158 Memories in the Dough: 70 Years of Montana Ranch Life

One of the questions people ask me all the time is: Where do you get your guests? The answer is - from a lot of places. I seek some out and many are nominated by themselves, friends, or publicists. But this is the first guest I’ve had nominated by her own son.

Here’s what Scott said about her:

She makes a family traditional recipe for povitica that’s tremendous. She's also one of the last of her family and holding onto the family ranch with all of the pressures (none of the lethality) portrayed in Kevin Costner's series Yellowstone. (As an example, a week after my dad passed away she was bucking 100lb hay bales over her head to feed the cows and did it despite the fact that her shoulders were so sore she could hardly move. She's retired, but still shows up for volunteer work and is gradually restoring a '57 Chevy in her spare time. =) She's an inspiration in her faith community and she's the party planner/rabble rouser for her friend group who meet every week to lift each other's spirits and nurture community.

There was something so sweet and wholesome about the way Scott’s pride in his mother that I knew I wanted to talk to Marlene as soon as a spot opened up in the podcast schedule.

And I’m so glad I did.

As you’ll hear from this conversation, Scott is right to be proud of his mother - and she is right to be proud of him. Marlene worked hard her whole life and she has so very much to show for it - children who are productive members of society, a host of animals that have been well-cared for, land that has been tended and enlarged, renters who were dealt with fairly and generously, friends who feel loved and supported, the list goes on and on.

I’m thrilled to share this conversation with Marlene today as well as her very traditional Povitica recipe, which requires bread dough rolled so thinly it is transparent and so large it hangs over a large dining room table. Thank you all so much for joining me today for this conversation!!!

Highlights

A heritage recipe handed down through the family
Kate was married at an early age and raised the kids with them all pitching
Marlene’s mother: 15 when she got married
A roll of dough 8 feet long
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Why aren’t farms financially viable?
How Marlene has kept her optimism and positive spirit through many hardships.
Marlene as community organizer and “field trips” with friends who have become sisters
Marlene’s community service