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.
My nephew, Xander Spethman has had a year of emotional healing and many changes. While going through all he did in the past was very hard, he knows that he is ok now, and he is happy. Xander loves being back in Casper with his family, because they are all very close. It has just been the best move for him. These days, Xander and his brother Isaac are both working together on a work over rig at the petroleum reserve in Midwest doing the same job in the same field where their dad, Steve Spethman started out his 34-year oilfield career. The work is hard, but they aren’t afraid of hard work, and the oil field is a good career.
Xander is still very close with his 2 brothers, Zack and Isaac, and he still wants to be just like his dad. Recently, the guys took three weekends to build a fence for their parents. They were all working hard, and the fence looks like professionals built it. Their mom, Jenny and dad, Steve were so proud of their boys working together without the need to ask them. They have all grown into amazing young men. Their parents are very proud of all of them and of their sister, Aleesia.
Xander has really had a great year. He and his dog, Rocky are very close, and his dog waits at the door all day and gets so excited when Xander finally gets home. Rocky is definitely his loyal companion. The whole family has always loved the outdoors and still love getting out and 
hiking or just hanging out. The mountain has always been the favorite place for the Spethman family. With summer coming on, they will all be getting out there to enjoy it again. Things are looking up for Xander, and I know that God has great things in store for him. For now, he is just spending time with family and friends and enjoying life. Today is Xander’s 23rd birthday. Happy birthday Xander!! Have a great day!! We love you!!
My sister-in-law, Brenda Schulenberg has worked in the banking industry since graduating from high school, but in July, that is all coming to an end. Brenda is busy planning her retirement, and of course, trying to help her employer to find a suitable replacement for her job. That is proving to be a rather daunting task, since they really haven’t had anyone apply for her job. I can understand the bank’s dilemma, because Brenda’s job is not one of those 9 to 5 “Bankers Jobs” we all think of when we think of banking. Instead, Brenda has been known to work from 8am to 10pm at times. A major part of Brenda’s job is to process payroll, not just for the bank’s employees, but for a number of companies around town. These are large companies, with many 
employees, so it is time consuming. In addition to payroll, she also prepares all of their tax documents too. It just isn’t a job that can be done on “banker’s hours” and that was explained to her when she took the job. Of course, any replacements will be told the same, hence the problem with a replacement. They may need to make a number of changes at the bank.
Brenda is really looking forward to her retirement, as we all do. She has been contemplating that day for a couple of years now. She stayed because of her boss/friend. They made a good team, but now that the boss is retiring, Brenda is done too. We all get to that place eventually. And after we retire, we begin to wonder how we ever had time to work. Staying busy is important to a happy retirement. Just sitting around with nothing going on, is one reason why some people go back to work. In the past, Brenda has enjoyed travel, so I hope she will be able to do some of that again. 
Her job has kept her closer to home lately.
Brenda hasn’t really said what her plans are, but I know she will get it figured out. Nevertheless, I seriously doubt is there will be much bookkeeping in her future…at least not on a regular basis. Once a banker, always a banker, and I know that her own bank books will still be meticulously kept, but as for mass amounts of bookkeeping and such, those are going to be a thing of the past. Whatever Brenda’s plans for her retirement, I am very happy for her. She has worked more hours than most people, and she has earned this. Today is Brenda’s birthday. Happy birthday Brenda!! Have a great day!! We love you!!
On May 21, 1960, a tremor struck Valdivia, Chile, kicking off a series of quakes that would devastate the region. By the time it was over, 5,000 people had lost their lives and another 2 million were left homeless. The first quake measured 7.6 in magnitude and was deadly in its own right, but it turned out to be just a foreshock to one of the most powerful earthquakes ever recorded.
At 3:11pm the next afternoon, a massive magnitude 9.5 earthquake struck southern Chile, with its epicenter just off the coast beneath the Pacific Ocean. There, the Nazca oceanic plate plunged 50 feet under the South American plate. The quake triggered enormous landslides down the region’s mountains and unleashed a series of tsunamis along Chile’s coast. At 4:20pm, a 26-foot wave crashed ashore, sweeping away most buildings and structures as it receded. But the worst was yet to come…minutes later, a slower, towering 35-foot wave rolled in, killing an estimated 1,000 people, including many who had sought safety on higher ground. The 1960 Valdivia earthquake in Chile was the most powerful ever recorded. It caused widespread devastation, tsunamis, and significant global impact.
