Opinion
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The Postscript: A few words
We had dinner with friends last night. There is nothing unusual about that, except these were all people I did not know; people my husband, Peter, had met while taking his daily... — Updated 11/28/2023
Looking out my Backdoor: Pardon my turkey
One of the many things I have come to respect about the Mexican culture, the Mexican people, is their ability to celebrate. Times may seem grim and the larder near empty, but they... — Updated 11/24/2023
A Brawl of the Wild tradition: Let the bands play!
Montanans just enjoyed the largest sporting event of the year, with more than 27,000 of us coming together in person to witness this year’s version of the Brawl of the Wild. The football game and intrastate rivalry between the... — Updated 11/24/2023
Letter to the Editor - Taking action
Editor, Don’t be anxious about the climate crisis. Anxiety is a normal response when we see a danger our leaders ignore. But push back instead. Take control. Get active. Because action, no matter how small, is the best cure for... — Updated 11/21/2023
The Postscript: A Thanksgiving prayer
I have always liked Thanksgiving. I know its origins are dubious. I cringe a little when I think about the construction paper American Indian costumes and the happy story I learned... — Updated 11/21/2023
The truth about your home's property tax increase
By now, we all have seen our actual property tax increases. We know how high our property taxes have gone up — not like the mystery when we got our confusing reappraisal notice. Many of us are angry. As we prepare to write an act... — Updated 11/21/2023
Looking out my Backdor: The Winter of, The Summer of, My Disillusionments
My friend Jim from Glasgow sent me a short video clip of the Little Rockies, Three Buttes, Snake Butte and the Bear Paws. Immediately, I yearned, homesick. I shared the video with... — Updated 11/17/2023
2023 late fall November
Taxes were the topic of our Local Government Interim Committee. Recent home reappraisals have shown significant increases. In some areas of the state, home sale prices have more than doubled. With folks moving in from out-of-state... — Updated 11/17/2023
The Postscript: A perfect cup
It’s important to have a good coffee cup. My husband, Peter, makes the coffee, and has since we were married. We will be celebrating nine years of marriage this spring, so you... — Updated 11/14/2023
Looking out my Backdoor: There is a hole in our lives
There aren’t many of us here on the rancho. Not all of our houses have their people. But the last several days, we who are here, me, Nancie, Julie, Lani and Ariel, Tom and Janet,... — Updated 11/10/2023
The Freedom to Vote Act secures Montana's democratic legacy and builds a path forward
In Montana, our strength lies in our sense of community. As a child, I learned this at my kitchen table, where my father instilled the significance of our democracy and the values that every Montanan holds dear. These lessons drove... — Updated 11/10/2023
The Postscript: Dietary choices
I just spent a wonderful long weekend with my sister and her son, Beau, “up north” at my parents’ cabin. Stubby the red squirrel is doing well. Since the tragic loss of the... — Updated 11/7/2023
Make your voice heard on Montana's behavioral health and developmental disabilities systems
No Montana community is untouched by the mental health crisis. Suicide. Addiction. Loneliness. The struggle to find mental health services or appropriate supports for individuals with developmental disabilities. Patients receiving... — Updated 11/7/2023
Looking out my Backdoor: Life is not a bowl of tortillas
Last week, a registered historic hotel in Glendive burned. The night the fire was started was also the night of the first winter blizzard. Firemen from a hundred-mile radius came to... — Updated 11/3/2023
Clarifying the facts as I see them on 95 mill property tax
Recently, opinion pieces and information sent to legislators regarding the counties’ decision to levy 77.9 mills instead of the state-directed 95 mills has been circulating in both statewide newspapers, and internal legislative... — Updated 11/3/2023
The Postscript: Fancy new gloves
My Auntie Jo gave me a beautiful pair of gloves yesterday. They are elegant, with embroidery on the top, and I immediately did what I usually do — I put them away for... — Updated 10/31/2023
Tech hub is great news for Montana
The recent announcement that Montana has been selected as a federally-designated technology hub is great news for our state. Our new tech hub status will lead to millions in research and development investments, particularly in... — Updated 10/31/2023
Iran: The Middle East mastermind with the matches
I have a boyhood memory of the blockbuster award-winning movie “Exodus,” staring a young Paul Newman as the leader of Jewish refugees and Palestinian Jews in their epoch struggle to establish the nation of Israel. In... — Updated 10/31/2023
I want to bring education back to the basics
As a Republican candidate for Montana superintendent of public instruction, I have a simple, but clear vision for our schools: I want to bring education back to basics. It shouldn’t be controversial. But bringing education... — Updated 10/31/2023
Looking out my Backdoor: Wait Until We Get Back
Two of my friends are touring Italy. Their husbands did not want to go. The women said, “That’s okay. We will go ourselves. You keep the home fires burning.” When we get... — Updated 10/27/2023
The Postscript: Celebrating Halloween
I have always loved Halloween, and I love it now more than ever. I love to get in costume and have fun with other people in costume. People seem freer when they are dressed in... — Updated 10/24/2023
Looking out my Backdoor: Instruction Manual: Care and Feeding of a Funk
The other day I found myself feeling a little low, a little down in the dumps. The problem is, I was enjoying the feeling, to some extent. The next problem is that I found it so... — Updated 10/20/2023
The Postscript: Our devices
My sister sends a text, telling me she is making lasagna, and asks if I will bring a cake. “Sounds great!” I readily agree. “When?” There is no response. I know we are celeb... — Updated 10/17/2023
On second thought: By the waters of Babylon
The opening of Psalm 137 is haunting: “By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion.” In a few lines, the poem evokes the sorrow of a... — Updated 10/17/2023
Looking out my Backdoor: Job application for sports person
Dear Editor, I recently spotted an opening for a sports person for the newspaper. I didn’t read the description closely but am confident I could quickly polish and perfect my... — Updated 10/13/2023
