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Monday, May. 13, 2024

7:15pm EDT

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PORCH PONDERINGS

by QueenNormaJeanGreeneggs&vegham

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?

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

Signature for nominees of the 2019 Quill Awards

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Show Recent Comments

10 Most Recent Blog Comments:

Schnujo is Late to Lannister

Apr 28, 2024 at 7:30am
In response to "Oscar and Tony and Grammy winner !!!"

I know carpal tunnel can be really bad. My friend's son has it really bad. At only 21, his hands were already numb because his dad wouldn't let him learn to drive so he couldn't go to the doctor and his dad wouldn't take him. He's finally moved out and learned to drive. His hands are better after he got a different job, but he's still got issues.

Have you tried learning to do speech-to-text? I hear it's quite a difficult transition for some folks, but once you get it, everything is a breeze after that. I keep meaning to take a series try at it. I did a few sentences one day, just to test it out, but didn't get too far. I need to really buckle down. It seems slower because the words don't appear on the screen as fast as when I type. But in the end, I can talk faster than I can type and I don't have to wait for it to catch up after ever sentence. lol I do need to figure out how much I can talk before it loses the thread, though.

But then, when writing fiction, I have to stop and think a lot, so it will probably be fine. lol I just need to do it enough that I feel comfortable not watching the screen anymore. I hear that's the real sticky point -- watching the words slowly appear as you are talking can be really distracting, so they recommend you don't do that. I will for a bit, just to get a feel for things and to satisfy my curiosity. But hopefully, if I take this seriously, I can let go of that need with practice and really get going.

Hmmm...I know I talk a lot. And I can talk while doing things I can't do when typing like getting dressed or making dinner or whatever. I wonder if I could actually finish a project through speech-to-text or if being bored sitting there typing isn't the real problem.

It's something to ponder and play with. Thank you! As usual, you've helped me with my writing YET AGAIN!

You're the best!

1 Like

QueenNormaJeanGreeneggs&vegham

Apr 28, 2024 at 1:37am
In response to "Oscar and Tony and Grammy winner !!!"

schunujo I don't worry about NaNo or OctoPrep. I think that event is far enough in the future. I am bummed that I cannot garden this year. I've been typing and writing all this time with just one hand and three fingers so...

I am excited to get the pain level lessened. Then I found out from my daughter the other day that she suffers from carpal tunnel as well, but as is typical for her, she won't get it treated. The problem with that syndrome is if it gets too severe, you could actually lose total function of your hand. Now that is the worst case scenario of course. I am scared enough by that prospect, I'll endure a few more months of recovery pain to heal the problem.

QueenNormaJeanGreeneggs&vegham

Apr 28, 2024 at 1:32am
In response to "Oscar and Tony and Grammy winner !!!"

Kåre Enga in Montana

When are you arriving back in Montana? And which airport? I'll be tied up for a few days after surgery. But I think once my husband goes back east to get our car, perhaps sometime in May we pray, I could make a road trip.

1 Like

Schnujo is Late to Lannister

Apr 25, 2024 at 7:13pm
In response to "Oscar and Tony and Grammy winner !!!"

Wow! You have so much going on!

I'm really sorry all of this is happening at the same time.

But I am super glad the doctor thinks he can fix you, even if you won't be good as new. But new things are too expensive anyway.

I'm certainly glad you'll be in much less (hopefully no) pain in the (hopefully not too distant) future!

I've also had times when a specialist told me I should have seen him sooner. Well, maybe if I hadn't been required to get a referral...

The surgery timing sounds pretty good with a 6-month recovery time. You'll be pushing it for NaNo, but I think you can do it. After all, I need my best cheerleader out there!

In truth, you have a big impact on my success in NaNo, but I could probably do it without you if I had to. Most importantly, I want YOU to be okay -- happy, healthy, and pain-free! If that means you miss a year of NaNo, so be it. YOU are more important.

QPdoll

Apr 25, 2024 at 6:00am
In response to "Oscar and Tony and Grammy winner !!!"

QueenNormaJeanGreeneggs&vegham

and Kåre Enga in Montana

I hope you both can find transportation on Monday! Good luck to you!

Norma, it's good you have your surgery scheduled. I think you'll feel so much better with pain relief. My husband had carpal tunnel surgery and he is happy that his fingers don't go numb anymore.

Safe travels to you both!

1 Like

Kåre Enga in Montana

Apr 25, 2024 at 2:42am
In response to "Oscar and Tony and Grammy winner !!!"

I don't have to explain my trip back to Montana as you get the picture.

