Monthly Archives: May 2026
Many people know that Heart Mountain near Cody, Wyoming served as an internment camp for Japanese Americans during World War II, because the government was worried that those people might still have ties and loyalties to Japan, who was our enemy. While that fact is well known, there are still mysteries surrounding Heart Mountain. The story behind Heart Mountain is a strange one and few people know it all. Heart Mountain actually started out 62 miles from its current location, but it was moved during a volcanic landslide. Many people have said they would “move mountains” for someone, but in Northern Wyoming, the mountain actually moved.
Heart Mountain is an 8,123-foot klippe just north of Cody, Wyoming, rising from the floor of the Bighorn Basin. In geology, a klippe refers to an outlying block of rock that was once part of a larger nappe…a sheet of rock that has been transported over considerable distances along a thrust fault. Rather than being a part of the Absaroka Range, Heart Mountain now lies 62 miles to the east, in the Big Horn Basin. Scientists have been able to confirm that Heart Mountain in Wyoming was once part of the range when it 
formed 50 million years ago…so what happened? Turns out, it moved those 62 miles away thanks to a volcanic landslide that took place over just about half an hour. That means the entire mountain was moving across the basin at 100 miles per hour.
For years, scientists have puzzled over the mystery of Heart Mountain. The summit rocks are roughly 500 million years old, while those beneath are only about 50 million years old. How could the older rocks end up on top of much younger ones? To find out, geophysicist Einat Aharonov from the Weizmann Institute of Science and Columbia University geologist Mark Anders built a computer model to make sense of the available data. In short, unusual water-filled dikes in Heart Mountain left no room for lava during the volcanic activity that formed the Absaroka Range. When pressure from both water and lava increased, it led to a massive explosion and landslide that sent part of the mountain hurtling across the landscape. There are all kinds of scientific proof that this is what happened but suffice it to say that the easiest on is that when the rocks at the bottom of a 
mountain are millions of years younger than those of the mountain top there is only one possible explanation. The top was moved somehow.
Of course, exactly when this all to place still remains a mystery. However, at the time of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the mountain was already in its current location. It was from that expedition that Heart Mountain got its name. In the Crow language, it was called “Bíi ásaalée” or “Buffalo Heart Mountain,” inspired by local legends that saw a heart-like shape in its form. William Clark and George Drouillard, a hunter and guide on the journey, drew from this legend when naming the mountain, but decided to use the English version instead of the original Crow name.
My grandnephew, Jaxx Harman is one of the sweetest boys ever!! He learned being a gentleman from his daddy, my nephew Jake Harman, and like his dad, Jaxx is always telling his mom, Melanie Harman and sisters, Alice Green and Izabella Harman they are beautiful and telling his dad he is handsome! I suppose it makes him a “sweet talker,” but he genuinely means what he says too. It is a very sweet trait to have. There is nothing nicer than to have people around you who always have kind words to say.
Jaxx is the youngest of Jake and Melanie’s kids and their only son. Often, having older sisters means that the boy either gets picked on or picks on his sisters, but these three get along very well. Jaxx just loves everybody so much…but at times he 
can definitely be onery especially to his dad. The two of them are “peas in a pod” when it comes to joking around together and just trying to make the whole family smile! Melanie tells me that “Jaxx’s laugh is one of the best things in this world and his adorable smile!!”
Like most kids these days, Jax is a huge gamer, just like his dad was growing up! With Jake’s abilities, Jaxx came by gaming quite honestly. His favorite games are Kingdom Hearts and God of War! He isn’t into any sports, although that could come later. Still, it seems doubtful. Jaxx is his daddy’s boy, and Jake never really went in for sports much. Nevertheless, Jaxx does enjoy going out and playing with his sisters outside!! They play lots of rough and tumble games, so getting his exercise and staying active are no problem. Jaxx also really 
loves his cousin Nathaniel Kirk, or as Jaxx and his sisters call him “Na Na!” They are all such good friends, and love to include Nathaniel in their play as much as possible.
