Valley Views

Welcome to the world of aphantasia

Ever feel lost? Welcome to my life. Quite literally.

Ever since I can remember, I’ve had trouble with directions and all things spatial. I described myself as geographically challenged. I can’t find my way out of a paper bag. I used to routinely get lost in a familiar mall. I thought it was normal.

I was right, and wrong, at the same time. I am normal, but not like most people. My normal involves living with a condition called aphantasia, which is the inability to voluntarily create a mental picture – or map – in your head. People with aphantasia are unable to picture a scene, person, or object, even if it’s very familiar.

It took me until now to even know I had a condition, so while I am lacking in ability to visualize, I never knew it because it’s how life has always been for me. And it probably would have stayed that way.

In the last year, I started meditating. I loved the idea of calming and focusing my mind, but I found soon, within the practice, that I was challenged – in an extreme way – in any meditation that employed the basic technique of visualization.

Simply put, visualization involves seeing something inside your mind. It might be a sunset, a beach, path leading into a forest or any other usually positive outdoor scenario that might put you into a good mind space.

I loved meditating because it put me in a peaceful place. I found I was nearly an expert at breathing; it was almost like I’d been doing it my whole life. I am also able to focus my mind for at least 30 consecutive seconds at a time, which is just slightly short of the recommended amount of 12 to 14 minutes.

I found an infinite reservoir of peace and calm residing within my being. I found myself valuing people and life like never before. I began to understand the importance of truly living in the moment.

There was only one problem.

I was unable to visualize. Completely. When I close my eyes, I see… nothing.

You close your eyes and are able to envision a beach or palm tree? I can’t. I see the light that trickles through my eyelids. I see nothing except maybe a yellow or orangish glow, if it is a bright day.

I never knew I was lacking. I never knew I was unable to visualize; I never knew I was mind-blind. I never knew aphantasia was a thing.

For the most part, it wasn’t. Although initially discovered more than 140 years ago, the condition has been relatively unstudied in scientific and medical circles. Renewed interest in it occurred in 2005 when a professor from the University of Exeter named Adam Zeman sort of rediscov-

ered the whole phenomenon; it took another 10 years for someone to come up with a name for it – aphantasia. The opposite is extreme vivid imagery capabilities Slices of Life and is called hyperphantasia. It’s estimated that Jill Pertler 2.6 percent of people are Syndicated columnist in this hyper state, while less than one percent experience aphantasia. Lucky me. I’m rare and groundbreaking all at the same time. Honestly, I almost wish I’d never discovered my deficit. But now that I have, I can’t go back. I can’t unsee what I can’t see. I don’t wish the same on you. Still, if you are with me, I want you to know you aren’t alone. We are in the dark together. Quite literally. If you’re part of the less-than-one percent, I’m glad we’re in this

letters

Democrats deliver

Editor,

I give Senator Jon Tester a hearty Montana thank you for sponsoring and pushing the recently passed Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act with bipartisan support. The Act will create jobs for Montana men and women across the state and will build roads, bridges, airports, and critical water projects. Also, there are investments to complete all authorized Indian water rights settlements, including three settlements in Montana.

The Act supports our tourism industry funding wildfire risk abatement, and rehabilitation of burned areas. Good for Jon Tester. That is the bright side of the coin.

The dark side, however, is where Senator Daines and Representative Rosendale dwell. They both voted against the infrastructure bill claiming that the bill did not fund infrastructure. Huh? Jobs, roads, bridges, airports and drinking water facilities are not infrastructure?

Let’s cut through the bologna and get to the real reason they opposed it. They are following Mitch McConnell’s lead in denying anything Democrats support. They put politics and their own self-interest above jobs and safety for Montanans. They didn’t have the spine to buck the national Republicans and do the right thing for the Montanans they represent.

Senator Tester delivers for Montanans.

Suz Rittenhouse Polson

Help needed for feral cat population

Editor,

To cat lovers – there’s one in-town colony with 21 kittens. All I can do is feed them to stop starvation. Just a few years ago Life Savers helped to keep the Polson feral cat population somewhat in check. I’m still feeding

see more letters on page 11 together. Our commonality might even prove to be enlightening. I just can’t visualize it, but then again, neither can you.