I've been stressed for so long...

I can relax at the hostel and in Seoul airport.

Need to arrange a ride home though...

I assume you'll not be available.

1 Like

QueenNormaJeanGreeneggs&vegham

Apr 25, 2024 at 2:05am
In response to "Drama"

Elycia Lee ☮

Try cutting back your plants. Then try dusting them gently. They breathe through the surface of the leaves.
I found this on Google about rubber plants:
Water when the soil is almost completely dry. ...
Spray with a mister every few days, they like to keep their leaves moist.
Place in a bright room, but keep away from super sunny windows to avoid sunburn Between 15°C to 25°C is their optimum temperature.

Kåre Enga in Montana

Apr 20, 2024 at 11:50am
In response to "Drama"

I should be in Missoula May 1st. Chance of 20° or 70° ... sun, rain, snow, tornadoes, earthquake, Yellowstone blowing up?

Elycia Lee ☮

Apr 20, 2024 at 11:02am
In response to "Drama"

I never overwater them, but I think I'm underwatering them. The leaves are curling. When I put them out, their leaves burn. When I wipe them, lines appear on them... I really wanna start over, but I don't know how to... My rubber plants bottom stem leaves have dropped. Only the top is growing. For one of them, their baby leaf hasn't been growing for over 6 months now... Sounds like you've got quite the green finger there.

QueenNormaJeanGreeneggs&vegham

Apr 20, 2024 at 11:00am
In response to "Drama"

QPdoll

It was good to be out and work in the garden. We were both tired after, but that's okay. Digging in dirt always helps. There is always dirt in our lives. We have to dig up through it to get to the shining world on the other side.

1 Like

June 17, 2021 at 10:03pm

#1012064

Pompey's Pillar

So the good people of Southeast Montana Tourism met for the first time in over a year on Wednesday. We loved being back in good company. The town we chose for the meeting was Colstrip, MT.

Colstrip was founded in 1924 as a company town for the railroad. It provided coal, get the connection with the name? At one time there were at least 8,000 people living in the small town. Now the population is about 2,300.

It was a planned community from the start. The town has a lot of green space, nice walking areas and free recreation for the residents.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colstrip,_Montana

The meeting was informative, enjoyable, and a great getaway for the day. A fun surprise at the close were free gifts. I scored a very nice little jacket plus some other goodies I can give to friends.

I dropped hubby off at the Billings airport at 5 AM that morning for his flight back east. Then I made the drive east to Colstrip. After the meeting, I decided I'd like to stay there for the night. Being tired and all, it sounded like a good plan. I mean, how busy could it be? You have to drive 30 miles down a state road, off the freeway, to get to Colstrip. No dice. There are only 2 motels and both were full for the night. Ugghhh.

So I was faced with a drive of 2 1/2 hours home. Alone, and tired. But along the way I decided to stop for gas, important. And also at Pompeys Pillar. Have you heard of this national landmark? I have a national parks senior pass, so I decided to stop and take a walk.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pompeys_Pillar_National_Monument

The Lewis & Clark expedition came along the Yellowstone River in this part of Montana for part of their journey. At this one spot along the river, Clark climbed to the top of a sandstone formation to carve his name and the date.

The pillar is named after Sacajawea's son, Pomp. The date was July 25, 1806. It is clearly etched in stone, preserved by some sort of framing.

I love history. I especially love the story of the Lewis & Clark expedition. It amazes me to read of their journeys. To go off into the wild, with no way of knowing what or who you might encounter, well, that reminds me so much of our travels in our RV. It also reminds me of a Bible character, Abraham.

One display at this park is of two dug-out canoes made from trees. Holy cow, when I saw these I marveled. The men had to at times carry the boats over mountains, across barriers. Stronger men than I can imagine must have been on this trip. But if I remember right, only one person died and that man they think died of appendicitis.

After a quick stop at the national landmark, back in the car. I headed home, even though the thought of staying in a motel in Billings sure was tempting. But you know, if you get that far, you may as well bite the bullet and drive the remaining 50 miles. And in about an hour I was home.

Today it was nice to wake up in my own bed. Then I was able to water the outside plants. It is so dry, and after those hot days, all plants are just a bit thirsty.

The house next door is getting new windows. Some work is finally being done to that old place. It's only been about 2 years since the owners bought it.

There was another free food giveaway today. A friend called for a ride, she has no car. "Sure thing" I said. I forgot how much she likes to talk, and talk and talk... Well, anyway, 45 minutes of non-stop talking is enough for me. I came home with an abundance of food, some we cannot use. So I see my neighbor sitting outside. She has three little kids. It's tough now to feed a family, I would imagine. So Lydia got some free food.

