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By
Alan
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Advertising

Back in the day, when our son was just barely 3 years old, I asked him how his day was going and without hesitation he responded, “like Cookies and Cowpies dad” — long story short, the rest was history. Young people have sort of an uncanny ability to sum things up in the shortest possible way — sometimes with insight that boggles the mind.

I started this blog in 2006 and today, here we are.

If you would like to purchase advertising on this site with regard to your business or event, just let me know — but first I’d like to help you to become more familiar with just exactly what goes on around here.

Cookiesandcowpies.com is based right here in Great Falls, and covers a diverse array of topics including local news, nature, technology, recipes, health, history, religion, and miscellaneous commentary.

We’ve been active since at least 2006, with the latest content spanning from 2024 to 2025, and we’re being hosted on North Central Montana Web Hosting Solutions.

Our Main Purpose and Content

This blog serves as a platform for sharing informational articles, opinions, and updates on eclectic subjects. It’s not focused on a single theme but blends community-oriented posts with broader interests.

Key sections include:
    • Local Stuff: Montana-specific news, such as urban issues (e.g., bird scooters in Great Falls), housing market trends, election updates, and community developments like land acquisitions for crisis nurseries.
    • Nature: Environmental topics, including national park fee changes, hunting programs, wildlife artwork contests, and fishing reports from places like Yellowstone National Park.
    • Tech: Insights on AI in education, video call technology, audio equipment, and even fun pieces like music tracks or dog-human bond studies.
    • Recipes: A variety of cooking guides, from garlic butter baked scallops and bacon cheeseburger meatloaf to international dishes like General Tso’s Chicken, Icelandic fish casserole, and Australian puftaloons.
    • Health: Articles on wellness, such as the benefits of lemon balm tea, risks of ultra-processed foods, measles outbreaks in Gallatin County, and historical health curiosities like radium’s past uses.
    • History: Explorations of sites and events, including ancient granaries in Portugal, the palace of Knossos in Crete, Native American heritage days, and Montana ghost towns like Basin.
    • Religion: Discussions of festivals (e.g., Samhain, Yom Kippur), biblical interpretations (including UFOs and demi-gods), and positive signs for Christianity.
    • Commentary and Foo: Opinion pieces on topics like tariffs’ effects on farmers, campus biases, and quirky miscellany such as radio classics, heroic stories, or unusual global events (e.g., a “poop explosion” in China).
    • Trending Now and Weather: Highlights popular recent posts, plus weather forecasts and alerts (e.g., freezing rain warnings) powered by tools like WillyWeather.
Our Key Features:
    • Our posts are categorized for easy navigation, with many including images, embedded media, or links.
    • Our site features advertising and trending highlights.
    • Authors are primarily “Alan” (that’s me) for most content, with occasional contributions from “Aimee” (under “cookies”), and “Brad” (of selfcaring.info) — bios are provided but not extensively.

This site doesn’t offer any products, services, subscriptions, or e-commerce — it’s purely content-driven. Overall, the style of our site is straightforward and blog-like, with an informal, wide-ranging tone that mixes local Montana flavor with global curiosities.

Our Traffic Stats:

Cookiesandcowpies.com is pretty much mid range in the stats with most of our 428,098 unique visitors coming in from local/regional sources through 2025. Overall, our site has experienced a total visitorship of 705,923 with 1,582,524 page views throughout the course of the year 2025.

This site has 3 primary authors and a scattering of guest post articles — it is very meticulously maintained by Reddwebdev.com and his hosted on it’s own dedicated ip solution.

If upon after reading all of the above and would like to advertise your business or event on this site, all you have to do is let me know through our contact form.

If you don’t have an event or business that you can advertise on our site but would still like to offer your support, then you can click on the “buy me a coffee” button found below —

Note:

Advertising for any particular event must be placed no later than 6 weeks before the date of the event.
Advertising for a business requires an initial 90 day commitment.

Dimitris Athanasiou Ft Ted Nassiopoulos – Drive In The Night

By
Alan
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Dimitris Athanasiou

Dimitris Athanasiou is a Greek music producer and musician specializing in electronic genres like house, deep house, lounge, and more recently synthwave and dream music.

Born in 1980 in Athens, he started taking piano lessons at age 12 and later became influenced by electronic styles such as trance, house, and drum & bass, leading him to explore music technology.

