Mom and Dad, 

Noone has written me in a couple of days, so I fugure I had better write a few words to 
you all!  
Today I assisted on my first horse castration.  It was fun, and I learned alot.  The operation is realtively easy, and there is no use of stitches at all.  The only precautions are; that the intestines do not fall through (the whole operation takes place while the horse is standing, under a mild sedative, and a local anasthetic, ok, alot of local anasthetic.), and that the peri testiculatis is exterpirated in the process.  The testicles are cut with a big pair of pliers, which at the same time squeeze the feeding arteries closed. No clamps, or sutures involved.  The hardest part is the vien catheter insertion, which must take alot of practice, phew!
I like the larger animals, and the desert rats!  They all look like alice.  
Sunday I finished a book, and rode much of the afternoon.  Mr. Steinbeck is pretty descriptive, and I liked the simpleness of the text too.  The library only has a few books, as compared to the million volume ones I am used to, they have things to read though.  
My February payment I am sending tomorrow, please let me know whether or not you will help me with the dentist bill, so I know how much to send extra soon.  
I had a run in with a elk Friday eveing, when I went night trekking.  He scared me silly, and I could tell he was no more than 25 feet away or so, but couldnīt see him.  Luckily the mating season ends in September or so, so I won the stand off.  
I saw an owl too, the first one since coming here, he flew away very quietly.

Although the winter is lonely, it is also very pretty.  I only wish there was someone who would want to go hiking with me, but is seems that people who know their way around the woods keep to themselves. 

Night sledding on the logging roads is the favrote pasttime of alot of the young people here.  I have to try it.  Daangeeeeroouus, but fun! (just donīt let the tree coming at you at 25 MPH ruin your night!)

I have to go, so write me, please.  And forward something from Susan, please, so that i have her address again. 

Thank you, 


Michael