My good deeds for the day are done. I think I'm going to go sit on my porch and read a book.

3 Like • Comment • View 1 comment

June 15, 2021 at 10:48pm

#1011945

Pre-Flight Fun

Tonight we are in Billings. Hubby had a medical appointment at the VA facility this morning. Then we did some shopping the rest of the day. I scheduled a hair appointment in the late afternoon. It was a full day.

One thing we found curious. This a big city in Montana. This is an old cowboy town. We wanted to get a bolo tie, you know the ones. Those string ties that come down to a clasp. Hubby wants to wear one when he goes back east with his cowboy hat and cowboy boots. Do you think we could find one? Let me tell you.

We went to a western boot store. No, go to the western clothing store around the corner and down the street. We went to the western clothing store. No, go to Deb's uniform store, she has them. We went to Deb's uniform store. No, I don't carry them, why did they send you here? Hmm. Our last choice was a ranch supply place. These people sell everything. And sure enough, they had those type of ties. Hurrah! Good thing we had the afternoon to aimlessly drive around searching.

So we are here in a hotel tonight. Hubby flies out tomorrow to go to Virginia in the morning. Big doings with his son and a big promotion at work. He was invited and by all means, you need to go, I told him. After I drop him off, I head to Colstrip for a Southeast Montana Tourism meeting. This one is the first one in over a year where we can all be together. No Zoom meeting anymore. Thank goodness.

We went to Outback for our lunch. The waiter tells us there is a digital menu on the table. Hmm. We don't use a cell phone. Now we already had. a paper menu, so I don't know why he mentioned it, but oh well. So we got to talking about this. If it is truly digital, why can't it be a hologram? Take us back into the kitchen, let us stand beside the chef, let us pick out the steak we want and watch it being grilled. Let us smell the steak cooking. Where is the technology for that? I think we're being cheated. I'm still upset that we don't have the flying cars like the Jetsons had.

Here in the lobby of the hotel, there is a group of four playing cards. Something just happened and one of them stalked off. Now they are trying to figure out what she was mad about and why she left.

'Should I go talk to her?'

'No, leave her alone ma. Call you tomorrow.'

'What did I do?'

'I think you're just tired. See ya' mom.'

And just like that, they all scattered. Dad in a motorized wheelchair scooted away, mom to her room, son outside, and the woman who left earlier in the elevator.

Must be a story there somewhere.

But there are stories everywhere. People watching is the most fun. And as writers, they are fodder for characters. And locations. Tonight our hotel is next to a hospital. We've used this hotel many times since I've been in St. Vincent Hospital several times. It is close to the airport, reasonably priced, and close to a wonderful neighborhood full of old homes and large trees. We walk the streets here every time. Even today, The temperature is 104°, but with a low humidity and a bit of a wind. Come to think of it, sort of like being in a convection oven.

Tomorrow promises to be a bit cooler. We can only hope. It is too early in the summer for this heat.

4 Like • Comment • View 1 comment

June 13, 2021 at 8:36pm

#1011828

Death of a Grizzly

I just have to share a wonderful article. I read about incident this a few days ago. I feel this article is well-written. The pictures are amazing. I am in awe of the size of this creature.

It is wonderful to know the bear will be buried far from souvenir hunters, back to the ground where he roamed.

https://www.ayellowstonelife.com/death-of-a-grizzly-bear/?fbclid=IwAR1kUkK2IWIOT...

4 Like • Comment

June 13, 2021 at 8:15pm

#1011827

Bike Ride

Today was a great day for a bike ride. Tomorrow is promising to be warmer. I did all the chores early. Water the garden, since the irrigation is now being contrary. Wash the towels. Wash the sheets. Wash a set of curtains. Then make lunch. Do the dishes. Whew. I decided a bike ride would be nice.

So I went through the neighborhoods, down toward the river. The Musselshell is down, very low right now. We have a nice little walking path. It runs along the river, then I jog off and go through the fairgrounds. I pickup the 4-H road and go back along 1st Ave. Hmm. What is going on over there? I detoured for a moment. Nothing, so I cycled over to the thrift store. I try to check the back door there on Sundays. People sometimes leave donations outside. Of course there is a sign saying 'Please don't leave donations when we are not open'. Nothing there for once. I cycle on. I want to see if a friend is home. Nope. Her RV is gone, so she must have gone camping to Harlowton, like she said the other day. I'll catch up with her tomorrow.

