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Sat, Aug 30, 2025

9:53am EDT

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PORCH PONDERINGS

by QueenNormaJean AKA Marilyn M.

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:

QueenNormaJean AKA Marilyn M.

Aug 27, 2025 at 3:14pm
In response to "Letter Battle"

Soldier_Mike

I hear you! The misspelling, grammar errors, punctuation errors. And to think you can use a computer application that will prompt you to correct them. Hmm. Just pure ignorance and laziness.

I think it is also the dumbing down of the world. Especially here in America. Most people don't read, don't write, don't do anything that makes them think.

1 Like

Soldier_Mike

Aug 25, 2025 at 11:53pm
In response to "Letter Battle"

One of my "favorite" things is spotting misspellings and grammar errors on HQ-issued posters at the Exchange (department store) on base, knowing that dozens - if not hundreds - of identical posters are misrepresenting the English language all around the world.

QueenNormaJean AKA Marilyn M.

Aug 25, 2025 at 12:38pm
In response to "Ice Cream Today"

Thanks for all the comments, friends.

The ice cream event was fun. We made our expenses, so that is good. Got a lifetime membership. That is better. Some little ones ate ice cream. That is the best.

I just spoke with the newsletter lady and again pleaded my case for a paper newsletter, at least 2 copies for each Adventist church in Montana. Perhaps that will happen. Per the lady, evidently it cost $6K each time this thing went to print and the powers that be thought it was too expensive to continue. And they perceived that no one read it. But conversely, information to people that have no other way to receive it other than by mail and paper, is never a waste. Especially the faithful churchgoers.

But then I 'preach to the choir' about such things. QR codes I cannot use. No phones or clocks in motels. Ugh. Modern inconveniences.

Kåre เลียม Enga

I too use cash quite a bit now. And there will come a time, I think soon, when cash will be outlawed. All transactions will be digital. All the easier to cut off your money if you disobey.

But that is just me. being cynical.

50° here this AM. Leaves on the trees starting to turn. A kiss of fall.

1 Like

Kåre เลียม Enga

Aug 24, 2025 at 9:22pm
In response to "Ice Cream Today"

Huckleberry isn't my favorite but I had a rootbeer float with it yesterday (local Big Dipper ice cream).

Daylight slides away August 21st - October 21st. Looking forward to a break in the heat come Thursday.

Paper, receipts, passport stamps... Very hard for those who want a paper trail... like mail-in paper ballots. Not everyone has a phone that can pay digitally or has access to the internet, especially the poor in rural areas. I use cash. Personally, I think cash should be accepted everywhere... by law. Personally, I prefer my privacy and digital cannot promise that.

Is it possible to ask people whether they would like a paper reminder of news and events? Perhaps have paper copies available at church?

There are many religions that count the day sunset-sunset. Not as common among Christians though.

1 Like

ⱲєbⱲitϚћ WDC's 25

Aug 24, 2025 at 7:12pm
In response to "Ice Cream Today"

Ice cream social is a lovely way to end the summer.

I'm sorry about the whole digital v print form of the newsletter. More and more print is falling aside in this world of quick delivery on electronic devices.

I do notice the days getting a little darker earlier here in New England.

But I remember living in Wyoming when the shorter days of sunlight started early. Of course having mountains around gives the sun an opportunity to hide faster!

My only saving grace is that I winter in Florida. Being closer to the equator, daylight is a little bit longer there.

1 Like

SandraLynn

Aug 24, 2025 at 12:44pm
In response to "Ice Cream Today"

Yes, the change to earlier sunsets heralds shorter days and winter weather. Sigh. It happens every year, but it doesn't mean we have to like it.

1 Like

Kåre เลียม Enga

Aug 19, 2025 at 1:07am
In response to "The BBB comes to Signal Peak "

I'll keep my mouth shut about coal. In 2008 I did get to ask a question of the governor about how a D in an R state got anything done. He had a good answer. Basically? He was good at building coalitions.

QueenNormaJean AKA Marilyn M.

Aug 11, 2025 at 12:17am
In response to "A Great Weekend"

Okay - you're on for the carousel. I will lean over like all the young ones. Everyone will gasp, shriek and cry. Why? Because I didn't fall off and I did grab that gold ring! Although the hip injury is going to be the devil to take care of.

I'm not too sure about the Dragon Hollow. Perhaps down the slide I will go, to end up in a puddle at the bottom. Clothes all every which way, shoes discarded somewhere, and my hair all messed up. Then you will call 911 because this crazed woman is suddenly laughing hysterically and you think she's perhaps hurt.

The butterfly house is great, I've been in one before. But perhaps this time I will morph into the grandest butterfly of all. Shed my cocoon and fly away, leaving a trail of purple and red and orange and the green that reflects my bug eyes. YeeHaw !!!

The best thing I liked about our day was all the talking to intelligent people. You, your poet friend, the shop owners. I sometimes feel starved for conversation with smart people. Thank you for filling me with words and thoughts and feelings.

I send a picture I took when in Medora, ND. I went there for my last official meeting with the SE Montana group. We celebrated Teddy Roosevelt. I drove through the national park named for him.

