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Sat, Aug 23, 2025

2:50pm EDT

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PORCH PONDERINGS

by QueenNormaJean AKA Marilyn M.

Rated: 13+ · Book · Biographical · #2198921

Norma's Wanderings around a small section of Montana

Well, hey there!
Welcome to Roundup, Montana! If it's a nice day, we'll sit a spell on my porch and talk awhile.

A poem captured my attention the other day.

Even in our sleep, pain which cannot forget 
Falls drop by drop upon the heart, 
Until, in our own despair,
 Against our will,
 Comes wisdom 
Through the awful grace of God.

Aeschylus

What's on your mind today?

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Show Recent Comments

10 Most Recent Blog Comments:

Kåre เลียม Enga

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

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

QueenNormaJean AKA Marilyn M.

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

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

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

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

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

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

IMAGE

Wild Horses

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

2 Like

Soldier_Mike

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

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

2 Like

Kåre เลียม Enga

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

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

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

I'm sure you can come up with more!

In my fantasy:

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

Thanks for the visit,

Kåre

1 Like

Wordsmitty ✍️

Jul 31, 2025 at 2:18am
In response to "Hail? Yeah..."

Glad you're all safe. Good decision to wait it out. I guess it was your turn to be dumped on.

Kåre เลียม Enga

Jul 30, 2025 at 10:38pm
In response to "Hail? Yeah..."

Dry in Missoula.

Apparently Helena had flooding.

1 Like

Wordsmitty ✍️

Jul 13, 2025 at 5:10pm
In response to "20 years! "

Congrats on reaching 20!

And we're always told to move to a small town for peace and quiet. Another myth busted. At least it's only a couple times a year.

We'll be looking for your byline in the paper.

Wordsmitty ✍️

Jul 5, 2025 at 7:22pm
In response to "Fireworks"

Sounds like a nice day mostly. Sometimes I almost wish I was back where I could walk to lots of things. Not much to walk to around here, and the evening was eeriely quiet. I think the folks who used to blast fireworks about a block away must be gone, maybe moved?

Didn't even go out to look down to see the resorts display. Actually, a pleasant evening.

I know how you feel when you walk in to help and find that you're the only one who can make sense of things. I also usually end up having to do the cleanup when everyone else figures their time is up.

Kåre เลียม Enga

Jul 5, 2025 at 6:26pm
In response to "Fireworks"

The 4th here was rainy. Even got unexpected rain today. Because fire-in-the-woods is a racial memory we aren't big on starting fires.

The ballpark usually has some.

Soldier_Mike

Jun 28, 2025 at 11:49pm
In response to "My the 4th be quiet"

You're right - second chances are good, but Yumpin' Yimminy! One felony maybe gets you a pass coupled with good oversight, but multiple felonies seems like an automatic "Thanks for stoppin' by and don't let the door hit you on the way out" kind of thing. I hope it gets resolved quickly. Senior Centers exist for a reason, and having to shut one down for something like this will do nobody any good.

October 10, 2022 at 6:17pm

#1039029

Time in Ohio

I am in Ohio for ten days. My sister and her husband have gone to Florida for a vacation, leaving me to watch our mother for awhile. I used to live here in Mt. Vernon, Ohio for a good junk of my life. It's interesting to return and see the town again.

Matt is now the mayor. He seems to be doing a good job. Things are booming here. Intel Corporation is relocating a factory down the road, with the benefit of bringing people wanting housing.

Mom sold the family home some years ago to live with my sister, then had a series of strokes, so she cannot live by herself. She has a pretty cushy place here in the lower level of a condo, looking out on a golf course. Better than any nursing home, that is for sure. My sister is a retired R.N., so this is a perfect place for mom.

We spend the days reading, doing a puzzle, but the big decision is what to eat for lunch. Then the rest of the day is taken up by me doing computer work and deciding what kind of ice cream to have.

I do have some nursing duties, eye drops and pills. But beyond that, I am just here to make sure my mother is safe and sound.

Soon my time will end and I will fly back to Montana. But each time, mom tears up and says "I don't know if I'll ever see you again." And as I did last time I was here, I will say, "I don't know, maybe you will. Good bye. I love you."

Comment • View 2 comments

September 27, 2022 at 12:22am

#1038206

Strange Night

Tonight as I sat on my porch, I heard a strange noise. It came from the direction of the old school playground down the street. So I walked out to the sidewalk and stood, arms crossed over my chest.

Seems there was a group of teens over in the playground, fooling around. So i thought I'd just watch to make sure they didn't get too crazy. Because if they got too out of control, I'd call the police.

Well, I stood still for at least 10 minutes. The teens then saw me, started yelling at me, started waving to me. I didn't answer, just stood on the sidewalk, arms crossed. They continued to yell at me, continued to wave. Then suddenly they all stopped and walked up the street a bit, then gathered in a group and headed back in my direction.

