lazy Writer est 4/24/2008

Dec 18, 2024 at 6:03pm
In response to "Dry eyes!"

I have dry eyes also plus macular dystrophy. Seeing eye dr tomorrow will ask about it. Never knew it could be that serious.

Kåre เลียม Enga

Dec 3, 2024 at 9:43pm
In response to "Epic Snow"

Yes. I remember those snows.

Maybe 1 inch in Missoula but what would I know?

No snow in Thailand.

Kåre เลียม Enga

Nov 22, 2024 at 11:42am
In response to "Strolling and Trolling"

Plenty warm in Malaysia. Steamy. Met Elycia for lunch. Jet lag and sore leg... but a very good day.

Arrival yesterday had potential drama but it all dissipated.

Kåre เลียม Enga

Nov 12, 2024 at 2:07am
In response to "Crazy Talk"

I'm too focused on my trip. Reservations and aisle seats on the plane. Buttttt... I did find my other pair of shoes.

1 Like

January 17, 2025 at 10:26pm

#1082486

Cold Front Coming

There's a cold front coming. It's going to get cold here tomorrow for a few days. But then again, it's January in Montana. It is okay to be cold. A few days in the single digits will do everyone good. Get the germs dead. Kill the bugs.

But I know it's hard on those in the other parts of the world that aren't used to cold weather. So, button up. Turn on that heat. Break out the wool socks and hats and mittens. I think I've mentioned I have at least 5 winter coats. So now I'll morph into the -20° rated one. And my knee high Keen boots rated also to -20°. Snug and warm in those plus hat and mittens and wool sweater and lined pants.

I've been attending the county commissioner meetings on Friday for a few weeks now. The three commissioners are a fun group of gentlemen. If there is nothing on the agenda, we chat about all sort of things. My pass into the meetings is my press pass. I gather info for the paper. But really I'm just there for the company and the free heat in the courthouse. It's heated with coal, so it's toasty warm.

Today I listened to a conversation with the community health worker. Really a social worker the county has hired to help, especially in the schools. She is trying to get established, but having trouble getting all her 'ducks in a row' with the foundation funding her, getting an office established, and getting a county vehicle. Then I listened to another person who is helping with the funding of a long vacant property the county bought. It is a historic structure, 30,000 sq feet with immense potential. But it's been sitting empty for perhaps 40 years. So lots of rehab to be done. It has to have hazardous waste remediation then they want to sell it to a developer for a multi-use space. Retail and housing. Good idea, I hope it pans out.

On Tuesday, I listened to an aide from the office of our district's House of Representatives to the US Congress. This young man was quite personable. But boy oh boy, he was a talker. I tried to distill what he said in the two hours he was there with the commissioners, and I am still working on it for the paper.

During both these occasions I spoke up and gave my personal opinions. Perhaps I won't be allowed back in. But sometimes, you just have to state the obvious. Like, why isn't someone helping the healthcare worker get established? It's been 3 months. Don't let this certain developer get the project, he already has one in town he's been working on for 5+ year. And do you know about this in SE Montana? Tell your boss.

3 Like • Comment

January 13, 2025 at 6:59pm

#1082323

Everyone is mad about something

We got even more snow lately. That is on top of what we got earlier in the week. The problem is when the snow melts during the day, then freezes overnight. All the streets and sidewalks become skating rinks.

For whatever reason, the city doesn't plow the streets. The Main Street through town is plowed by the State. That is the only way it is clear. So everybody is mad at the city for that.

Then the other day orange stickers appeared on vehicles parked on streets. The vehicles that hadn't moved in weeks, or months, or years got stickers. So now everyone is mad about that. It's a city ordinance. But no one likes rules if they have to pay when they break them. I know on my street there were multiple vehicles with warning stickers. A few got moved, and one I saw the owner curse and rip off the sticker. Whatever. I guess the rules don't apply to her, even though she is a schoolteacher. Hmm.

