Yesterday, my three oldest boys were struggling to walk after spending the afternoon chasing quail through thick mud. It was hilarious listening to them describe how difficult it was to pull their legs out of the sticky muck just to keep up with those lightning-fast, chubby birds. Later, on the way to our local library for a class, I happened to see outside the local saddle store, a hunter skinning a large bobcat. A huge, dead badger was also casually draped across the back of his ATV, and a similarly lifeless coyote lay on the ground nearby. I was taken aback for a moment. While I wouldn’t want to encounter any of these creatures in the wild, there was something oddly sad about this scene. Not that there’s anything wrong with it—it was just so different from what I’m used to.

   Growing up in a tiny village in England, my version of country life was filled with cows, sheep, and cute lambs—a James Herriot-style countryside. But here in Oregon, it feels so much wilder. I’m guessing those winter pelts will bring in more money than I can imagine. 

   My kids are still learning a lot about country life. Not long ago, while driving past a huge herd of cattle, one of the boys yelled from the back seat, “See, Mom, those aren’t milking cows, they don’t have gutters!” Yep, the kids are learning a lot about country life—bovine lessons included!

   Check out the pictures below of our nearest town, Bonanza, Oregon. The white building is our cute little library, along with some of my kiddos and our general store. We live about 10 minutes away when the weather’s good! So yeah, definitely the middle of nowhere, in the wild, wild west.

Blessings,
Kay