Dangerous Thoughts

The theme for Montana's National History Day this year is "Taking A Stand in History".  As I ponder this quote I think of all the women who fought for suffrage.  People like Susan B. Anthony, Alice Paul, Hazel Hunkins, a Billings, MT suffragist.  And men and women like you and me.   They took a stand.

Yes I said "men", I wasn't muttering.  One organization was the "Men's League for Women's Suffrage".  Wellington Rankin was a member of Montana's League for Women's Suffrage.  (Clue he had an older sister named Jeanette.)  He took a stand.

The James Madison award is given each year to the individual or group, who have championed, protected and promoted public access to government information and the public's right to know at the national level. The award is given by the American Library Association. Yesterday they announced the 2017 winner - Montana Senator Jon Tester.  He will receive the award March 15, 2017 at the Newseum in Washington, DC.

Senator Tester took a stand.

Tell me about a person you believe took a stand.

I Was Once Young

I and 39 other 4-Hers (all teenagers) boarded a chartered Greyhound bus in Lewiston, Idaho.  We were going to attend the 4-H Club Congress in Washington DC. It was the summer of 1973 and I was fifteen years old.  Three adults were on the trip; the bus driver, and two chaperones sadly I don't remember their names.

We were gone a month. One week to get there.  One week attending 4-H Club Congress. One week to get home.

Today I would not take 40 teenagers across town with just two chaperones, let alone a three week trip staying in motels.  We ranged in ages of 15-19.  We stopped at most of the historic spots.

We went through Butte, saw them mining the Berkeley Pit.  Stopped at "Custer's Battlefield".   Stopped at Mount Rushmore.  Went to the Science Museum in Chicago.  Drove on the edge of a tornado for several hours.

We rotated chores each night cleaning the bus and preparing for the next days trip.  I could not reach the windshield.  So when it was my turn I washed and dried the headlights.

I remember going to Williamsburg and eating Peanut Soup and Cornish Hens.  Seeing Monticello and Gettysburg.

Our week in DC was about learning and experiences.  Our chaperones and leaders had organized our trip before we left.  We attended a live performance of "Jesus Christ Super Star" at the Ford Theater.  Saw the National Zoo.  Saw white Bengal tigers, Smokey the Bear, the pandas from China Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing.  We went to the Smithsonian saw the 1st Ladies gowns, and the Hope Diamond.

These are some of the memories that still dance in my heart and soul.

Friendship is Everything

Friendship - it's the little things; it's the big things.  Ida is my friend. She has been my library volunteer for 6 years.  This fall Mrs W our secretary suggested a surprise birthday party for her 88th birthday.  All 297 students made her a birthday card.  It was great! She dreams of the future.

Lauri is my friend - she has been my library volunteer for over 10 years and two school moves.  A few years ago is gave our library a collection of Goosebumps.  Her adult son said it was ok to give his childhood collection to us.  Last week one of the books fell apart.  I had already used a ton of tape on it.  I showed her it had been checked out 77 times.  She encourages dreamers.

Karin is my friend.  She is a retired librarian.  I worked with her the year before she retired.  She has been my library volunteer for two years and in two schools.  She has helped me catalog our new books and weed the collection.  She has helped me pack up my library two years in a row (all the books).  She then helped me unpack them.

Trish is my friend.  She is a retired librarian.  She is loyal.  She says what she thinks.  She scolds me and then supports my dreams.  I have only to say I need your help and she's there.

Audrey is my friend.  She too is a retired librarian.  She has listened to me cry. She has encouraged me. She has believed in me. And she too, helped me pack my library twice in two years, every book.

Kelli is my friend.  Yes she is a retired librarian.  She taught English and then joined the library ranks.  I was a 2nd year librarian and they made me her mentor. LOL.  I told her straight out I was learning and we would figure it out together. She taught me so much. She laughs with me and makes me answer my own questions.

Mrs W is my friend.  She is our secretary.  She drives by my house on her way to work.  Tuesday there were emergency vehicles near my home.  She called to check on Dan and I.  I was very touched.  My elderly neighbor is still in the hospital.

These are some of my many wonderful friends.  They are ones to ride the river with!

Bobbing Balloons

Three sets of bobbing balloons decorate this month's table.  Each month birthday staff are recognized during a monthly potluck.  Decorations and small gifts change depending on the folks who are hosting the luncheon.

Friday, our secretary Mrs W reminded me to take my balloons.  I decided to leave them in my room so I could enjoy them while they stayed aloft.

Monday, I came through the doors and Mrs W pointed to the balloons sitting on the counter.  I looked at the gentle swaying balloons as she said "Don't forget your balloons."

"I put them in my room Friday."

Mrs W.  "I know."

Me: "So why are they here this morning?"

Mrs W: "They set off the motion detector and set off the alarm.   I figured it out the 2nd time and put them in the vault."

My beautiful bobbing balloons accompanied me to the library. After school I took them home and put them in the living room.

My two dogs were not impressed.  Baby stood by my chair facing these gently bobbing interlopers. She growled her warning that if they came closer they would deal with her.  Eventually she laid down but kept them in sight.

Tank, (our Scooby Doo), would move in for a closer look at the gently bobbing balloons.  Then he would notice a shadow or slight movement and off he would run.  Returning to check them out again.

