explore the countryside with Cody or Levi or Alex. One time in the
summer, we laid out in the street for hours chatting happily. Another
time in the winter, Cody and I followed the snowy banks of Acres Creek*
from Dobbins Dairy to the Brickhouse. But I never remember seeing a
moonlit night like this. Tonight when I stepped out of the office to
head to my little room in the neighbor's home, the light from the moon
was such that I could actually see in color! The orange bucket that I
use to get water for washing my clothes was still perfectly orange, the
adobe walls still warm brown, the grass green and yellow- even the sky
was a deep blue rather than black velvet hung about with diamonds.
Maybe there are many moonlit nights like this at home, but I've never
noticed them.
Back in my little room, not yet ready for bed I go about setting a fire
in the stove. It's not all that cold, but a crackling fire is a
friendly companion and, together with a candle on the sill beside my
bed and the constant chorus of dogs at varying distances throughout the
town- provides a sense of home. It is interesting what conveys
security, comfort, and the feelings of belonging in a person. Here and
now, away from my family and friends and usual accouterments of living-
a fire and a candle and barking dogs turn what would otherwise be a
cold, dirty, lonely room into home.
*or is it Aker's?