I have to tell you, it was just a little scary. A group of unknowns coming at you, about six teens. But once they got to me, one girl said, "Why were you standing there watching us? You freaked us out."

Thinking fast, because I really meant them no harm. "I just wanted to be sure no one got hurt. Because if you got hurt, I would call for help. That playground isn't safe anymore. All the equipment needs replaced." True story. It's an old school, soon to be refurbished, but the playground needs repair.

I knew some of the teens since I work sometimes in the school cafeteria, and some of them I recognized from subbing on a bus route some years ago. Perhaps some of them recognized me as well, I don't know.

So I reassured them that I meant them no harm, just wanted them to be safe. Besides, it was getting dark.

A very weird situation that could have been even more strange if I had overreacted and yelled at them.

You never know when you will be in a strange event. And you never know what effect you may have on other people. I pray it was a positive one, even though they thought at first I was freaky.

Possibly someday I can use this for a story. Of course, it would have to be written to be far more scary, write it from the teens' POV. Now that would be fun.

Comment • View 2 comments

September 19, 2022 at 9:55am

#1037873

We Wrapped it Up

Finally the big push is over and we had our play performance. 'Alibis' is another show under our belts for the Illustrious Musselshell Players. We made them laugh, and that was the goal. Never mind that sometimes people forgot their lines, the prompter helped them out.

This was the 19th performance for the players. I pray next year someone will step up and agree to direct. It would be a shame to not go on to at least #20.

This picture is the curtain call at one of the performances. I played a 'dotty chemist'. So I am the one in the white lab coat. As you can probably tell, this stage is miniscule, it is in an old elementary school in Musselshell, MT. The school now is used as a community center for the little hamlet, population of about 23. Most everyone lives outside the town and works at ranching or farming or commute to Roundup or Billings.

I just found out from Brandiwyn🎶

that I am to be the head cheerleader for OctoPrep. Well, thank you so much for the promotion! She assured me there would be a pay raise, a raise in the 401K contribution, and additional job perks.

I love cheering people on to finish writing in OctoPrep. I don't want anyone to not finish because the time got away from them, or they just forgot to finish an assignment.

So be looking for the cheer squad to help you stay on track this year!

Comment

September 11, 2022 at 10:13pm

#1037626

Weather is Changing

I think the weather has changed. From highs in the 100's to highs in the 70's, we are in the transition from summer to autumn. We usually have a few weeks of nice weather, then BOOM, snow and cold arrive sometime early October.

Tomorrow is supposed to be a warm and smoky day. I guess the smoke is coming from fires in the west. Darn. I hate that. But we have been lucky so far this year. No big fires anywhere near Roundup. A few small ones that the local fire department puts out in a hurry. Good thing, since it is so dry, still.

Finally, after 2 cancellations I can get my hair cut tomorrow. Seems like a minor thing, I know. But when you have crazy curly hair such as mine, it just gets to be uncontrollable after a time. Reminds me of the time when all the salons were closed due to COVID. But this situation is different, in a way. The first appointment was scheduled for the day I got out of the hospital, in July. No way I was going to do a haircut that day. Then the next time, I had another appointment for another doctor. Another cancellation. So I guess third time is the charm.

I'm doing community theater again this year. This is a good one, a silly mystery play. We perform the end of this week. Puts me in the mood for my participation in the WDC 22nd Birthday Masquerade Party. Check that out if you want some silly mystery fun. "Wdc 22nd Birthday Masquerade Party"

Comment

September 6, 2022 at 10:30am

#1037393

Green Light

I finally got a green light from a pulmonary doctor. He reassured me, told me to hang in there. I caught a nasty virus, so it will take some time to get better. And I am getting better, but still feel the need to take a rest every afternoon.

I did lose 20# while sick, so I ate ice cream for two weeks. It worked on my psyche, but I only gained a pound or two. It was fun, but now I am thinking that fun is over, since it costs so much here in town.

Right now we are in the midst of some really hot, smoky weather. The last blast of summer before it starts getting cold. Bring it on! I am always cold, so hot doesn't seem to bother me like it does some people.

Take care, stay healthy. I basically lost my summer this year. Don't get sick and lose your autumn or winter.

Comment • View 1 comment

August 28, 2022 at 3:05pm

#1037032

Getting Stronger

It is a bright sunny not-too-hot day here in Roundup. A nice break from the 90's we've had lately. There was a brief shower last night, but we are still in the dry days of August.

I am still recovering from my pneumonia/rsv infection. I go to see a specialist on Thursday. What a deal. But I am venturing out more. I've been to church, and am still walking every day. Weight gaining is still on my list, so darn, I decided I had to eat ice cream every day. What a deal. It doesn't seem to be working, but it sure is fun.

