One Nation, Under God
One Nation, Under God
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It rained last night. I hadn’t seen rain this late in the month in years. But that was Malta and this is Livingston where it’s no surprise. In Malta today there’s a winter storm warning that calls for freezing rain and ice accumulation. That’s always fun. A couple of years ago Barb and I were headed south on 191 when we slid on ice halfway down the hill to the river. The road had been bare and dry until then. It was a puckering moment, but we were headed straight again when we reached the bridge...
What do I want for Christmas? I don't really ever know, or at least when posed with the question, I freeze. Ask me what I want during nearly any other month of the year, and I could come up with six to seven suggestions of what I need or want. I knew what I wanted on Black Friday in November, and I got it! My birthday is in October, and I am sure I knew what I wanted back then. I think. I don't know if it's the pressure of the holidays, a brain-fart, or I just am not comfortable with asking for...
“It’s the most wonderful time of the year. There'll be much mistletoeing and hearts will be glowing when loved ones are near. It's the most wonderful time of the year.” Mistletoe is known as the healing plant. It blooms in trees during winter. It was used by ancient Celts during their winter solstice celebrations. In the 1700’s, mistletoe was hung in doorways during the holiday season. Young women standing under the mistletoe could not refuse to give a kiss. If a woman refused, she faced supposed bad luck for the upcoming year. Kisses under t...
There will be Christmas Eve service at 4 p.m. at the Whitewater Lutheran Church. Congratulations to the wrestlers. We have girls from Whitewater competing. Sports are emphasized here on the Hi-Line. Ice skating and sledding were the sports when I grew up. We’d sled down the hills. However the snow and the ice had to be plentiful. We used Whitewater Creek. Now there isn’t enough water in the creek for ice skating. In the late 1940’s or 1950’s there was a cave and after skating we’d go to this cav...
The transition to one dog is easier than I thought it would be. For years we’ve been a multiple-dog family. We had as many as four at one time. Now it’s just Dot. When I’m hunting it’s no longer a case of which dog to watch or follow, there’s only one. Also, the dog food bill dropped precipitously, and there’s less recycled dog food to pick up in the yard. I fear, however, that I’m following in the footsteps of my friend E-dub, who’s given up bird dogs completely. He still has a rescue mutt fro...
I often get asked if we are going anywhere for Christmas. If only. Unfortunately, I don’t even have the courage to attempt leaving the state during the holiday season. I would love to see my family and my hometown, but the possibility of flight delays, flight cancellations, and road closures due to winter weather always shuts that thinking down. I guess I should mention that things get pretty busy at the paper this time of year. I am thankful that we welcomed Sara to the staff. The PCN crew (...
They are off and running. Everywhere! “They” is a collection of various nouns. Let’s start off with the basketball and wrestling teams! Now with a weekend under the belts or at least out of the way, the nerves can begin to settle down and the jitters can dash away. Unless you’re a little kid with your gallant pageant pending. For some, this is their first, for some it is their last. Yeah, and some are glad when it will be over. Kids, that is…not teachers! They are waiting for the holiday break all together! How long has it been since you viewe...
Jesus’ birthday! In the hustle and bustle, do not forget those who are less fortunate. Give to the Food Bank and the Salvation Army. Energy Share is another place to give. They keep folks warm during the winter months. There are many concerts and programs coming up. Whitewater School’s program is the 16th of December at 7:00 p.m., all are welcome. Times sure are changing, Dad would talk about getting an orange in his stocking and Mom would talk about making small gifts, like a pot holder or pin...
I recently came to the realization that any more work on our backyard building project in Livingston would have to be done by me. Hiring anyone to do roofing or drywall is next to impossible. While there are plenty of local contractors offering such services, they’re too busy to even stop by and give me a bid. One company did send me a contract, but their roofing bid was based on a Google Earth shot of our house which didn’t include the sewing shed in question. I told them I wanted a real per...
I feel horrible for how I acted on Thanksgiving after the Bears’ loss to the Detroit Lions. It’s documented and there is proof. I celebrated a Bears loss! Even worse is I knew what that loss would mean for my beloved Bears; the firing of the team’s head coach. Then it happened, the next day. Unfortunately, the team underperformed under their coach and the team became known for finding ways to lose football games. This year, they lost to Washington on a Hail Mary play that will be the talk of th...
Run for your lives. The killer deer are coming. Montana’s general big game season ended this week leaving a lot of hunters with unfilled mule deer tags. Wildlife officials say there’s been a drop in the statewide muley population for the last three years. I think they’re all just looking for deer in the wrong places. Try my yard in Livingston, my cabin on Fort Peck or the entire town of Malta where some folks have begun to fear for their lives. “Is it going to take someone getting killed for you...
And Mother Nature showed up on Sunday with a wee bit of a touch of sunshine and a couple more degrees on the thermometer, as well. The town is starting to look festive and the stores are seeing items rung up on the cash register. For many, the Christmas sales is their biggest time in sales. For some, as evidenced through a search through the archives weekly, it might mean the difference between holding on for another year, or closing the doors and counting the loss. Even as I glanced through the history from 10 years ago, throughout the year th...
For November 27 Here in Whitewater, there was Turkey Bingo and a dinner. Turkeys and prizes were won. Fun! Football and volleyball are over, now basketball and wrestling will start soon. The ranchers have a break in work, as the weather has been beautiful. But last night we did have some rain and heavy wind. We seniors sure enjoy the North 40 senior meals on Wednesday. Dixie Stordahl, who lives in Billings now, was a guest at the lunch. She came for the Wine and Dino at the Great Plains...