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

some survivors from that time. At that time the trap-neuter-release program was in effect under the direction of Life Savers with extra help from Linda Crawford. Is the Life Savers organization still around? Since Linda Crawford’s death last May, I’m not aware of anything humanely being done to address this feral cat population. These little guys didn’t ask for this – they are just being cats. I feed one group of young ones. The adults go off to hunt and try to find food. Being nocturnal and rightfully frightened of people, most people don’t see them or even know they exist. Eventually these innocent ones will be subject to a massacre, unless a trap-neuter-release program is available.

Perhaps the local vets will respond with some kind of neutering discount. Maybe the animal shelter can assist. Trapping has been offered. Arrangements will be made for as much funding as possible contingent on a neutering discount. Neutering is expensive and some cat owners cannot afford it. Their cats wander away or are turned out. Maybe that’s how the feral cat population started. If one is unaware of a problem, one can be considered innocent. If one is aware of a problem, could help and does nothing then guilt should be a passenger.

Joan St. John Polson

vj

‘Grinchmas’ celebration this Saturday at the library

Celebrate “Grinchmas” with us on Saturday, December 4 at 10 a.m. in the library meeting room. A ticket to Whoville is required for anyone older than little Cindy Lou Who (who was no more than two) and can be picked up at the library, or call or email us to reserve spots. We will have hot cocoa and cookies, fun crafts and games for kids, read “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” and there may even be an appearance by the Grinch himself. Attendance is limited, so get your tickets early. If you’re traveling for the holidays, be sure to download our apps. With Libby you can listen to audiobooks and read eBooks and magazines. With Flipster you can download magazines with many craft patterns to take on the road. Freegal offers three hours per day of music streaming and five downloads per week of over a million songs, including Adele’s newest album, all ad-free. You can even make your own playlists. Set up Kanopy Kids on a tablet for a month’s worth of endless educational entertainment for your kids, or watch a Great Courses video or movie. The library offers lots of entertainment, all completely free with your library card.

The library will be closed Dec. 23-25 for the Christ-

mas holiday and Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 for the New Year holiday. The library is open Monday – Friday 9 a.m. View from the to 6 p.m. with 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Wednesday and

Library Friday reserved for those 65 and older or immunocompromised, please wear a mask during this hour; and Abbi Dooley, Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

North Lake County Public Library District Curbside pickup is available for everyone during open hours. Please call us at 406883-8225 or email us at: polsoncl@polson.lib.mt.us with questions or to request curbside pickup.

Ronan Community Center

from page 5

take place was a Jaycee district meeting in April of 1968 and a formal dedication took place in 1969. Those were busy times in Ronan as the high school and the hospital were also built during the same time frame.

The county currently provides most of the maintenance such as cleaning, painting, providing a new furnace, and other interior work. Lake County Commissioner Gale Decker said the county’s position is that the Community Center “is a huge community asset.”

Annually the center is used for the Lake County Fair, Pioneer Days, the Ag Appreciation Dinner and the Ronan Woman’s Club flea market generally held in the spring. Things have changed recently because of the pandemic but on average the center is used for about 100 events a year. During peak season there’s an event every three days. The center and adjoining county fairgrounds are currently being utilized for Lights Under the Big Sky holiday festivities.

“Over the years that building has been used for so many activities,” said former Jayceen Monte Wunderlich, “It is just a blessing for those of us involved in the initial building process to see how really needed this building was in the little town of Ronan. Thanks to all of the Jaycees and Jayceens for seeing a great need and going forward to see it accomplished.”

The community center can be rented for $350 per day or $125 for four hours during the week. Money from rentals pays for power and heat and events are scheduled through the Lake County Extension Office. They can be reached at 406-676-8661 or 300 Third Ave. NW.

A commemorative plaque will be placed in the Community Center to honor the work of the Jaycees and Jayceens.

Alice thanks all who donated money for the memorial.

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