*Magnify*
◄     July     ►
2020
SMTWTFS
   
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
SPONSORED LINKS
BY ONLINE AUTHORS
Printed from https://www.writing.com/main/profile/blog/normajeantrent/month/7-1-2020
Printer Friendly Page Tell A Friend
(9)
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.

Another quote I find interesting: "Creativity is intelligence having fun." Albert Einstein

What's on your mind today?





2023 Quill Finalist



Quill Finalist Logo 2022. Signature for use by anyone nominated for a Quill Award in 2020Signature for nominees of the 2019 Quill Awards.



Merit Badge in Blogging [Click For More Info] Congratulations on your Honorable Mention in the May 2021 30DBC! Good work! Merit Badge in Reviewing [Click For More Info] Ranked # 53 Public Reviewer for the month of July 2021 . For more details, please see [Link To Item #614925] . Merit Badge in Brilliant [Click For More Info] Dear [Link To User normajeantrent] Thank you so very much for your support of [Link To Item #simple] . Your generosity gives [Link To Item #raok] the ability to help others with upgrades, and this month of August 2021, we're collecting for [Link To Item #1868486] to help spread even more cheer around the site. Annette Merit Badge in Bard's Hall Blogging Merit Badge [Click For More Info] You are receiving this Merit Badge as a "Special Recognization" from the Bard's Hall Blogging Contest. There were a lot of entries in the contest and while you didn't place, there was something special about your blogging that deserved special recognization. Maybe it was your honesty, your heartfelt tone, or your conversational voice. Keep blogging and we'll catch you next year! Merit Badge in Judging [Click For More Info] Thank you for volunteering to help judge, and helping make the inaugural [Link To Item #2251326] a success! Merit Badge in Party Central 2020 [Click For More Info] Dear [Link To User normajeantrent] , Thank you so very much for your support of [Link To Item #simple] . Your generosity gives [Link To Item #raok] the ability to help others with upgrades, and this month of August 2021, we're collecting for [Link To Item #1868486] to help spread even more cheer around the site. I noticed that you did not have this party badge from last year. A couple of weeks before the next one is the latest you should have it. Annette Merit Badge in You've Been Pied! [Click For More Info] [Link To User schnujo] wanted a MB sent to everyone who has ever entered [Link To Item #2232242] . Thank you for your participation! Merit Badge in Pay It Forward 2021 [Click For More Info] Dear [Link To User normajeantrent] , [Link To User schnujo] wanted a MB sent to everyone who has ever entered [Link To Item #2232242] . Thank you for your participation! Her generous donation to [Link To Item #simple] , gives [Link To Item #raok] the ability to help others with upgrades, and this month of August 2021, collects for [Link To Item #1868486] to help spread even more cheer around the site. This month, you are also entered into a raffle for a second brand new merit badge that is super exclusive. Good luck! Annette Merit Badge in Crime Gangster [Click For More Info] Keep up your wonderful sleuthing over at [Link To Item #2256318] ! Maybe Nancy Drew will figure out who did it! Merit Badge in Romantic Season [Click For More Info] *^*Party*^* Thank you for your participation on the fifth day of Writing.Com's 21st Birthday with [Link To Item #2255003] *^*Party*^* Merit Badge in I Write 52 Weeks [Click For More Info] *^*Party*^* Six bottles of rum on the wall ... oh. Wrong place. Happy sixth day of partying with Writing.Com for the site's 21st anniversary and [Link To Item #2255003] *^*Party*^* Merit Badge in Friendship [Click For More Info] You are an exceptionally generous friend. I'm glad I found you on the DFFC! Merit Badge in World of Ryzer [Click For More Info] *^*Party*^* Seven days of debauchery. Um. I mean civilized drinking games. Yes. Yes, let's go with that. Thank you for playing with me at [Link To Item #2255003] *^*Party*^* Merit Badge in Mystery [Click For More Info] For a great portrayal of Nancy Drew in the masquerade Merit Badge in Reviewing [Click For More Info] Ranked # 74 Public Reviewer for the month of August 2021 . For more details, please see [Link To Item #614925] . Merit Badge in Paying It Forward [Click For More Info] Hello Norma Jean Trent Thank you for your generous donation September 2021 to [Link To Item #simple] . It gives [Link To Item #raok] the ability to help others with upgrades, and [Link To Item #army] to offer many fun and educational activities to the community. Drake Merit Badge in Consistent [Click For More Info] Given in honor of your consistent and engaging participation at the [Link To Item #2256318] . Thank you so much for taking part in the mystery. You almost won! Attached is a gift of GPs for honorable mention. Merit Badge in Detective [Click For More Info] *^*Thumbsup*^* for solving the crime! *^*Wink*^* Merit Badge in A Bouquet For You! [Click For More Info] This "Spreading Rays of Sunshine" exclusive MB is a special gift from your friend, [Link To User dnadream] . Merit Badge in Ghost [Click For More Info] You did it! You completed all five prompts. *^*Heartv*^* Thank you for your participation in An October Haunting at [Link To Item #1985857] . Spooky Regards, Lilli Merit Badge in Supportive [Click For More Info] Small thank you for being such a great Cheerleader during October Prep. Merit Badge in Accuracy [Click For More Info] Thank you for always keeping up-to-date on the latest [Link To Item #prep] winners! You make my job so much easier at night. *^*Cool*^* Merit Badge in Comedy [Click For More Info] For all the funnies - and especially the 'Nana' cartoon. Brilliant! Merit Badge in I Write 2021 [Click For More Info] Dear [Link To User normajeantrent] , Thank you for your generous January 2022 donation to [Link To Item #simple] . It gives [Link To Item #raok] the ability to help others with upgrades, and [Link To Item #1868486] the funds to make the reviewing and writing activity extra rewarding for participants. Annette Merit Badge in Go The Distance [Click For More Info] Dear [Link To User normajeantrent] , Thank you for your generous December 2021 donation to [Link To Item #simple] . It gives [Link To Item #raok] the ability to help others with upgrades, and [Link To Item #1788309] the funds to give fun prizes to diligent bloggers. Annette Merit Badge in Distorted Minds [Click For More Info] Thanks so much for volunteering to be a guest judge for the November 2021 flash fiction round of Distorted Minds. Merit Badge in I Love WdC [Click For More Info] We may have crossed paths in the newsfeed, or through a read and review, shared a secret in the scrolls, or participated in an activity or two- However it was, our acquaintance came to be, I'm thankful to know you, here on WDC! Merit Badge in Journaling [Click For More Info] Thank you for volunteering to judge the 30 DBC in November! Your help is greatly appreciated! Merit Badge in The Writers Cramp 20th [Click For More Info] Celebrating 20 years of [Link To Item #333655] with an eye to many more to come! *^*Cow*^**^*Heartv*^**^*Balloonv*^* A 20th Anniversary Week Badge from HOOves! *^*Cow*^* Merit Badge in Leprechaun Love [Click For More Info] Happy Valentine's Day. Thanks for your Generous Donation. I hope the Leprechaun brings you much Love and Luck!! Merit Badge in Bard's Hall Town Crier [Click For More Info] Honorable Mention for your Bard's Hall Contest Entry, Jan 2022. Thanks for entering! Merit Badge in Elle [Click For More Info] Thank you so much for playing along with my newsfeed challenge! I enjoyed reading your response. Merit Badge in Anon-Y-Monkey's Badge [Click For More Info] Thank You For Participating In The March Musical Monkey Madness In [Link To Item #1985857] . I really enjoyed all your entries. This merit badge is for completing at least five of the ten prompts! Merit Badge in Birthday [Click For More Info] Happy (late) Birthday! *^*Bighug*^* I'm happy you still hang out here to celebrate with us! *^*Heart*^* Merit Badge in Reviewing [Click For More Info] Ranked # 62 Public Reviewer for the month of January 2022 . For more details, please see [Link To Item #614925] . Merit Badge in Pride [Click For More Info] Dear [Link To User normajeantrent] , Thank you for your generous June 2022 donation to [Link To Item #simple] . It gives [Link To Item #2273623] the ability to give out generous rewards for contest winners, and [Link To Item #1188309] more feathers to spread more wings. Annette Merit Badge in Well Done [Click For More Info] Thank you for participating in Throw Down Thursday Blogging Challenge in May 2022 at [Link To Item #1985857] ! Merit Badge in Dialogue [Click For More Info] BEST GEORGE WASHINGTON IMPERSONATION Merit Badge in Action Adventure [Click For More Info] Thank you for bringing the action and adventure to [Link To Item #1985857] in June! I hope you enjoyed the Camping Trip as much as I did reading your entries! Hugs from Lilli & Andre Merit Badge in Fundraising [Click For More Info] Dear [Link To User normajeantrent] , Thank you for your generous July 2022 donation to [Link To Item #simple] . It gives [Link To Item #2226792] funds to get more newbies involved and [Link To Item #2275155] more bananas to feed the ninjas. Annette

