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When I was a lad, there were a few people around Big Sandy who always seemed to be somewhere nearby. On the one hand, they were like the buttons on an old coat, maybe a little bit frayed, maybe the stitching was a little loose, but if it got cold out, if you felt a chill, you could count on them to close the gap for you. On the other hand, they were kind of like the fleas on a dog's back – always there, totally reliable in a sense, but you also knew they might haul off and bite you. You just d...
My son has recently asked me, “why do people say the expression ‘uncertain times’ when they talk?” I explained to him that we have a new normal...and we may never go back to the way it used to be. These “uncertain times” have everyone asking so many questions. I recently asked someone how their fitness journey was going, and their response was, “horrible because the school won’t let people in the community go to the gym.” Well, I thought this week’s article, we could talk about fitness and nutrition during these “uncertain times....
I thought I would share “Lighting Up the World” by Tyler Perry, instead of trying to rewrite the subject and doing it poorly. Enjoy! “I’VE BEEN DOING a lot of building over the past few years. I’ve learned that, according to the commercial codes across the country, before you can construct a building, plans must first be reviewed by a board, and they have to pass a “life safety review.” In order to pass that review, the building must meet certain requirements: It must have fire exits, sprinklers, and exit signs, as well as lights with emergenc...
One of my favorite books by C.S. Lewis is The Screwtape Letters, which is written from the perspective of a demon named Screwtape instructing another demon on how to tempt a young man into hell. It’s one of my favorites, because Lewis has a keen understanding of human people and does a terrific job of observing the habits we fall into that weaken us spiritually. In one particular letter, Screwtape talks about using pleasures to tempt the young man. He explains that all people experience a r...
This weekend, I will have been married to my wife for 22 years. I am happy and cannot imagine sharing my life with any other person. However, I can honestly say that our lives together have not gone anything like what I thought it would when I said “I do” so many years ago. We’ve had more than a couple of years that were not happy and extended times when we barely spoke except to fight. We’ve also had times that were filled with mourning and uncertainty as to how we’d get through the next day....
I have three ways to renew myself during these crazy times. It's challenging to stay positive without jumping on the bandwagon and criticize everything that is going on. I am determined to live above these circumstances and remain joyful and positive. The most important of the three is to spend time reading my bible, doing devotions, and finding time for solitude just to breathe and find peace. The second way is to think about other people. Prioritize the day so that we can find the time and a...
We are climbing on the wings of summer and will soon be in full flight to hot days, warm nights, and delicious garden produce. Thankfully, we have had some pleasant rains giving us much needed moisture, which brightens the countryside with shimmers of green and abundant flowers. The yucca plants are in full bloom as well as cactus and other wildflowers. Our yard looks great, all green and lush with flowers blooming in my flower gardens; my rose garden is so beautiful with many different colors...
Letter to the Editor, I’d like to thank you with love Zoe for the very special poster size pictures honoring our awesome 2020 Seniors, displayed in our businesses along main street. A very thoughtful gift in this dark confusing time to lift our seniors. Also, thanks to all the businesses for letting you hang them all. Thank you to for the spotlight recognition of our awesome Class of 2020 in your Mountaineer. To our Special Principal Wolery, and great teacher, How well you know our kids, all of them. The Senior Spotlights, a wonderful gift t...
Nearly 15 years ago, I read a book on management by Peter Drucker. I remember that it was excellent, but I only recall one clear lesson from it: The more decisions you make, the more likely you are to make a mistake, so make a decision once and apply that decision over and over and over again. Ideally, you should make your one decision when there is no pressure or emotional stress to taint your reasoning. The idea here is that we tend to make poor decisions when we’re excited or emotional, so we...
A few years ago, before my daughter learned to read, I read her the book “Alice in Wonderland”. In the book, Alice sort of wanders from encounter to encounter without a strong purpose. The plot is summed up well when she asks the Cheshire Cat which way she should go. The cat responds by asking where she is trying to go. Alice explains that she doesn’t care where she is going. This prompts the cat to explain that it doesn’t matter which way she goes, because it doesn’t matter where she ends up....
I was sitting outside the Mountaineer on the new bench, working on writing on what it means to be from a rural community. I smile because it means something precious. Three senior citizens were putting away this year's Rotary prizes because they couldn't hold the Rotary Banquet this year because of COVID-19. Sponsors were supportive, however, and told them to keep what they had donated till next year. They see me halfway down the block and yelled, "there is no story here!" I walked to them and l...
Daryl Davis is a blues musician who, for the last 30 years, has been collecting KKK robes. He has over 200 in his home, which he saves as a reminder of the work he has been doing. Mr. Davis is an African American man whose uses his spare time to befriend members of the KKK. He visits them in prison, drives their families to visits and appointments, and does what ever else he can to show love to folks who have built their lives around hating him and people like him. His 200 robes have been given...
