I have been wanting to ask you because I'm nosy. How did you end up there in the middle of the desert? I have checked out your town using the link you provided. If you don't want to answer, that's okay. Again, thank you for your service!
Twelve years ago, San Diego.
It all started right around 9/11, 2001. I lost an apartment, then lost another, had to move in with friends (slept on their sofa), then the company I worked for went out of business ... and I went into a pretty bad clinical depression. Had a crappy job as a cashier in an AM/PM, and everyday before I had to go to work I started getting anxiety attacks.
I was working one night in the AM/PM and my best friend dropped by and told me I had to get out of San Diego. I agreed with him. So an old, old girl friend of mine from the 70s and with the last name of Ragsdale offered me a place to live in DC, and said she'd help me get a job. Came out here in eleven or twelve years ago. I snatched two jobs here (one as an assistant librarian). Desert Center, by the way, was and is pretty much a Ragsdale-family-owned town. Been here ever since.
And I can remember saying multiple times since Ms. Ragsdale and I hooked up in the 70s and many times subsequent to that that I would
never,
ever live in Desert Center.
And you're welcome for my service; it was the best thing I've ever done.