Merit Badge in Breakfast at Tiffanys [Click For More Info] *^*Gemv*^* Happy Happy WDC Anniversary! *^*Balloonp*^* 17 years is amazing!! Thanks for all of your contibution and I hope you have many more fun and fulfilling years here. *^*Heart*^* Merit Badge in Happy Anniversary [Click For More Info] Happy 17th Anniversary! WOOHOO! That's so amazing! I'm really glad you're still here! *^*Heart*^* Merit Badge in Complexity [Click For More Info] Dear [Link To User normajeantrent] , Thank you for your generous September 2022 donation to [Link To Item #simple] . We are celebrating the fundraiser's tenth anniversary while raising funds for ten worthy groups all around Writing.Com. Annette Merit Badge in Animal [Click For More Info] Given in honor of your awesome portrayal of Garfield at [Link To Item #2276446] ! Merit Badge in Micro Fiction Challenge [Click For More Info] Congratulations!!! You completed all ten prompts in the second round of [Link To Item #2265907] ! Your participation is appreciated and I hope you had fun writing your drabbles and reading each others too! *^*Heartv*^* Kindest Regards, Lilli Merit Badge in Royalty [Click For More Info] I love treating my fans like royalty! Without you all, getting anything done here would be a royal pain! *^*Laugh*^* Merit Badge in Artistic [Click For More Info] Thank you for your participation and generous donation to [Link To Item #2265907] ! Kindest Regards, Lilli Merit Badge in Crime Gangster [Click For More Info] For a great performance as Garfield in the WDC 22nd Birthday Masquerade. Keep up the excellent detective work, and I hope you get some lasagna soon!
Merit Badge in Cheerleading [Click For More Info] Thank you for serving as a cheerleader during [Link To Item #1474311] 2022. We're off to a great start! Merit Badge in Leadership [Click For More Info] For providing stellar leadership of the cheer team for the 2022 [Link To Item #1474311] ! We appreciate and thank you! *^*Bighug*^* *^*Heartg*^* *^*Clap*^* Merit Badge in Judging [Click For More Info] Thank you for judging the Contest Rounds of [Link To Item #1474311] in 2022! Merit Badge in Special Appreciation [Click For More Info] Thank you for Cheerleading the October Prep. Merit Badge in Cheerleading [Click For More Info] Great work, head cheerleader! You pushed, pulled, and dragged lots of people across the finish line for [Link To Item #prep] , even if they crossed just because they wanted to see what their number information would be about. *^*Laugh*^* Thank you for everything! *^*Heart*^* Merit Badge in Astrology [Click For More Info] Dear [Link To User normajeantrent] , Thank you for your generous November 2022 donation to [Link To Item #simple] in support of worthy groups all around Writing.Com. Annette Merit Badge in Worldbuilding [Click For More Info] Thank you for being part of my wonderful world built here on WdC! *^*Bighug*^* And thank you for being my fan! *^*Heart*^* Merit Badge in Blessings [Click For More Info] *^*Hearto*^* *^*Bighug*^* *^*Hearto*^* Happy Thanksgiving! I am thankful for your friendship and being a super head cheerleader at NaNo Prep! *^*Hearto*^* *^*Bighug*^* *^*Hearto*^*
Merit Badge in Merit Badges [Click For More Info] I've been busy doing schoolwork, so I've not been on WdC the last couple of days to enjoy the last of the festivities. I'm super behind on emails here (nearly 100), but wanted to be sure I reached out and thanked each of you who sent me a MB over the holiday weekend. Thank you very much! You all mean so much to me! *^*Bighug*^* Thank you for being who you are! *^*Heart*^* Merit Badge in Bully Free Zone [Click For More Info] Dear [Link To User normajeantrent] , Thank you for your generous December 2022 donation to [Link To Item #simple] in support of worthy groups all around Writing.Com. Annette Merit Badge in Chapter 1 [Click For More Info] Congratulations on your 1st Place win for the November round of Chapter One! Great entry!!! *^*Smile*^* Merit Badge in Happy New Year [Click For More Info] Dear [Link To User normajeantrent] , Thank you for your generous January 2023 donation to [Link To Item #simple] in support of worthy groups all around Writing.Com. Annette Merit Badge in Reviewing [Click For More Info] Ranked # 52 Public Reviewer for the month of December 2022 . For more details, please see [Link To Item #614925] . Merit Badge in The Blogging Banana Bar [Click For More Info] Congratulations & Thank You from Andre For competing the full four weeks of the Non-Judgmental Blogging Event in January 2023. Please show your badge when entering the Banana Bar and join others in the Banana Bloggers' Lounge . Your blogging is always welcome at [Link To Item #1985857] . Merit Badge in Reviewing [Click For More Info] Ranked # 57 Public Reviewer for the month of January 2023 . For more details, please see [Link To Item #614925] . Merit Badge in Groundhog Day [Click For More Info] Have a simply splendiferous Groundhog Day. Merit Badge in Inner Strength [Click For More Info] Dear [Link To User normajeantrent] , Thank you for your generous February 2023 donation to [Link To Item #simple] in support of worthy groups all around Writing.Com. Annette Merit Badge in Celebration [Click For More Info] They call it the [Link To Item #2293653] , but it feels more like a celebration of friendship to me!! *^*Balloonb*^* Kindest Regards, Lilli Merit Badge in WDC Addicts Anonymous [Click For More Info] Best of luck with your Writing.com addiction...and with Merit Badge Wars. *^*Wink*^* Merit Badge in History [Click For More Info] I'm sending you this MB because you have a history of participating in [Link To Item #2232242] . I couldn't run this contest without you! *^*Bighug*^* Thank you so much! This MB is sent as a part of [Link To Item #2293653] . Folks who send me a MB that counts for CRs and reference the MB Wars get 15k. *^*Bigsmile*^* Merit Badge in Write That Novel! [Click For More Info] You're the natural born cheerleader, Ms. Norma.*^*Heart*^* Can't wait till it's October again, when you'll give your opinion again to my developmental tasks at OctoPrep.*^*Idea*^* I'm sure you'll be surprised by what fate has in store for our favorite couple, Laura & Vince , but not disappointed. (Hint: we're both two bloody romantics.)*^*BigSmile*^* Be well, my friend, and read you soon (definitely before October).*^*BigSmile*^* (Inspired by [Link To Item #2293653] ) Merit Badge in Reviewing [Click For More Info] Ranked # 90 Public Reviewer for the month of June 2023 . For more details, please see [Link To Item #614925] . Merit Badge in Love to Read [Click For More Info] Dear [Link To User normajeantrent] , Thank you for your generous July 2023 donation to [Link To Item #simple] in support of worthy groups all around Writing.Com. Annette Merit Badge in Food Cooking [Click For More Info] Thank you for participating in my newsfeed challenge - [Link to Note #914701]. I appreciate your contributions! Merit Badge in Circle Journals [Click For More Info] Dear [Link To User normajeantrent] , Thank you for your generous August 2023 donation to [Link To Item #simple] in support of worthy groups all around Writing.Com. Annette Merit Badge in Determination [Click For More Info] Congratulations on reaching your reading goal for July 2023 at [Link To Item #brothel] !
Merit Badge in Halloween Groundhog [Click For More Info] Thank you for being a member of The Highly Secret Groundhog Association Merit Badge in Halloween [Click For More Info] Dear [Link To User normajeantrent] , Thank you for your generous October 2023 donation to [Link To Item #simple] in support of worthy groups all around Writing.Com. Annette Merit Badge in Community [Click For More Info] Thank you so much for all that you've done to make the October Novel Prep Challenge so brilliant. Merit Badge in Reviewing [Click For More Info] Ranked # 81 Public Reviewer for the month of October 2023 . For more details, please see [Link To Item #614925] . Merit Badge in ZombieRun [Click For More Info] Congratulations! Your perseverance, wit, and street smarts allowed you to survive the hordes of the undead during the 2023 [Link To Item #2305152] *^*Zombiehand*^* *^*Brain*^*