As I start to feel more normal, I am starting to reevaluate all the volunteering I have been doing. I am thinking of dropping another group from my list of volunteer duties. And as I write that, I have a Zoom meeting on Tuesday to apply for a job with a state-wide tourism advocacy group. This has been on my schedule for a few months. If I get the position, I will definitely drop one more volunteer 'job' here in Roundup. Husband and I talked about this last night. I just have to decide which of two to drop.

Currently I am only active on WDC in the Micro Fiction challenge. That is all the energy I have right now. But soon I hope to get back 'in the swing' and start participating more in other contests and events.

Stay healthy and be well, my friends.

Comment • View 1 comment

August 9, 2022 at 10:21pm

#1036324

Getting Antsy

Things are still going here, still battling the lung problem. Now I have to go to Billings and get this darn thing fixed. Sometime soon. I tried to make an appointment with a pulmonologist to consult. Well, that didn't go so good. I have to wait until September 1. Good grief.

So I guess I have to present at the ER and hope for someone there to fix the problem. I don't want someone here to do it. They didn't do such a good job last time diagnosing my problem, that is why I ended up at Billings for 4 days.

Now to convince the husband I need to go. Why he's reluctant I don't know. I'm pretty tired of being stuck at home for the 3rd week.

Oh well, this too shall pass. I'm trying to be positive.

Write on, fellow authors.

Comment • View 2 comments

July 30, 2022 at 9:20pm

#1035897

Fun and Games

Seems I have a new wrinkle in the game. Now I have a collapsed lung, or fluid on the lung. Some people tell me that is the same thing. I went to the clinic on Friday to get that good news on an X-ray.

So I have a week to work on deep breathing with one of those little devices where you blow into a tube and get the air to raise a bellows. Ha, I cannot even move it a tiny bit. That tells you how badly my lung function is. And how badly I need to work on getting back to normal.

A church member just happens to be a respiratory therapist and he tells me to drink lots of water - doing that. Take walks - doing that. Use a spirometer - that's the device I described. Take deep breaths even if it hurts - and believe me it does.

If I cannot get this lung reinflated, I may have to have a bronchoscopy. Not fun, but I'll do it if need be.

Back to the clinic on Friday for another X-ray and check my progress.

Fun and games.

Comment • View 2 comments

July 24, 2022 at 10:47am

#1035625

Full Stop

Take a break. Sometimes in life you have to stop. And sometimes that stop is full, put on the brakes, fall on your face.

I just got out of the hospital with a case of double pneumonia and RSV. Now double pneumonia is bad enough, but add that ugly virus onto it, and whammy! You're flat on your back.

This illness had been building for weeks. I went to the ER last Thursday, they admitted me. I was on 5 liters of oxygen. That's a lot of oxygen folks. Coughing, coughing, non-stop.

So I stayed in hospital for 4 days. I didn't even mind being there. Because I knew I was in the very best possible place. When you cannot breathe, you want to be where people can help. I didn't even mind getting poked for an IV and bloodwork and heparin shots.

You people do what you do best. I am sick. Make me well. And they did.

But darn it, I had to drop out of Wonderland. Nuts. But there is next year.

Now I am in recuperation mode. I am walking around the block, taking my medication, resting, being a good patient.

Enjoy the rest of the summer! I will be resting a recuperating.

Comment • View 1 comment

July 3, 2022 at 12:21am

#1034630

Happy 4th of July!

It has been a while since I posted. And once again, the bombing has started here in Roundup. The 4th of July fireworks are all around and on top of us again. I thought with things being tough, gas and food and all, people would cut back, but no. The rockets and firecrackers and bombs are exploding as I write. I hate it more and more each year.

I did complain online. And promptly got chastised by the seller of said fireworks in town. We're a family business, it's our livelihood. Whatever. Veterans with PTSD and those with anxiety issues cannot bear to be in town for a few weeks because of inconsiderate people.

I did get away for a few days. I went to Gardiner for a time. I visited my old stomping ground, the motel we used to manage. It is a sad town right now. The town itself was not flooded, but now they have no one visiting, because there is no access to Yellowstone National Park. So the motels are not able to keep help, the restaurants are not able to keep help, the gift shops are not able to keep help. Sad state of affairs for all involved.

I did go hiking one afternoon in the national forest. And promptly fell into a small stream, messed up my arm, but it could have been worse, I was afraid I broke something. Since I was 2 miles or more from the car, that would've been dire. And by myself. But it was fine, just a few scrapes that are having a heck of a time healing.

I came home to the remodeling project that is about 75% done, a great leap forward from when I left. My garden is growing well. We had a great thunderstorm tonight. So things are going well.

The big RIDE celebration has started. Concerts, parades, rodeos, lots of fun here in town.

Happy 4th Holiday everyone! I have 2 birthdays in our family on the 4th. What fun!

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