HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL

The green, green grass of home
Some say that the grass is inevitably greener on

the other side. However on our Sunday drive to

White Sulphur Springs Montana that wasn't the

case. The further beyond Fergus County - the

drier things got. Said visual affirming that we're

lucky to have greener pastures than most of our

fellow Montanans. After stopping for lunch, it

was again quite evident that our town is on the

upswing. Whereas other communities continue

to struggle. Yet post arrival in White Sulphur

Springs we found that Lewistown is not the only

small Montanan town amidst a renaissance. So

what drives a community's success or failure?

Dose of reality
Before anybody jumps to conclusions - let me

be clear. Growth within isolated agriculturally

driven communities such as ours is organic.

Thus like any natural process it happens slowly

but surely. Requiring all involved to persevere.

Along with nurture and respect said evolution.

What's obvious once you leave Lewistown is

that at times community development works.

But just as often if fails. Said success is driven

by a delicate balance of industry, commerce,

and creativity. Along with ample doses of just

plain luck. Thus an occasional jaunt outside of

town can reinforce just how good we've got it.

At a new stage
Who knows why some succeed where others

fail? The formula for success is actually quite

simple. PEOPLE. Last Saturday Lewistown

celebrated the opening of our new Creekside

Marketplace and Pavilion park. A project that

was born out of a community initiative whose

focus was to improve our circumstances. Yet

another indication that great things happen if

and when we work together. Especially in the

middle of no where. So where do we go from

here? Can we leverage forward momentum

to insure Lewistown ends up in a good place?

We've much to gain. Or... much to lose.

GIVE ME AN "F"?!

What the "F"
This week the US Supreme Court  ruled in

favor of profanity. Spewed via social media

by an irate teenage cheerleader. Said decision

reinforced the right of all Americans to speak

their piece. Even if it is a piece of "s". That's

just one of the freedoms that come with being

a citizen of this great nation. However as your

mother said long ago "just because someone

says you can jump off a bridge doesn't mean

you have to." Hence while we all have a right

to be profane - we don't have to be offensive.

Meaning that when it comes to free speech

we all should give a "s" about what we say.

Linguistics coarse
I'm the first to admit I have a potty mouth. A 

ommunication skill crafted after four decades

in advertising and retail. Where we often joked

that the "f" word could be used as an adjective, 

noun, or verb. However now I have to question

why many Americans communicate with such

a limited vocabulary. In the old days my great

Aunt Sadie would have deemed such discourse

"coarse". Preferring to treat others with respect

rather than barrage them with expletives. Yet

for reasons beyond her control most others now

opt to communicate in a manner unbecoming

to gentle folks. Which isn't always very pretty.

Verbal dump
Foul language is certainly not new. However

it's common use in public by almost everyone

is. A down and dirty verbal phenomena which

I find tiresome at best. After all - there are so

many ways to say the same thing differently.

Consider human waste. Nowadays most use

the "s" word. Even though there are a variety

of very colorful ways to describe our process

of elimination. Like feces, discharge, egesta,

droppings, dung, or excreta. Plus the requisite

poop, doo-doo, ca-ca, crap, stinkies, or a any

of the other options available. All of which

prove one can be foul mouthed and not curse. 

OUT OF OFFICE MESSAGE

Back to the grind?
As America returns to normal change is afoot.

The process of going back to work isn't just

business as usual. For over a year much of

America worked from home. Or sat waiting

for a chance to get back to any job at hand.

Gaining wisdom while out of office. For those

still functioning - even at a long distance -

everything went smoothly. Zoom tech glitches

aside - technology enabled folks to accomplish

much from afar. Avoiding pricey commutation,

office politics, and dry cleaning bills along the

way. Which is why so many still want to work

from home. In their pajamas preferably.

While you were out
Others discovered that less is more. Meaning

that self-sufficiency sans a regular paycheck

wasn't as hard as they expected. Suddenly all

of their talents and skills they'd ignored have

become alternative revenue streams. Causing

many to question whether returning to a low

level job is worth their time and effort. This

last month over four hundred thousand retail

workers quit,  Not because of Covid. But due

to all of the options available in a reinvented

work environment. Hence in essence we're

amidst a worker's revolution. One where labor

not management is in control.