Previous ... -1- 2 ... Next
July 31, 2020 at 12:34pm
July 31, 2020 at 12:34pm
#989594
It's beautiful on the porch today. Now if it could stay this way all day I'd be a happy camper. *Smile* But it will be hot the weather prognosticators say. But it is July 31st, so okay fine, enjoy it while we can. Soon the wind *Wind* and *Snow4* will be here and then we'll all be moaning and groaning about the cold. So bring on the sun*Sun*.

The other day I got a big surprise. A letter from a little gal that used to live across the alley from us then moved to SC wrote a kind little letter.*MailGr* *NotepadY* It has been about three years or more since she moved, with no contact since two days ago. Emery, curious name for a little girl, used to come over and visit several times in a month. Then she brought her big sister sometimes. I always felt a bit sorry for the two of them. But suddenly mom and dad decided Montana was not the wonderful place they thought it would be, and off they left in a hurry. So I wrote a note back to the little friend in hopes she'll be my penpal now.

The grasshopper saga continues. The little buggers are still chomping and gnawing their way through my garden and flowers. They leisurely chew the potatoes, corn, kale, and yesterday I saw they added a green tomato to the salad bar offering. Rotten little beggars. We go out and catch some and put them in the jar of death, the vinegar bath. But that is like whistling in the wind. *Whistle* *Wind* Ineffective at best. But it makes us feel just a bit better.

