Last Night as I soaked in the natural geyser generated hot springs, I thought about the importance of stillness and quietness. Off in a distance I listen to the sounds of cows communicating with each other and their calves. The geese pipe in as well.

Rural towns have their challenges. The impression is lack of access and timing. As the time winds down and I’m off this assignment I think I will miss Lakeview. Chef George at the hospital cafeteria who gives me two bacons and counts it as one because they are stuck “ it’s Siamese bacon” together. And Irene who bakes an enormous cinnamon roll as big as your head. I yet to try one but just the thought is amazing.

Iv’e rented a room on the outskirts of town and gotten a taste of the heartiness required to live here during the cold months. It’s 36 y’all in the am. I’ve yet to use the wood splitter but did partake in a reciprocating saw. I know what a cowboy gate is and today I will be stacking Juniper wood in the shed. There were two barn kittens when I arrived in September and now its just Brutus. Hiking here is out. Lions tigers and bears oh my. Replaced with mountain lions and coyotes. “. Why chance it?” I am offered to carry bear spray and a gun. I am not a sharp shooter and imagine how pissed off they’d be if I miss.

The nights are dreamy. Darkest of skies, blankets of stars to guide you off to dream land. 4 layers of covers on the bed with an electric turned on HI as a pre heat. Wake up to frost and sit if freezing car driving down to Stock Road. The first week I got here I had the saddest experience. It was a dead cow on the pavement as I drove by. The next day it was still there, the same cow but another up near the fence. No other cows around, just one as if to say goodbye or mourn some kind of way. I cried so hard having lost my mom a couple of months before. It was heart wrenching .

The stillness remains as I write and although I have lamented about the time here, I realize how much I needed to be here. Thank you Lakeview.