Danielle's column: What to plan for when your mother comes to visit

I seem to have taken a hiatus from column writing the past few weeks, but there have been more important things going on around the county needing press other than my own meandering thoughts.

I seem to have taken a hiatus from column writing the past few weeks, but there have been more important things going on around the county needing press other than my own meandering thoughts.  I find that today, however, I do have some things in my life I would like to share with everyone.  Most importantly, my mother is coming to visit Plains today, Wednesday, and spending the entire week with me in my tiny apartment.

This is the longest I have gone without seeing my mom, and it will also be the longest we’ve ever spent together in such close proximity.

I am trying to fill the week with activities.  We are inevitably going to drive each other crazy by day three, but I figure if we are constantly on the move, we won’t get so tired of each other’s company.  Not that either of us are bad company, but any typical mother and daughter can drive each other up a wall eventually.

I know I am no walk in the park, but I don’t know how long I can put up with my mom talking about our dog like she is some Maltese protégé.  Last weekend, for example, I called my mom to find out when I needed to pick her up from the airport.

She told me she had friends visiting and they were all sitting at the table, except my mother, who gave up her seat to let the dog sit at the table, my mom making her a seat for herself on the kitchen floor.  I didn’t know how to respond to this, as I don’t think I was even able to eat at the table until I was five years old because I spilled everything that was meant to go into my mouth.

I guess my dog is simply cleaner than I am.

Anyways, as long as my mom keeps the gushing about our dog’s amazing ability to pull off the latest wear in doggy fashion, I think we will get along fine, however, I do need some guidance from our readers.

I was hoping if anyone had any suggestions about sights and must-do Montana activities to share and keep my mom from missing the dog, please e-mail me at reporter@vp-mi.com.

So far, I only have plans to show my mom around the county that I now call home and introduce her to the people who have all been remarkably welcoming since my arrival in Plains.  Of course, we will go eat at Benji’s restaurant and possibly go golfing at the course in Thompson Falls and soak at the Symes Hotel in Hot Springs, but that will only fill up two days and still leaves me with five more days to plan for.

I do appreciate any and all suggestions, as all of you know these parts far better than I.