naming, carried away.

Tue, March 30, 2010 8:43:37 PM naming; 3:33:45 PM carried away from what



i'm writing with frozen knuckles upon returning from a very informative trail tour. my parents take great pride in their work here. they construct fences and gardens and fix things which fail in fierce weather. the paths keep them busy, forcing through the woods with chainsaws and grading blades. my mom has painted modest signs naming each route: porcupine, clover, hillview circle, winding way.
they have so much joy here.

the drive to the cabin was nice. my parents narrate the journey every time, detailing the scenery with pride and enchantment. there is eddie, who does their septic field and clears the roads in the winter. he is down the street from the man who stores pontoons in shrink wrap. he might work with the guy who builds sheds and calls my dad carl (it is carlton), but they can’t remember. forest wheeler is head of citizens watch, and bill comes up from texas every year for the association meeting. then there are the plains where the amish plow enormous fields with the strength of six horses in rows, and over there is the second most famous trout river east of the mississippi. (“what makes it famous?” “it has a lot of trout.”) there is a tiny dive in town called “chat n’ chew,” and a gas station that cannot sell gas because of code violations. the folks who sell amazing jerky have a bear captive in a tennis cage. astounding. there is an artificial gator in a nearby swamp and a hill just north that marks the highest point in alcona county, which releases a quarterly newsletter announcing area critter citings.
who wouldn’t live here?

when we exited the truck, my mom spun in circles. dad headed for the barn door which was in need of repair. i took a lot of pictures of bark and sand and anticipation of spring.



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