So I've decided these are the best ways to get rid of the pests: *Duck* *Chicken* *Poison* *Snow1**PirateShip**Martian**Bomb* *Witch**Cross1*. I've considered all the options over the past few days and decided that the last one is the best one. I've been praying the little green locusts disappear. And they will. First cold weather, they'll be gone.

We just had a visitor, the local artist that helped us in the past with woodwork in our past remodeling projects. He is now going to make the windowsills for the current room we're doing, plus another for the last room in the first floor that we'll tackle in the next year or two. Hubby fretted over this the past few days about how to do these windowsills, he can't do them, the helper we've hired says he 'maybe can' so I suggested we call the artist. Troy is skilled in all things wood, and does a bang-up job. Of course, you have to deal with an artist's sense of time, at the speed of molasses some times, and an artist's price, not cheap, but his work is exceptional. So problem solved. I pray.

Today we volunteer at the museum. Perhaps we'll get some visitors. Maybe not. The virus has posted a victim in our county. The first one since March. And we were doing so well. Darn. Of course, with the way things are reported with this madness, this person could be one of the astronauts on the space station, but if that person lives in Musselshell County, they are listed in our numbers. Strange goings on.

So everyone enjoy the cusp of summer! Here in Montana it is bittersweet. Kids go back to school in a few weeks. The sun will be getting less and less each day. Soon fall will be here and then winter. Hard to think about when it will be 95 degrees today. *HeartG*
July 27, 2020 at 9:23pm
July 27, 2020 at 9:23pm
#989318
Today we left the house at the wonderful temperature of 60 degrees. Yes - it is July 27th and it was chilly. Tomorrow is hubby's birthday, and I shudder when I think how old he will be. But that doesn't matter. He wanted to go fishing. We don't live near any decent river, the Musselshell has catfish, yuck. So we decided last night to drive up to the Missouri. What a wonderful river that is, what history. Lewis and Clark. Fur trappers, pioneers on steamboats, Ft. Peck Dam in the depression years employing thousands of men and women.

We drive up US RT 87 from Roundup to Grass Range. Then you get on MT Rt 19 for a short time and then get on US Rt 191 and go for another ways til you get to the Charles Russell National Wildlife Area - The Upper Missouri Breaks National Monument. So we drive for about 90 miles to get there. Through mile after mile of open land, recently baled hay in those big round bales. Then occasionally you'll see some cattle, and some land gone to sagebrush. We did see some antelope next to the highway - they were really flying. That reminded me of the time we saw some antelope, a good herd of ten or so, in Big Timber. (Big Timber is between Billings and Bozeman.) We were cruising along a back road in our old Jeep, our beloved dog, Bonnie in the back. The antelope were cruising along, so we thought, 'Wonder how fast they can go?' We clocked at 45 MPH, they raced beside us for a mile or so, before we slowed down, they moved to a field and out of sight quick as anything. Amazing. So today the song, "So give me a home, where the buffalo roam, the deer and the antelope play....." So we saw antelope and cattle are ungulates like deer, so I'll count that...... but no buffalo. Darn. That would've been cool.

Anyway, up the road we go, through Petrolem County for a few miles. Now this is interesting. Petroleum County is very small. There are maybe 500 people living in the entire county. But recently an alumnus of the high school gave the county over a million dollars to build a community center in Winnett, the county seat. Amazingly generous. So through Petroleum County on the way to Grass Range, a small little burg off the highway. Stop at the light and keep going. You see Black Butte and the Judith Mountains off to the West as you drive. Beautiful. But there are over 40 more miles to go. And now you enter Fergus County. And then suddenly you are at the bridge over the Missouri. It's a large river. So we take the drive to the fishing access area. Hubby finds a place to park. Ahhh, bathroom. Good idea. Goops, locked up because of the virus. Really? Oh well, bushes work. Then we
walk down to the bank, high above the river. We put the grasshoppers *Grasshopper* in our yard to work. They are bait, take that, you buggers. He fishes for several hours, I walk about. Fishing *FishP* to me is like watching paint *PaintBrush* dry, watching grass *Grass* grow, playing golf *Golf* . Boredom. I read a book. I take pictures. I take a nap. We eat some food, he fishes some more. You may catch paddle fish here. That would be cool! No dice. Or sturgeon. No dice. He gets one nibble. So after a time, we decide to go over to the other side of the river, where there is better access to the river bank.

The other side of the river is a recreation area, camping and such. The bathrooms there are open, curious. Why here and not there? Who knows. No one around to ask. Oh well. We park under a tree because now it is about a million degrees in the sun. After a time, we eat the rest of our food, and before we leave, hubby decides to use the bathroom. He wanders to the toilet, but uses the bushes beside it. When he comes back, I say, "Why go outside? The bathrooms here are open." He replies, "I know, but this one is closed." "What? Why this one?" "A big snake crawled under the wall there and curled up right beside the door, so this one is now closed." COOL! What kind of snake? Rattlesnake? "How should I know? I wasn't about to get close enough to look." So I had to go get the camera and go back and check this out. Now remember, I'm the one that touched the alligator, or was it a crocodile? in the Everglades and lived to tell about it *Crazy* . I have a picture of this extremely large brown and yellow snake coiled up in front of the door to the vault toilet at the campground. I'm also the snake wrangler at the motel where we used to work. Snakes and things don't bother me. I looked it up at home, it's a gopher snake. They can get to be 7 feet long, common to all of Montana. Wonderful.......

So we bundle back in the car and make the trip back home, no fish but a really cool snake story! Plus two antelope. It was a good day.
July 25, 2020 at 2:50pm
July 25, 2020 at 2:50pm
#989121

Friday - We’ve had a lot of call outs for the volunteer firefighters, another this afternoon as we sat manning the Museum lobby. Skunked again, by the way. No visitors.

