Opinion / Columnists
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Kinnickinnick – A Hardy Little Plant
Kinnickinnick, or bearberry, which grows throughout the forests of the West, often goes unnoticed because it is not a showy plant. But it is one of my favorites because each spring, when the arrival...
Is Imagination Real?
People often consider imagination to simply be thoughts related to past and present daily experiences. If this were the case, imagination wouldn't be different from memories or reciting a poem....
How Happy Is a Clam or a Camper?
SEELEY LAKE – A mother looking fondly at her toddler playing in the sandbox might remark, "He's been fussy all morning, but now look at him – he's happy as a clam." Reportedly, Robert E. Lee...
Ridin'
Yesterday, as I was sitting in the alleyway of the barn watching Twist munch on his oats, listening to music, drinking a beer and taking in the first signs of spring, I thought about my Grandpa. It...
Planting
Q: With our winter that won't stop, what would you suggest about planting dates for the vegetable garden? Our average date for last frost is June 10. A: If there is one constant about Montana...
Are You Concerned About Memory Loss?
I am taken aback by the beauty we share in the Seeley-Swan Valley this May. We share stunning sunny days, majestic snow covered peaks contrasted against gorgeous blue skies, gushing rivers and eye-catching wildlife. Amidst our glorious surroundings...
Psychology of Time
Time has long been a mystery. What is it? How does it influence us? Why does it exist? One of the most important questions is: How does it change? As we get older, we all experience time passing more...
Horse Tradin'
It's springtime... no wait. Not in my neck of the woods anyway. It's January 78th, but that's another story for another day. Anywho... What I meant to say is that it's horse trading season again...
Yesteryear
Some of this was from my book "Journey to the Backwoods" When I was lad and ol' Shep was a pup, we lived for a spell in an old homestead on the end of a dirt road. Weren't no modern conveniences but...
MAS Makes Educational Opportunities Available
Dear Seeley-Swan residents, Happy Spring! As you know Missoula Aging Services (MAS) opened a branch office at the Bison & Bear Center in the fall of 2016 called Seeley-Swan Resource Center. I am...
Fantasy and Reality
Most people know there is a difference between fantasy and reality. Nonetheless, in our society fantasy is more important than we might imagine. From politics to social media, fantasy influences many...
Skin in the Game
One of the most beautiful effects of living your passion is that it inspires others to live theirs. I believe this wholeheartedly. It's catching. It isn't about wanting what others have and...
When Times were Tough
After the last go round with Ben Widrick, set me to think'n about one of his trapping endeavors. Back in the late thirties times were still tough and a dollar looked like a dinner plate. Uncle George...
Mental Illness
Mental illness is not a new phrase but it is one that has been in the news and on the lips of many people since school shootings began. The most recent tragedy in Broward County, in Fort Lauderdale,...
Winter Funk
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know when to just pull my lip over my head and swallow… Riding my horse is a wondrous salve for my salty soul. The salty soul is...
Don't Feed the Deer
When I lived in the Swan and before I hauled my ponies and mule over to winter on the bench out of Fairfield to my great friend old Mormon Sam, I needed considerable hay. Elden Rammell once introduced me to an old timer on the Helmville cutoff named...
Health and Support Guides Available
Hi. I have exciting news today! The new "Seeley Lake Community Health and Support Guide" is in print and being distributed this week. It is a collaboration of Seeley Lake Community Foundation,...
Loneliness
Loneliness is a feeling that covers considerable psychological ground. In other words, it is complex like most psychological expressions and experiences. Most people feel lonely from time-to-time,...
{Her Name}
Heather Meaning: In American, the meaning of the name Heather is: A flowering evergreen plant that thrives on peaty barren lands as in Scotland. Social media... {insert ginormous eye roll}; the place...
The Wisdom of Mel
If'n you're a fairly new comer to the Seeley Swan area you probably never knew Mel Nelson. Ol' Mel had a little gas station just past Barber Creek road there on the left. Mel had a small airplane and...
The Truth about Gout
As a kid, I remember certain ailments being, well just creepy. Like a goiter, or corns, or gout. While I had no idea what any of these things were, in my mind I would picture an old grandpa or...
Do a Benefits Check Up in 2018
This month I want to tell you about a very useful program developed by the National Council on Aging called The Benefits Check Up. The Benefits Check Up was developed to help seniors connect with a wi...
Practicing Hygge
There is no direct translation for the Danish “hygge.” However the word comes from 16th century Scandinavia as a description of embracing and enjoying the winter months through coziness and togetherness. At Swan Valley Connections, we are...
Controlling Personalities
I think we all know what it means to control a situation or a pet. Basically, it means the person expressing control dominates through commands, ideas, behaviors and aggression. And control can be...
Another Winter 96-97?
Those of us who lived through the winter of the big snow 96-97 remember – plow ¬– shovel daily. We lived then on the Swan side of the Summit. Come February you couldn't see my jack fence. I had...
