I always like to get the bad news first, then follow with the good. So I'll start there. Most of us are aware that Montana has the highest rate of suicide in the nation. Most of us have been touched i...

Over in central Oregon near the little town of Monument is Cupper Canyon Ranch, there once lived Ol' Ray Ackerman. My cutt'n partner got me hooked up with Old Ray, thought I might get to hunt muleys...

It's summertime! The time for fun in the sun, swimming in the lake, hiking those beautiful Montana Mountains. It's time for barbecues and picnics. It is also the time for iced lattes and ice cream,...

I have had a life long "love affair" with firearms. I just love the darn things. Why this is I cannot say. It's just a distinct part of me. The firearms I like most are really special works of art...

Well, given the condition of our country and other countries in the world, I'd say everything! The Pandora myth involves Pandora's Box - although originally, it was a jar. In the sixteenth century,...

Q: Can you tell me how to kill the ants in my garden? A: I know of nothing short of nuclear attack that would kill ants, but I can tell you how to get them out of the garden easily, as long as you...

As we approach Medicare's Open Enrollment Period, Oct. 15 – Dec. 7, 2019, it's time again to start thinking about your Medicare coverage. Open enrollment is when Medicare beneficiaries should...

Many moons ago whilst living out of the old Mr. Emily log'n camp in eastern Oregon, I was cutt'n timber for a man known as R.W. He resided on a little ranch near a place called Cove. I was the last...

Describing why I love a particular gun or cartridge isn't easy. Where do I begin? First, the pistol and cartridge were built in a joint venture between Smith & Wesson and Remington, made...

You might be familiar with the country western song "Too Much Fun." The singer asks: "What's that mean? It's like too much money; there's no such thing." These lines are certainly misleading. Can a...

Happy Fourth of July! Along with our gorgeous summer weather, we in the Seeley-Swan Valley have something new to celebrate! Seniors who are 60 years of age and older, residents of Missoula County and...

Q: How do we encourage native plants like lupine, Oregon grape and arnica for a natural yard? We keep an area unmowed, and we also need to think about fire resistance. A: I am assuming that you have...

Ya hear a lot these days about bullying in schools. Nothing new under the sun. There was a lot of us who went through it. Some older boys and girls are just plain mean. And tweren't raised right...

I know most of you reading this do not hand load your own ammo. Let me attempt to convince you that you should. These are my reasons. First is always economy. It doesn't matter what cartridge you want...

The word individuation is not heard very often. On the other hand, individualism is commonly expressed in our culture. Many people consider the two words to have the same meaning but the two words are...

The beautiful weather is finally here and we can get outside and enjoy! It's also a great time to save money on Medicare by applying for the Medicare Savings Program (MSP)! If you have or qualify for...

Q: What on earth does it mean to "harden" a plant? A: It is gardeners' slang for helping an indoor plant to adapt itself to outdoor weather. The same techniques are used for plants grown in a...

It's been a ride here, friends. A good one... I've decided to hang up the reins for now on my column "Cowgirl Ramblings" and turn the page on this chapter of my book. My life is a little busy, my...

Won't be long now many will be look'n to head on down some trail. There's noth'n quite like it - horses and mules and good company. Many moons ago Will Kats and Paul Ossowski and I headed for the...

Previously I discussed the advantages a revolver has as a concealed carry/self defense firearm. Now I will discuss why the auto pistol is also a great choice. First, the auto pistols come in many...

Here we go, we find ourselves smack-dab in the middle of a whooping cough outbreak here in Seeley Lake this week. You may have been hearing about the outbreak in the Missoula high schools. Well,...

It's May, and universities across the nation are growing quiet and empty. But in four days, college students will arrive in the Swan Valley for their first day of class. Since 1997, Swan Valley Connec...

When opera singers warm up, they sing mee, mee, mee, mee, mee. There is an old joke relating opera singers and the psychological focus of this article, which amounts to a play on words. The joke...

Q: I love basil and would like to grow my own but I need some instructions. Also, once I have basil plants outdoors, will I have to protect them from deer? A: Basil is easy enough to grow, once you...