Here's the scoop
I recently heard an interview with an ice cream

store owner. Fourth generation, he ramped up

for the summer post Covid 19. Yet few if any

applied for his open minimum wage jobs. So

he upped the ante to fifteen dollars an hour.

Suddenly he had over one thousand applicants

to choose from. A month later, his higher paid

employees have more than paid for themselves.

By"upselling" plus avoiding costly mistakes.

Thus by thinking big his store, employees, and

customers benefitted. Now is the time for us all

to get to work reinventing the workplace! This

is our opportunity to change for the better!

Tick tock - there goes the clock

Off my game
I'll admit it. I'm a procrastinator. Deferring

tasks at hand as long as possible. Well, not

all that requires my attention. Anything

I like to do is completed immediately with

pleasure. Those easy jobs which require

little to no effort are immediately checked

off my list. Leaving those pesky problems

that have to be dealt with. Yet for a variety

of reasons are reluctantly completed at the

very last minute. Resulting in a expected

and rather Pavlovian sense of satisfaction.

One which makes me wonder why I ever

wasted my time by deferring the inevitable.

Crisis management
Fortunately for some - their inability to face

reality is work related. Such tasks aside they

opt to rip off life's bandage versus playing

a waiting game. Confronting the good, bad,

and ugly here and now. I'm rarely surprised.

Hence why defer hitting the highs and lows?

I always opt for immediate gratification.

Hoping for the best. Assuming the worst.

My veiled optimism a Pavlovian defense

against disappointment. Knowing that in

the end little worth the weight. That is

until suddenly something happens which

simply blows your mind. Imagine that....

Only time will tell
What goes around comes around. So there

is no reason to delay. Which ultimately is

what today's blog is all about. You see this

writer had nothing to say. Yet I knew that

my loyal readers were waiting for some

sort of message. In the end I couldn't put it

off any longer. Therefore here you have it.

An exercise in deferred engagement. The

end result being exactly what I could have

predicted. In that it was probably not worth

the wait. Nor the angst involved in somehow

crafting a message about nothing at all. And

with that I leave you. Until tomorrow that is.

PUBLIC SERVICE MESSAGE

Seen and heard
Last night we dined at our favorite truck stop.

A joint that not only dishes out great grub but

almost always provides ample entertainment.

Last night's floor show was our waitress, Who

was "over" her "lazy" co-workers. Her ire due

to young folks who tend to not have the same

work ethic as those old enough to know better.

Obviously they weren't up to the challenge. Nor

willing to rise to any occasion. Leading her to

growl "I'm calling the hospital to find out much

it would cost to remove their cell phones after

I shove them up their ass." Clearly she'd had

enough. So she spoke her piece and then some.

Message center
Sometimes the only way to get your message

across is to say it like it is. Yet all too often

we make things worse by trying to be nice.

Honesty is always the best policy. But getting

one's message across doesn't have to require

blunt force. Making things clear obviously

requires transparency. Smoke and mirrors fuel

claims of misunderstanding by those within

earshot. So rather than beat around the bush

it's always best to speak your piece. Allowing

your audience to instantly understand exactly

where you're coming from. Whether they like

it or not. After all it is what it is - isn't it?!

Hearing aids
The art of candor can be easier said than done.

Especially when it comes to politics. Most of

our leaders prefer to tell us whatever we want

to hear. Even if it isn't the truth. They've NO

intention of delivering on such false pretenses.

At least Mitch McConnell has the guts to state

his position. Like saying his plan is to block

any attempt by President Biden to accomplish

anything. The question is what message will

we the people send back to all who choose to

sing along with Mitch? Will we complain yet

hand them re-election? Or will we finally say

"NO" and mean it? SPEAK YOUR TRUTH!

MADE IN "MATT"ANA

It's about time
Tomorrow is Juneteenth. A celebration that until

recently most Americans were not aware of.

