Paradise

What a marvelous place to live is Bonners Ferry! We have no hurricanes or tidal waves. We have no tornados. We have no earthquakes. If you have a reasonably situated home there are no floods or forest fires to worry about. There are no poisonous snakes, alligators, crocodiles, or what have you. If there are poisonous spiders I have never seen one and they are probably very reclusive. The golf course is so uncrowded on weekdays it is virtually like your own private links. We do not ordinarily have extremely cold weather and, although there can be hot weather in August it usually passes quickly. There is, of course, snow, but except in truly exceptional years not so much. We enjoy the seasons. We have good neighbors who mind their own business and let us mind ours. We have the best dentist ever, the best mechanic ever, and doctors who are competent, and, if you are willing to drive a little further, doctors who are truly excellent. We buy local Highland Cattle beef raised with no chemicals, additives, pesticides, hormones, or whatever. Lamb and pork the same. We raise and preserve many of our own organic vegetables and in the summer we buy organic from the local farmer’s market. We are surrounded by beautiful mountains and can fish in lovely rivers and lakes. Although we do not ourselves hunt we are given venison by those who hunt on our land. We have an excellent if small library that will get you anything you wish through interlibrary loan. And we have a truly wonderful bookstore. It is a virtual paradise. Please do not come here. Let us continue as we are.

There are drawbacks, of course. But they are manageable. First, we are surrounded by conservative Republicans. But there are Democrats as well, including some that are actually quite liberal. And there are lifelong Republicans here who will not vote for Bush/Cheney. They are not all totally ignorant. The only other inconveniences are the fact that the nearest real airport is two hours away and what you can purchase in the local stores is exceedingly limited. But as our demands are modest we do not suffer much. It is true there are few people of color, but there are a few and there are extremely rare incidents of discrimination. I am absolutely certain there are more racists in the San Fernando Valley than in the entire state of Idaho. Our little town even has new sidewalks with trees and lampposts with hanging flowers. It is doubtful that people from miles around will come here just to ogle the sidewalks but, hey, it’s a beginning. We also need a really good first class restaurant. But you can’t have everything. I repeat, please do not come here. Find your own paradise.