Chris Young had a hit country song a few years back entitled "I Hear Voices", and I think it was written for me! The first line is, "You can say I'm a little bit crazy. You can call me insane." Of course, these things are true, but he goes on to...

Hello God, it’s me, Mara: You know, Lord, during this Pandemic time, the passing away of dear ones just ‘feels’ different than it used to, a long while ago. As we grieve for friends who have recently passed on, it was truly most interesting to...

Chorus: The jaws of a beast, One looked at when entering. The man who created it, Marshall Lambert - small town genius. He only walked to work, striding away. Mr. Lambert was a true American. I sat up front, In Sophomore science class. Talk of early...

After learning that ‘Tony’ Quam and his wife Maria both came from Norway, I learned that they got married in Yankton, South Dakota and moved to Deadwood, South Dakota where Tony worked for the Homestake Mining Co., in the shops. A strike by the...

The early rifle season elk hunters headed into the back country this week, and there is a chill of fall in the air. I heard a bull elk bugle last night, and my heart longs for hunting camp, but my "town job" and my aching joints remind me that I...

Hello God, it’s me, Mara: You know, Lord, the following is an old story, but having just ‘lost’ a couple of friends, this story seemed somewhat right on, so to speak. The author of this ‘long ago’ story is unknown, but it seemed so fitting...

This week my heart goes out to those affected by the wildfires burning across our state. When a plume of smoke rises, my heart begins to pound. I have evacuated from six fires and three floods, so I know the indescribable feeling of fear and...

Hello God, it’s me, Mara: You know, Lord, sometimes while rummaging around looking for one thing, one uncovers something that was saved from long ago – how about this one saved from when working in lower elementary grades – just sharing some...

I have been thinking about my Grandpa Coons and about all of the things that he did that we, his grandkids, loved. I have written a story previously where I called him the greatest man that ever lived and I stand by that. Grandpa was born in 1879, so...

I have tried really hard to find the silver lining in living with Covid, and I think I have finally found it! Masks should be mandated for cattle sorting! If the Governor does not mandate masks for cattle sorting, perhaps some organization like Crazy...

Hello God, it’s me, Mara: You know, Lord, while looking through the book “Your life is in God’s hand,’ by Thomas Lindberg, it’s interesting how he reminds us not to fear, fret, fright, fume or forget. “Don’t fear”, he writes, then...

I am not sure if I have ever seen more floaters on the rivers of Montana this summer. I believe Covid has made camping and fishing the 2020 thing to do. Floating the Yellowstone River is always a fun family outing, but the river demands respect as...

Hello God, it’s me, Mara: You know, Lord, sitting by the window full of sunshine with the address and birthday book open, one can’t help but remember, that You are in command with both life and death. So – as time has passed, it is time to...

This week, most parents are celebrating the fact that their children are going back to school after the longest summer break on record due to the Coronavirus. The exceptions to these celebrations are usually the moms of kindergarteners and the moms...

Hello God, it’s me, Mara: You know, Lord, the way ‘things’ are going on right now with ‘Sheltering In’, etc. a friend suggested a ‘Joy Box. ‘A joy box? What is a Joy Box?’ “Oh, everyone should have one,” our friend exclaimed....

I will continue to share information about the Tie Creek community with an article by Wesley Brewer who told about the company that came to the area to cut trees, made railroad ties, built dams, and in the spring of 1884 with high water and blown...

Robert and Pat Talkington’s daughter, Gloria Dawn, and her daughter came for a short visit to Ekalaka. We stayed with some friends and former neighbors, Chester and Rona Meyer, and had a great visit. We really enjoyed Ches and Jordan and all of...

School bells are about to ring for the first time since March, and many college students are headed off to campus. My thoughts turn to those parents ushering their kids off to college and kindergarten with high hopes, a few hidden tears, and a whole...

Hello God, it’s me, Mara: You know, Lord, it never seems to fail, once it is Summertime, detours seem to be opened and “Road Construction Ahead” signs are woven into the scenery along busy roadways. With friends, this last week, we sure did...

Several years ago, Ernest Tooke wrote a story about all the business, present time or not, that had been in Ekalaka. It was fairly complete, but I am going to tell you about one business that he didn't mention and tell you about one that I know...

In a normal year, we look forward to the end of the haying season, because there might be a little opportunity to take a short vacation before school starts. This year the hay equipment is about to get parked in the shed, but prospects of a vacation...

Hello God, it’s me, Mara: You know, Lord, now and then friends share with us things that are special to them. One gal shared that a long while ago, Pastor ‘Phil’ [name changed] was telling them that: “Listening is not hearing. Touching is...

A big thing as we were growing up in and around Ekalaka was the water supply. People out in the country or on the edges of Ekalaka had wells. You usually could find ground water at 10 or 15 feet but they would go on through that and go to another...

The 4-H Fair, which is this week in our county, is going to look a lot different because of COVID. Spectators are being asked to stay home and watch the fair on live feeds. Perhaps that will make fair a bit less dramatic and more relaxed. I have...