The Valdivia earthquake, also called the Great Chilean Earthquake, struck near Lumaco, about 354 miles south of Santiago, with Valdivia hit the hardest. Lasting around 10 minutes, it caused intense shaking and set off a series of tsunamis across the Pacific. This massive megathrust quake happened when the Nazca Plate was forced beneath the South American Plate along Chile’s coast. The fault shift stretched between 500 and 1,000 km, releasing immense energy and creating both vertical and horizontal ground movement. Foreshocks, including a magnitude 8.1 quake in Concepción the day before, had already caused major damage and hinted at the disaster to come. Cities like Valdivia and Puerto Montt suffered extensive destruction. Buildings collapsed, rivers changed course, and soil subsidence created new wetlands. Electricity and water systems were destroyed, and the city of Valdivia experienced severe flooding. Two days later, Cordón Caulle volcano erupted, marking the first eruption in four decades
The earthquake triggered tsunamis that swept across the Pacific, impacting far-off regions. In Hawaii, waves up to 35 feet hit Hilo, causing 61 deaths. Japan saw around 140 deaths and heavy property damage, while eastern New Zealand, southeast Australia, the Aleutian Islands, and parts of the United States West Coast suffered minor damage. In Chile, economic losses were estimated at $400 to $800 million at the time (about $4.5 to $8.8 billion today), with additional damages in Hawaii, Japan, and the Philippines from the tsunamis. The toll could have been much worse…thanks to a foreshock 30 minutes earlier, many people were already outside, 
avoiding building collapses, and the locals quickly evacuated the coast knowing that a tsunami was coming. After leaving Chile, the tsunami traveled hundreds of miles west toward Hawaii, the Philippines, and Japan, where hundreds also died. In fact, the waves set off by this earthquake bounced back and forth across the Pacific Ocean for a week. Aftershocks were recorded for a full 30 days after the main tremor.
When I talk to his family about my nephew, Rob Masterson’s birthday, I always find that they always have the best things to say. Dustie so clearly loves her husband with all her heart. She says, “My husband…there are so many things, so many ways that he is amazing. Every day I fall more in love with him and everyday I’m more grateful than the last, that God put him in my life. It’s what most people call the “little” things, but I think they are really the most important things. Like the way he will spend so much time happily humming while finding something that I’ve lost AGAIN…for the hundredth time!! Or, when he sends me a goofy picture of our cat because he knows I’m having a rough day at work. Or, when he surprises me with a cup of coffee from the coffee shop…just because. The million times he’s brought me lunch because he’s worried that I won’t eat enough at lunch. Or the time that I got a hole in my shoe at work and he went to the store and bought me the exact pair of shoes that I wear for work in the exact size that I wear and brought them to me so I wouldn’t have a holey shoe at work. He does 90% of the running around because he says I work all day and that’s the least, he can do. He puts everyone in our house before himself and as much as it aggravates me!! I love him all the more for it.” What more can I say. Anything I said would pale by comparison.
Rob’s daughter, Raelynn tells me that her dad is a silly guy. She says that he always makes her laugh on the way home from work. Rob picks Raelynn up and they are both pretty tired by that point so it’s all stupid jokes…”Dad jokes,” if you will. While Rob jokes around, he is also thoughtful and observant. He genuinely just always knows when something is up with any one of his kids. even if they don’t realize it at times. Sometimes, Raelynn just spaces out to her music on the way home, not realize I’m doing a “thing” with her hands or my legs or just moving a lot, and he’ll ask what’s wrong, and then she realizes that her day had been bad. Rob noticed before she did. He complains that he’s too old for the kids’ antics, but he still puts up with it, and Raelynn thinks that’s just how her dad will always be. She says, “I love my dad for that. I get my humor mostly 
exaggerates it, with dad it takes a moment to realize he made a joke or sarcastic comment and that is its own kind of funny. My dad has always been a symbol of perseverance to me. Even when he’s in pain, or tired, or sick, he keeps moving, because the world doesn’t stop because you’re in pain, or tired, or sick, and it really helped when I was having pain in school with scoliosis, and when I needed surgery, and it still helps now. Knowing my dad can do it after everything his body has been through makes me know I can do it. I can keep moving.”
Sometimes, as in Taylor’s case, it’s hard to put in words, all someone means to you. Taylor said, “Oh, I’ve been struggling to find what I want to say, but for starters he’s always ok with helping us three (Raelynn, Matt, and Taylor) with whatever it is we need. The amounts of times he’s brought me things while I’m at work more often than not real early in the morning. I’ve honestly lost count. Dad has been such a strong presence in my life that I always think if Dad can do it, so can I. Dad has gotten me food despite me saying it was fine, because he knew I had a bad day at work he knew that nacho fries from Taco Bell would make it a million times better.” Taylor tells me that Rob, like so many people, doesn’t like having his picture taken all that much, unless it’s by his sister, Liz Masterson, who’s taking them of him with Pita, his cat cuddled up to him so we don’t have a whole lot with his face, because Pita likes to lay on his back. Taylor says, “There is not a single word or language known, unknown, alive, or dead that can describe just how much I love, appreciate and need my father. He is the image of strength and knowledge that I look to when I need guidance. He doesn’t mind driving me to work at McDonald’s at 4:00am either. I can’t believe I almost forgot that he refuses to let me walk to or from work because it’s either too early or because I’ve worked 10 hours and he doesn’t want me overexerting myself.”
