"WHAT DO YOU DO IN TOWN?"

asked Hallie. Mike and I hesitated before answering. Why is this question so hard? I wonder to myself. “Always business to take care of,” Mike responds. “But what do you do when you’re in town?” Hallie repeats.

We have tried to keep the tedious out of this journal, but if you’re going to wonder what we do in town, let me say that we hope this year was unique. In mid-July, Mike went geo-caching alone, towing the 4-wheeler with the Dakota. On the way home, the 4-wheeler came loose and crashed into the back of the Dakota, severely denting the tailgate and breaking the glass canopy lid. We were so grateful that this was a one-vehicle experience and no one, including Mike, was hurt. Not many days later, a garage accident resulted in damage to a motorcycle and the Subaru. (This was Mike’s “terrible, horrible, no good, very bad week” and in a sense it didn’t end for a month!) So, this summer has had its nightmarish elements as Mike devoted hours to making contacts – insurance agent and adjusters, body shops, the canopy dealer in Spokane, etc., etc., and so forth. We just had to work through issues.

I suggested it might be time to replace the Dakota. Mike’s response: “I love that truck!” Okay – then we’ll fix it. But fixing the canopy like new was impossible since the manufacturer has not made that canopy model for several years. A replacement lid was not available anyplace. Glass companies could not help due to the curve involved. Son Milo suggested sheet metal and that idea worked with Mike doing much of the work himself. He and I traced a template on a piece of transparent plastic and Mike’s Heating cut the sheet metal. Mike then did much of the fitting himself. He also fixed a stop on the trailer to keep the 4-wheeler in place.

Other tedious “town” work included completing paperwork relating to my retirement benefits plus Social Security and Medicare for Mike with related appointments. And a computer error on our 2002 tax return resulted in hours of research and discussion with the IRS and the Idaho State Tax Commission. Less than pleasant but had to be done.

On the positive side, town time is a lot about our connectedness to community, family and friends. I meet with my Christian Science group which provides much needed spiritual refreshment. Mike sometimes rides with the bike club. Town time is structured and organized and includes shopping for things we need on the farm – sometimes a lot of fun!