So hubby and I have a theory. It’s dry out there on the prairie. There are a plague of grasshoppers. We think it’s all those hoppers rubbing their legs together - all that friction causing grassfires. So, we think we should line them up, blindfold them and shoot the little buggers. No Miranda act, no second chances. There’ll be a million tomorrow hatching to take their places so no big loss.

Hubby and I worked on the garden last night. We used some Home Defense spray around the perimeter. Kind of like a little boy peeing on a big fire, but, hey, it made us feel better. Then I had a grand idea. Why don’t I catch some and put them in some kind of container full of some liquid? No gasoline, so I used vinegar. So from about a billion (and I do tend to exaggerate a bit, ask hubby) I think I caught twenty or so and plunged them into the acid bath in a mason jar with a lid. They are there still. In the sun. In the 90 degree heat. Hmmmm. I wonder what kind of pickling that would be…….. *Poison* And no, I am not going to try eating them. I don’t think I am that hungry.

I visited with a motel owner yesterday for my SE Montana Tourism duty. He stated that his revenue so far for the year is down $60,000. Horrible. I feel so bad for the tourism industry, and not just for Montana, which relies heavily on tourism dollars, but for the entire world. No one is traveling. Everyone is afraid. Hubby and I are not afraid and we are probably in the minority. We feel that more people die from heart disease and other problems than from this virus. And we are of the age that death does not scare us anymore. In fact, some days, it sounds welcome. And that is not to make light of people’s suffering, or to ignore the pain of those who lost loved ones. But we cannot keep letting this interfere with our lives. We have to let things settle into a new normal, whatever that may be. We have to let fear take a back seat. Because if you let fear drive your life, it will shorten it and make it less OF a life.

Saturday - It’s a wonderful Summer day today. The sky is blue, the temperature is about 80, not bad for a late July Saturday. I slept in. And for once I did sleep a little. I knew I slept because I had a little dream. About a neighborhood girl, Alivia. That’s all I remember of the dream, the girl and her name. She used to come over a lot to play a bit. She used to bring a friend, Ally. They were quite the pair. Alivia always wanted to play with my computer, some game by NatGeo called Animal Jam. *Computer* It was fun. Then Ally always wanted me to sew for her, always a purse.*PurseV* She had the idea and chose the fabrics from my stash and I made the purse. Always a purse. *PurseB* These girls no longer come over, Alivia is older and Ally moved away, something about mom and dad and custody, sad story. Alivia is being raised by grandparents while mother does time for drugs, another sad story.

I rode my wonderful bike today instead of a walk. Down to the fairgrounds and back. It was a nice two mile ride. Then hubby and I consulted on the remodeling project. Slow but sure is the status on that.

Then walking by is a little girl I know from a couple at church, their granddaughter Annabelle. She and her mother just moved into a house down the street owned by the other daughter of Edith and Robert. Now this is another soap opera. You’ll need to make a flow chart for this.*Puzzle2* So Angie with sons, sons are in California to visit father for the summer, are moving to another house that Angie’s boyfriend bought for her in town. Now Angie’s sister is moving into Angie’s house with Annabelle. Angie’s sister, I think her name is Marcie?,that doesn’t matter, is from Big Fork, MT, and has left her boy friend. So now Robert and Edith will have two of their children in town with them. Robert and Edith have two sons also, foster sons they have adopted that are now in Arizona visiting their other son. They should be home in time for school to start. Are you confused yet?

Yes, it’s a wicked world we live in. And a very strange world now as well. Gone are the days when mom and dad and kids all lived together. The family stayed together. At least that was my experience. I know things have gotten so jumbled up, even in my childhood some had bad families and bad childhoods. But recently, oh my.

Well, so far today, no fire signal. We pray the fires are out and no new ones begin. Maybe it will rain, that would be good. *Rain*

I may have a memorial service for my corn and potatoes sometime soon. The plants are looking like a nuclear bomb *Bomb* went off in the garden patch.

Yep, 2020 is getting to be something of a year bury in the refuse pile. Just like my corn *Corn* and potato plants. *Grave*




July 23, 2020 at 12:23pm
July 23, 2020 at 12:23pm
#988954
The clouds have rolled in as we slept overnight. Good thing, too. It was about 100 degrees yesterday, a little warm. We don't use A/C in our home. We don't like it, and in Montana, you don't have extended periods of hot weather. So we close up the house, use fans. And it stays pretty cool. All except the second floor, which we haven't improved yet. And that is where I've been sleeping since the remodeling has been started. Hubby getting up at 5:30 to bang and clang around is just a little annoying. So it was just a bit warm up there last night. *Frown* But fans in the window pulling some cool air in helped. *Wind* It also pulled in the sound of the fire siren, at 11:00 and again around midnight. Seems there was a fire out east of town, per someone's Facebook posting this morning. I guess it's still burning. Darn. I pray every time there's a siren. Pray for the people involved. Pray for the siren and also if I hear a helicopter on the way to the hospital. That's also not a good sound.

So yesterday was my busy day. But I did have a good time. Met with a lady at one of the motels. Got rid of some SE Montana tour guides. She told me she had a lot of reservations canceled for the summer, but on the up side, she has quite a few rooms rented to workers on the road project. So the scale is balanced in her favor again. Then my friend Waneta at church shared some of her garden bounty, fresh tomatoes. *Tomato* Yum! Nothing better than a dead ripe tomato, red as red can be. The red that red was named for. The red of Crayola red crayons. Going on a salad today. Then off to the thrift store. We always have fun there. Nora, Waneta and I met up with Kay and her three little grandchildren in tow. The little ones played with donated toys, *Toy* while we sorted treasures. Someone donated a broiler/rotisserie machine. So, if you don't want to pay $1.99, or whatever, for that Costco Chicken, you can do one at home. Deal! Some collector plates of horses for each month of the year. Deal! A fake Ficus tree with lights. Deal! Kay bought that for the children's room at church. Deal! She also took some fabric, she's a quilter. Plus the usual flotsam and jetsam from people's donations. It always amazes us the amount of stuff donated. There were perfectly fine men's jeans we found, but oh my! the smell. So I sprayed them with Febreeze. I fear they may be unsellable. Like I said, I always, ALWAYS, wash my hands well when I come home.

