God's Country

It's what my mom always called the Camas Prairie, where we were both born and raised- and so were her parents and grand parents.....it's home. It always has been. It always will be. And it doesn't matter how many years I've been gone- it's still home. Time marches on- and the faces are bit rounder and have a few more wrinkles- but they are still the same friendly and familiar faces I've known my whole life. There is such comfort in knowing that you can always go home.... even if it's not your home anymore.

I didn't waste much time trying to get away from my little country town once I had graduated high school. I had a job that took me away from farming and ranching the day after graduation. and when the summer closed- I moved four hours away to the big city of Boise to enter the great big world of university. There's a lot of miles and water under the bridge that have brought me to where I sit today.... I'm a long way from where I started, that's for sure.... but it's not so far that I can't go back.

I had the opportunity to go back to Grangeville over the 4th of July this year. (and for once this year- it wasn't for a funeral....)

It's been a forever standing rule that you just know- that every decade- your class reunion is on the 4th of July- right in the middle of Border Days- which is Idaho's oldest (and one of the oldest in the NW) rodeo. Our tiny little town swells from about 3,500 to about 12,000. It's crazy and silly and a righteously good time. There are parades and street games, great street/fair food vendors- some have been there every year since the dawn of man I think, rodeos, art in the park, class reunions, family reunions...... it's crazy- and it's weirdly comfortable all at the same time. Time sort of stands still over the 4th- I had several moments where I could flash back and be 8,12,16..... it was a great walk down memory lane, so to speak. It was also crazy fun to be reunited with the majority of the folks I spent at least 12 years of my life with in school . Our reunion was great fun- tons of laughs- and I'm so glad I went!

I also had the chance to show with my dad at his art show- this was really the first time I got to be his peer- not just his kid... another sort of gold-star moment. But it was also the first time this show had happened without my mom..... and it was definitely felt- by everyone who knew us and came in to see us- there were lots of tears and kisses and memories. I was widely reminded again at how loved and appreciated she was- and that is always a good thing.

I was walking around the house one evening- and walked out behind the woodshed. I don't remember this cross being there before.... but with great irony.... at the foot of it- were pure white Shasta Daisies.... which have always been her favorite- and exactly where I used to park my old '52 Chev that we had named 'Shasta.... (cause she hasta have a lot of fixin up.....). I knew my mom's spirit was all around me that week- and it was good.

So I leave you with a few shots of the classic small town parade and symbols that says Grangeville to those who've lived it- and 'Americana' all over it.... and I wouldn't change if I could. Enjoy- and remember to live simply today- and do small things with love. mwah! xoox Didi