Life in a small town isn't particularly rowdy, but it is endearing and offers opportunities for laughter in the strangest spots. Some time last week we were only partially surprised when we witnessed men wearing red summer dresses, running up and down the local stairs.

The Bisbee Observer, which is the local paper that comes out once a week, always has at least one article or inclusion that raises our eyebrows in disbelief or gets us giggling, sometimes close to tears. The other evening I was reading through the 16 page periodical and the first oddly written paragraph that I spotted was an announcement concerning a benefit for Renaissance House. It reads, "Renaissance House . . . will be celebrating its service to the community with a fundraiser on Aug. 29 at the Sierra Vista Veteran's Memorial Park. The event will feature motorcycles, a raffle, bike and car wash, and live music." What? The event will feature motorcycles? Who writes that without immediate explanation? It's like writing the event will feature shoes. The event will feature fences. The event will feature sunshine. I don't know. It was strange enough to make me laugh. But then I read the "Police Beat" on the last page and I was hooked. Coming from much larger cities, how could I not laugh at these reports? Here are about half of last week's reports from the Bisbee Police Department to show you what I mean about our town:

Aug. 11
"Two marijuana plants were found in the drainage ditch between Spring Canyon and Gentry. They were placed into evidence by police."

Aug. 13
"The humane officer responded to the report of a snake found in a yard in the 500 block of Melody Lane."

"A customer at Circle K on Tombstone Canyon pulled up in front of the store, paid for $20 in gas, but before she could move her vehicle to the gas pumps, a white van pulled in, pumped the $20 in gas and drove off. The customer was reimbursed by Circle K. No suspects have been named."

"A green Nano Second Generation iPod in a blue case was taken from a bag in a locker at Bisbee High School."

"A loose dog caught in the 300 block of Pittsburg was taken to the animal shelter."

Aug. 15
"A chrome wheelchair with a blue seat was found in the bushes behind Plaza Liquor and is being held there."

Aug. 18
"A woman in the 800 block of Tombstone Canyon requested assistance with a 'snake' inside her residence. Officers responded and relocated the lizard to the outside of the residence."

"Two Dalmatian mix dogs were reported running loose for about a week in the 800 block of Tombstone Canyon."

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Well, we are off to camp one night at a hot springs about forty, curvy, slow miles from Silver City. Then, tomorrow we'll be visiting Snark's grandma in Las Cruces.