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My mother was a good cook. She loved to bake. Her specialties in baking were cookies and pies. Her crusts were to die for and her huckleberry or juneberry pies around the holidays were wonderful to say the least. Every Sunday she would cook a roast or fry a chicken but mostly her fried chicken was cooked when we went picnicking to Glacier National Park or Beaver Creek Park. With the fried chicken she would always have deviled eggs, potato salad and her famous tuna or shrimp and pasta salad which all in her family cook to this day in honor of...
A Montana Medical Care Savings Account (MSA) allows Montanans to save money for medical expenses and long-term health care and reduce their state income taxes at the same time. Contributions of up to $3000 annually can be deposited into savings or checking accounts or certificate of deposit. Spouses must establish separate MSAs but can use the funds to pay eligible medical care expenses for the taxpayer’s eligible dependents. If the money deposited in an MSA is not used during the year it was deposited, it remains in the account for expenses i...
This week, I started a new regimen of healthy eating and exercise. Because of a minor health concern, it became clear that I needed to make changes. Exercise has been easy, largely because I enjoy it and tend to be a happier person when I am more active. My first day of eating healthy went great, at first. I ate the right foods, drank the appropriate amount of water, and followed the plan to the letter...until dinner. Then things sort of went off the rails. We went out to eat and I lacked...
Q: Maybe some women can go through an abortion and never feel guilty, but I’m not one of them. I feel terrible over what I did, and every time I drive by a school playground I’m almost consumed with grief. Will I ever get over this? A: One of abortion’s unseen (and unacknowledged) consequences is exactly what you have experienced: deep regret and guilt over what happened. Tragically, however, sometimes a far different consequence takes place: spiritual and emotional insensitivity to what happened. This, I fear, is the reaction of far too many...
I have a small turkey in the freezer and have decided to cook it this weekend. Having said that, now I have to figure out how to cook it. These days it is not nearly as easy to cook a turkey as it used to be. There are several answers to this dilemma. One answer is to invite someone over to help cook the turkey. The other answer is not to cook all that used to go with having a turkey dinner. If I have someone over to help cook, I am going to lean on them to cook the mashed potatoes, make a vegetable and make gravy. I am going to cook the turkey...
Lately, it seems like I cannot look at Facebook, read the news, watch tv, or have a conversation without the current presidential election coming up. I cannot recall a more contentious or weird election in my lifetime. People are worried, angry, scared, frustrated, and looking for solutions. Rhetoric surrounding the outcome of the election has predicted catastrophe. Candidates have been verbally tarred and feathered so many times that it’s hard to imagine a civil debate or election ever t...
Fall foliage is early this year. I went to Glacier National Park last weekend and saw wonderful fall foliage way before October 1 which is very early. It also looked as if Glacier National Park officials are keeping Going-To-The-Sun Road open longer and the foliage up there was spectacular to say the least although when we got to the top of Logan Pass the temperature was about 38 in the middle of the day and there was a very cold wind blowing in from the east. Made for not staying out of the car long at the top. I have not mentioned going in...
Q: A Sunday school teacher I had over 30 years ago died recently, and I feel bad because I never thanked her for what she did for me. We were a rowdy bunch and I’m sure she got discouraged, but she planted spiritual seeds in my soul that eventually grew. Maybe my letter will encourage other teachers. A: Thank you for your letter; I too hope it will encourage those who have been called to teach the Bible, especially to young people. We can trust God’s promise: “My word … will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve...
It seems like only yesterday that I was driving over Marias Pass on Highway 2 about this time last year and going up to the top of the pass, from the east, saw the most beautiful fall foliage I had ever seen. Coming back two days later, it was all gone due to a big wind that ripped through the pass. That is the way when you go seeking fall foliage in Glacier National Park. It is some of the best anywhere but it can be gone in the twinkling of an eye. This time of year the most beautiful fall foliage is on the east side of Glacier National...
One of the topics Jesus often argued about with the contemporary religious teachers of his day was the Sabbath. The Jewish Sabbath is on Saturdays and is a day when work is forbidden by the 10 Commandments. The idea was that you could work every other day, but the Sabbath was set apart for rest. In the ancient Jewish faith, the Sabbath had taken on a weird character of its own. The leaders of the Jewish faith had spent centuries talking about what was meant by “work” so they could make sure ever...
Q: How good do you have to be before you can become a Christian? My parents were very anti-religion, but now that I’m an adult I feel a need for God. But maybe I’m not good enough to be a Christian. A: I have good news for you: God loves you just as you are, and He wants to welcome you and make you part of His family just as you are! The only thing He wants from you is your trust. Think of it this way. If you are sick, do you have to wait until you’re well before the doctor will agree to see you? No, of course not. Your doctor wants to see y...
Range Renovation Conference in Fort Benton and Stanford MSU Extension is sponsoring a range renovation conference in Fort Benton and Stanford on Thursday, October 20th. The morning seminar will take place in Fort Benton from 8:00-11:00 at Community Bible Recreation Center located at 911 16th Street. The afternoon seminar will take place in Stanford at City Hall, from 2:00-5:00. Many producers are considering renovating their rangeland to increase grass production. In addition, seeded pastures supply nutritious forage at times during the year...
Last week we gave you an overview of fall foliage areas that are close by where you live. Today, let’s get more specific about one area. That is the Bear Paw Mountains, a Mecca for fall foliage. First as to timing, it is everything. I have gone over Marias Pass to behold the most beautiful fall foliage ever, then come back through the next day only to find it all gone. A frost and a wind can take the foliage away in a few hours. As a rule but not hard and fast, around the first of October the foliage is thought to be prime in the Bear Paw Mount...
