Wally Boggess howling with his bagpipes in Lockwood Valley

“I have been piping on the deck of our house every day at sundown to honor all the first responders and victims of the covid-19 virus.
“I am joined by pipers and drummers across the country who are doing the same every day.
“As I pipe, I am thankful for the privilege for another safe and healthy day that so many others do not have.

In A Howl Is A Prayer

Portrait of Frazier Park howler #1 ~ Howling gives her pride and something to look forward to during hard times

By Lindsey Elizabeth Gockel, Frazier Park

I was laid off from my bartender position at Country Girl in Castaic on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, because of covid-19. That night we went to Sue’s Tavern in Frazier Park (where I also tend bar, but was off-duty that night) to celebrate the holiday. Then I found out we were closing Sue’s the next day as well, due to covid-19. That was a lot to take in!
I wasn’t okay the first few days—or should I say, the first weeks—after my employers’ establishments closed.

I’m used to working six days a week and I felt trapped and lost. My livelihood had also been taken away.

A Change in Routine

Changing my daily routine was rough. I kept seeing videos on a Castaic Facebook group, of people howling every night. I scrolled through and read all the posts and comments, and watched the videos and I was intrigued. I thought, “How fun!”

I still wasn’t quite sure why people did the howl, or where it originated, so I…(please see below to view full stories and photographs)

Photo captions:

Lindsey Elizabeth Gockel started a Facebook group for howlers in the Mountain Communities to post howling photos, videos and reflections.

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This is part of the May 8, 2020 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.

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