Beautiful bobbing birthday balloons.

Dolly's Green Tomato Relish

Dan's sister gave me this recipe that had been her Mother's recipe.

Dolly's Green Tomato Relish

6 pints green tomatoes
3 pints of ground cabbage
3 onions ground
3 red and 3 green peppers ground or (can substitute 3 red tomatoes for the 3 red peppers)
1/2 cup salt, stir into mixture soak overnight.  Drain well.


3 pints vinegar (white)
3 pints sugar
1/2 cup mustard seed (It was cheaper to buy bulk at the Health Store.)
1 tsp clove
1 tsp cinnamon

Mix together pour over tomato mixture.  Cook for 1/2 hour.

Seal in water bath for 10 minutes.  Makes approximately 14 pints.

Memories:  Dan said he can remember his Mom making it when he was young.  Patsy gave me the recipe in October 2006.

Georgine's Tomato Relish

My Mom's friend Georgine gave this recipe to my Mom about 1967.  I can remember Mom making it.  Seeing it drain.  Hearing the jars pop.

Tomato Relish

Step 1

• 14 lbs ripe tomatoes - Skald and skim
• 6 green peppers chopped no seeds
• 6 red peppers chopped no seeds
• 3 hot peppers chopped no seeds
• (Put all in food grinder)
• 8 large onions chopped fine
• 3/4 very scant cup of salt

Step 2:  Hang in bag over night.

Step 3:  In morning taste drippings if too salty add water in bag to drip.

Step 4:  Heat together

• 5 cups sugar
• 5 cups vinegar (prefer cider vinegar)
• then add
• 3 oz mustard seed

Mix well, then add to first mixture above.  Stir for awhile.  Seal hot.

*We got it to salty once and we added a cup of cold water and let it drain and it was alright.  Try tasting the juice.

Finding Community In Unlikely Places

Zortman is a small community in North Central Montana.  It is a historic mining community, and a living ghost town.  Many of the residents left when the mine shut down in 1997.  The remaining residents have grit and endurance.  

Zortman and the nearby community of Landusky were named after the original miners, who found gold on the Fort Belknap Reservation in the late 1800's.  In 1895 the tribes faced starvation and signed the Grinnell Agreement, selling the gold laden land to the US government.  The Zortman-Landusky Mine was the first cyanide heap-leach gold mine in the US.  The Pegasus mine closed in 1997.

Environmental issues such as cyanide spills, and other violations bring legal action.  Read more here at the High County News, The rise and fall of a gold mining company. (Dec 22, 1997). To read more about the Environmental issues and Native lands go here.

Zortman is listed as a ghost town.  I think of it as a functioning ghost town.  It sports the Buckhorn store; US Post Office; The Miners Club Bar and Cafe; Zortman Garage and Motel; and RV Park and has an active religious community.

The Zortman Garage and Motel is owned by John and Candy Kalal.  We met Candy Friday night when we checked in.  The motel is clean and cozy.  In front of the motel you will find many chairs and small tables.  It reminded me of the old verandas where folks gathered to visit.  Like many rural Montana communities cell coverage and internet service is temperamental.  I soon realized I could get signal outside my room.  So I took my computer and went and enjoyed the autumn sunshine.

Folks working and staying at the motel would stop and say hello.  I enjoyed catching the conversations taking place as people worked and visited.  I felt welcomed and included in their friendly banter.

My husband and another couple went riding their ATV's up the mountain.  That afternoon I headed for the Charles M Russell National Wildlife Refuge to watch the elk at Slippery Ann.

I was there about an hour went I decided to head back to the motel (about 25 miles).  I headed up the road and found a turn around and headed back to Zortman.  As I headed down the hill I met Mike and his wife in their Duely.

Mike said, "We left Danny at the Motel he had a Crash, but he's ok."

More conversation and I headed back quite concerned.

As I drove I replayed the morning conversations that I had overheard.  Somewhere I thought someone said something about being a nurse.  When I arrived back at the motel I saw Cindy and asked if she was the nurse.

"No, but there is an EMT."

I told her Dan had rolled his ATV.  My husband was a bit surprised as a roomful of people descended on him.  He was under the covers, "bare assed naked".  I quickly explained that there was an EMT and I wanted them to take a look at him.

Even though everyone firmly suggested getting checked out at the hospital in Malta I could not convince him to go.  Mike and his wife, Candy and her husband and many others stopped to check on Dan and see what he needed.  Candy brought him Tiger Balm and John brought him ice.  Many people stopped introduced themselves and then asked if there was anything we needed.  The next morning we met a few more folks.  It was amazing the sense of community that was at the little motel.

Dan said,  "the 4 wheeler "rared up" and went - end over end - as I went off the side. "

Dan told me he wend end over end a few times.  Felt his head hit the rocks as he rolled over, and remembered feeling the rocks dig into his side.

When the dust settled the 4 wheeler was at the bottom and he was on the side of the mountain.
He had jumped off his four wheeler as it somersaulted down the steep mountain.  He drove his ATV back to the motel.  It looked a little bent and beaten up.  Mostly it looked sad.



When I examined him he sported some scrapes and cuts and did not appear to have any broken bones. Thankfully he has a hard head.

I believe the angels were watching and protecting the three of them.   I also believe that when he goes riding they call in reinforcements.