Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana
Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana
Sorted by date Results 26 - 50 of 1611
GEORGIA, I have a question, I treated a friend to lunch, but when we entered the restaurant, she mentioned that someplace else was better. I was taken aback and thought it was an unconscious slip, but this happened again with a different friend. What could I have said to indicate their comments were rude without offending them? LUNCH CHOICES Dear CHOICES, It is impolite to tell others that they are being rude, but perhaps you may accomplish this by making them feel foolish instead. Look concerned and ask, in a quiet voice, if they would prefer...
The American Christmas tradition has become focused on gifts, especially a consumer-driven mentality that can end up misguided and self-centered. I’m not opposed to gift giving; our family shares in this tradition; however, we taught our children early on that Christ is the reason for the season. The single most important gift we can ever receive is salvation through Jesus Christ, God’s unmerited favor given to anyone who calls on the name of Jesus to be saved. Such a gift is understood as grace. For some time, I’ve been digging deeper into...
ARIES Mar 21/Apr 20 Focus on collaboration this week, Aries. Teamwork leads to unexpected rewards if you are open to othersÕ ideas, so remain receptive to teammates' input. TAURUS Apr 21/May 21 Taurus, when a project presents itself to you, stay grounded and carefully run through all the components. Employ the same strategy when going over financial opportunities. GEMINI May 22/Jun 21 Gemini, clear up any misunderstandings and express your thoughts openly with others this week. Communication is certainly key at this juncture in time. CANCER Jun...
Dear Editor, New Year, New You (generally speaking, of course!) We may ask each other or even ourselves, What does that MEAN? Some might answer sticking better with my resolutions, while to others, it might have a deeper, more spiritual meaning. Of course, depending on one’s resolution, the latter might be covered under the first example. The point is, this phrase usually means something different, often QUITE different, to everyone. Whatever our resolution, it usually involves being a better person than we showed last year. It could mean t...
Undercover Boss relies entirely on the premise that most people have no idea who they work for. We’re very lucky that not all our body hair grows long like the hair on our heads. Since blindingly bright halogen headlights came out, no one seems bothered by high beams on older vehicles. After about 120 years, acting one’s age usually means playing dead. There’s a good chance there are more Chevy Impalas in the world than actual Impalas. For the lack of communication and ability to reach people, alongside no DNA matching, caught the 60s and 7...
So… have you heard about 2025 yet? Astrologers have been anticipating the next 12 months for quite a long time, because with so many massive astrological events occurring in such a short duration, the year ahead is guaranteed to be wild. Really wild. Life-changing, history-making, tectonic-plate-trembling wild. We’re talking massive unprecedented happenings (Neptune hasn’t been in Aries since the mid-1800s!), irritating retrogrades (the New Year has got all of them), and lots of new chapters emerging from thin air. Whether you’re interpr...
Georgia, I have a question, My fiance and I got engaged over Christmas. His brother got engaged over Thanksgiving. We were so happy because we are all good friends and thought going through the same phase of life together would be fun. They got their wedding venue immediately and booked for June 6, 2026. They did not ask us about the date before putting down a deposit or anything for the venue, nor did we expect them to. We had a conversation with them afterward, and we agreed we wouldn’t book for June 2026 out of courtesy to them, so both w...
The famous actor and comedian Tim Conway said, “If following Christ has never cost you anything, you’re not following Him.” Of course, salvation in Jesus is a gift that costs us nothing; repentance and faith allow us to receive God’s unmerited favor. The “cost” Tim and others refer to reflects what it means to be dedicated to Christ. As our lives are transformed, we make decisions that affect our relationships and life decisions to honor God. During Christ’s time on earth, it was common for people to express their desire to follow Him, y...
ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20 You are likely to question the information you receive this week, Aries. Investigate things further, but remain receptive to what others are saying. TAURUS - Apr 21/May 21 Taurus, it is time to solidify plans and any grand schemes you may have; otherwise, you may not know which path to take. For now, start outlining your ideas. GEMINI - May 22/Jun 21 Practice your communication skills, Gemini, as you will likely need them this week. You may need to resolve a sticky situation and serve as a voice of reason. CANCER - Jun 22/...
Language and music are the closest things humans have created to a time machine. Each word we speak and every note we play draws on ideas from the past and projects them into the future. Elevators are probably one of the safest modes of transportation. It’s never really explained how Santa gets into apartment buildings. If a comma is (,) a colon is (:) and a semi colon is (;) then a semi comma is a full stop(.) Christmas lights are less exciting in the Southern Hemisphere because December nights are short. In a future with electric cars, w...
Some bad ideas, despite centuries of consistently negative consequences, come back to haunt the human race over and over again. The economic warfare of “protective” tariffs is one such bad idea that belongs in the dustbin of history, yet incoming president Donald Trump has given it a veneer of patriotic polish, while trotting out all the tired pro-tariff cliches that have been proven so wrong for so long. When a bad idea appears to have eternal life, you can bet its life support is coming from two major factors: (1) widely accepted myth and...
Dear Editor, Pardon me, Joe... why not go big on the way to going home? As long as you're handing out pardons, how about pardoning the debt of millions of hard-working Americans? Debt scammed into existence by a government policy of theft by deception must end. "It is well enough that people of the nation do not understand our banking and monetary system, for if they did, I believe there would be a revolution before tomorrow morning." ― Henry Ford Yes, Joe, your time in the office is short, b...
