The yellow house is still there. Edith’s grandson and his family live there now and it’s painted brown. Edith was Howard’s Mother. I was 16 and worked for Howard on the 3 Circle Ranch. I was a hay hand. After haying season was over I did ranch work. When things were slow Howard would have me rake the yard or do other chores around her house. Occasionally Edith would invite me in. She would have kool-aid and cookies for me. We would sit in the living room and look out the bay window toward the Aspen. I called her Mrs. Brokaw and said ‘Yes Mam and No Mam’. I think she liked that.
I first worked for Howard in the summer of 62' before he married Audrey. Edith was always nice to me. I slept in the bunkhouse. Every week she changed the line. I never saw her do that. I would just come in one evening to find fresh linen. There was a basin, a pitcher and a soap dish on a small table.. I would get water from Rock Creek which ran behind the bunkhouse and wash my face and brush my teeth every morning. The water was cold.

 Arlington Wyoming 1960's

3 Circle ranch

Edith’s house

I will remember your yellow house

from the bay window in the living room

we would watch the deer

that had jumped the small fence

to graze in the front yard

I remember driving past at night on the way to the bunkhouse

the moon would be shining

full bright yellow

like your house

sometimes Howard would say. "Why don’t you go up and see how Edith is doing."

I remember the peace of sitting in your living room

your son’s hired hand

sitting in the presence of a majestic kind warmth

proper and knowing

I would leave feeling I had visited a special and privileged place

a place from where there was knowledge

of earth and of life