Ann loved the valley. She found that she liked caring for the sheep. Her work was mostly protection, though she did have to inspect them for insects and sores. The owner of the sheep had provided her with a rifle, which she had to learn to use.

The sheep seemed to appear secure in Ann's presence. They also provided some companionship for Ann. While she loved the solitude, she did experience loneliness, especially after the sun had gone down and the valley turned into a very dark and scary place. It was then that Ann longed for companionship more than the sheep could offer.

During the daytime, Ann had lots of time on her hands. She would roam the valley, and investigate all the old buildings. When she felt that the sheep would be safe for a few hours, Ann would start up her old pickup and drive into a nearby mountain town for supplies. On one of her trips, Ann stopped at a yard sale, picking up some books that would occupy her time. She did find an easy play piano book of folk songs hoping it might help her play her harmonica.

The next few days Ann spent identifying the music notes in the song book with the hole numbers on her harmonica. She would write down the numbers over the lyrics so she could play the song. If the hole required a draw instead of a blow she would indicate it with a minus (-) sign.

Eventually Ann had figured out the harmonica tabs for one of her favorite songs.

 6    6  7 -8   8
Oh, give me a home,

  7   -7  -6  -9 -9  -9
where the buf-fa-lo roam,

 8  -9    9   7   7   7  -7  7   -8
And the deer and the ant-el-ope play.

  6    6   7  -8   8
Where sel-dom is heard

7 -7   -6  -9 -9   -9
A dis-cour-ag-ing word,

-9  -9    8   -8   7   -7  7  -8   7
And the skies are not clou-dy all day.

  9    -9   8 -8    8
Home, home on the range,

  6    6    7   7   7   7  -7  7   -8
Where the deer and the ant-el-ope play,

  6    6   7  -8   8
Where sel-dom is heard

7 -7   -6  -9 -9   -9
a dis-cour-ag-ing word,

-9  -9    8   -8   7    -7 7  -8   7
And the skies are not clou-dy all day.

Home On The Range sounded a little shrill on her C harmonica. But at least it was a real song. Ann was thrilled to hear herself play a recognizable tune on her harmonica. Even the sheep seemed to appreciate the calming effect of harmonica music. Since this was the only song that Ann really knew, she played it over and over to the point that she no longer had to look at the numbers she had scribbled in the piano book. She could actually play the song from memory.