Paxton's grain elevator can be seen from a long way out, which tells you the kind of country this is: Ford County flat, open to the wind, generous with sun in July and merciless with it in January. Through the growing half of the year the work is mowing, trimming and cleanups, grass held even across yards with nothing to shade them. Through the other half the same wind that dries the fields drives snow into ground blizzards, and drives and lots need opening more than once before a storm has finished, with salt where the glaze sets. Tim's Lawn Services & Snow Removal runs both halves for Paxton and the towns strung along the interstate. Two seasons, one standard: leave the place looking like somebody was there.