I know I am glad we did get snow. It is moisture. Something that will help us come fire season next year. We understand all too well what wildfires can do. So I am watching the fires on CA and so sad for everyone. But those winds... Sometimes we get those dry 60-75 MPH red flag warning winds in the summer. Scary times.

2 Like • Comment • View 1 comment

January 8, 2025 at 10:15pm

#1082147

Thankful

Today we had quite the weather. Oh I know, there is always 'weather'. Well here today we had first off, high winds. Sounded like my roof was going to blow off. Then came some rain - wind-driven. The next time I looked outside, about 5 minutes later, giant snowflakes were being tossed about - again, wind-driven. Gradually all that commotion settled down, and it was just a gentle 20 MPH breeze.

At this point, I felt confident enough to take a walk and do some errands. Then once I got home it started all over again. Wind and snow. Lucky for everyone, this all happened when it got to above freezing here in town. Out of town, another story I'm sure.

I did get to see the ortho doctor about my hand the other day. He is still not sure why I have pain in one particular spot. And this is the spot on the side of my left hand where I am sure the hand hit the sidewalk. It just hurts all the time. I try to put on glove or mittens, yikes.

So anyway, after some discussion, his current theory is that perhaps some arthritis is setting in. He offered a cortisone shot in that area. Ever had one? I've had several in my hip. The damaged hip from a car accident over 10 years ago really bothered me for a time. So about every 6 months I'd get a cortisone shot there. I remember they were uncomfortable to get. It hasn't gotten any better with time. He did numb the area with a spray to help, and that wasn't a whole lot of fun. Then the injection right in the side of my hand. Again - yikes! Hurts not too bad but enough to be glad it's over. I have to give it 2-3 weeks before the medicine has effect.

So I guess it's a tradeoff - a little pain for a great deal of gain. These injections can last 6-12 months. Steroids are wonderful, but you cannot overdo them. It just jumpstarts your immune system to help with the pain/inflammation in the area injected. And the ones used for pain control are NOT the type used by athletes/body builders.

We are glad for many things, most of all the moisture that all the snow and rain bring. And for modern medicine that can help when you are hurting.

2 Like • Comment

January 3, 2025 at 9:29pm

#1081920

Lots of Snow - at last!

Snow and lots of it! Finally, a decent amount of snow on the ground. And no, we're not talking feet here. We're talking inches. Perhaps 3? But for this part of Montana that is a nice storm. Winter storm warning til 11:00 PM tomorrow.

The ski areas west of here got dumped on. So, Big Sky south of Bozeman got feet of snow. They are rejoicing. But then, if you have to make millions of dollars in three months, I guess you get a bit giddy when it snows a bunch. Then you pray people can drive to you.

I spent a fun few hours today with the county commissioners. I was trying to gather some information for the newspaper. I got a few tidbits, but mainly just had a good time talking to the shepherds of the county. They have a lot going on right now. Lots of projects, lots of moving parts. But we mainly talked about history, books, anything but what they usually deal with. It was a day they have blocked out for a public meeting. No one was begging for their attention, so we just chatted.

I just got through with a big knitting project. I had ordered some knitting kits last year right before I fell and broke my hand. That broke my heart to see that yarn sitting around. So about two months ago, I started one of the projects and finally finished it last night. It was a bugger. It's not perfect, but good enough. A vest in a complicated pattern that I worked on each night, a few rows at a time. It was probably good exercise for a hand that was all crippled up, and still gives me fits. So now on to the next, easier project.

It's going to be a long winter, so I need to keep busy. Writing, reading, knitting, talking to friends.

3 Like • Comment • View 2 comments

© Copyright 2025 QueenNormaJean snow finally!!! (UN: normajeantrent at Writing.Com). All rights reserved.
QueenNormaJean snow finally!!! has granted Writing.Com, its affiliates and its syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work.

Printed from https://shop.writing.com/main/profile/blog/normajeantrent/month/1-1-2025