I’ve spent the last few months studying the book of Daniel in the Old Testament. Most people are familiar with the story of Daniel being tossed into the lion’s den as a death sentence, only to be saved by God. That’s really just a minor episode in the story of Daniel, who was a Jewish man living in Babylon during the exile. The exile was a period of 70 years where the nation of Israel was decimated by the Babylonian empire. The majority of the population was carted off as captives to serve...
Summer 2020 Challenge One of my favorite songs, because my mom and brother, both gone now because of cancer, loved it: Summertime, an' the livin' is easy.Fish are jumpin' an' the cotton is high. Oh, yo' daddy's rich and yo' ma is good-lookin'.So hush, little baby, don' you cry. One of these mornin's you goin' to rise up singin' Then you'll spread yo' wings an' you'll take the sky. But till that mornin', there's a nothin' can harm you With Daddy an' Mammy standin' by. But summer is also a busy...
A couple of decades ago I graduated from high school and went off to college. I had a straight path in mind regarding what I was going to do with my life. I had intended on finishing a pre-seminary degree from a little private college I was attending. I would then attend seminary, which I had already picked out before arriving at college. At the end of my first semester, I found that the ancient language requirements to complete my degree were not going to be something I was going to manage (I...
The country is taking steps to open our doors. I believe it is a good decision and necessary to help us get over the changes we have lived through. Change can be a good thing under the right circumstances, but experiencing so many changes in just a few months certainly creates questions for what the future will hold. We as a ranching/farming family have not noticed a great deal of change in our daily lives, mostly we question what our crops and livestock's value will be in the Fall. Today we...
During the lockdown, one of the weirdest challenges I have taken on has been keeping my kids from eating nothing but junk food. If they had their way breakfast, second breakfast, lunch, supper, dinner, and every snack in-between would consist purely of processed sugar, corn syrup, chocolate covered, and deep fried stuff. I use the word “stuff” because most of what they would prefer to eat never qualified as actual food at any point so it requires a label that reflects the artificial nature of...
While teaching one day, Jesus was asked by an expert in the Jewish law codes ‘what is the most important commandment.’ His answer was to repeat the Old Testament summary of the 10 Commandments: Love God with all your being and love your neighbor as yourself. This prompted another question: Who is your neighbor? Neither of these questions was unique among the ancient Jews. Rabbis had been arguing over these sorts of matters for centuries. In particular, the neighbor question was one of the 7 most...
Earth Day came and went without a mention from me. Surprisingly, because right now, walking outside is what brings normalcy to my life. My granddaughter was the one that brought it to my attention. She said to me, "yesterday on the 22nd was Earth Day. We don't have to celebrate the day, because we take care of the earth every day. Because we are farmers!" She's only six but the truth none the less. Every year on April 22, Earth Day is celebrated. This year marks 50 years of celebration. The...
In 165 AD, an epidemic swept through the Roman Empire, ravaging the western world for 15 years. The disease may have been smallpox, though it’s difficult to say with any certainty. Regardless of the nature of the illness, the result was devastating. Around a third of the population of Rome died. The population was justifiably terrified of the horrible illness. The wealthier amongst the Roman citizenry simply sequestered themselves in their country homes for years, while the poorer members of t...
Hello April! Wow, that March lion cut loose a few days late! We were somewhat prepared for the storm as the warnings were out there, but it's always a surprise when the weatherman is right. It had finally dried out enough at our place; we didn't have to wear our muck boots everywhere. We were moving cow/calf pairs to green grass; the calves were loving it, bucking, kicking, and taking long naps in the warm sunshine. The meadowlarks were serenading us in pairs just in time for nest building and...
On Easter morning, I got out of bed early and spent some time reviewing my sermon notes for the morning. Taking a break from the effort, I posted something about my previous day’s activities on Facebook. Pastor Sean from the Lutheran Church messaged me that he was also up early and inviting me to watch the sunrise from the cemetery with him (from an appropriate social distance, of course). I agreed before hurriedly getting dressed and out the door to get to the edge of town before the sun r...
Letter to the Editor, This letter is to express the heartfelt thanks to a couple that have been bringing noon meals to several people in Big Sandy for several Saturdays now. That very special couple are Karen and Norman, Reinertson. I am sure there are other stories like this not only in Big Sandy but in many other places around the US. It is great to know about very special people like this. Robert Boettcher and Bernie Ellingson...
Dear Editor As schools finish up what has traditionally been their Easter break, they will be entering into the fifth week of school closures in Montana. Closures are scheduled to go until at least April 24, with the potential that the school closures remain in effect for the rest of the school year. This pandemic has lead to the postponing of spring sports, all student activities, and potentially traditional graduation ceremonies. Regardless of when this ends, it is going to forever change how we view public education and how we teach students...
During this time of trial, I see a lot of caring people, reaching out to help, to bless those who are in need. But I also hear and read a lot of negativity. It is during times like this I am reminded of my favorite verses. Philippians, starting with verse "4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your...