Like most boys, Jaxx is ok with school, but not exactly a big fan. He does love seeing his friends and hanging out with them, however. I would assume recess if his favorite subject. Jaxx is going into 4th grade next year, and that means that he only has two more years in elementary school. Kids grow up so fast, and school days are so soon over. I can’t believe how much Jaxx has grown up already. It seems like just yesterday that he was a baby. Today is Jaxx’s 9th birthday. Happy birthday Jaxx!! Have a great day!! We love you!!
My nephew, Tim Thompson has a lot of things happening these days!! In the last year, he joined our family when he got married last year to my niece, Kellie (Hadlock) Thompson on June 28, 2025. Not wanting to wait, to grow their family, they got pregnant within 3 months, and his daughter, Jolene gained a second mom and now a new sibling…in the next few days. To top it off, shortly before their wedding, Tim started school and now has a new job. To say his has been a big year, is an understatement!!
Tim is one of those people who are always on the go. He has been working diligently in school, and Kellie says it is amazing to watch! He has been a 4.0 student every semester including the last semester when he had to take not only physics, but trigonometry and a law class at the same time and that isn’t even including the other 3 class he had outside of those. In the last few weeks of the semester, Tim was offered an internship and started that a week before finals and still managed to keep his 4.0!!Normally, Tim would take 
classes in the summer semester too, but with the internship, and the new baby coming, he decided to take the summer off of school. That would allow him to be full time at the internship during the summer though and he is enjoying learning new things and the much-needed break from studying!! And it will give him more time to spend with his family and get to know the new baby.
Tim is a gentleman all the way. Not only is he doing all these things, but Kellie tells me that “he has been the most amazing and supportive husband through this pregnancy and before the pregnancy! He has been taking care of me in the middle of all of his stuff, and I can honestly say I am blessed beyond measure to have been the one that got to marry him! He works so hard to be there for Jolene and me, and now baby Thompson! We are both so excited for the new blessing coming in just a few 
days or sooner! (Induction is 7:00 pm on Monday, June 1) he is an incredible dad to Jo, and I couldn’t have picked a better man to be the father of our children!!” I agree!! Tim is a gentleman and a helper to many. I too have been blessed by his helpfulness, when he assists me with my aunt, Sandy Pattan at church. His kindnesses and assistance do not go unnoticed. We all think Tim has been a wonderful addition to the family. Today is Tim’s birthday. Happy birthday Tim!! Have a great day!! We love you!!
Bob’s step-grandfather, Walt Hein, was quite the character. He always tried to come across as gruff, and maybe he was in his younger days, but by the time I met him and he became my official “Pitch” partner, it was clear that the gruffness was just an act. After about a year, he dropped the act entirely. He was a big softie, and he knew it. I first met Walt…though I always called him Grandpa…in 1975, when he was 69 years old and pretty set in his ways, but that didn’t stop me from liking him right away. I was never much of a card player, except for Cribbage with my Uncle Bill Spencer, but I’d play “Pitch” with Grandpa. We were both ruthless, and most folks didn’t stand a chance against us. 
He was a softie when it came to our girls, Corrie Petersen and Amy Royce too. He let them chase the chickens on the ranch and took them for rides on the horses. They loved doing both, and they adored Grandpa. He had a sort of “swimming pool” out in the yard, and he was always happy to fill up that old bathtub so the girls could cool off and have some fun. Grandpa was an “old softie” not just with my girls, but with all his grandchildren.
Grandpa always had a habit of heading out to one of the ranch’s outbuildings for his afternoon nap, usually about an hour long. Afterward, he’d be bursting with energy and ready to jump back into playing cards, which would’ve been the main event of our visits if he had his way. He hated going into town to see other relatives 
because it cut into his card-playing time. I always felt bad when we had to leave—not because I was eager to see the rest of the family, but because he seemed truly heartbroken. Since he didn’t get to play much when we weren’t around, he wanted to make the most of it, though Grandma sometimes had other plans. Poor Grandpa…it could ruin his whole day. Maybe that’s why he took those naps. He missed us. I know that now, because I really miss those days. Today is the 120th anniversary of that sweet man’s birth. I still miss him very much. Happy birthday in Heaven Grandpa Hein. We love and miss you very much.
