Bean’s — the gas station/garage/ATV and snowmobile dealership behind our building — was broken into overnight; two ATVs were stolen. This morning, their gate backing onto our lane was wide open. An officer stopped by; he was canvassing the residents to see if they’d heard anything.

Don’t for a moment think that rural areas are free of crime. There are petty thefts, and break-ins — and, more spectacularly, drug busts — all the time in this area. That country folks don’t lock their doors isn’t necessarily indicative.