Hello, I’ve always been pretty lucky. At least that’s what Dad says. And I realize that more than ever today. On Friday, I had one of those phone calls that you dream of. I was a winner! A big winner. I had a phone call from, listen to this, a...

On Wednesday, December 5, I turned 68. It will be the first year since I was in my early 20s when I won’t get a check, worth one dollar for every year I have lived. (It got better the older I turned). My mother started the tradition when I was 25,...

Yes, I know I haven’t had a “Memories” article since Nov. 2, but let me explain. On Oct. 27 we received a telephone call that our daughter Arlene and her husband were cleaning the eve troughs on their house. The ladder tipped and she fell 12-14...

Hello, A famous quote, probably more famous than Grandpa’s, “Never buy a horse from a guy that sits in the front pew at church,” was Winston Churchill’s, “The only thing we have to fear… is fear itself.” Evidently, Winston did not know...

Hello God, it’s me, Mara: You know, Lord, the word ‘terminal’ sometimes causes a bit of a shock when we think about our own life…. not that any of us really ever figured that we were going to live down here on earth forever. An interesting...

Hello, It seems to me that the world is spinning faster than it used to. I suppose that happens as you age. You just write about the fourth of July and it's Veteran's Day. Then finish an article and it's Thanksgiving. Then Christmas pops up. I think...

Hello God, it’s me, Mara: You know, Lord, this month [on the 22nd] the full moon is called the Beaver Moon and according to folklore, that’s when the beavers become active while preparing for winter. A friend also mentioned that November’s...

This morning, Brice and I were remembering a particular Thanksgiving 32 or 33 years ago. In Billings I had been able to buy a fresh turkey, delivered to my door by a turkey farmer. The birds were very tender. In Ekalaka, Doug Bonsell raised turkeys....

Hello, A few days ago we celebrated Veterans Day, to honor those who served. It signified a war that ended on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. I hope you gave our veterans a little of your time on that sacred day. Whether it be with...

Everything has a life expectancy, from vegetation to animals, humans included, to mechanical devices. Two of our electrical appliances reached the end of their lives. The first was our dishwasher. It died last fall, and our daughter told us to replac...

Hello God, it’s me, Mara: You know, Lord, a recent devotional suggested that we be bold to intercede, asking on somebody’s behalf, for answer to their special needs and prayers, based not on our worthiness, but only on You, Lord. Residents in...

Hello, As you are aware, Thanksgiving is getting closer. That’s the holiday where all the relatives come and you compare families. You admire the others’ kids and grandkids and comment on how much they’ve grown. You take out pictures of your...

Hello God, it’s me, Mara: You know, Lord, as we’re out and about enjoying lovely weather, we can’t help but notice that the season of autumn is changing. The weather is a bit chillier, snow ‘might’ be on the near horizon, but meanwhile, we...

Hello, To many of my readers, this time of the year is a great time. Pheasant hunting is open, you can blast those ducks that are heading south, and deer season is right around the corner. Coyotes are nearing prime and prairie dogs are enjoying...

I will continue this week with memories of our neighbors, Frank and Clara Nies. My last article told of them getting a years supply of coal and wood from their own place, taking a month to fill the coal house. One day while uncovering the coal Clara...

As a very little girl, I remember my mom listening to baseball games on the radio. She would be doing the dishes while the radio sat on the refrigerator. Didn’t everyone’s radio reside on the refrigerator? I only started following baseball after...

I have not submitted articles to The Ekalaka Eagle for a couple of weeks. What’s that old saying? “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.” That’s my excuse. I just had nothing to say. Last week was our first use of th...

Hello, Last week I told you about a few of the bucking horses and how many of them were given their names. I had a lot of comments, well two, from readers. One from my daughter and one from my current wife, Shirley. So with that kind of response...

Sorry it has been a long time since I have written a “memories” article, but it has been a busy fall with lots of activities. A short “rabbit trail” before I get back to writing about those old time special neighbors. The Days of ‘85 have...

Hello, They had a bucking horse contest in Watford a couple of days ago. I wasn’t there. I wish I had been. They bucked nearly a hundred young horses out. Putting a dummy on them. No, a real dummy. It’s a deal rigged up to come off a young horse...

Hello, I am writing this at 4 in the morning. On Monday. A snowy Monday. It’s not that I like to get up and write at 4 in the morning. It’s just that I can’t sleep. Maybe that is because I went to bed at 7:30. Shirley says that is why I...

I’m not accustomed to making excuses, but the dog didn’t exactly eat my homework. I was busy wrestling with jaw pain. I did learn how to work through pain, but it wasn’t fun. My meals were liquid or soft, taken only on the left side of my...

Hello, We were working calves over the weekend. Giving fall vaccinations. I suppose it is a lot like the H1N1 flu shot. Some people give them. Some don’t. Everyone argues whether it is worth it or not. Except the calves. They don’t seem to like...

Hello, I can’t recall a fall with so many beautiful days. I know I will not have my fall work done when the first snows hit, but it dang sure won’t be Mother Nature’s fault. She is giving me plenty of opportunity. I’m a believer in climate...