Listen to Dimitris Athanasiou Ft Ted Nassiopoulos – Drive In The Night

video
play-sharp-fill

He began releasing music in 2008 through various Greek and international labels, including V.I.M. Records, Wet Recordings, Deep Art Records, and his own Deep Disco Records.

Key Releases

According to Discogs, he has 13 releases in total, including 7 singles/EPs and 6 miscellaneous projects.

On Spotify, his discography includes:

Albums:
    • Life is the Album (2020)
    • Lights & Shadows (2023)
Notable Singles (selected recent ones):
    • “When You Touch The Sky” (2025)
    • “The House Next To The Forest” (2025)
    • “Snowy Mountains” (2025)
    • “Magic Touch” (2024)
    • “This Feeling” (2021)
    • “Run Away” (2021)
EPs:
    • Babylon (2019)
    • Deep Inside My Mind (2020)
    • All I Want (2019)
    • Baby Come to Me (2021)

His top tracks on Spotify include remixes and originals like “Holding On – Dimitris Athanasiou Remix” (over 4.4 million streams), “Around You” (over 2.3 million streams), and “All I Want – Dimitris Athanasiou Remix” (over 1 million streams). He has around 82,000 monthly listeners on the platform.

Related artists in similar chill/electronic vibes include NICCKO, Alex Spite, Housenick, Pascal Junior, and Costa Mee.

You can catch up with Dimitris Athanasiou and his music on the platforms listed below:

 
 




 

Digital Wisdom: Schools Revamp Literacy for AI

By
Brad
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Digital Wisdom

As classrooms continue to evolve beyond textbooks and chalkboards, digital literacy has become the new cornerstone of modern education. But this is not the digital literacy of a decade ago — it’s no longer just about using devices or navigating software. In middle and high schools today, digital literacy means learning to think critically online, communicate responsibly, and understand the moral weight of a send button.

Here’s what this article explores:

    • How schools are redefining digital literacy for the modern world
    • The role of online safety and ethical use in shaping responsible digital citizens
    • How critical thinking and digital communication prepare students for real-world challenges
    • The surprising ways creative projects — like a digital yearbook — teach collaboration and media fluency

The Shift from Screen Time to Smart Time

Not long ago, digital literacy was taught as a set of technical skills — typing, file management, and PowerPoint slides. Today’s educators are rethinking that model. The goal is no longer proficiency, but purpose.

Schools are teaching students to navigate complex digital ecosystems where misinformation, privacy concerns, and algorithmic bias are everyday realities.

The modern digital classroom focuses less on “how to use a tool” and more on how to think while using it.

Responsible Use as a Core Life Skill

Digital responsibility isn’t just a unit in computer class anymore; it’s woven throughout curricula. Schools are emphasizing the ethics of online behavior — from plagiarism and data privacy to empathy and tone in digital communication.

This means teaching not just the mechanics of online life, but its morality. Students discuss what it means to be kind in a group chat, how to respect intellectual property, and how to pause before posting something that could follow them for years.

To guide this, many schools use a framework built around three core questions:

    • Is it true?
    • Is it necessary?
    • Is it kind?

Those same questions apply whether writing an essay or sharing a meme.

The Human Side of Online Safety

Teaching online safety has matured far beyond the “don’t share your password” days. Today’s programs blend cybersecurity basics with emotional awareness. Students learn to spot phishing scams, understand privacy settings, and respond to digital harassment — but they also learn how online experiences affect their mental health.

Building Critical Thinkers in a Click-Driven World

Information is abundant — wisdom is not. That’s why critical thinking is now the crown jewel of digital literacy education. Students analyze news feeds, identify echo chambers, and test claims using evidence and logic.

Teachers encourage slow thinking in fast-moving environments. A ninth-grade civics class might spend a full week dissecting how a viral headline spreads, examining not just its accuracy but the emotional tactics that made it shareable.

As one educator puts it: “We’re teaching skepticism, not cynicism.”

A Digital Workshop in Collaboration: The Yearbook Project

One of the most effective — and joyful — ways schools are building digital literacy is through creative, collaborative projects. A standout example is designing a yearbook for schools using online digital platforms.

When students design a yearbook digitally, they do more than arrange photos and captions. They manage permissions, organize assets, assign roles, and collaborate in real time — all within a shared online workspace. These platforms offer tools for structured page layouts, photo management, and built-in editing, giving students firsthand experience with professional-grade digital publishing.

In the process, they learn teamwork, accountability, and the importance of digital stewardship — understanding that every image, every caption, and every edit contributes to a collective narrative.