I rode by a home that just a week ago had a sign in every window. 'no trespassing' 'beware of dog' 'private property' and on the garage 'no parking'. And by every window, I do mean EVERY WINDOW. I talked with his neighbor and she was amused by him and just a bit curious. Now all the signs are gone. Hubby claims the house now has 'for sale' signs, which I didn't see today. Interesting.

As I crossed Main Street, a fire truck screamed by. It was the tanker truck. I checked the Facebook page and there is a fire out by the golf course. Not good. We are so dry right now. Any fire not contained can be a real disaster.

Home again, worked on a little story for the flash fiction competition. I love entering that little contest. A real challenge to write 300 words or less. I also am working on the radio script for tomorrow. We are discussing the woman in Proverbs 31. I seem to be the one that drives the discussion choices. Then I work up the scripts. But since the church elected me as the communications secretary, I guess I should be the one that drives this.

So now we are settling in for the evening. On the Ovation channel, an old movie, 'Clear and Present Danger'. Pretty sure, if memory serves me well, this is an adaptation of a Tom Clancy book. It stars Harrison Ford. And I really like anything he is in. So we watch them battle the Colombian drug lords. Speaking of them, what ever happened to them? You don't hear much about that anymore.

We have another day and then hubby flies to visit family and I go to a tourism meeting. I guess tomorrow is another laundry day.

4 Like • Comment • View 6 comments

June 12, 2021 at 11:55pm

#1011776

Graduation Day

My daughter just passed a milestone. She watched her last child graduate from high school today.

It touched my heart to see this tall young man, such a mild-mannered person, take the stage and get his diploma. He is a twin to my granddaughter who for personal reasons went to a different high school this year. She graduated a few days ago. Their older brother graduated two years ago.

This child of mine has led a turbulent life from day one. She herself never finished high school. She eventually got a GED. She and those children at one time lived in a homeless shelter. She has paid for bad decisions in her life and now is anxious to start another stage of life, the empty nester. At one time she worked two jobs to provide for herself and her children.

Her children have thrived in spite of their home life. One is an EMT. One is now enrolled in college, actually taking college courses while in high school. And this young man who graduated today decided he wants to go into the Marines. His Marine recruiter attended his graduation.

I thank God for watching over my family. I love them and wish them well. Another passage of life.

5 Like • Comment • View 3 comments

June 10, 2021 at 7:45pm

#1011646

Rain At Long Last

Did someone do the rain dance? Pray long and hard?

Well thank you very much! We had a nice shower come through about 3:30 this afternoon. That is the time the library opens. I was just getting ready to go up and talk to Vivian, the librarian. Getting ready to go, looked outside. The horizon was black as ___________. Insert adjective here.
Then the wind, then the rain. We prayed no hail. It lasted about half an hour. Then the sun came out. One of my plant protectors blew over, but no other damage.

So I gathered my raincoat, put on my rain shoes, took the umbrella, just in case, and walked the few blocks. And of course, while I was perusing the new book section, it started looking like rain again. Not that I am complaining. So I bundled up again and walked back home.

It wasn't a totally worthless trip. Got a new book to read, found a dollar bill on the sidewalk. So I bought a used book. Score all the way around.

This BLOG entry should take me over the limit for The Bard's Hall Contest. I only had to have ten entries. I did that one entry of ten in a day, but that would be cheating.

Thank you, God for the rain. It is much appreciated.

Queen NormaJean II GreenEyes

2 Like • Comment • View 2 comments

June 10, 2021 at 12:43am

#1011581

Pray for rain

Today started way too early and now seems to be on the downward slide way too late. We went to Billings for appointments and shopping today.

Nothing like scheduling an 8:00 AM appointment when it takes 90 minutes to get there from here. I don't relish getting up at 5:15 AM any more. I did that for too many years. I have a friend that states she rises at 4:30 AM. She says she gets a lot of work done by getting up that early, Yikes, I think. I don't want to even get out of bed now much before 8:00 AM, unless it's a day like today when I have to.

Billings was quiet. The most exciting thing was not having to wear a mask at Costco. Hurrah! That onerous restriction is finally over. We had a few things to get there, but we also shop for a friend. She doesn't want to go to a 'big' city anymore. She states it 'drains her energy'. Yeah, whatever. She is also the one that is sure the aliens are coming soon and will take her home. Any day now. She's sure. Again, whatever. So we shop for her. We keep her supplied in toilet paper, paper towels, kleenex, paper bowls, paper plates, plastic silverware. I don't want to know how much of this disposable stuff she has in her basement. One person cannot possibly use a case of kleenex a month. Seriously. But again, whatever.