My Facebook feed has been filled recently with photos of rustic shelters, most of which are accompanied by text declaring them the perfect homes. I beg to differ. Having lived in some rather basic shacks and cabins over the years, I’ve found that the romantic notion of such accommodations quickly fades. A dugout with a pole roof covered with moss doesn’t call to me. My first home in Cooke City was an old cabin with low ceilings that was built into the mountainside. It was warm and cozy if the...
Well, the Malta Mustangs won the State Title! I guess maybe I should be a little less superstitious. Superstition never seems to work with my pro teams anyway. Superstition wasn’t in my favor all day last Saturday. First off, I try to make it to the game at the same time, every time. I lost where I put my hand warmers and searched frantically for them before leaving the house, so I was later than normal. My hands froze by the way. Thankfully, I had a heated vest. It cost me about $45 bucks a...
Hats off to the Malta Mustangs, but hold on to that set of gloves and head-warmer, and congratulations as the STATE CLASS B FOOTBALL CHAMPIONS! What a season of memories, ups and downs, and steady progress to get to where that goal was attainable! Now, we wind down another year on the calendar within the next four weeks and it is, also, a time of reflection before Ol’ Man Father Time comes around with the reaping tool, wiping out another year. With any fortitude and strength, you have made progress this year and met some goals you set for yours...
Ethel A. (Cummings) Hoover passed away November 6, 2024 at the Chinook Sweet Home Nursing Home. Ethel was born in Phillips County on July 28, 1937 and stayed in the community until 1976 when she moved to Ronan, MT. She worked as a head cook for Ronan School District until she retired. She enjoyed visiting with friends and family, playing cards, live music and dancing. Ethel returned to Eastern Montana in 2021 where she enjoyed visits from her extensive family and friends of all ages. Ethel is... Full story
On January 6, 2025, the state of Montana begins its 69th Legislative session. In order for that to happen, a number of things come first. Beginning with the elections that many of you either worked on, voted, or ignored, if that was possible. That brings us to this past week in Helena, where I was introduced to new fellow Senators and Representatives at the Session Legislator Orientation. We first met in party training, which included new legislator orientation and training. Republicans then met in a caucus and Democrats in their own group cauc...
I have a friend who always disappears around this time of year. “When you can’t find him he’s out killin’ stuff,” an old buddy of ours used to say. It’s true. The closer the end of the season, the scarcer my friend is to find, and without a doubt “he’s out killin’ stuff.” The general big game hunting season wraps up the Sunday following Thanksgiving. Until then there a lot of hunters still looking to fill tags. “Git yer elk yet?” is an often-heard query at the bar, the gas pump, the grocery s...
Life is complicated. We face numerous problems and concerns every day. Sometimes living can feel like a complex geometry problem with points, lines, surfaces, and higher dimensional analogs - all begging for a solution that requires us to show our work. God wants to help us with life’s complications. His intervention, however, requires that we ask for aid in operating our ruler, compass, protractor, divider, and set squares. Geometry also involves theorems which provide proven answers by reasoning and acceptance of mathematical truths. O...
My buddy Smoke missed a big bull elk last week. His first shot was high. There was no second shot. The extractor on his rifle failed to grab the empty brass. He worked the bolt to no avail as he watched the bull run by at 100 yards. Now he’s haunted by that image. “I can still see him,” Smoke told me, as he wiped away a tear. Hunt long enough and something similar will happen to you. We’re haunted by our misses. Who hasn’t seen the tail end of an elk or deer or pheasant — that earlier off...
I’m a sucker for compliments, but they have to be somewhat based on reality. Tell me I look pretty today I’ll blush, and bat my eyes knowing full well it’s nonsense. Tell me I’m “handy,” however, and I’m at your service. That was the compliment I received recently from the electrical contractor wiring my latest building project. If I could help the electrician, it would save me a few bucks on the job, he said. “Whatever you need,” I replied, suddenly full of myself without any idea of what lay...
I have never been a fan of the commercialization of Christmas, but I have had a change of heart. I wouldn’t call myself a Grinch, but perhaps a levels below one. I typically loathe the crazy amount of Christmas movies and the strain it puts on my paycheck. The most important issue in my opinion is that many forget about the first part of the word Christmas. Despite my disdain for the commercialization of the holiday, this year, I am looking forward to it. Yes, I am looking forward to c...
Locally, before the breaking of the dawn’s early light, volunteers from the local Volunteer Fire Department and other volunteers will be methodically placing the nation’s colors around town at businesses, while some aren’t even aware that the flags will be flying in honor of all those who have served in the military. Monday, November 11th is national Veterans Day, or Armistice Day, as some remember it from way back. The turmoil of the world will be set aside for the 24 hours that the U.S. flag is posted, as we remember our men and women, who p...
For November 6 Election Day is here. Get out and VOTE! I voted absentee ballot. We don’t have a voting place here in Whitewater. It is November, Happy Birthday and Happy Anniversay to all those celebrating this month. Get well wishes to Dallas Green and all who are sick. Many attended the Big Flat Electric Annual Meeting. SommerGreen sang the National Athem. I won a set of tools. Thank you to whoever donated them. Several ranchers, including Sally Austin won beef bundles. The Big Flat E...