What Students Actually Learn

Here’s what’s emerging from these new programs in schools across the U.S.:

    • Critical discernment — separating fact from misinformation, even when it’s viral.
    • Ethical resilience — knowing when and how to act responsibly online.
    • Collaborative confidence — working effectively through digital tools and shared platforms.
    • Civic digital fluency — understanding how online actions influence public discourse.

Students aren’t just learning to use tech. They’re learning to lead with it.

How to Foster Digital Literacy in Schools

The path to building digitally literate citizens isn’t a mystery, but it does require structure. Here’s a quick reference checklist schools are using to guide this shift:

Literacy Development Checklist
    • Integrate ethics and responsibility into every digital activity
    • Teach students to evaluate sources and detect misinformation
    • Reinforce data privacy, online consent, and password hygiene
    • Include mental health and digital wellness discussions
    • Encourage collaborative, creative projects like multimedia yearbooks or podcasts
    • Assess not just output (a slideshow) but process (teamwork, discernment, communication)

The Emerging Curriculum of Digital Citizenship

Many districts are formalizing these ideas into structured programs that pair technology skills with civic education. For instance, some schools have adopted interdisciplinary digital citizenship courses that merge English, civics, and computer science.

Learning Area Core Focus Real-World Application
Information Literacy Source evaluation, bias detection Analyzing online news
Digital Ethics Respect, consent, accountability Social media conduct
Communication Tone, clarity, empathy Group projects & online forums
Media Creation Collaboration & design thinking Digital yearbook production
Cyber Safety Privacy, passwords, digital footprints Safe device use
Emotional Intelligence Mindful tech use, well-being Managing online stress

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is this literacy more important now than ever?

Because nearly every aspect of civic life, from voting to job applications, happens online. Without digital literacy, students risk being left behind in both opportunity and understanding.

Are schools keeping up with technology’s pace?

They’re trying — and increasingly succeeding — by focusing less on tools and more on transferable thinking skills that outlast any single platform.

What can parents do?

Stay involved. Talk with children about what they see and share online. Model critical curiosity and responsible posting — digital literacy starts at home.

Teaching for a Future That’s Already Here

Digital literacy in middle and high schools is no longer about surviving the internet — it’s about thriving in it. As the line between human and digital communication blurs, schools are preparing students not just to navigate information, but to shape it.

In a world where every post is public and every message is permanent, true digital literacy means more than competence. It means character.




 

Health Benefits of Lemon Balm Tea

By
Alan
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Lemon Balm Tea

Lemon balm tea is an herbal infusion made from the dried leaves of the lemon balm plant (Melissa officinalis), a member of the mint family known for its subtle citrus aroma and flavor.

It’s caffeine-free and often used for its potential calming and therapeutic effects, making it a popular choice for relaxation or as a natural remedy.

Potential Health Benefits

Based on traditional uses and some preliminary research, lemon balm tea may offer several benefits, though more studies are needed for conclusive evidence:

    • Stress and Anxiety Relief: It may help calm the nervous system, reducing symptoms of anxiety and promoting relaxation.
    • Improved Sleep: Often consumed before bed to aid with insomnia or restlessness.
    • Digestive Support: Can soothe indigestion, bloating, or mild gastrointestinal issues.
    • Anti-Inflammatory Effects: Some users report reduced joint inflammation or general discomfort.
    • Other Uses: May help with menstrual cramps or cognitive function, but evidence varies.

How to Make Lemon Balm Tea

You can brew it using loose dried leaves or pre-packaged tea bags.

Here’s a simple method:

    • Boil 1 cup of water.
    • Add about 1-2 tsp of dried lemon balm leaves or one tea bag to a cup or teapot.
    • Pour the hot water over the leaves and steep for 5-10 minutes, covered to retain the essential oils.
    • Strain if using loose leaves, and optionally add honey, lemon, or other herbs like peppermint for flavor.
    • Enjoy hot or iced; it’s naturally mild and slightly sweet.

For variations, some blends include valerian for extra sleep support or cayenne for a spicy twist.

Precautions and Dosage

It’s generally safe for most adults when consumed in moderation — 1-2 cups per day is typical and considered low-risk. However, it may interact with thyroid medications, sedatives, or affect those with allergies to the mint family. Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals should consult a doctor before use. If you’re new to it, start with a small amount to check for any reactions.

You can find organic options from brands like Traditional Medicinals or Full Leaf Tea Company, available at stores or online.