IMAGE

Wild Horses

(E)
Teddy Roosevelt National Park - wild horses
#2345108 by QueenNormaJean AKA Marilyn M.

2 Like

Soldier_Mike

Aug 10, 2025 at 11:45pm
In response to "A Great Weekend"

It's great you two got to meet and spend the day together. And all the things you were able to see and do - wonderful! Missoula's on my planned route to knock Idaho and Washington off of my States to be Visited list; I just don't know when that will be.

2 Like

Kåre เลียม Enga

Aug 10, 2025 at 8:58pm
In response to "A Great Weekend"

Thanks for taking time off to visit me. You truly lead a busy life going from meeting to meeting.

Heard: loud screech of a band, carousel, market bustle.
Seen: children, old people, historic buildings.
Tasted: orange, almond, vanilla (me: raspberry).
Touched: brick and stone and wood.
Smelled: roses, coffee, leather.

I'm sure you can come up with more!

In my fantasy:

You holding on to a carousel horse going 8 mph, grabbing a golden ring and screaming to it all over again!
Climbing up and through Dragon Hollow, coming down the slide and getting stuck.
Visiting the Butterfly House adorned with tropical wings of blue, red and green that think you're a flower.

Thanks for the visit,

Kåre

1 Like

July 30, 2025 at 10:34pm

#1094412

Hail? Yeah...

On Monday night I was traveling back from Musselshell, 20 miles east of Roundup. Musselshell used to be a little burg, a stop on the train line that went through this part of Montana. It had a hotel, churches. a school. a post office. Everything you need for a little tiny town. Now it's just a gathering of folks. But it still has a post office. About 40 serviced out of there. But some are ranches and farms 30 miles away. And the school is still there. And there is one little church still holding on.

I go to Musselshell for the Illustrious Musselshell Players - a community theater group. I've had the pleasure of acting with them for 6 years now. Once a year we produce a play, usually a comedy, for the county. Musselshell School is now maintained, lovingly, as a gathering spot. It has a real theater, a gymnasium and a kitchen worthy of a restaurant.

Anyway, Monday, we were on the way back to Roundup after play practice. The clouds gathered as we ran lines, did our blocking on stage. The sky in the west was a black as I've ever seen it. Then the electricity kept going on and off. So we decided, okay, time to go. I carpool to practice with 3 others. We headed down the road. About 15 miles from Roundup we got hit with a horrendous hail storm. Melissa, the driver of this big Lincoln Navigator, decided to pull off the road. Good decision. We sat for about a half hour as the hail rained down on us. Hail and rain. Buckets of both. Mercy sakes. But finally it eased up.

As we drove home, the water was amazing. On the road, on the fields, waterfalls from the hills into the fields, overflowing creeks. Even with that big heavy vehicle we hydroplaned all the way. Water had receded by the time we made it to Roundup proper.

But today I saw a photo from a friend. This is Main Street - near Rt 12 (where we traveled) , Conoco gas station and the IGA grocery store. Click on the image to get the full effect. We got 2 inches of rain in about 45 minutes.

IMAGE

Water in Roundup - Main Street

(E)
July 28, 2025
#2344456 by QueenNormaJean AKA Marilyn M.

What a storm. It's been a crazy summer. The hills are still green on July 30. Unreal.

Comment • View 2 comments

July 17, 2025 at 10:06am

#1093586

Paper and Preaching

More drama, as promised. But never fear, NormaJean is on the job.

Seems the editor of the local paper didn't get my submission for this week's edition. I swear I sent it to her. She swears she didn't get it. And this is irritating. I have some fans in town of my little piece in the paper. "Seen Around Town". Get it? Roundup - Around? Well, anyway, she is also the one who told me I couldn't submit news from city council meetings. And that makes some of my 'fans' upset, freedom of the press and all. Then she recanted that statement and told me I could indeed print the meetings, but she would add a disclaimer.

So the real problem to some is the lag time on the city posting info on their website. They have a city council meeting, and then are to post the minutes. Okay, well, I just checked and the last minutes posted for the public are from June 26. JUNE! A person called me several weeks ago asking ME when the city pool opens for the summer. They tried to find the city council minutes, but couldn't. When I checked that day, in June, the minutes were at least 4 weeks behind.

When I reported on the meetings, I posted a small little blurb the next week. Nothing major. Just a synopsis of the meeting. The mayor got her feathers ruffled. She complained to the editor of the paper. I think I wrote a BLOG about this. So I'll just tuck this little 'I didn't get your submission' into my 'things that irritate me this week' edition of my life.

Another thing that happened this week was a public meeting of the board the the senior center. It was called an 'emergency' meeting and the public was invited. I will publish a sanitized version of this in the paper. Here it is:

The Musselshell County Council on Aging held an emergency board meeting on July 14 at 12:30 PM. This was immediately following the Monday’s noon meal.

At that time they voted on changing the frequency of the congregate meals at the senior center on Second Street West. The governing board of six, head by Bob G., voted to change from five days a week to three. Effective immediately, the meal schedule is Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. There will be accommodations made for those supplied with Meals On Wheels per the board.