A few months ago, my daughter learned how to operate our Keurig coffee maker. It’s an easy machine to operate, so it makes sense that my 5 year old would be able to brew a perfect cup of coffee. The fantastic part of this newly acquired skill is that she loves bringing me coffee in the morning. If I stay in bed longer than she does, she wakes me up with a cup of coffee. I’ll confess, coffee in bed is one of my favorite things in life. My little girl understands that and, because she loves me,...
Q: I haven’t heard from my two sons for several years—no Christmas cards, no Father’s Day cards, no emails, nothing. I know I was probably a lousy father, but shouldn’t they at least try to keep in touch with me? My daughter does, thankfully. A: One of life’s most heartbreaking lessons is that when we mistreat others, they often end up mistreating us. I wish it weren’t so; we ought to learn to forgive even those who deeply hurt us (as Jesus urged us to do). But it happens all the time, and it’s hard to reverse it. The Bible warns, “A man reaps...
There are several places in and around Montana to see, simply glorious fall foliage starting right about now. Most fall foliage is in its prime around the first part of October, although it has been running later for the last couple of years. That does not count the dramatic tamarack or larch fall foliage when those evergreens have their needles turn gold then drop off until the following spring. That season can last all the way until Thanksgiving. Close to us, the best viewing for tamaracks is Marias Pass, the Swan Valley and the McDonald...
Q: I know preachers like to tell people how bad they are and that they ought to feel guilty over their sins. But I don’t feel guilty over anything, because I don’t believe there’s such a thing as right or wrong. What would you say to someone like me? A: The first thing I’d say to you is that your letter made me very sad. By believing that nothing is either right or wrong, you are putting your faith in something that simply isn’t true—and eventually your disregard for right and wrong will hurt both you and others. The Bible warns, “Woe to those...
I just finished reading Alice in Wonderland to my 5 year old daughter. I got the idea after talking to a few teenagers, who recounted with fondness how their fathers had read novels to them as children. I’m a firm believer in imitating the actions of folks who are successful, so I resolved to take up reading novels to my kids. We started weeks ago, reading a chapter or two every night at bedtime. I didn’t think it would go over well. The book didn’t have any pictures and some of the mater...
Nineteen Chouteau County 4-H youth meet excellence criteria for livestock carcass quality. The 2016 Chouteau County 4-H livestock carcass contest took place at Bear Paw Meats in Chinook. Fifty-nine Chouteau County 4-H animals were evaluated for carcass quality by Darren Crawford (MSU Extension Fergus County Agent). The purpose of the carcass contest was to teach 4-H youth how to correctly select, feed and finish livestock based on carcass data. If carcass criteria are met, youth can be confident they are producing a high quality product that...
It is time for a September recipe. Looking through the file of recipes I have tried lately, how about a recipe for a very good potato salad that will taste better in the fall than in the summer. Plus it is so very simple to make. This could be called Polish Potato Salad because it is best served at room temperature. You will need five medium potatoes, boiled but with skins on. Yukon gold works well for this dish ½ bottle Kraft oil and vinegar dressing with Italian herbs ¼ cup sugar Lots of salt and pepper ½ cup sliced green olives. ¼ cup malt v...
Last week, my daughter started kindergarten. In less than 2 decades, I will be sitting in her high school graduation. She has a long list of future plans and plenty of time to decide exactly what she will do with her life. Between now and college, she has important work to do. She needs to learn to read, to do math, how to write proper sentences, how to put her thoughts on paper, how to use a library, and all sorts of other skills. Those skills will come into play when she goes to college. If, instead of kindergarten, I had dropped her off at...
Q:After college, I ended up taking what I thought was a temporary job, and five years later I’m still in it. Why hasn’t God given me something exciting, instead of a job I don’t really care about? A: Millions of Americans are celebrating Labor Day, an annual holiday set aside to honor our working men and women, and to express gratitude for the important contributions they make to society. Where would we be without them? But Labor Day, I believe, should also be a time when we ask God to help us see our work from His point of view. Let’s be hone...
The 2016 Make It With Wool (MIWW) contest is quickly approaching. Here are the details. The District 3 (Blaine, Broadwater, Cascade, Chouteau, Glacier, Hill, Judith Basin, Lewis & Clark, Liberty, Meagher, Pondera, Teton and Toole counties) contest is scheduled for October 29, 2016 in Great Falls. Entry forms are due to the District Director by October 3, 2016. The fabric needs to be a minimum of 60% wool to qualify for the MIWW contest. The categories are Preteen (12 and under); Junior (13-16); Senior (17-24); Adult (age 25 and older); and...
Last week I had to wash my little dachshund, Fala. Fala needed washing badly and since he was going to be spending a lot of September at Lake McDonald it seemed like the right thing to do. Let’s get one thing straight at the outset. Getting washed is the second worst thing that a person could do to Fala. If you are interested in the first worst, it is shaving around his rear end. That sends him into a frenzy of depression until the fur has all grown back. So, giving Fala a bath is not as bad as that. When I fill up the kitchen sink with w...
Q: I don’t understand my cousin. Whenever I talk with her about Heaven or salvation, she just laughs and says she’s not going to worry about it, because it will all work out in the end. Why is she like this? A: Unfortunately your cousin has deliberately blinded herself to the fact that some day she will enter eternity and stand before God—and then it will be too late. The Bible warns, “People are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). Why is she like this? She’s not alone; many people willfully refuse to t...