If you have a specific aspect in mind (e.g., recipes or comparisons to other teas), just let me know in the comments section below.




 

Bird Scooters were a real problem

By
Alan
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Bird Scooters

Bird, the electric scooter-sharing company founded in 2017, revolutionized urban micromobility by introducing dockless e-scooters that users could rent via an app. However, the service quickly became synonymous with a host of problems that plagued cities, riders, and the company itself, contributing to its decline.

Here in Great Falls we would find these electric scooters all over the place. Haphazardly left on the rivers edge trail with dead batteries, tipped over in the middle of sidewalks — creating trip hazards for pedestrians — especially those with disabilities, and just generally left as a somewhat quasi plaything in our parks.

The problems that Great Falls had with the Bird scooters wasn’t just a local phenomenon. Cities across the U.S. and around the world have experienced much the same.

In cities like Fresno (as early as 2018) and Whitewater (2024), these types of issues led to cease-and-desist orders and ongoing reports of scooters littering public spaces.

Bird attempted to address it’s ongoing problems by enabling user reports for poorly parked or damaged units, which would trigger repositioning or removal. Despite this, the dockless model often exacerbated environmental issues, with scooters ending up as trash in streets or waterways.

Ongoing Safety and Maintenance Concerns

Riders and pedestrians frequently reported injuries from poorly maintained scooters, which were often in disrepair. Issues like drunk or reckless riding were common in places like Reno, where private scooters sometimes caused more problems than Bird’s fleet. Vandalism was rampant, with scooters being thrown into rivers or damaged, reducing availability and reliability.

Technical and App-Related Glitches

Bird users encountered frequent operational hurdles, such as scooters not unlocking, moving slowly, or failing to end rides due to GPS errors. Missing QR codes and app login problems further frustrated riders. Even in 2025, troubleshooting guides for non-working scooters remained popular, indicating persistent reliability issues.

Financial and Operational Challenges

Bird raised over $800 million and reached a $2.5 billion valuation but filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in December 2023 amid unsustainable growth, high costs, and regulatory pushback. It emerged in April 2024 under Third Lane Mobility but continued facing headwinds, including low usage in some markets (e.g., Seattle, where competitors like Lime dominated).

By 2025, Bird paused or ceased operations in cities like Columbia, Grand Junction, and Denver, often due to financial difficulties and the search for new management. Critics viewed it as part of a broader micromobility bubble, with some calling the concept flawed from the start.

Banning and Restrictions

The trend of banning or restricting electric scooter rentals in general has been gaining momentum in several major cities around the world, reflecting a growing concern over safety, public space management, and urban planning.

Here’s an overview based on recent developments:

Paris implemented a ban on rental electric scooters in September 2023, following a referendum where nearly 90% of voters supported the ban, although voter turnout was low. This decision came after rising concerns about safety, with accidents involving e-scooters leading to injuries and fatalities. The ban was part of broader efforts to manage urban transport and reduce reliance on private cars, although it also highlighted the challenges of integrating new transport modes into city life.

Melbourne has also moved towards banning electric scooter rentals, with the city council voting to end its e-scooter share scheme. This decision was influenced by safety concerns, despite the scooters contributing to reducing carbon emissions. The move was controversial, with some advocating for better regulation rather than an outright ban, pointing out the environmental benefits and the convenience e-scooters offered for short trips.

Madrid also joined the list by announcing the revocation of operating licenses for e-scooter rental companies, citing failures in service provision, insurance, and technology that should prevent misuse. This indicates a shift towards stricter urban mobility policies, aiming for better integration of transport options that ensure safety and efficiency.

Public Sentiment and Policy Debate

Some users expressed frustration over the bans, suggesting that private e-scooters are still allowed, which might lead to less regulation rather than more. Others argue for stronger laws and enforcement rather than bans, indicating a desire for safer integration rather than complete removal of these transport options.

A Global Perspective

The bans or restrictions in these cities reflect a broader debate on how cities should evolve their transport infrastructure. While e-scooters were initially welcomed for reducing car usage and emissions, their integration into urban spaces has proven challenging due to safety, parking, and regulatory issues.

The trend towards banning or heavily regulating electric scooter rentals underscores a critical examination of urban mobility solutions. Cities are grappling with balancing innovation in transportation with the need for safety, public space management, and environmental considerations. The debate continues, with some advocating for better technology and regulation to manage e-scooters effectively, while others see their removal as necessary for restoring order and safety in urban environments.




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