Jimmy Swann

#63 - Settling In

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#1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8

     Jimmy Swann #9 - Settling In

It took Jimmy no time at all to fall asleep and in no time at all he awoke with the sunrise. 

He heated up some water for coffee and watched the sun top the mountains and spread itself over the Ranch. 

Coming up the road was Ben, walking at a brisk pace. 

Jimmy called out to him as he passed by.  

Ben said he was going up to the observatory. He said, “You want to come along?” He spoke in the heavy accent Jimmy detected last night when meeting him. Maybe New York? 

Jimmy was eager to check out the camping gear that Jim had accumulated but it would be a couple of hours yet before that could happen. 

“Okay, sounds good!” Jimmy answered. He topped off his coffee for the walk. 

Ben said, “I go up to the observatory every morning to study.” 

To which Jimmy asked, “What are you studying?” 

“Well, the Torah, in the Bible. And other texts.” He added, “I’m to enter yeshiva, rabbinical school, this fall. 

“But I’m having a difficult time deciding if it is something I really want to do. Or even can do. This is a difficult time for me.” 

“I see. Where is your school?”  

“It’s in New York.” 

“What is making it so difficult?” 

“I’m not certain it’s for me. My father is a rabbi, and I've been schooled all my life to follow in his footsteps. I’m not sure I have the temperament, or the smarts. I need to sort it all out.”

Jimmy said, “I’m sure you’ll figure it out. Must you decide by this fall? Sometimes these things run on their own timeline.” 

“Yes, that is true. I was supposed to start last fall, but after much discussion with my father, he yielded to my concerns, and we decided it would be best if I took a year away from my studies ‘to find myself’. 

“I’ve already spent most of that time figuring it out. I’m feeling the pressure. Father has already spent the money for enrollment. 

“It is a very busy life. And I've come to like the outdoors. It’s not such a rush. I feel at home. The city doesn’t appeal to me. There is conflict. “ 

“How did you get here to the Ranch,” Jimmy asked? 

“I’d been traveling across the country. I met a couple in Utah who spoke well of CLR. I met others saying the same thing. I got here last fall and liked it enough to stay the winter. I still like it.” 

“I think I'm going to like it here.” Jimmy said. He added, “Well, I’ll leave you to your studies, and thoughts. I enjoyed the conversation, Ben. Let’s do it again.” 

“Sure thing, Jimmy. See you later. Shalom!” 

* 

Jimmy walked around to the east side of the observatory. There were no campsites, just hills rising into the Sierrita. Downslope, four mule deer grazed amidst the sage and cactus. They were a good stone’s throw away and either unknowing, or uncaring of Jimmy’s presence. They were at peace. 

Jimmy finished his now cold cup of coffee, bid the deer adieu, and headed back to his camp. 

It was still too early too early to check out the gear down at the rec center so he thought he would familiarize himself with another road leading down to the center. 

He passed the horse corral. A two-horse trailer off to the side. Three horses and one foal. They had the shade of two mesquite trees, an open-ended shed for protection against the elements, and room enough to kick up their heels if desired.  

Alongside the corral fence a nice trailer and big Dodge pickup nestled under a large acacia tree. A side by side was parked alongside of the Dodge. The site was well developed with flowers and a rock lined driveway and walkways. 

Above, on the hillside at the rear of the corral, Jimmy recognized Carla’s camper. Then, he saw Carla waving at him. Waving back, he continued on down to the center, taking his time. 

The road wound around some very nice trailers and large RVs. They had electric hookups. A couple dogs, ever alert, let everyone know he was passing through.  

Each site was large and ran along a ridge down the hill. Jimmy thought that this was the “rich side of town”. The road wasn’t as steep as others and allowed access for the larger rigs. 

He arrived at the center just as Jim pulled in. 

They greeted each other and they walked over to the rec room. There were numerous items. Some were donated, some were abandoned, and some were left after the owners had passed away with no one to take ownership. 

After a quick look through, Jimmy found the things he wanted. And Jimmy felt like spending some money. He was like a kid in a candy store. 

A couple of lawn chairs and a very nice large two-room tent. He could stand up in it. A two-burner portable stove with propane hookup. It came with a five-gallon propane tank. A foldup table. Tent poles. Plates. A cot was a most welcome find. 

But the prize of the morning was a set of solar panels and battery generator. Jim demonstrated how to connect everything. It was large enough to power a few small items continuously, even overnight, as long as the battery was kept charged. There was more than enough sun for that. 

To this he added a small refrigerator, to be powered by the solar and large enough for a few days' worth of items needing to be kept cold. 

Satisfied for the time being, he made Jim a generous offer for the goods, to which Jim was more than pleased. He paid by credit card. 

Jim offered to help Jimmy get the gear up to Jimmy’s campsite and they loaded it up in his side by side.  

Jimmy told Jim he wanted to stay at least through summer into fall. Jim gave him the application for the background check which he quickly filled out. The check wouldn’t take long, Jim assured him. He also filled out change of address forms for his mail. 

Soon, Jimmy was setting up his “homestead", pleased as punch. All he needed now was food supplies. He had none. 

Carla came to the rescue again. Sandwiches, a couple of gallons of water and a large thermos of lemonade. Carla brought glasses. They sat down to lunch under his shade tree and talked. Jimmy made a note – TV trays would be nice. 

Jimmy confirmed he would be ready at five am on Monday for the drive to Tucson for Carla’s chemo. She also said that Fred Loomey, who he had met last night, was going for supplies that afternoon and that Jimmy could go with him. He was delighted! 

* 

Shortly after Carla left, and Jimmy was finishing up what he could do at his camp, Fred came up the road in his UTV. 

He pulled into the site, cut the engine, and called out. “Jimmy, you want to go to town for supplies?”

“I sure do, Fred. Thanks, I’ll be right there.” 

Fred owned the horses and corral. He had been at CLR for eleven years. He was older than Jimmy by a few years and though healthy, he was slowing down.  

Soon, they drove under the CLR crossbar and picked up speed, leaving a plume of dust hanging in the air. 

Fred pulled over on a wide shoulder at the top of a rise, the same one that Carla had stopped for Jimmy, and continued on a two-track road that couldn’t be seen from the main road.  

“This road has a few rough spots. It gets better. Cuts a few miles off the trip.”  

The well-worn two-track road wove through arroyos and along hillsides and shallow canyons down to the flat desert outside of Robles Junction.  

Here, the land was surveyed in large five and ten acre lots with dirt roads and numerous homes of all design. Home to many denizens of the desert. 

They pulled into the gas pumps at the general store Jimmy had shopped at just a few days before. Jimmy paid for gas.  

Once inside the store, Jimmy wasted no time filling his shopping cart. Paper goods, fuel canisters, vegetables, fruit, meat, and water. Salt and pepper. Coffee. Miscellaneous items bought on the spur of the moment. It was almost too much fun.  

He needed food to last over the weekend and until he could shop again on Monday with Carla. 

It would be a full load going home, as Fred was shopping for himself and a couple of other folks.  

They loaded up, tied a tarp down over the load, and returned to the CLR as clouds moved in from the south. Maybe rain overnight.  

Upon arriving back at the Ranch, rain looked imminent. Jimmy had forgotten to get a raincoat. 

Clouds gathered against another glorious sunset and the air cooled as Jimmy quickly unloaded the UTV and stowed his supplies in his tent. 

He thanked Fred profusely. Fred said, “My pleasure. Come by my place in the morning if you have a mind to.” 

Jimmy said, “I’ll do that. See you then.” 

Large drops of scattered rain started falling, kicking up the powdered dust where they hit the earth.

  

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