Ranch Life

So Sy and I have settled in at the ranch.  It has been a long couple of months since my last post.  Our original plan had been to go live straight in the bus.  In some way our staying at the ranch has helped in the sense that we can acclimate to a smaller living environment before we go to live on the bus.  We will be here a few more months, as we sort and dispose of our unnecessary stuff.

I have been working for Dad as he has work available to make a little money to catch up bills and buy materials to build the bus.  We have also been helping out around the ranch, with feeding and watering chores.  I have been helping Dad with some of his projects as well.  Dad and I have also been scrapping around the county.  His goal is to clean up the county one neighbor at a time.  Many of the neighbors have replaced old fence lines which generate tons of scrap used barbed wire and fence posts.  We have also found old trash piles with scrap metal from vehicles, and household goods.  I found a piece last week that was stamped 1902.

Sy has been busy making jewelry to put in local gift shops to help make a little extra money.  She has been acquiring beads and materials for years without making a lot of stuff.  She now has time to make this and has been getting good comments so far on her work.  If you find yourself in Raton NM, Check out Bear Country Gifts on Park ave.  This shop has a variety of handmade gifts from regional artists and crafters.  There are many unique gifts in this shop.

It has been a cold windy winter here.  During the recent cold snap in early February, we had to deal with frozen pipes, and living in a house that has the R-value of a colander.  We are staying in the bunkhouse which has seen better days.  I am thankful for a place to stay, but it has been a challenge.  We just got internet service to the bunkhouse last week.  I needed the technical help of my brother Mike to set up wireless service with Mom and Dad's DSL.  Our Sprint airtime card and Droid phones do not have service this far out in the country.

We are both happy that Spring is almost here.  The trees are already starting to bud out and show early foliage.   It won't be long, and we will be helping Mom in her garden.  I also have a friend in Arkansas who I would like to visit this spring to help in his garden.  We are already making plans for this fall to make Prickly Pear Jelly.  I have been scouting good cactus stands as we work around the ranch.

I hope everybody has had a good new year so far and I will write more soon.