Nora went home early, we feared for her. She is older than most of us. But it was hot. I did call her this morning. She's out mowing the lawn, her sister said. So she's fine.

On the way to play practice last night, a feast for the eyes! I saw: a doe and fawn with spots crossing the road. Deer in the fields. I think I saw a cormorant on a log in the river. I know I saw a great blue heron flying overhead. The feet behind the body give it away. The road I take is Route 12 East to Musselshell, a tiny community. This road follows the Musselshell river most of the way.

Play practice went well. Dalen is the director of this production. We'll see about that. I have a very, and I repeat, very small part. I'm on once in Act 1 and at the end. I already know my part. I could actually miss most rehearsals and do fine. But this is about building the team and all, so I go. Thankfully on the way home I see no wildlife. I have over the past few years doing this learned that if I honk my horn, animals will perhaps not cross the road. So I honk my horn all the 20 miles home. *Worry* Then when I get to the outskirts of Roundup, I can breathe a sigh of relief. I stop and clean my windshield from all the bug guts and drive the few blocks home.

This morning I go to the hardware store and check for NEEM oil. My friend, the hardware girl, says, "Well, it could be in the warehouse, see all those boxes?" *Box* Yep, there they are. "There are only 3 of us here. But if I see it, I'll set it aside for you." Okey dokey, I'll be by later. Pleasantries for a few more minutes and back here I trudge.

Then I make a phone call to the printer for the MUD brochures. I am chairman for the MUD. Musselshell Unity Drive. Curious why they named it such. I am the new chairman this year. The old chairman is no help. So I'm on my own. She threw some boxes at me, told me who did the printing. Kind of, good luck with this. So, I'm going to change things up a bit.

My writing is going out to the paper. "Our name is MUD - now that I have your attention. Let me tell you what we're about......" is how I started the article. Then for a series of weeks I'm going to profile the organizations that benefit from the fund raising. The previous chairman did nothing like this. So we'll see what happens.

Hubby is busy with the floor in the remodeling room. Staining and fixing and puttering. We discussed the closet doors we need to purchase. Seems a road trip to North Dakota or Wisconsin is in the future. Hmmmm.........





Queen Norma Jean *Crown*
July 22, 2020 at 12:15pm
July 22, 2020 at 12:15pm
#988869
This morning on the porch is warm and sunny. Today is to be hot, they say. With a cloudless blue sky and bright sun, the weatherman may be right. But it is July, and at this elevation we are closer to the sun than most, so we will probably be hot. But the best thing about our low humidity is the cool-off at night. It was 57 degrees this morning. Nice.

A man staying with Jack and Heather, who live two doors down, finally moved his big 5th wheel RV. It had been parked on the street for about a month. Annoying, it blocked traffic, making our street a one-way. So yesterday we saw his big truck hooked to the trailer and then off it went. Hooray! The street is clear again.

The grasshoppers are still gnawing away on the garden. Little terrorists. We tried to buy some organic preparations online, but all sources are sold out. I guess we aren't the only ones having troubles. *Grasshopper**Grass* *Grasshopper**Grass**Grasshopper* The hardware store said they may have the magic potion in on Thursday. We'll see if that is true and we''ll buy that Neem oil. I know Sevin works, but I do an organic garden. So I moan and groan about pests, but put up with them.

Soon we head out to do Meals on Wheels. *CarG* We have a routine, and it takes more or less half an hour. So first down 3rd Street West, a few ladies there, then down to 1st Street West, a lady there. Then it's over to Main Street and a lady who works at the Self Storage office. Then over to the East side, a man in a repair place, then two ladies on 2nd Street East, a lady and man on 6th Ave East, then back to 1st Street East and a couple there, then over to a rent-controlled apartment with meals for two ladies. Then we head back across Main Street and give a meal to a man on 10th Ave West, head up the hill and give meals to a lady in a trailer on 13th Street West and another to a family, not sure who gets this one, right across the street. Sometimes there are more, sometimes there are less. But that is pretty much the route we take. Hubby drives and gives out meals, I keep track of the list and help when there are two at an address. *Smile* So we not only deliver meals, we also check on people. Say hello, make sure they are okay. Report back to the powers that be if we see anything out of the ordinary. For some of these folks, it may be the only visitor they get all day, any day.

So off to Meals on Wheels. I hope the meal is something I can eat. If not, back home again to fix home food. I will try to drop off some SE Montana *Mountains* tour guides to motels today, then off to church *Cross1* , then off to the thrift store *ShirtG* , then later off to play practice *Mask*. Whew, Wednesday is a busy day for me. But I enjoy busy. Good thing.






July 20, 2020 at 11:51am
July 20, 2020 at 11:51am
#988673
I've been invaded, friends. The enemy has arrived. They have taken over part of my space and now I'm sure will be breaking down my doors soon. Unfortunately, it's too late to call the law. Damage has been done. I'm doomed.

Grasshoppers. Hundreds of them have descended upon the garden. We do an organic garden so don't use pesticides. So I discover Neem oil and diatomaceous earth may work. But they munched on my kale, were cavorting in the corn, and prancing among the potato plants. ARGH!!!!!! Little rotten buggers! I am mad about it, my hubby says, what are you to do? You've made a jungle out of the garden space, it's all your fault. So now we have a little feud about that, not the grasshopper issue.

So this morning I'm sitting on the porch fuming about this. But it's a nice day, the sun is shining, the sky is blue with a few clouds. What is normally a quiet place to sit is now noisy. The main street through town, a block over, is being torn up for water pipe replacement. And what a mess this is. All the water pipes in town are original, from the 1910 era. Our water is horrid, corrodes pipes, appliances. You can't drink it. We drink reverse osmosis water and have an elaborate filter on the house water besides. ANYWAYS, my quiet interlude is not so quiet this morning.

I did see my neighbor out. I hadn't seen her outside for weeks. I do see her dog out, so I know she's around. She has neck problems after a car wreck some time ago, so she has pain issues. It was good to see Janet outside.

