Valley Views

New phone, old phone

Ilike my phone. I rely on my phone. I truly appreciate my phone (and you, too, Siri!) but beyond that, well, my phone is just a phone. She does for me what I ask her to do, when I ask her to do it and as long as that consistency in our relationship exists, I’m good. We’re good.

But when the consistency wavers, so do I.

Lately, my phone was wavering. As was my loyalty.

Her temper seemed to flare and she got heated up when I used her for long periods of time. Her memory had sudden and unpredictable lapses. Sometimes she didn’t want to wake after a long sleep. Other times, when things got to be too much for her, she simply shut down and quit communicating with me.

Her energy and battery depleted without warning – much faster than when she was a young tadpole. Her screen couldn’t compare to the size of the younger models. Her processor couldn’t keep up with the newest technology and she was becoming a weight at my side. I didn’t like it at all. But there was no denying the truth. She was no longer sprinting, but merely limping through her weak and waning battery life.

And, like with a beloved, albeit elderly and sickly pet, there came a day when I knew it was time.

Time for a new phone.

She arrived a couple of days ago. I’ve transferred all my old data, contacts and apps onto the new and shiny upgraded model. I even ordered a high tech phone case via oneday delivery in my favorite shade of turquoise. I am good to go, except for one thing.

My old phone.

And it is an old phone. A very old phone.

When I bought my new used car a few months ago, the salesman even commented on it. When a used car salesman tells you your phone is old, you believe him. Who can you trust if not a use car salesman? (Mine was a very nice guy.)

I have a bright and shiny new phone, but I also still have my old phone, and even though she is quite ancient, by phone standards and no longer able to run the most current and fastest apps and operating systems, she has been loyal and true to me for more than a handful of years (or maybe a decade, but who’s counting?) I am having a hard time giving up on her completely.

I keep her charged - just in case. Can anyone relate? I’m just not ready to let her fade to zero percent just yet. It’s such a dilemma. I know I need to move on, but it feels like cheating. Replacing her with a newer and shinier model - someone with a better memory and faster processor. They say screen size doesn’t matter, but maybe it does. Maybe we can measure worth in megapixels.

Still, it isn’t her fault, getting old. Setting her aside feels wrong, somehow. She’s currently sitting in the lovely box my new phone arrived in because it’s a really, really

nice box. Much too nice to simply toss away. Can anyone relate? To compound matters, I still keep my husband’s phone charged as well, Slices of Life even though he is no longer connected to service. Jill Pertler The phone can still keep Syndicated columnist a charge and turning it off feels like turning him off. So I rotate charging cables between three phones at this point even though I understand logically I only need one (or at most two.) It’s a conundrum. I understand I can donate them, so please don’t contact me about that. This column isn’t about what to do with an old phone, it’s about what to do when you have an attachment to an old phone. That is my problem. And if you have a solution for that, please do contact me. I’m searching for

letters

Come together

Editor,

I was “invited” to write about issues we face. Gladly. But which ones? Extremism, white supremacy, racism? Culture wars, conspiracy theories, disinformation? Gun control, slaughter of children, power of NRA? Inflation, Ukraine, supply chain? Mental health, addiction, suicides? Women’s rights, equal pay, abortion? Education, book bans, CRT? Climate change, extreme weather, the environment? White nationalism, flag-waving jingoism, the Capitol assault? Homelessness, food insecurity, housing? Corruption, voter suppression, immorality? Dark money, corporations as people, the intrusion of religion into government? China, Russia, North Korea? Domestic terrorism, police reform, hate crimes? Congressional obstruction and paralysis, the politicization of the Supreme Court, “fake” and biased news? The ongoing pandemic, cost of drugs, medical debt crisis? The cost of gas, recession worries, the national mood? The pilot, nurse and teacher shortage? Authoritarianism, radicalism, the threats to democracy? The coarsening of culture? The rise of hate?

Overwhelming? Yes and ugh. But more important than all of these issues is the extreme polarization and partisanship in this country. Fighting each other is tearing the very fabric of our democracy apart. As Pogo said, “I have met the enemy and he is us.” We have to come together to solve these issues. We have to.

How do we heal the

see page 11 answers.

Hello? You there?

Jill Pertler is an award-winning syndicated columnist, published playwright and author. Don’t miss a slice; follow the Slices of Life page on Facebook.

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from page 10

deep divide? I suggest: Place country over party. Vary your news sources. Think critically. Be curious. Reaffirm our nation’s values. Choose dignity and respect. Vote for people with a strong moral compass. Hold politicians accountable. Write civil letters. Be open-minded. Get to know your neighbors. Listen deeply. Create dialogue, not drama. Welcome “others” in. Remove mean bumper stickers and expletive laden slogans. Be kind. Travel if you can. Be generous and compassionate. Practice love, not hate.

Idealistic? Yes. But our founding fathers based our republic on idealism. We need to heal by coming together. My bumper sticker will read: Make America Whole Again. We must try, for our children and grandchildren.

Happy Fourth of July.

Nancy Teggeman Polson

vj

Glacier Lake School celebrates graduates

News and Photos from Glacier Lake School

ST. IGNATIUS — Montana’s first self-directed school celebrated the graduation of two students earlier this month. Kathren Smith and Seven Wolfe were awarded their diplomas at a small ceremony including family members, staff and cake.

Now Hiring!

Apply on line or ask for an application! Positions available: Line cooks, Expo’s, Dishwashers Join the team

Story and Photos by Taylor Davison Valley Journal

POLSON — Under partly cloudy afternoon skies, summer was officially rung in by the arrival of the Mission Mountain Rodeo.

Sanctioned by the Northern Rodeo Association (NRA), the rodeo pulled out all the stops, full of events from bareback riding to breakaway, and even some talented travelling trick riders. Friday evening kicked off with rodeo kids taking on mutton busting and closed the evening with a concert under the stars performed by Northern Lights out of Missoula.

One attendee was Arlee local Tyler Pierre. A fifth-generation bull rider, rodeo is in his blood.

“My grandpa used to rodeo, all my uncles and my mom used to rodeo,” Pierre explained. “I like the thrill, a little bit of adrenaline rush that comes with it.”

Pierre started off mutton busting himself at about eight years old, and after a small break, has been rodeoing ever since. Growing up, he tried several different rodeo events, but after bronc riding and team roping, decided bulls were his favorite.

“It’s a lot closer to the ground with bulls than broncs, so not as far to fall,” Pierre laughed as he explained his choice. “And with roping, I always had that fear of my saddle coming off. Honestly I’d rather get bucked off or thrown off.”

Now a father himself, Pierre’s kids are keeping up the tradition by participating in the rodeo’s mutton busting youth event. His son, he says, is eager to start riding bulls like his dad.

This was Pierre’s first year at an NRA rodeo, and he was among the riders on Saturday night.

First place in bull riding this year was Polson’s Payton Fitzpatrick with 84 points, followed by Ronan’s Wynn Wells with 79, Kyler McDonald from Ronan with 78, and Grey Fitzpatrick from Polson with 71.

In bareback riding, Chester’s Trevor Kay took first with a score of 156/2, followed by Bucky McAlpine from Anaconda with 144/2.

Saddle bronc riding was won by Garrett Cunningham from Broadus with a score of 145/2, followed by Rexburg’s Carson Klingler with a score of 60/1.

In steer wrestling, Bozeman’s Tyler Houle took first with a time of 8.8, followed by Taten Erickson from Hobson with a time of 27.4.

SUMMER GODDARD / VALLEY JOURNAL