Just before entering Boise, Idaho, a ranch remains almost intact.  On the east end is a housing development, but on the west end cows and horses graze and eat hay, and the bulls live in the field across the road.  It's the last vestige of life as it was, a pleasant respite before entering the busyness of the city.
     However, the ranch was chosen for a huge housing development with a shopping mall to sustain the development population.  Then the economy turned ,and the cattle still have their home. But most important is the fact that the bulls were joined by a bull elk who has taken up residence with them Passersby usually see only his antlers as he lies down to chew his cud in back of the field.
     Some people say there's something wrong with him because he doesn't live with the instincts of a wild animal.  I say he's smart - so smart that he's become a media star in the Boise newspaper, with countless photographers,  and on television.
At mating season he leaves to do his bit to ensure the continuation of the elk population, and then he returns to his life of ease.
His presence is the only bright spot that I've found in an economy in trouble.  Without it, the elk and his friends would be gone.  It seems that no matter how bad things get, if you think about it, there's always something to lighten the load.