“Life is not a journey to the grave in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally warn out, and loudly proclaiming – wow – what a ride”!

Author unknown, but that is the reason I moved from Portland to this magnificent canyon a year and half ago. When I left, at my going away party the bet was that I would return in two years. They were wrong.

I moved into an unfinished cabin on 20 acres. It was cute on the outside and had a wood stove but no water or inside toilet. It was commonly known as the “Goat Shack.” I earned my bones by living in it for a summer and winter. In the winter the wind would whistle around my bed and the cat probably saved my life by sleeping curled around the top of my head. And all the while I felt the eyes of the canyon on me. They weren’t judging, just watching. I always felt safe.

Except for the fear of cougars. I could park my pickup exactly three steps from the cabin door and it took all my courage to go out at night. This was brought on by the fact that one was killed up on my mountain. I know, I know, they have never killed anyone around here … yet! My 100-pound Giant Schnauzer, Schotzie, looked like a good meal to me.

Just about the time I was ready to move into my cute 900-square foot house, Jim Peart came along. He turned me into a silly 17-year-old, swept me off my feet and we were married last August. He moved from St. Helen’s with his chocolate lab, Samantha.

The house is big enough, but the loft was built pretty much without a closet. My wardrobe was going to consist of a couple pair of jeans, some shirts and a pair of shoes. Marriage changed that. Needless to say, the sloping roof of this tiny closet adds to the excitement of choosing something to wear while on your knees. Jim, at 6’2″, keeps hitting his head on the ceiling of the loft. I actually got him out my hard hat … but he wouldn’t wear it.

Jim and Ken Stein go to coffee at the store each morning. I call it the morning newspaper. Information has been gleaned from all corners of the canyon to be presented at the table. Some of it is old but must be discussed to be sure the right conclusion was reached the first time. Then there is speculation … which often runs amok. There are funny comments. They are based on an in-depth knowledge of each other and sometimes refers to things only the ‘good old boys’ know. Jim is now one of them. At first they talked around him, but he now is “in”.

Now for name dropping. The population has expanded. Clayton and Jennifer Lovell have a 7 lb. 7 oz daughter named Melina Arlene. She is a redheaded beauty. Should please Grandmother Arlene Lovell .

The Lewis ranch was sold. Monty and Shelly Siddoway live at Fence Creek ranch now. They are from Durkee. Rich and Jean Reams moved to the Rich Konell place from Culver. Jean is into patchwork quilts and has joined the ladies sewing at the church on Saturday mornings. By the way, everyone is welcome and you don’t even have to sew to go.

Marge and Don Siedelman sold their house to Yasha Sturgill from Joseph, and are my neighbors now while they decide what kind of house to build. The Siedelmans returned recently from visiting their daughter and son-in-law, Sonya and Ken Taylor, in Tacoma, Wash. They got to play with their granddaughter JuJu.

There was a Bonnie Marks Appreciation Day at the store. She is the postmaster and “Keeper of Secrets”. She never takes sides but knows all. What a treasure. She is the embodiment of what the postal service was known for in my youth.

The Rodeo Club of Imnaha sponsored a fun Bingo night at the Church last Thursday. About 40 people played bingo and ate desserts too good to deny.

(Editor’s note: After almost a year and a half without an Imnaha correspondent, the Chieftain is very happy to welcome Jackie Peart and her column, “Tales of Imnaha Canyon,” aboard. Contact her at jpeart@eoni.com or call 541-577-3133. )