Specifically most who are not black. June 19,

1865 a Union General proclaimed slavery's end

in Galveston Texas. Two and half years after the

Emancipation Declaration was signed into law

during the Civl War. Hence the freeing of the

last of four million enslaved African Americans

was completed. Reason enough to celebrate.

Especially given that yesterday President Biden

officially signed a decree designating it a federal

holiday. Post bi-partisan passage through both

houses of Congress. Yet some aren't celebrating.

Party pooper
Montana's sole Congressman - Republican Matt

Rosendale was one of fourteen "conservatives"

who voted against said designation. Falsely

claiming "the left" wanted to replace the Fourth

of July. Along with further justifying his offense

by stating the legislation was intended to make

"Americans feel bad and convince then that our

country is evil". Proving once again how out

of sync Mr. Rosendale is with both history and

America at large. However that's not the worst.

He also voted against awarding Congressional

Gold Medals to Capital Police Officers killed

in the line of duty. What's wrong with Matt?!

Purple people eater
As a blue type living within a red state I'm used

to being misrepresented. However I find Matt

Rosendale's ardent pursuit of conspiracy theory

rhetoric offensive. No matter how one gets into

an elected office - their ultimate responsibility

is to represent ALL whom they serve. Yet his

public detours to the far right do anything but

that. Ultimately his job is to insure Montana's

voice is heard. And that we get our fair share.

It is NOT to legislate his version of morality.

Which this writer finds immoral at best. And in

the process portrays our great state as anything

but what is truly is. SHAME ON YOU MATT.

HALF & HALF

Bi-partisan politics
Nobody likes to lose. Everybody assumes

they're right. When it comes to capitulation -

the majority of folks won't compromise.

That's quite easy if a decision is yours alone.

Or in a group setting where one is either in

control or has the winning vote. No wonder

cooperation rarely happens. Especially when

divergent interests are involved. All of who

have but one goal - power. No wonder neither

Congress or the Senate can get anything done.

Against all odds it's easier to opt out rather

than accomplish something. Thus government

tends to be little more than a futile exercise. 

Neither nor
In the past viewing our democratic process in

action was akin to watching paint dry.  For

centuries it seemed nothing ever happened.

Therefore it was easy to look the other way.

To hand over all responsibility to our elected

officials. Slowly but surely such a process of

inertia empowers a sub culture of clandestine

enrichment Allowing those for who we voted

to do whatever suits their needs - NOT ours.

Creating a legislative process than can only

be deemed a viscous cycle. Which is exactly

is happening in Washington D.C. A game of

thrones where nobody wins. Or do some?

Split decision
In reality the wants and needs of constituents

seem to be of no consequence. What matters

are votes. Especially those which are easily

everaged to their advantage. Sadly what's lost

in said process are core values such as dignity,

morality, and results. In that the majority of

our elected officials have no shame when it

comes to winning. Along with absolutely no

desire to lose anything. The end result being

an endless push and pull that maintains the

status quo and little else. When what's needed

is to meet somewhere in the middle. Until we

can get there we're going to get nowhere fast.

FLY OUR FLAG PROUDLY

It's a grand old flag
My father fought in World War Two. A proud

patriot he daily hung the stars and stripes in

front of the house. Plus it didn't hurt that said

Americana matched with my Mother's colonial

decor. Hence I was taught that our nation's flag

was something to honor, respect, and protect.

Last Saturday we watched as members of our

Navy presented a flag to a grieving family at

Frank's uncle's burial. A fitting tribute to his

service to our country. Again a symbol of all

that makes America great. Yet sadly within the

last year flying a flag has come to represent

discord rather than unity.

False pretenses
A few days ago my sister-in-law came upon

the flag shown above whilst on a bike ride.

Said banner is not only is a shameful display

of disrespect. But an offense given it hung

above our nation's flag. NO wonder I have

come to view many flag bearers as suspect

at best. Possibly because disenfranchised

losers have hijacked our mantle of freedom.

And in doing so have tainted said symbol

of democracy as theirs alone. So help me. 

Exactly when did our flag become a brand

logo for one man alone? Trumping the rest

of America in their quest to usurp equality.

Warning flags
Our collective American dream is based on

equal opportunity. Freedom of speech being

the right of every citizen of this great nation.