Georgia, I have a question, What’s the protocol for picking up the check when a couple dines with a single person? When visiting our daughter for the holidays, my husband and I went out to dinner with her, her boyfriend, and her boyfriend’s mother. The mother is a single parent, and we have met her a few times. My husband and I paid for the meal, which he thought was the polite thing to do. However, I disagree, as the boyfriend’s mother is loaded! She has pearls and furs and smells of Christian Dior. Why should we have to pony up for her meal...
Most of us are uneasy when it comes to opposition. The degree of opposition also plays a factor; lesser degrees can be tolerable, while greater degrees can sometimes be seemingly insurmountable. When sharp differences come between us, the potential for that relationship to deteriorate is high. How do you generally handle opposition? Jesus certainly knew something about opposition; opposition existed from His birth in that manger to His death on the cross. After His public ministry started, even community members of His hometown of Nazareth,...
ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20: Aries, a special person in your life deserves all of your attention. Romance might be on your mind, and you’ll look forward to all the time you can spend together. TAURUS - Apr 21/May 21: You may feel artistically inspired this week, Taurus. Explore projects like home improvements or crafting. There are many things to try. GEMINI - May 22/Jun 21: Attending a wedding or another special event could move your thoughts in a romantic direction, Gemini. Maybe you’re thinking of taking your relationship to another level? CAN...
ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20 Your pioneering spirit is in full swing this week, Aries. Embrace new challenges, and don’t hesitate to get out front and take the lead. You might inspire others with your confidence. TAURUS - Apr 21/May 21 Make finances a priority this week, Taurus. Budgeting could ease some of the financial stress affecting you lately. Indulge in a small luxury as a reward for hard work. GEMINI - May 22/Jun 21 Conversations could be interesting this week, Gemini. You’re curious about what others do when they are home behind closed doo...
When was the last time you heard the phrase, “Repeat after me,” or spoken it? Somehow, we all find ourselves on one side of this scenario: repeating some direction or question with the phrase. Other times, we’re on the receiving end of the phrase, either catching or missing the point. Frustration can surely add to the dilemma when communication breaks down. Jesus often found Himself communicating some direction or teaching with His disciples only to be frustrated with their lack of clarity or even disobedience. It’s important to note that Jesus...
Dear Editor, Despite the fact the headline should have read "River Ranch Gets Green Light as Proposed New Conservation Easement," I am so grateful to the Whitehall Ledger for re-printing the article the Monitor ran two weeks ago. I have had so many gratifying conversations with community members who are interested in knowing about the process. Chad Klinkenborg was my contact at Montana Land Reliance (MLR), and he can be reached at chad@mtlandreliance@gmail.com or 406-570-4271. He explained...
As the crisp air of winter sets in, it brings along more than just cozy holiday sweaters and hot cocoa—it signals the start of respiratory season. With increased cases of colds, flu, and other respiratory illnesses, it’s crucial to take steps to protect yourself and your family. “As we enter the respiratory season, we’re expecting an uptick in viruses like the flu, RSV and COVID-19,” said Dr. Collette Chorney with Intermountain Health. “We’re advising patients to stay proactive about their health—keeping up with vaccinations, practicing good...
There are ten steps to cleaning a slow cooker: Soak, followed by saying nine times, “I thought I got everything.” Humans transformed their apex predators into their best friends. If two motorcyclists driving side by side held hands, they could be considered a car. Someone is living the perfect day right now, but you’ll never know about it because they’re too busy enjoying it to post about it. Morality is often ignored not because it lacks importance but because humanity has yet to find a way to measure it. It’s interesting how singers/p...
Georgia, I have a question, My annual Christmas party is coming up, and I want to uninvite my sister and her fiance. Let me explain. Last year, when asked if she was going, she said with disgust, “I’m not going to that,” but then showed up late, announced her engagement, and left. I would’ve been happy for her, but she didn’t say hello to me, didn’t say goodbye, didn’t even show me the ring. I just heard cheering from the other room, and then, after they left, it was all anyone could talk about. This year, I invited all my siblings again, and i...
2,000 years of humans, and we left the planet for the first time 62 years ago. We’re in the beginning. The universe is so big that light speed isn’t nearly fast enough to get us anywhere on an intergalactic scale. At some point, we shifted the meaning of luck from “something that happened to you” to “something you bring with you and can be spent.” There is an optimal way to load a dishwasher, and everyone thinks they’ve found it. Your right hand has never touched your right elbow without experiencing extreme pain. The Internet is a whole ne...
Dear Editor, At the Montana Nonprofit Association, we strive to uplift and celebrate the contributions and impact of the nonprofit sector across our state. As we approach the 2025 Legislative Session, this work is more important than ever. More than 8,000 charitable nonprofits operate across every region of the state providing essential services and creating the communities we love. Nonprofits are an integral part of communities, providing health services, youth programs, arts and culture, food...
Dear Editor, Representative Ken Walsh is ready to take on new responsibilities as the Montana Legislature prepares to convene for its 69th session on January 6th. Following recent preparatory meetings in Helena, Walsh has been assigned to the influential Appropriations Committee, where he will play a critical role in shaping the state’s budget. Walsh, who represents House District 69, expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming session and the opportunities it presents. “The Appropriations Com...
Dear Editor, I get Seth Godin's blog every day. I thought this one was particularly worth sharing. "Thank you" is a complete sentence: It's a way to offer connection or acknowledgment. It's a recognition of feedback and the time it took someone to consider us. We can use it after we share something important, or someone shares with us. More than the end of an exchange, it can be the beginning of a relationship. "Thank you" helps someone feel seen and understood. It reminds us that we're not...