My grandniece, Brooklyn Killinger is sweet big sister who loves little children…all little children, but especially those in her family. She is very good to her brother, Jaxon Killinger and her cousins, Elliott and Maya Stevens. Brooklyn and Maya have had a special relationship since Maya’s birth. Brooklyn is looking forward with great anticipation the upcoming birth of her new baby sister. Her sister is due in early August, and Brooklyn has decided that it is only fitting that, as the big sister, she should get to hold her before her younger brother. Brooklyn is always asking questions about the baby, probably planning the ways she can help in her care. There is always so much to do when caring for a baby, 
and it is always a good thing to have plenty of help. Brooklyn plans to be that source of help, and her stepmom, Lacey and her dad, Chris are really proud of her…as are we all.
Brooklyn is getting ready for her last year of middle school. I can hardly believe that she could be soon to go into high school. Nevertheless, kids grow up, and Brooklyn has grown up beautifully. She has a sweet spirit and a kind heart. She will do well in high school, as she has in middle school. Brooklyn has long loved volleyball, and she has been playing travel volleyball. Brooklyn has applied herself to the game and has learned how to play the game well. She is getting very skilled and is an asset to her team. Her and her teammates are besties now, and they all plan to play together 
again for next season! Brooklyn also enjoys performing in musical theatre. She is looking forward to auditioning for the lead in plays in the future. I know she will do well.
Lacey and Chris are hoping to take Brooklyn and Jax camping a little over The Independence Day holiday. The kids love fishing, so going camping will let them do more fishing together. I’m sure there will be a lot of competition during this fishing expedition, but it will be good clean fun between the siblings. Brooklyn loves her brother very much, and while there will be a competition, it won’t change how she and her brother feel about each other. They are very good friends too…and that is how it should be. Today is Brooklyn’s birthday. Happy birthday Brooklyn!! Have a great day!! We love you!!
Jedediah Smith, while most people didn’t know it, was one of the nation’s most important trapper-explorers. Smith’s contributions to exploring the Far West weren’t fully appreciated until modern scholars studied the records of his extensive travels. Like other mountain men, he headed west as a practical businessman for eastern fur companies, aiming to discover new areas rich in beaver and otter and to establish trade with Native American communities. It could have been a lucrative business, since the Native Americans depended on furs for so many things.
Nevertheless, starting in 1822, when he first set out with fur trader William Ashley, Smith’s journeys revealed key details about western geography and potential routes that proved invaluable to future pioneers. It’s likely that he had no idea that he was making history in the way he was. He was just trying to start his business. Still, his biggest achievement came in 1824, when he rediscovered the South Pass, which was a 
relatively easy way across the Rocky Mountains in what is now western Wyoming. While the first Anglo-Americans had crossed it back in 1812…fur traders heading east from a Pacific Coast post…their find went largely unnoticed. While it had been discovered before, it was Smith that made the South Pass a well-known and heavily used route for trappers, and decades later it became part of the Oregon Trail, making travel to Oregon and California much easier for wagon trains.
Although Smith had opened up many new territories for future pioneers, he gained little monetarily from his years of dangerous work. In 1830, he headed back to Saint Louis with plans to start a mercantile business and create detailed maps of the lands he had explored. But before he could begin, an associate talked him into delivering a load of goods to Santa Fe, New 
Mexico. Seeing a way to make a little money to start his business, Smith made the decision to make the delivery. In early 1831, he set out from Saint Louis with 83 men, heading south along the Cimarron River, an area almost entirely lacking drinkable water. Confident in his wilderness skills, he underestimated the challenge and failed to bring enough supplies. By mid-May, their water was nearly gone, and the men split up daily to search for waterholes. On May 27, 1831, Smith was riding alone on one of those searches, when a hunting party of Comanche Native Americans attacked and killed him on the Santa Fe Trail.
