#13 No More Soap

The storm went on for days, dumping feet of snow. My muscles are sore and tired from all the snow hauling for drinkable water. That’s not a complaint, mind you! I’m so happy for the fresh water. Today the sun is blindingly bright and the snow sparkles as if filled...

#12 Peace in the Storm

I woke up this morning to a blizzard. I can’t see past the porch. The wind howls and grieves like a professional mourner. But it’s a funny thing-today I am relaxed. I had not realized the toll that vigilance had on me, day after day. We all watch the horizon for fire...

#11 A Christmas Memory to Keep

It’s been a few days since the Christmas party but I really wanted to preserve the memory of our gathering. The whole neighborhood showed up and there were 26 people in my home! That morning I scrounged in the garage, on a hunch, and I found the CD player. It had...

#10 Hope for Christmas

The men are talking about setting up an outhouse or two. It will have to wait until the ground isn’t frozen, but it’s a good idea. They are planning hunting trips as well. When they catch a deer, we will all celebrate and eat together. There are elk, antelope, and...

#8 Hymns and Hope

I haven’t written in a couple of weeks. Life has been busy. The neighborhood is in a good routine. The men haul water for everyone on Mondays and Thursdays. We figure there may be a snowstorm on the horizon and extra water stored will be a blessing. Tuesdays we meet...