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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.

about 23 hours ago
In response to "OSU Marching Band"

As a transplanted Buckeye, I just love that school and team.

We have buckeye trees growing along Main Street in Roundup. I love collecting them in the fall.

1 Like

QueenNormaJean AKA Marilyn M.

about 23 hours ago
In response to "OSU Marching Band"

Dotting the 'I' is a big honor. I always enjoy watching that band. Such precision. And rare to see that these days.

Kåre เลียม Enga

a day ago
In response to "OSU Marching Band"

Love dotting the i.

2 Like

Wordsmitty ✍️

a day ago
In response to "OSU Marching Band"

As a kid, our family went to a few OSU games. We drove over from Springfield where we lived when I grew up half a century ago. The band is so amazing. Football team was pretty good, too.

Go Buckeyes!

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

WW is Monk WDC's 25! CopShop

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

January 6, 2021 at 7:49pm

#1001577

Busy Me!

PROMPT January 6th

Do you support any charitable organizations or causes through donations or volunteering? If so, what causes do you support? And if not, what would you support if you had the ability?

I am lucky enough to be a volunteer in my community. It is something I always wanted to do before I moved here. But in my previous homes, I always had to work or didn’t have the opportunities I have here.

The one organization I volunteer for which most is a local thrift store. I am on the advisory board at Northern Treasures Thrift Store in Roundup, Montana. I also do advertising for this store on Facebook. I was also instrumental in getting my church group to volunteer at this store one afternoon a week. We see this as a witnessing opportunity. And since we have started doing this, for over a year now, we have had the most fun. One contest we started for the store is “What Am I?”. When we find a donated item and have no idea what that item is, that item goes to the contest. Of course, we have to find out what that item is first, and then post it for the contest. Winners get a coupon for a discount on a future purchase. We are amazed at the popularity of this! Fun.

We as a couple also volunteer for Meals on Wheels.

We do this every Wednesday. It is a duty we take seriously. It only takes about thirty minutes for us to deliver prepackaged meals to about twenty people.
The program has continued throughout the pandemic. We never missed a week. During the first few weeks, we served over thirty clients as the senior center was closed. But that lasted only a short time. We are in full swing again. The center has been open, people can eat at the senior center, carry food out, or have it delivered.

I also volunteer for my church doing advertising and working on the radio station our church has. We do a radio show once a week. Several of us do a talk show, sometimes a Bible study, sometimes another topic.
We’ve been doing this for a few years now. Our Facebook page posts the radio show so folks can view it later. I also send information to the church publications that go to a statewide magazine. I also keep the church website updated.

So I feel blessed to be able to volunteer in my adopted community. This is the life I always wanted. Busy, doing work that helps others. Tomorrow I am going out with a lady to volunteer for the Chamber of Commerce. This endeavor will address the SE Montana Tourism initiative of being safe while you travel. We are trying to encourage tourism, mask-wearing, and being safe during this Covid Crisis.

I love being busy.

Comment • View 1 comment

January 5, 2021 at 8:37pm

#1001513

Ask the Wizard?

PROMPT January 5th

If you could learn the answer to one question about your future, what would the question be?

I wouldn’t want to know the answer to that question, since I don’t want to know the future. God doesn’t choose to show us our futures.

If I had known at age twenty the course of my life I never would have believed it. It would have scared me. So many twists and turns. It has been scary, exciting, dangerous and wonderful. I have lived a marvelous life full of love and laughter, but also full of betrayal and bewilderment.

I was at a party once when single, between husbands. The host had a fortune teller there. So I thought, what the heck. This person accurately predicted my current husband’s initials. Weird. Now she didn’t give me other decent information, but that one fact has stuck with me all these many years later. Skeptical me wonders how that worked.

So do I still believe in the Ouija board, the crystal ball, the wizard behind the curtain, the fortune tellers, the tarot cards, the mind readers? No, I can honestly say I do not. But you can, there is free will after all.

I just choose to put all my belief in another higher power.

Comment

January 4, 2021 at 8:46pm

#1001429

Frustration of Purpose

PROMPT January 4th

Start your entry with this statement: “I am frustrated about ________ because ________.”

I am frustrated about being older because I know my days are numbered. So little time so much more to share. So little time so many more books to read. So little time so much more to share with my husband, my grandchildren, my friends.

Does anyone else have the feeling they are just marking time? Just sitting around waiting for something exciting to happen? Then I think, oh come on! How much more exciting do you want life to get?

2020 was just about the worst year most of us can remember. But then there were the years around the time of the Viet Nam era. Who remembers those times? Riots in the streets. Bring back the troops! End the war!

The people alive during the time of WWII are leaving us, what a time they lived through. All the horror of Hitler, Stalin and then Pearl Harbor. The Blitz of Britain and the rationing here at home.