The main thing I missed today was working at the thrift store. And prayer meeting. I missed those two events. And I'll also miss them next week. Darn.

There is a red flag warning til 10 PM tomorrow night for our county. For those not familiar with this term, it means we can expect gusty winds and low humidity. Prime fire weather.

Hubby and I planted a rose bush yesterday. We dug a decent hole, and as we dug we noticed how dry the soil is. At least 4 inches down, the ground is as dry as dust. Scary dry.

Now my garden is in, as much as we can this year. I planted 5 tomato plants

, 2 winter squash

, and 5 mounds of potatoes. We also have one asparagus plant that somehow survived the sewer project. And there is also a small raspberry bush.

The irrigation is installed and watering everything at least once a day. And with this dry spell, I check and water each evening as well.

So pray we get some rain soon.

The ranchers and farmers need the moisture.

5 Like • Comment • View 2 comments

June 5, 2021 at 9:15pm

#1011370

Sad and Amazing

Today we had a sad morning. We went to a memorial service for the plumber who died a few weeks ago. This young man, Jeremy, helped us a lot the past few years and was instrumental in our 'big dig' a while back.

There is controversy about his death, but the scuttlebutt is it was suicide. No one knows for sure, and I guess that doesn't matter. There was quite a crowd. Some music, the eulogy by his wife, then comments by people who came to be part of the well-wishers.

He'd come from Washington a few years ago. And just in time. The previous plumber in town, and we had just one, was getting ready to retire. So Jeremy stepped right into that empty slot and filled it well. The retired plumber had nothing but compliments.

Then the furnace repairman spoke a few words. The older hired hand, who was often mistaken as the plumber when they showed on a job, told of his love for the young man. A young woman who often stayed at Jeremy's home when she was a teenager thought of him as her surrogate father, so she said a few words. His brother-in-law spoke of the man's love for his family. Another acquaintance knew she had blessed she'd see him again. Joe, the IGA manager told of a recent service call that the plumber answered promptly and efficiently.

Sad, sad. He left behind his wife, two autistic children, and at least a dozen horses. They say a horse had a foal the moment he died.

From there, I had some time so I took a quick walkabout. It was hot today, in the 90s again. Then off to church. A nice service, as usual. During the main church service, I see the black clouds move in, the wind starts to blow, and hear the thunder. I pray we don't get any hail and that my hubby remembers to cover the garden plants. Just in case.

I came home to a quiet house, no problem with the plants. Then I turned on the TV, seems we have a free movie trial for a few days. Hmmm. What's on? 'Arctic'. Oh my. https://www.vulture.com/2019/02/movie-review-arctic.html

If you get a chance, watch this movie. Amazing. All my review is in that one word.

Tonight a cold front is blowing through.

The front door is slamming shut as I write. Time to prop it open, again, and let some cool air in.

3 Like • Comment • View 2 comments

June 4, 2021 at 2:10pm

#1011299

Silly Sayings

I walk by this one house on my walks. They have a chalkboard and in the summer they post witty little sayings. Today was a good one.

If Rob Lowe could rob Lowe's, how many Lowe's would Rob Lowe rob?

Okay,

How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?

Anyone else have any others

Queen NormaJean II GreenEyes

4 Like • Comment • View 3 comments

June 3, 2021 at 10:05pm

#1011266

Shakespeare in the Parks

Tonight on Montana PBS they have a show titled "Bard in the Backcountry". This is all about 'Montana Shakespeare in the Parks'. This free program travels Montana backroads during the summer. They are based in Montana State University in Bozeman, MT.

The PBS show goes backstage during rehearsals, costume fittings, learning how to do stage combat, and the feeling of the actors being in Montana for the first time. Some great shots of Makoshika State Park were a plus. They had to take down their set in a raging thunderstorm wind. The filming of this is wonderful. I love the shots of small towns, nature, and excited audience members.

Ten actors go from town to town performing Shakespeare outside in parks. They come every year to Roundup. (Except for last year. But then, lots of fun things didn't happen last year.) They bring their own stage and set it up every day.

The actors are housed in private homes, or sometimes motels when they travel. We feed them when they come to Roundup. I always volunteer to take some food. The actors are wonderful young people, they always put on a good show.

The show is paid with donations from the town, while the show is free for spectators. A wonderful cultural outreach that we just love.

"Someone in Montana thinks I'm the best actor in the world." Great line. I love theater, I love acting.

3 Like • Comment

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