However profanity is NOT patriotic. While

we've a right to our opinion - the purposeful

disrespect of our fellow citizens and leaders

is wrong. Hence such flags are more than

assaults on our senses. They are symbols of

the tenuous state of our union. Proof of what

separates rather than unites this great land. 

Therefore we must consider such fabric slurs

to be banner cries. Motivating us to reclaim

our flag and dignity. Before it waves away...

DUMB OR DUMBER?

How dumb is that?
Nothing is more insulting than being deemed

ignorant. Or worse stupid. Then there is the

slur of being termed dumb. The assumption

being that a fool has a knowledge deficit. Or

some natural propensity to avoid illumination. 

Which drives some to take advantage of those

they deem dumb or dumber. However naiveté

often usurps true mental ineptitude. Reason

enough for environmental abusers to locate

their destructive forces in very isolated places.

Assuming their victims have no idea of how

such a threat might impact their future health

and happiness. So is ignorance truly bliss?!

Misery loves company
When it comes to the Trump presidency we're

slowly finding that what we thought might be

happening was. Revelation after revelation

indicates a disdain for historical precedence.

Along with the willingness to break whatever

law was in their way. Leveraging the sacred

power of our democracy to investigate their

enemies. All as they secretly negotiated and

partnered with our enemies. Which bodes the

question - "did they think we're that stupid?"

Honestly, whether one is considered blue or

red, conservative or liberal, Democrat or 

Republican, most American are not dumb.

Ignorance ain't bliss
Intellect aside, there is a method to any such

madness. Hence some of our leaders prefer

that we ignore facts. Throwing up a veil of

smoke and mirrors. The purpose of which is

to keep us in the dark. Assuming Americans

are ignorant, lazy, or completely jaded. But

is that true? Are we really that dumb? Or will

we ultimately come to our senses? Realizing

that the truth will set this great nation free. 

Foolishness only deters our ability to invest

in our future. Smart enough to know better -

we must hold those accountable for crimes

against democracy. So why play dumb?

WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH US?

All or nothing at all?
I don't know about you but I know what I don't

know. Or at least I thought I did. For this writer

life is an endless learning experience. One of

constant discovery, illumination, and evolution.

Hence one could assume that I rarely assume

anything. Yet in truth - I jump to conclusions

just like the rest of you. My hope is that one of

the positive differences between me, myself and

others is that I'm willing to reconsider. Open to

alternatives. And often a reluctant but willing

target. Such shifts driven by facts, data, plus

the occasional gut reactions. Which is why I'm

if nothing else a piece of work in progress.

Tag you're it
Ultimately life's sweet spot is somewhere in the

middle. A state of detente situated between two

extremes. Yet our individual polar opposites are

unique. Thus it can be tough to find common

ground upon a ever shifting bog which lays in

between irreconcilable differences. Our issue

being how does one maintain balance against

all odds? Yesterday we drove up to the cabin.

Along the way a rancher had hung a sign that

read "Just because I'm white doesn't make me

racist.".  Which was quickly followed by a

Burma Shave litany of weak excuses. All that

indicated they were confused at best.

Who knows?
Life's best lessons come via learning from

our mistakes. Rather than opt to be open

to alternatives - many balk at any ideas

that might change their minds. So they dig

their feet in or hang signs in protest. Saying

that the color of one's skin doesn't make us

who we are. When in fact the experiences,

privileges, and competitive edge associated

with being white do just that. Chances are

my roadside friend has never trod upon the

other side. Thus their interaction with Black,

Latino, or Asian Americans has been few

and far between. They've NO idea...

Matters of fact
Prior to jumping to any conclusion one should

take a walk in another's shoes. Or at least an

internet deep dive. Post such a stroll chances

are you'll realize we're not all that different.

However "who" we are is but one component

that drives out destiny. Ultimately it's the what,

when, where, and why of life that makes or

breaks us. All the reason to think before one

draws a line in the sand (or hangs up a sign). 

Immediate denial of endemic racism just may

be the ultimate expression of racist tendencies.

So before you take offense, think about it. You

just might change your mind.