So what do we really have to complain about now in 2021? I mean, come on folks. Yes we are frustrated about a lot of things. Many don’t have jobs, many don’t have a place to live. Many don’t know where to get their next meal. But we’re not yet in a depression the likes of 1929 to 1939 where unemployment reached over well 20%, and there was no unemployment insurance until about 1935. No social security until 1935 as well. Talk about tough times.

The year has just started. Let’s not get frustrated yet. There are still 361 days left. Plenty of days left to get worked up about.

Comment • View 4 comments

January 3, 2021 at 9:09pm

#1001366

Back to the Past

PROMPT January 3rd

If you had a portal that would instantly transport you to one specific place on Earth whenever you wanted, where would you want to go? You can use the portal as often as you want, but it will only transport you to the one location you choose and then back again to where you came from.

I would like to go to Gardiner, Montana. I spent many years there, many happy years at the entrance to the first national park in the world, Yellowstone. It holds a special place in my heart.

So, with all the special places on Earth, why there? I guess it would have to be the mountains. Where I am now there are no mountains nearby. The first time we drove into Gardiner I felt that I was home. I loved exploring Yellowstone. And once we had hiked over a hundred miles, then we started exploring the forests outside Gardiner.

We worked in reservations in Yellowstone for several years then managed a motel in Gardiner for eight years. Those years were spent sharing our love of the area. I enjoyed telling tourists about Yellowstone and Montana.

But if we enlarge our choices and could be transported anywhere, without limits as to time and space, then I would like to go to Heaven. It is a real place that is promised to us in the Bible.

Comment • View 1 comment

January 3, 2021 at 9:04pm

#1001364

This is What's Ahead

PROMPT January 2nd

2020 is finally in the rear view mirror... what’s ahead for you in 2021?

So 2021 is to be the great year to replace 2020. And so it may. Every year we hope is better than the year before.

For me, I’ll be another year older. Perhaps a bit wiser. I’ll continue on with my volunteer work. Perhaps I’ll be in another community theater production. But after the deer massacre last year, I don’t know. I anticipate doing another remodel project. The last one we hope. I will plant another garden. Perhaps battle grasshoppers again. My grandson is going to the Marines. We’ll see how that turns out. My mother isn’t doing well. My sister wants me to go back for a few days to do some respite care. My granddaughter graduates high school. Perhaps I can go see that. Last year I wasn’t able to see a grandson graduate. My other grandson hopes to start his EMT career. I pray for that to happen.

But what really matters is that I will be one year closer to meeting Jesus. I believe His return is imminent. I know many have thought that in the past, but all the signs are here. But even if I happen to pass away in 2021, I will be finally at peace. Even so Lord Jesus, come.

Comment • View 1 comment

January 1, 2021 at 12:38pm

#1001210

It's All Good

PROMPT January 1st

What’s something GOOD that happened in 2020?

My 2020 started off fine. We remodeled a room in our home. We seem to be doing that every year. A room a year. We have one more to go on the first floor.

We attended a book signing in March. That was just as all this Corona Crazy business started and shut down the world. Little did I know that life would become increasingly bothersome as the months dragged on.

Our life hasn't changed much. Just like Robert Waltz

said, no one has died in my family, no friends have had the virus, I haven't lost my job, I haven't lost my house, I still have money to buy food, I can still heat my home. So I feel very blessed.

I complain about everyday things. But in the grand scheme of life, those are just little minor irritations, mosquito bites. Not big dog bites. Or bear bites.

So what's something good that happened? I didn't get sick. Hubby didn't get sick. My children and grandchildren didn't get sick. God is still in control.

And the sun came up on January 1, 2021 just as it always has since the creation of the world. Amen.

Comment • View 3 comments

December 31, 2020 at 6:30pm

#1001159

Amazing Luck

31. Unlucky Day
Write about a time when you were particularly unlucky.

My son was unlucky every time the moon was full on a Saturday night. Weird. I could always count on an ER visit when that happened.

I had a year when I had three car accidents. Now they weren’t all my fault. One was serious, and I still have the effects to this day. The other two were just bothersome. But I have to say by the time the third happened, I was a basket case.

I found some interesting information on the internet about writers and luck:

Tennessee Williams choked to death on a bottle cap that lodged in his throat, likely after a bout of heavy drinking. Sherwood Anderson accidentally ingested a toothpick, which punctured internal organs; he died of the resulting infection. Lord Byron caught a fatal infection when doctors used leeches while attempting to cure a fever. Stephen King was hit and nearly killed by an inattentive driver while taking a walk on a country road in Maine. King commented about that incident on Twitter, “On June 19th, 1999, I got hit by a van while taking a walk. As I lay unconscious in the hospital, the docs debated amputating my right leg and decided it could stay, on a trial basis. I got better. Every day of the 20 years since has been a gift.”

Most of us live with a reasonable sense of security and stability, ignoring the everyday precariousness of our existence. We live on a planet traveling through space at 67,000 miles per hour that has, over time, been struck by asteroids that eliminated almost all life and been plagued by a variety of viruses and bacteria that challenge our immune systems while climate disruption threatens the survival of humankind.
It’s all fodder for the imaginative writer.