Rob’s son, Matt tells me that his dad is his biggest supporter. Matt says, “He always has been my hero. I 
couldn’t do half the of the things I can do now without his support. My dad has always been wanting to support his family in times of need and in my times, he has always been there. I just want to make my dad proud, and I hope that he has an amazing birthday!! Today is Rob’s birthday. Happy birthday Rob!! Have an wonderfully amazing, “hero’s birthday!!” Your family is all in agreement that you have earned it. They are very proud of you…all of your family!! We love you!!
My sister, Caryl Reed was the middle of my parents’ five daughters, and the only blonde in our number. Our mother, Collene Spencer was blonde as a child, but her hair darkened after she turned sixteen. Mom always wished she had kept that blonde hair. As I was looking at pictures of Mom the other day, I saw a lot of Caryl in her, so I started looking at pictures at about the same age, and I was surprised. I think Caryl looks a lot like Mom. There are differences, but a lot of similarities too. Caryl laughs like Mom. I think Caryl was Mom’s mini-me, even if we didn’t realize it.
Caryl and her husband, Mike Reed love to travel. Every year they take several trips. The biggest one was to Japan, when her son Allen was stationed there while he was in the Navy. That was rather a once in a lifetime 
trip for them, mostly because after that trip, Allen was no longer stationed there. Still, they had a great time. They have gone to Texas, and over to Oregon, where Allen and his wife Gaby live now. And recently, Caryl reconnected with a couple of girlfriends from high school, and they have enjoyed that so much that they invited Caryl and Mike to Nebraska for a visit. They really enjoyed the trip, and it really solidified the friendships. They also take a Christmas trip to a cabin Mike’s daughter, Amanda and her husband Sean own in Ryan Park. It is a special time of being in nature in the snow-covered mountains.
Caryl and Mike decided they wanted a dog a year or two ago, so they bought a West Highland White Terrier (a Westie) that they named Joey. Joey keeps them busy with his antics, but they have to keep a close eye on him. 
They live west of Casper on a little ranch they purchased, and Joey thinks the antelope running around are great chase toys. The main work on the ranch is their hay crops. They usually have 2 or 3 cuttings, and they usually have no trouble selling it. Mike does most of the heavy work with the crops. They have a huge irrigation system on wheels, so it’s not bad, but sometimes he needs Caryl’s help with stuff too. Mostly, she does the house and he does the land. They make a great team. Today is Caryl’s birthday. Happy birthday Caryl!! Have a great day!! We love you!!
For my brother-in-law, Mike Stevens the last year has been one of major changes. My sister, Alena, who is Mike’s wife of what would have been 42 years this year. Mike has had a tough year. It’s hard to be the parent left behind after a loss, even when the children of the marriage are grown and on their own. Mike has had to try to be supportive of his children, while dealing with his own sense of immense loss. That was the position Mike found himself in, and through his grief, I can say he has handled it well. Mike knew how important all the family birthdays were to Alena, and they are to him too, but like many men, he had looked to Alena to keep track of the days, and then he would join her in wishing the happy birthday to the family member. After Alena went to Heaven, Mike contacted me to get a good list so he could continue to do so. He knew I would have that list because of my blog. I was so proud of him for making sure he could continue that tradition, and I know Alena would be proud of him too. It was such a sweet blessing to get that text from Mike on my birthday. He is carrying on the tradition started by Alena. 
There are joyful events coming Mike’s way too. His son, Garrett and wife Kayla are expecting a new baby in July, and his daughter, Lacey and husband Chris Killinger are expecting a baby in August. I know Alena has met these grandbabies in Heaven already, but soon the rest of the family will get to meet them. I know Mike is very excited to see his family continuing to grow, but I’m sure he wishes he could share these joyous occasions with Alena. Mike has a close relationship with his kids, and they all work hard to maintain that closeness. They are very supportive of each other.
In early April, Callie, the half miniature Doberman and half Long-Haired Chihuahua dog Mike and Alena had owned for 13 years passed away. It was hard that it was shortly before the one-year anniversary of Alena’s passing on April 23, 2025. After Callie was gone, Mike said the house felt really lonely, and since he had been 
around my sister’ Caryl Reed and her husband, Mike’s West Highland White Terrier, he decided to get one for himself. In early May, he got a male Westie, and names him Festus. I guess you can see that Mike is a “Gunsmoke” fan. While he still misses Callie, Mike and Festus are getting along very well. Westies are a small dog, so they make for a great lap dog when Mike is watching television or just relaxing in the evening. I’m glad he has a new companion in the house and Festus is a sweet little companion too. It’s a good thing for Mike. Today is Mike’s birthday. Happy birthday Mike!! Have a great day!! We love you!!
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