Because I had not seen Chuck Chambers at the Apache School political meeting, I asked him if he planned to attend the memorial service scheduled for Saturday, April 10, at the 15th street Catholic Church in Douglas. He said he would be there, either as a worshiper on the inside, or as a uniformed member of the Arizona Rangers, helping to maintain dignity and decorum on the outside. This gave me a chance to ask him about the Rangers. They meet each Tuesday evening in the Douglas Visitors Center and welcome new members into a two-category roster, those who carry guns and those who do not. Their uniform is all black including hats; and they have a proud history, as a citizen group, helping Arizona to become first a territory; and then a state, of Law and Order.

Rob Krentz’s Memorial Service and his wife Sue

Approximately five years before his murder, I first met Rob Krentz’s wife, Sue. That was when she spoke passionately to the Douglas Noon Lions Club, about her fear of encroachment on her families’ ranching livelihood, by the environmentalists, a group which, like the illegals, she has tended to think of as outside invaders. She sees both groups as making it ever more difficult for one-hundred year plus families, like hers, to graze federal land. She seemed especially worried about road closures by the National Park Service and habitat shut-down for endangered wildlife species, including a jaguar, protected by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. I complimented Mrs. Krentz on her sincerity and she, in turn, suggested I see the family exhibit in the Douglas Historical Museum; and she then invited me to attend the upcoming Thanksgiving luncheon at the Arizona Cow Belles, Douglas Chapter meeting hall, at the corner of Pan American Ave. and Tenth St. I was pleased that she thought of me as an ally.

Dear Ruth and Roy Joe,

I was out at your place on Wednesday, June 2, 2010 for the regular visit. All looked well. I have had to increase the watering, as we are right near 100 degrees and very dry air. But all the plants are progressing, even the poppies are hanging in there. The rose still looks like it's trying; I hope the
increased water will help. The mums look great. Please see my photo of the red celosis; and I will send some more as soon as they are ready.

Hope you are both well and happy.

Thanks.

Rod

The Political Meeting at the Apache School

As a bit of relief from our sad blogs of murder and immigration struggles, we insert now, the first of a short series concerning much happier subjects, such as gardening.

Shown is a picture of Ruth Stuckey, standing on April 11, 2010, in the Mexican Gold Poppies carpeting the south right-of-way of Interstate Highway 10. They are similar to those we passed, earlier that morning, near the thirty-four thousand acre Krentz Ranch, where Rob Krentz, co-owner, died, on March 26, before they came into bloom. His death stirred the controversy that has resulted in the new immigration law, which has brought the state of Arizona into national debate, if not infamy.

Rob Krentz’ death, was, I believe, an isolated, possibly accidental, killing, the first of its kind of which I am aware. It is tragic and its results are tragic. However, in my opinion, it does not indicate that Cochise County is a place where you and I will be in special danger if we visit. It does not even indicate that Cochise County, Arizona, is a war zone between drug lords and enforcement people, although in reality this is possibly true. In addition, it certainly is not indicative of the demeanor of the general population of illegal immigrants.     

In 1997, Valerie, a French citizen , bought an off-grid lot from the Stuckey Trust and then her husband, Jordan, with the help of skilled local artisans, built a beautiful, tiny, sturdy, adobe/ladrillo, off-grid, vacation home in the Arizona Friends Community. As they developed their plans, they spent eight nights, and ate that many breakfasts, with us in the Starbuck House. Ruth Stuckey and I thoroughly enjoyed them. Valerie is an artist, photojournalist, and professional French cuisine caterer. Jordan is a professional Broadway musician. They have a home base in Connecticut and a second vacation home in the French province of Brittany. Some of Valerie’s catered party clients are hedge fund traders who give her advice. In the spring of 1997 the boom was still on, but she told us, around the breakfast table, that a big economic crash was coming, not only in the US but also in the world. This, Valerie said, was part of the reason she had made an investment in land and had shifted a significant portion of her assets into gold.

Bryan Rich, a member of the Weiss Research Institute, which regularly sends me free economic advice via the internet, writes this morning of three national economic waves- Panic, real, 18 months ago; Stabilization, uncertain, 12 months ago; and Pain & Cleansing, real, starting now. “It’s also a period that begins the healing of economies. And it’s driven by austerity. This means increased taxes, higher savings and a lower standard of living. In short, it’s a period of rebalancing and rebuilding.” Rich says.