And I have to say, if you cannot find something fun, something interesting, something weird, something unusual to write about this past year, then you just haven’t been paying attention. We've all been pretty lucky, don't you think? So stop feeling sorry for yourself and start looking around. All the clues are there. Piece them all together and write something amazing.

Comment • View 1 comment

December 30, 2020 at 9:44pm

#1001088

Fakin' Bacon

30. Bacon Day
The perfect breakfast meat.
Write anything about bacon!

I used to like bacon. Well, actually, I used to love bacon. Really, truly love bacon. When we lived in the dorm up in Yellowstone for a month or two, we ate in the EDR, employee dining room, for our meals. All the bacon you wanted to eat for breakfast. YUM! Filled my plate up every morning. Calories no problem. We hiked 5 miles every night after supper.

But things are different now. I don’t eat bacon. I don’t eat pork of any kind. I am a Seventh-Day Adventist. We consider pork an unclean meat, and as such, I choose not to eat it.

My husband still eats bacon on Saturday. Two pieces. We don’t eat any other pork. If hubby wants pork, he has to eat it when we go out, or eat it somewhere else. I won’t buy it or cook it.

I’ve tried to suggest turkey bacon as an option, but he won’t have any part of that. And really, once I think about it, you’re better off not having that something you love if you're going to substitute with something else. Especially if that something else doesn't resemble the original in looks or taste.

Kind of like the veggie burger craze now. You’re better off not having something pretending to be a burger. Eat a salad or soup instead. You’ll just be disappointed when you don’t get that burger feel between those two pieces of bun.

And then there are those that can justify spending a bunch of money to have that Wagyu beef on a bun. I found an online merchandiser that will sell you two (that is just 2!) frozen Wagyu beef patties for $14.99 - but you cannot buy just two. You have to buy at least 20 for $119.99. Then you have to pay shipping. And the shipping is $40 to $60. I don't know about you folks, but I think my $$ are better spent elsewhere.

I think I will just go to the local supermarket and buy the 80% fat grass-fed beef and make a great hamburger. Then I’ll top it with some really good aged cheddar cheese. No bun. Yum.

Comment • View 1 comment

December 29, 2020 at 5:39pm

#1001011

Full Moon and Cincy Trivia

29. December Full Moon (aka Cold Moon
Write something about the full moon.

It is beautifully wonderfully full. You can almost imagine the man in the moon. When I left church last night after our radio broadcast we commented on the full moon. You could almost imagine ‘the man in the moon’.

Procter & Gamble had a cool trademark with the man in the moon, until some numbnuts decided it was satanic. Whatever. People will find any reason to think something is evil. They’d had that trademark for decades. Procter & Gamble logo

I lived near Cincinnati for a time. Even worked downtown some. It is a nice city, right on the Ohio River. It has quite a history. And P&G is a big part of that history.

Ivory soap, Crest toothpaste, Tide, Charmin, Pampers = any of those items ring a bell? All made by P&G. Headquartered in the Ivory Towers downtown.

Cincinnati was known as ‘Porkopolis’ back in the 1800’s. They were a big hog butchering town. And now they have ‘Flying Pigs’ to commemorate that history. I was in Cincinnati when they erected the statues in a riverside park. Fun. the flying pig in Cincinnati

Plus they have riverboats.

And the coolest name for a bank. 5th Third. So the name Fifth Third was chosen over Third Fifth out of deference to the growing temperance movement at the time. Ha. That's pretty funny.

Oh, and Cincinnati chili - can't forget that. What makes it different is the way the meat is cooked. Cincinnati Chili has a thinner consistency and is prepared with an unusual blend of spices that includes cinnamon, chocolate or cocoa, allspice, and Worcestershire. This is truly the unofficial grub of Cincinnati. When I lived there, I had to eat that about once a month. It is served over spaghetti with lots of yellow shredded cheese on top. Or on a hot dog. Truly an acquired taste.

So, when are you going on a road trip? Cincy here we come!

Queen Norma Jean

Comment • View 3 comments

December 28, 2020 at 7:40pm

#1000957

At Least I know the Face Cards

28. Card Playing Day!
Do you like playing cards? Which card games do you prefer?
We don’t play cards. I don’t know why. I remember my parents playing cards, and my aunts playing poker at holidays.

When this Covid craziness started, I suggested we play games to pass the time. That lasted a night. So we now mainly watch TV or do computer games alone.

I remember playing Rook.

That was a mean game. Don’t care if I ever play that again. Uno was fun with my kids when they were growing up.

Played a lot of solitaire when I was first married. So many games of solitaire.

And that is the extent of my card playing. Pitiful.

Guess I’m not a card shark. I would be lost in Vegas. Don't send me to the card table. So I guess I wouldn’t have a good poker face. Since I have no idea how to play…

Comment • View 2 comments

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