A reason for the change, according to the board, is a lack of funds. According to the board, this change has been needed for some time. The previous schedule change to a five day schedule has consumed funds. Changing back to three days a week will be a schedule to save funds that are dwindling.

Citizens in attendance raised questions about the lack of funds, the withholding of funds, and the audit that is now required.

An audit is required by the state and Area II Agency on Aging for this program to continue. Per the board, “An audit will reinforce the facts.” Musselshell County Council on Aging is currently looking for an accounting firm to perform the specialized audit that is preferred.

When questioned about who will pay for the audit, the answer was ‘private funds’.

The MCCoA board also states they want Area II to grant an extension until the actual audit is done. They feel that the program is important enough to the citizens of Roundup for the monies to continue without interruption.

A citizen inquired about MCCoA’s sustainability factor. They didn’t know for sure. The program could last until the end of July, or perhaps the end of August. “It is not up to us anymore.”

Again, drama. There was an incident where two men almost came to blows, but luckily one of the persons left the space. One of the board members stood and shouted loyalty her religious beliefs. Well, that got my antenna up. You should not as a board member of a non-profit preach. Separation of church and state applies here. They are supported by the state and get state monies.

This problem is something discussed in the county commissioner's meetings on Friday. I attend those meetings, and we sometimes discuss this issue. So, to be clear, the county owns the building the senior center operates from. The county pays the utilities for this building. The senior center pays rent as a tenant. The county has no jurisdiction over this program. This program is under contract with the state of Montana.

There could be financial mismanagement and administrative mismanagement. Time will tell. But unfortunately, the people hurt in all this will be some who can least afford the injury.

Comment

July 13, 2025 at 3:34pm

#1093358

20 years!

I just passed the 20 year anniversary here at WDC. Mercy - has it been that long???

Thanks for all the well wishes. I appreciate each and every one. So many changes in my life and on this site.

We went from full-time rovers, where I first found this wonderful group, to full-time residents in a small town and homeowners again.

So, what has happened lately? The 4th of July was annoying, as usual, with the fireworks. Big ones, that last night, all around. N - S - E - W- all around our home. I fled for a time, my husband later told me he was also worried. He felt like it was large artillery, he's an Army vet and knows the sound, although they didn't explode like artillery. But for a few days after I found fireworks debris all around in the yard. And a bit on my kitchen skylights. Perhaps on the roof as well. We haven't checked.

As far as I know, no homes caught fire. There was one serious injury. But the city won't change. That much I know. We'll complain. As we do every year.

There is also drama with the senior center. I think I've mentioned this previously. Now they are cutting back to 3 days a week serving meals instead of 5. It is all someone else's fault. The center is running out of money, and there are serious allegations of embezzlement and mismanagement of the entire program. They don't have money to pay employees, so everyone is not getting paid. No food can be bought. So now community people are donating. To the tune of thousands of dollars. There will be a meeting tomorrow, and I will go on behalf of the paper. I'm sure it will be a he said- she said meeting of the board and the management against the financing entity. Should be entertaining. I have my own opinions.

Stay cool everyone - hot and dry here. At least there is no humidity!

Comment • View 1 comment

July 5, 2025 at 5:40pm

#1092888

Fireworks

Our 4th of July celebrations are almost over here in Roundup. The parades are over for another year. The fireworks have one more night to annoy me. From June 24 to July 5 you can legally set off fireworks in town. And that annoys me more and more each year. And each year I tell myself I will disappear for that week. So next year, I think I may just do that.

Yesterday I went over to the parade, a short walk, at 10:30 AM. Walked around a bit, found a good spot. Took some photos. Then went to the museum to open it for those who wanted to get in early. Volunteered at the museum until 5:15 or so. Then walked over to the big RIDE event. (Roundup Independence Day Extravaganza = big name concerts for 3 nights, food trucks, carnival, rodeo, etc. etc.) Each year my husband and I volunteer time at the ticket booth selling wristbands for the concerts. Hubby got there at 5 PM, I was later because of the museum.

So as I walk in, the three working, hubby and 2 women, were in chaos. One doing credit cards was not sure what to do, my husband and another were trying to take money, waiting on credit cards to be approved, everything everywhere. I think gracious, what can be done to help this situation? I move the money box, it was in the way of the credit card person. I take the top off the two containers that held the wristbands they were selling - waste of time to take the tops off and on each sale - and try to help with making change - trying to see how the credit card thingie works. Then the credit card lady bails and I'm on credit cards. Fine, things sail along much better.

Until.

Now we have thousands of dollars in bills. No one is collecting cash. That bothers us. And the credit card computer keeps crashing. Annoying. When we ask about the cash, we are told not to worry. But what if we get robbed? 'Just let them have it'. ?????? Not an answer
I like much. And then the one lady gets overheated and almost passes out. So then it is my husband and I for a time, but we get to leave at 8 PM. And no looking back. We walk home.

I was exhausted. But the fireworks in town last until 11:30 last night.

Like I stated, next year. Somewhere else.

Comment • View 2 comments

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