An interesting fellow just rode by on his bike. His name is Tim. He lives several blocks over. He never made it past the 3rd grade in school. He lives alone and does interesting folk art. He is always unkempt, untidy, disheveled. Those adjectives don't really describe him. He is one of those people that once he starts talking, you can't get away from them. He also carries a purse and wears a bra. I try not to judge. But I guess by writing those lines I just did. Every town needs a character and I guess he is Roundup's.

I should go check the garden. But I am mad. I don't want to lose all the potatoes. We ate potatoes for months last year from what grew last summer.
Perhaps I should catch all the grasshoppers and serve them for lunch. Chocolate covered. *Grasshopper* *Grasshopper* *Grasshopper*
July 18, 2020 at 8:43pm
July 18, 2020 at 8:43pm
#988529
I am sitting on the porch right after church. It's a most excellent Saturday evening. The sun is out, the sky is blue, but I see cirrus clouds, Mares' tail they're called.“Mares' tails and mackerel scales make lofty ships to carry low sails.” They usually mean rain is on the way. Good for us. We can always use the rain in Montana.

Church was nice, I always enjoy the time with fellow believers. We had a new couple, just moved into the area. He said remember us as 'President Clinton and Queen Esther'. So now I am sure to remember these two with that introduction. I can always remember faces, names not so much.

The other day I was thinking of some of the items I've seen from my time at the thrift store. So this is from the detritus destined for the dump, the flotsam and jetsam of life, I have found:
An original oriental rug from Iran, this I bought - verified by the cleaner of such rugs - Persia/Iran rugs - to me the term is interchangeable- to the people not at all.
The box of dreams - all that baby girl stuff I talked about previously.
Dirty underwear - people really do give that away. Really, they do. Unwashed. Ooooh. This is why I always wash my hands when I come home after the thrift store. Always.
Stained and ripped shirts and blouses, dresses.
Rundown cowboy boots.
Workboots with the toes blown out.
Torn and dirty jeans, I know they're all the style but these are beyond nasty.
Brand new shoes still in the box.
Brand new white boots suitable for a wedding, never worn. There's a story there.
Brand new shirts, dresses, pants, blouses, tops, still in wrappers, never worn.
Clothes with tags still on them, never worn. Some of those I've bought.
It amazes me every time I go what people part with, the amount of clothing, the majority is junk from China, that is given away. Just amazing.

But then we are such a disposable society now. Gone is the day of hand-me-downs. You had to wear the clothes your sister, your brother wore. You wore your clothes out. You wore your shoes out. You had one nice pair of shoes. You had one pair of shoes for school. You had one coat for winter.

Now people have closets bigger than the room I am remodeling to be my new bedroom. Indecent, in my opinion. But then, no one asked for my opinion.

I watched one of those hoarding shows the other night. This woman had been buying clothes for years, there were so many items they made a pile at least 6 feet high and 10 feet wide. You could no longer see any furniture in her apartment. She definitely had a problem. It goes back to the rule in our house. Something comes in, something has to go out.

So that is all the news there is to print this fine Sabbath evening in Montana. I had a fine day of rest. Tomorrow is another day. Another week to start over. Amen.













Queen Norma Jean *Crown*
July 17, 2020 at 7:29pm
July 17, 2020 at 7:29pm
#988431
It's raining right now as I sit on the porch. We called it quits at the museum half an hour early. We got skunked today, no visitors. That happens. The governor announced that mandate the other day so now everyone is again worried, upset, calling for his head, calling for everyone to wear a mask all the time, canceling all plans for the rest of eternity.

A friend of mine swears she will not shop in Montana any more, she will drive to Wyoming. ????? What? Drive two hours to shop for groceries? Shop local. Shop online, wear the blasted mask and drive for an hour to Billings. Swallow your pride and wear the mask. And yes, the government can tell you what to do, dear heart. Ah, we shall see, we shall see.

The leader of a writing group I was a part of told us today she was disbanding the group. I am copying her email comment to the group:Please note that the Writing Practice group will not be meeting in the foreseeable future. A worsening pandemic, mask-wearing (inside), and now higher temperatures (outside) have been/are problems that seem difficult to overcome. Or maybe the group has seen better days. So I responded, higher temperatures outside, if we chose to meet in a park, are not a problem, we meet in the morning. Mask wearing is not required where we meet, in a bank, and some don't want to wear a mask if not required, that would be me. Oh and she is the one that said she was going to 'hunker in her bunker' for two weeks after the 4th of July, since our town had a rodeo and lots of strangers would bring illness, they didn't. And it's 'mask it or casket' for everyone. I happen to like those two catch phrases and somehow plan to use them in my writing. They amuse me. The illness doesn't amuse me, and it's serious business, but it isn't a part of my life at this point. I'm not letting it rule my life. I'm living life, not letting anxiety and worry rule it.

Okay, on to better things. Well, maybe not. Grasshoppers are on the rise. Literally hopping all over. The house to the north of us, right next door, has been sold, many months ago. For some reason it still sits empty. And now for some reason the lawn hasn't been mowed for weeks. There's a real jungle there. And grasshoppers are everywhere now, coming from that yard, I'm certain of it. If I wasn't worried my mower would die, I'd mow the foot tall grass. But every day I pray the owners will show up. They had grand plans back in the winter of redoing this grand old place, gutting the inside, restoring it and all. Yeah, well it still sits. Lonely and abandoned. Except for the grasshoppers.

Thursday we went to Billings for shopping and dental appointments. Always fun to get up at the butt-crack of dawn and get on the road for a day-long shopping trip. Ugh. And everywhere we went, masks were required. Hubby got chastised in the food store. 'It won't do any good if it's not over your nose!' Well, alrighty then. He pulled his mask up like a good soldier. But the most irritating thing was Walmart. We knew the mask rule at Walmart was to take effect on the 20th, but then the governor of Montana said the 15th, so fine. But then at the Walmart we go to upped the ante. They closed down the entrances to only one in and out. Really? So you think you have a great parking spot near the entrance, only to find it all blocked and locked and have to walk down to the other one. We really hate that store anyway, and try not to go there, but every now and then you have to go there for that one certain thing.

