Hello God, it’s me, Mara: You know, Lord, as a child, I can imagine that any one of us just loved it when our Mom would read to us. We would sit on Mama’s lap and listen to every word. As she read, we would examine the details of every picture...

As 2021 rolls in, we look back on 2020 with horrified hindsight and look forward with hopefulness to a good 2021. As I sit here reflecting on the pandemic of 2020, my mind wandered back to Y2K. Remember Y2K? We thought the computers would not recogni...

Hello God, it’s me, Mara: “God of the years that lie behind us, Lord of the years that stretch before, Weaver of all the ties that bind us, Keeper and King of the open door: Grant us hope and courage glowing Whiter and pure as the stars above:...

Editor’s note: The following poem was written and submitted by Erwin Curry, former Carter County resident....

Technically, I am retired. Granted, I have a couple part-time jobs that occupy my leisure time, but every year I find myself in the same predicament as I look down the barrel of the Christmas gun. Every year, it is as though Christmas sneaks up on...

Hello God, it’s me, Mara: You know, Lord, the old is everlastingly new as we anticipate the celebration of Christmas. Though that special event, Your gift of Your only begotten Son from heaven, happened about 2000 years ago, it is unendingly a pris...

The countdown to Christmas is on, and I am even more panicked than usual because of added Covid holiday stress. This year, like every other year, I had grandiose plans of creating a Christmas that would make Martha Stewart drool. The reality is that...

Hello God, it’s me, Mara: A long time ago when we were kids ‘training’ for Christmas shows, we almost didn’t have ‘nuf kids’ to make the ‘show’ a go! The Church was small, ‘bout ‘leven kids, they all wanted a part. Teacher, Ms....

Even Dr. Fauci declared on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, “We say it, not being facetiously or having a soundbite or anything, but you know: close the bars, keep the schools open." To ABC's Martha Raddatz, Fauci stated, "Obviously, you don't have...

Hello God, it’s me, Mara: You know, Lord, sometimes Holidays can be difficult. A friend’s reminder about SO many more obits in the paper due to Covid-19, as we are now entering the holiday season, surely means a lot more folks are having a...

I was born into my parents' outfitting business, and I have spent many years as a hunting camp cook, so I have always revered hunting guides. I love to listen to hunters' tales of how their guide nearly killed them off dragging them to the top of eve...

Hello God, it’s me, Mara: It’s amazing, Lord, when one finds an interesting article to share! The following is by Ruth C. Ikerman, entitled: Do what You Don’t Have To DO. “A friend who thoroughly enjoys each new Christmas season once told me...

The official Christmas shopping season kicks off after the turkey leftovers are put in the refrigerator. We won't be having any Black Friday frenzies this year thanks to Covid. Instead I want to encourage everyone to support small businesses in their...

Hello God, it’s me, Mara: You know, Lord, sometimes we just need to say “Thank You, Lord” for being so good to us, for always being so loving and kind. It’s a necessity to speak out and tell others that we are redeemed, that we are saved...

by Susan Metcalf One of the nicest compliments I receive is when readers tell me that they have hung my column on their refrigerator or mailed it to someone (often anonymously) to try to make a point humorously and semi-tactfully. Since we are going...

Hello God, it’s me, Mara: You know, Lord, sometimes when we’re hungry, memory kicks in and a scent seems to drift by us, makes us ‘think’ of our Mommy baking bread. Yum! Our Mom was the best baker in our neighborhood – just ask any of the n...

Parent teacher conferences are traditionally held at this time of year, but this Covid year many of those conferences will be postponed or held via telephone, Zoom, or Google Meets. The parents of the high achieving kids always show up eager to...

Hello God, it’s me, Mara: You know, Lord, good deeds DO happen. Monday at the Post Office, an older chap was limping with a cane headed to the door, a young guy came in, held the door for the older man, asked him if he needed any help. The older...

With Covid restrictions in place, it is more important than ever this year to remember to honor Veteran's Day next Wednesday, I hope you will take time to honor all of the Veterans in your community. In our Big Timber, Montana community, we have an...

Hello God, it’s me, Mara: You know, Lord, we all need to behave wisely. The word solace [or comfort] is found/described in Your Word, several times in chapters 10-12 of Ecclesiastes. It’s a word that’s meant to bring comfort and relief;...

Hello, It’s been quite awhile since I’ve let you know how Shirley and I are doing. We are both healthy and hope that you are too. In fact, I’m so healthy it is bordering on obese, but that’s another story. I’ve often told you how Shirley cl...

Their daughter Ruth has some memories and descriptions of her mother I would like to share. “Mrs. Quam spoke of the times on the ranch when they didn’t know where their next sack of flour was coming from, but they managed to get by. She often...

As I sit here tonight looking out at the 20 plus inches of snow coating everything, I have to believe that this might slow the buying frenzy of out of state buyers who have flocked to Montana from highly populated areas. Almost as soon as things...

Hello God, it’s me, Mara: Relaxing day with a bit of snow, MORE SNOW is on the way. So, we’ll just wait, putter a bit; shovel another day. Twould be so fun if girlfriends came, but they’d have to fight ice! However, they moved out of town;...