The Power of Place

10/10/2016

Travel north of Phoenix, north of Payson, to Rim Country. Go past the original location of Zane Grey's cabin, now lost to a forest fire; past Kohl's Ranch; to the Hashknife Pony Express trail. (Hashknife was a huge cattle ranch in Texas that sent cowboys to Arizona who were not wanted in Texas any longer, and some who were wanted by the law in Texas.)

Up on the Mogollon Rim, where pine forests surround lakes, you'll find cool weather, high clouds, rain that often turns to sleet, and stories alive with history.

In the Wild Wood, you never know who you'll find...

Hair in a knot? Hound-dog droopy? Lost its youth and dragging you down? Roots showing a good inch? But you're deep in the mountains - a retreat away from the world! Who you gonna call?

Do what the stars do... Call Jeffrey! He left LA for Heber-Overgaard, on the high chaparral. What? Where the heck is that? We're in Zane Grey country. Middle of Nowhere, Arizona.

This guy was stylist to the stars. On his wall are photos of Jeffrey styling
Liam Neeson, Rob Lowe, Ed Harris, Alison Janney and the entire West Wing cast, Lucille Ball, Yvette Mimieux, Suzanne Pleshette, Lauren Bacall and a bunch of others. He can tell you the dirt on who's naughty and nice, if you can keep a secret. So I turn my dreary head over to Jeffrey and pray. When I open my eyes, voilà! Not quite a movie star, but close! Jeffrey is a genius at his art, an experienced genius trying to retire in Arizona's White Mountains, but his loyal clients won't let him... Yet.

Epilogue: Last summer I called to get an appointment for the next week and guess what? He was booked solid for weeks and into the Fall! How can this be? This isn't LA. It's Middle of Nowhere, Arizona. But all those women escaping the hot valleys in Phoenix and Tucson now know about this experienced genius and book ahead, way ahead. Possibility of a cancellation to work me in? Ha! Dream on!

So, if you want to talk about stories found in the Middle of Nowhere, meet me at the Wild Women Saloon and we'll have a sarsaparilla and hamburger as big as a bear's paw. There are interesting and amazing people everywhere and they all have a story of love and life.

In LOVE' S DAWNING Kyla comes west to discover her past and build her unique business. She has a lot to learn about herself and love. Travel along with her journey.