Minam Mayhem

Life in Minam is not for the faint of heart...

Mothra and I have come to terms with each other. 'Round these parts, the evening light fluttering critter that I'm known to run screaming from, comes in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. There's no fear of moths in the canyon because I am far out numbered. In order to cope with the magnitude of the moth infestation, I ask myself "What Would Grandma Wilma Do?" (WWGWD?). This is a running joke in the family but good in times of question. So, I grab my Audubon Field Guide to the Pacific Northwest and start identifying.

Often found mid-day kickin' back on a screen door sippin' a Corona. Not very mouthy, just likes to look pretty and lay about. About 2"-4" big. I know, that's bad vocabulary but have you seen my spelling? And this other moth here is like your grandpa. Sits back with a bud light and watches shit go by. About 4"-5" big (country talk). Can't identify the damn thing - he's not in the book so WWGWD? We named it the Skunk Moth.

I don't fear moths anymore - I can't. Not with all these flying things around me.
Let me not fail to mention there are two flying insect events occurring at this time. The Flying of the Drones = when flying ants are leaving the nest, and the Mating of the Catis Flies = Doubled up two inch long flying fish foods with no sense of direction.

It's quiet here. You aren't surprised by this? These are the sounds of the Minam Valley: a car passing on the freeway, a mosquito in your ear, Nugget barking at deer, the river rushing by, rafters "puttin' in", the washer cleanin' linens, the coffee pot brewin' in the morning, the Red-winged Blackbirds trill.

These are the sounds from NoPo I don't miss: The sound of Bus 4 & 72 roaring by - sometimes in tandem - starting at five in the morning, the neighbors and their four-day-consecutive-two-a.m.-damned-domino-game, the teenagers from Jefferson and Rosemary Academy talking in their normal 200 decibel tone of voice at seven-thirty in the morning, the sound of drunk footsteps coming up the apartment stairs at two-thirty am.

Have I revealed that I don't like my sleep disturbed much?

There is so much to marvel at, here in Minam. I am looking forward to doing some bird identification. King Fishers cruise the river behind the motel. I am also enjoying keeping the motel in fine shape - cleaning the rooms while remembering the love and intention that Uncle Chuck put into maintaining this place. So far, it's what I think about while I am on my hands in knees scrubbing the bathrooms floors. It's an honor to be here - to be trusted to care for this magical place.

And my sisters are here with me for a week and a half. It's a pleasure to get some time with them before I head out to Idaho.

Some family came out to memorialize Chuck and enjoy a weekend in Minam - and help me relocate (thanks Hanna, Lindizzle, Dad, Mom...) At the memorial, we had a nice jam session and I sang some Bonnie Raitt songs with some amazing and kind musicians (friends of Chuck and Dawn).

Later, in the evening - we danced to records, played some Nurf football and Frisbee in the school house. Lots-o-liquid including a polishing off of a bottle of private reserve Bush's Pilot's whiskey - and potluck goods were consumed in great portions. In true Minam style - we partied our asses off - in remembrance.

I am taking Nugget into the vet now for a Buddy (my cat) related injury. Yesterday, Maggie & Jeff's Golden Retriever spooked Buddy who proceeded to attack Nugget - ripping off a quarter sized circle of flesh on Nugget's underside. Up until then, Nugget has been enjoying the freedom of roaming the grounds - chasing deer - and peeing freely. She's even got a tan - her skin has turned a tone of black/gray and her coat has become darker. Mine is staying white with all this sunblock. And that's the way we like it.

We love it here.