We did pick up some wood for baseboards and such yesterday. More pieces of the puzzle that is our remodeling project. Now they have to be cut to the size needed and stained. Then our friend can come in and get more work done on our room. It's slowly coming together.

So now the thunder storm *Lightning3**Lightning* *Lightning2* is passing to the north. The sun is back out, the wind is gently blowing. Maybe a nice night ahead! We love Montana!




Queen Norma Jean *Crown*
July 15, 2020 at 8:21pm
July 15, 2020 at 8:21pm
#988270
Today again started off chilly, in the low 50's this morning. We did meals on wheels today. On the way there, I walk by my garden plot. Something catches my eye. A hopping green blob. A very large frog - or is it a toad? Never can tell them apart. But it is green and large and covered in warts. Nice. I tell it to hurry and eat all the grasshoppers in the yard that are slowly invading the garden. It ignores me and hops away. So we go to the Senior Center to do 'Meals on Wheels.' The list is divided in two sections, West and East. Curious, I ask. Why? Oh, they didn't think you were coming today. Choose a side. I chose West, hee haw, we'll be done early. 'But if that other side is still there when we are done, we'll deliver it as well,' I tell hubby in the car. The deliveries are made in record time. We return. Sure enough, the cart is still sitting there, waiting for delivery. We head out again. We deliver the East side of town. In record time. 'Thank goodness for you two.' Yeah, yeah. Good old Norma and hubby. It's what we do.

So we sit and eat lunch, sloppy joes and salad and dessert. We hear why there was a mix-up. The lady who schedules the volunteers is having a worse day than we are. Laughter all around about bad days people have had. Then I hear "Norma, phone call from Dale." Hmmm. How does he know I'm here? Oh, that's right, I just delivered a meal to his wife. Dale lives next to my church. The city needs to get into the church to turn back on the water service. The city is replacing water lines and the church has been on temporary water service for a week or so. I jump in the car and head to the church, let the city guy in, go back home, gather some materials, and head back to church for bible study, then head to the thrift store where we volunteer.

At the store, I opened a box that made me sad. It reminded me of Hemingway's famous 6 word story: 'For Sale; baby shoes, never worn' In this box were little girl baby shoes, four pair, a baby Christmas outfit, baby bottles, baby diapers, a baby photo album, baby blanket, baby rattle, and baby hat. And the book 'What to Expect When You're Expecting'. A booklet of baby shower games. Nothing had been used. All brand new. Aaahhhh. What happened? It made me sad. I wanted to know.

Our time at the thrift store always goes by fast, and soon we have to leave. When I got home, I listened to my governor speak about a new directive. Seems masks will be required in any county with more than 4 cases of the Corona virus. That leaves me out. Our county has 0 cases. But I will have to wear one tomorrow when I make a trip to Billings to go shopping. The cases there have exploded, due to a nursing home if I understand the news. We don't really watch the news anymore. But I do sometimes catch things online.

Tonight is play practice. I love the drive to Musselshell. Sometimes I will see a bald eagle in a certain tree. And as it gets toward August and September, the elk begin to gather in a field near there. And there is a wet area where birds will migrate through. Sometimes there will be white pelicans.

Yesterday I actually won two contests! Amazing but true. I won the Writing Cramp daily award as well as the Daily Flash Fiction. I love it when the muse gets to going and things just click. So look for 'To the Moon and Back' and 'Grandma's Lamp'. It has been a long time since I had won the Flash Fiction competition, so to open that email to read I was the winner was quite a surprise!

Enjoy the rest of the evening, folks. I go to pretend I am someone else. For just a little while.




July 14, 2020 at 11:38am
July 14, 2020 at 11:38am
#988140
Well it was a nice day yesterday to eat on the porch. Our mid-day meal was leisurely. Baked chicken and rice, a kale salad with avocado and then the key lime bars I mentioned last time. Avocados are a recent addition to our diet. The eye doctor told me to start eating more lutein, since I have the beginning of macular degeneration, of course I do, and avocados are a great source. Hubby thinks they are icky but I tell him they are medicine, eat up. So he is a brave soldier and eats a half every day. We eat, we talk and then, whammy, what time is it? Yikes! I have to go. Time to run to church. Bible study then our radio show, sorry to leave you with the mess but I have to go. He is a bit put out, but I think he will survive.

So the radio show went well, I was the leader, the regular leader had to stay home and get ready for company. We thought we couldn't fill the half hour, but somehow we talked our way through and made it the entire thirty minutes, then I always to the thrift store where we volunteer on Wednesday to say 'hey!'. Got some baskets rescued from a building that burnt some time ago, so I brought those home to clean for them so maybe they can sell them. Also got a really cool old hat, maybe I can use that for the play I'm in, I have a costume idea. If not, it's still a cool old hat.

Then later last night I was updating said thrift store's Facebook's page. As I updated the picture, it asked me if I wanted to 'frame' it. Sure, I like to try new things. I look for ideas. Lo and behold, up pops an idea with my friend's name on it, with her picture. My friend lives in Michigan, I knew her from Ohio, she is not affiliated with Facebook as far as I know, WOW! Small world, so of course I have to use this cool frame for a picture for a thrift store in Montana. Amazing.

Today it is too cold, and I mean cold, to sit on the porch this morning. 49 degrees. Mid-July. Weird. And I don't even live in the mountains.

I am washing curtains, long overdue. The housecleaning process is beginning. Wish me luck.

17 Entries · *Magnify*
Page of 2 · 10 per page   < >
Previous ... -1- 2 ... Next

© Copyright 2024 QueenNormaJeanGreeneggs&vegham (UN: normajeantrent at Writing.Com). All rights reserved.
QueenNormaJeanGreeneggs&vegham has granted Writing.Com, its affiliates and its syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work.

Log in to Leave Feedback
Username:
Password: <Show>
Not a Member?
Signup right now, for free!
All accounts include:
*Bullet* FREE Email @Writing.Com!
*Bullet* FREE Portfolio Services!
Printed from https://www.writing.com/main/profile/blog/normajeantrent/month/7-1-2020