Weapons of war need to be kept out of the hands of the enemy, if at all possible. On May 26, 1940, 10 Hawker Hurricane planes from Number 46 Squadron were successfully landed on the HMS Glorious in an effort to do just that…keep them out of enemy hands. These days, landing plane on a ship is an everyday occurrence. We have all hear of aircraft carriers and seen dramatic footage of planes landing on a ship’s deck with their tail hook dropped to grab onto a rope across the deck, jerking the plane to a halt before it can plunge into the sea. It is all common practice, but what if there was no long deck or tail hook? Well, in 1940, that was the case…no long decks, and no tail hook, and het these planes, that needed a long runway to stop them, needed to be kept out of enemy hands, and there wasn’t time to make the necessary changed to the craft, like a tail hook. Impossible or not, this remarkable feat did happen, and it marked the first time high-performance aircraft were landed on a carrier without the aid of arrester gear. The pilots of the Hurricanes had to navigate rough conditions and faced significant challenges, but they managed to complete their mission despite the risks involved.
The whole thing came about as the British hastily retreated from Norway during World War II. The initial plan was to destroy the 10 land-based Hurricane planes to prevent them from falling into German hands. However, deciding they were too valuable to lose, they came up with a plan to land them on the British carrier HMS Glorious and transport them back to England. As they saw it, there were two issues to overcome. The Hurricanes’ landing speed was too high for the carrier’s short deck, and they lacked arresting hooks. In the end, it was the pilots that came up the fix, by placing a 15-pound sandbag in the plane’s tail, which helped it brake harder and stop completely on the carrier. In the end, all 10 Hurricanes landed safely…and history was made.
In April 1940, HMS Glorious was recalled to the Home Fleet to provide air cover for British forces landing in Norway. Eighteen Gloster Gladiators from Number 263 Squadron RAF (Royal Air Force) were flown aboard for transfer to Norwegian airbases, along with eleven Blackburn Skuas of 803 Squadron and eighteen Sea Gladiators from 802 and 804 Squadrons. HMS Glorious and HMS Ark Royal reached central Norway on April 24th, where 263 Squadron flew off to their destination, and the carriers’ own aircraft struck targets in and south of Trondheim. Glorious returned to Scapa Flow late on April 27th to refuel and take on new aircraft, with her Sea Gladiators covering both carriers and damaging a Heinkel He 111 on reconnaissance. Before leaving, she transferred four operational Skuas to Ark Royal. She returned on May 1st, but poor weather limited her to loading only a dozen Swordfish of 823 Squadron, three Skuas, and one Blackburn Roc. That day, the task force endured heavy Luftwaffe attacks and withdrew in the evening, with a Junkers Ju 87 Stuka shot down by Sea Gladiators after it released its bomb.
On May 18th, Glorious returned with six Supermarine Walrus flying boats from 701 Squadron and 18 Hawker Hurricanes from Number 46 Squadron RAF, the latter loaded aboard by crane. The Walruses were quickly flown to Harstad, but since the Skånland airfield wasn’t ready, the Hurricanes stayed aboard until Glorious reached Scapa on May 21st. Returning to the Narvik area on May 26th, the Hurricanes were promptly flown off. Even this success proved short lived and British forces were ordered to withdraw a few days later. Operation Alphabet kicked off in the north on the night of June 3–4, with the carrier HMS Glorious arriving off the coast on June 2 to provide support. She carried only nine Sea Gladiators from 802 Squadron and six Swordfish from 823 Squadron for self-defense, as there were hopes of evacuating RAF fighters if possible. On June 7th, ten Gladiators from 263 Squadron flew aboard from Bardufoss, followed later that day by Hurricanes from 46 
Squadron, which landed without major issues despite their higher landing speeds compared to biplanes. Pilots had figured out that placing a 15-pound sandbag in the rear of the Hurricane allowed them to use full brakes right after landing. This amazing feat marked the first time that high-performance monoplanes without tailhooks were able to land on an aircraft carrier, and none crashed.
