Tag: Montana election

Happy Halloween and Almost the End of Campaign Ads

We only have a few more days to endure the political ads, the flyers that go directly into the recycle bin. I think America would do well to shorten campaign season as many countries do.

In Canada, the minimum length for a campaign is 36 days, and the longest ever was 74 days (in 1926);
In Australia, the campaign must be a minimum of 33 days (the longest ever was 11 weeks in 1910);
In France, the official election campaign usually lasts no more than 2 weeks;
In Japan, campaigning is allowed for 12 days;
In Singapore, the minimum length is 9 days.

I learned from watching Impact on Montana PBS that Montana tops the nation in the number of Senate ads and learned the impact the Citizens United decision has on current campaigns and voters.

Do you enjoy Halloween?

I do, it’s a fun holiday during my favorite season of the year. There’s no pressure to make the perfect meal, buy presents, listen to carols for months on end, you know all the hoopla that happens as soon as Halloween is over. The commercials start coming at you, buy, buy, buy.

For Halloween, the children get so excited about what they are going to dress up as and all the candy they’ll be given just for being cute or scary. I love carving the pumpkin, lighting it up just as the trick or treaters start out on their mission.

Last year, I was dog sitting for golden retriever, Max. His neighborhood goes all out with decorations. Little ghosts, witches and goblins knock on doors shooting treat or trick. Max, wearing his Halloween scarf, made sure to step out to greet them all and get a pat or two. He and I will be doing it again this year.

Max is also cheering me on as I write my book proposal so I may begin querying agents for my memoir. Stay tuned!

Happy Halloween from me and Max.

2023 – Max is ready for trick or treaters
2024, Max and Lambchops ready for Halloweeen

It was a good day until it wasn’t

It was a good day until it wasn’t.

The windy chilly weather we have been having finally broke. It was still and the sun was shining. I was headed to meet my new pet sitting client out Hwy. 200 winding along the Blackfoot river. The idea that I would have a week of pet sitting out the Blackfoot area felt like a gift. It is my favorite area, my favorite river. I want my ashes sprinkled in the river that has given me fond memories with family and friends as well as solitary restorative time.
When I drove up to the homestead situated in large meadow with views of rolling hills and woods I felt even luckier. I have it in my mind to use my week caring for a dog, writing, walking and reading.
I knew nothing about the owner. Another client of mine recommended me to her. As we chatted, I learned more about her and her deceased husband who happens to be a renowned Montana writer. “Yes, this is a writer’s home, write while you are here,” she exclaimed.
Her dog is exceptionally sweet and stayed close as we walked a half mile to the creek, a tributary of the Blackfoot. I got to hear the history of her home. The more we talked, the more connections we discovered. She and her husband have been to Jackson, MS for a signing at Lemuria bookstore where I used to work. She remembered John, my old boss and owner. We are friends with several fellow writers. I was uplifted by it all.
We toured the home, stopping to get instructions for the TV and remote. The TV turned on and there was the news of the Uvalde, TX school shooting. Then it wasn’t a good day.
24 years ago, when my daughter was in high school, our community experienced a school shooting. A fifteen year old killed two and wounded 21 of his classmates at Thurston high school. I remember it like it was yesterday, the community shock and grief, the fear of my daughter even going to school.
To think that just this past year, a law was passed in Texas: a permitless carry bill that Texas conservatives had long sought for and failed to achieve. The law allows most Texans to carry handguns openly in public without going through training or having to get permits. Long guns, like rifles and shotguns, had already been allowed to be carried without a permit.
Law makers are protecting gun laws, not people. They want to protect the unborn without protecting the already born.
It feels overwhelming to think it is out of our hands. In spite of overwhelm I will be writing letters. I will vote in the upcoming Montana election, June 7th, after careful study. Whatever else might be done, I’d appreciate hearing about it.
Meantime, I won’t take for granted that I get to “baby” sit for two of my favorite little girls tonight, a guaranteed good time.


Take care everyone. Thanks for reading.