Many military holidays are misunderstood, celebrated incorrectly, or forgotten altogether, often becoming just another day off work. Memorial Day, for example, is seen as the start of summer, marked with picnics and parties, but in truth, it’s a day to honor the soldiers who fought in wars and never made it home. They gave everything…their lives…for the freedom we and others enjoy, a debt we can never truly repay. We truly owe them so much, the least of which is to be remembered for their sacrifice.
I haven’t personally lost a loved one in any war, but I know a few people who have, and my heart goes out to them today. The families of those brave soldiers who gave their lives sacrificed as well, and that sacrifice is no small thing. In my own family, there were men who died in war, though I didn’t know them personally. I doubt any family can be completely untouched by such loss, considering all the wars throughout history. Somewhere in each family, I’m sure there have been soldiers who were lost in battle or as prisoners of war. The deserve to be remembered for that selfless sacrifice.
Memorial Day is important because without the sacrifices these men and women made, 
our world would be a very different place today. While some may not agree with the changes the current administration is bringing to the nation, this administration is bringing honor back to our military, and I approve. This day isn’t just for barbecues and enjoying a long weekend…it’s a time to reflect on those we’ve lost in the difficult wars fought to keep this nation and others free. As you go about your day, remember that, and if you know a family who has lost a soldier, thank them. We owe them and their loved one a great debt of gratitude. To anyone who has lost someone in battle, thank you for your sacrifice and that of your loved one…it will never be forgotten.
My nephew, Isaac Spethman has always been an industrious young man…from the time he was just a small child, in fact. From the time he was just seven years old, Isaac has held down a job. I know that sounds crazy, but he managed to talk the neighborhood small grocery store across the street from his house to “hire” him. Basically, Isaac did things like sweeping floors and taking out trash…basically the kind of work parents would consider to be “chores” their children did. For his labor, Isaac was paid in things like candy bars, sandwiches, pop, and such. People tried to tell Isaac’s parents, Jenny and Steve Spethman that he had ADHD, but they refused to accept that and never put him on medication. Instead, they helped him to focus his energy and his ambitions. That was why they didn’t discourage him from taking on that first little job. It proved to be a sound decision. From that time forward, Isaac always had one kind of job or another, and just before his 18th birthday, Isaac bought his first house. He has been successful in all the things he has taken on.
When the Covid-19 Pandemic stepped in and caused some major damage to the school system in the United States, and possibly many other countries, quite a few students became “disenchanted” with traditional school, 
and some decided to quit altogether. Isaac and his girlfriend, Aspen Taylor were among the former, and so, while it took a bit longer, they chose to test out of the traditional school program, and while it took a little longer, it allowed them to work while they studied for the test. After working very hard, both of them, I am very proud to say, graduated from the High School Equivalency program at Casper College on Thursday, May 21, 2026. We are so very proud of both of them. I don’t know what plans they have for the future, but I know that whatever they decide, they will be successful in their endeavors. Isaac has never failed at anything he put his mind to, and Aspen has been at his side for a number of years now, so I know that their future is going to be a bright one. Isaac will always prove to be a success. Of that, there is no doubt in my mind.
These days, Isaac and his brother, Xander Spethman both work in the oilfield industry, and are stationed north 
of Casper at Midwest…the same place their dad, Steve started his 23-year-long oilfield career. The nice thing for the brothers is that they get to work together. I’m sure they carpool too, which saves on gasoline for both of them, and give them time to visit on the long commute. I don’t know if either of the boys will continue in oilfield work or not, but they are both good people, as are Jenny and Steve’s other son, Zack and daughter, Aleesia. They were raised right, and they will do well. Congratulation Isaac and Aspen on your graduation. We are all so proud of your both.
