Garden Planning

Like so many, this time of year I get lost in my seed catalogues. I've a wonderful 'seed bank' of seeds to select what I want to plant, and will get more serious about seed saving this year, but I still enjoy haunting my catalogues. I use largely Heirloom, and always Non-GMO seeds and plants, so seed saving will be easily done for healthy plants next year. I've always saved my bean seeds...yellow/wax, Dragon Tongue, and green, as well as a few odd ones I experiment with from time to time, but want to get more organized and spot on saving all the others, too.

I'll be choosing which two fruit trees I want to plant this year, too. I'm thinking the apples first. Because the soil is so nutrient deficient, the holes have to be a LOT larger in order to mix in soil amendments. I also have a thick layer of sandstone under my top layer of soil. Depth varies, so I'll have to deal with that issue, too. I'm thinking about Gala, Granny Smith, and Red Delicious. Will choose two from the three, or...hell...may do all three! I'll do Dwarf trees, not because I don't have space available for a full size tree, but because the shorter/smaller trees will be easier for me to care for and pick fruits.

So, I've selected some seeds to start...most I've planted in previous years, and some are experimental. I like to try different things with different seeds to see how best to utilize them for the growing season. Up here? The growing season is really short, so I'm going to try starting and transplanting a couple of things that I wouldn't normally do that with this year. I keep detailed notes that include soil mix, dates seeds are planted/sprout, where the trays are inside, transplant dates, etc. So I know/learn what works, and what doesn't.
 

Some seeds I'll be starting inside in the next couple of days.

Seeds to start soon.

More seeds to start soon.

Although I know it's a tad early, I'll be starting my plants inside soon. I want good-sized plants to transplant when the weather permits. I'm uncertain when that'll be...lol...according to some of the planting sites I've looked at, it won't be till June, but I always get things out earlier than dates given...so, we'll see how that goes.

Garden plan

Garden plan

I've always done a lot of planning like the drawings above because it helps me to have something visual to use as a starting point. Notes...notes...notes! I can't rely on my memory...lol...that's for sure.

So, I'll be planting around the shed where I have a nice area to work a smallish garden that has decent sun exposure with some shade for the hotter months. I was going to work my soil mix into the existing soil, but have decided to do raised beds like I had in Illinois. The soil here is extremely poor, and this won't be my permanent garden area...just for the next couple years. So it makes sense to work with raised beds for now. I'll be building up with largish rocks, which are plentiful around here, and some larger dead fall logs...inexpensive (free, as a matter of fact), and using what I have at hand. Of course, I'll have to fence it in...rabbits...elk...etc...would have a field day destroying anything I plant otherwise. I've quite a few T-posts laying around, and the always available chicken wire, too. I'll probably have to get another roll of chicken wire, but there's always a use for that somewhere.

I'll do something like this for the rain catchment set up. Image from www.ecodiy.org

I'll be setting up a couple of IBC totes, along with guttering on the shed to do rain collection. That's how I'll do some watering in the garden. I'll have around 600 gallons for use, so hopefully that'll get me through 'some' of the dry months here. I'm hoping the short monsoons will keep it replenished. Though the monsoon season rains aren't usually enough to water a garden deeply, I'm hoping they'll keep this rain catchment topped off for the deep watering needed.

Funny...I'm finding that to be true for many things...finding a use for 'that' somewhere. Like...I buy kitty litter in those large plastic containers. I've given a lot of them to friends up here for their use, but I found that they're great to use for my chicken feed and scratch. I keep the bulk (several bags of each) in aluminum garbage cans to keep mice out, then refill the empty kitty litter containers with manageable amounts to carry to the chickens. I can think of more gardening uses for these kitty litter containers already! Recycling at its finest. I imagine I'll do that a lot with many items over time.

Thanks for reading...ciao!

Mish Mash

Went to visit my daughter in AZ. I only intended to stay a few days, but was there nearly 2 weeks. It was difficult trying to get home because of storms in Arizona and New Mexico. When there were no storms, the mountain roads coming home were still too bad to drive. I took these photos on my way home just outside Strawberry, AZ...

There were still lots of areas on the road with ice, snow, slush, and black ice.

Then I got home...yaaaaay! My shower, water heater, pump, and inside water tank were all installed.

100 gallon water tank to the left; center low down pump; 19 gallon water heater to the right.

 I had originally planned to set up my water this way, but with an on-demand water heater. Then, I decided to just hook up to the well, so I got a small water heater instead of an on-demand. And...no well pump. And...I neeeeeeed running water...thank you very much. Have had the water heater too long to return it, and nowhere else to use it...so, we stuck with that option. Takes up a bit of under-counter  space, but I'm ok with that.

The water tank has an RV inlet that allows me to fill it from outside. Perfection! The Shur-flo pump works great...really good water pressure to the shower. My friends put a switch on the wall for the pump, so it's only on when I need to use it. Actually saw this set up a couple years ago on someone's blog, or Youtube...can't remember which one for certain. Guy turned an older panel truck into an RV, and did this set up for running water. He used a smaller fresh water tank, but same idea. Works really well.

Ahhhhh...beautiful shower I love you!

 I installed the kitchen counter and sink, and hung that cool handmade, rustic cabinet that I found at a secondhand store for about $20. Walls aren't finished yet because I need to have the cabin re-leveled first, and can't do that until the ground firms up quite a bit more. I needed the storage, so began hanging shelves, and cabinets anyway. I can always take them down and rehang once walls are taped and painted. No biggie.

My little $4 Habitat for Humanity sink is perfect!

Sink isn't usable yet...need a few parts to finish, but...can't get in and out of my property to purchase them just yet.

 I've been collecting appropriate stones to use as a back splash behind the sink, and have enough tile collected from various Habit for Humanities for the counter top. Little bit at a time...one thing at a time.

Cool rustic cabinet...holds my dishes so they don't get so dusty hangin' on a shelf.

My little IKEA table folds against the wall. I found this at a secondhand store for $4.99!

 Haven't installed the table just yet. Need to pick up some of those drywall anchors...metal ones I'm thinkin'...when I can get off my property...lol

KiKi on her window shelf.

KiKi chillin'.

I put a wider shelf in the window for my KiKi. She's...well...she's fat, and the window ledge isn't wide enough for her. Sooooo...she has a spot in the sun to laze about now. She actually knocked one of the other cats off of it when he (Tippy) tried to get up there with her. That's officially her spot now!

Pluggin' along...doin' my deal.
Thanks for reading...ciao

Overwhelmed...

Sunday I finally had a nice day here at home where I could get part of the roof on the hen house completed. I covered it with tar paper, and then with flashing around the edges. I used 6" flashing for a little overhang in order to somewhat shield the vent that runs around the top of the coop. Hopefully, that'll cut down on rain and snow that might get inside while still allowing for the vent to do its job venting.

Yesterday saw no work done here at home as I was traipsing around one of the closer towns (60 miles away) for medical tests, and some shopping. Long day...late getting home.

We're possibly expecting our first snow up here...tomorrow night through Thursday. I need to get the roof on, but am not feeling up to it. I fell in the shower/tub Sunday, and hurt my back when it hit the faucet. After yesterday's drive, I'm stiff and really sore. I'll get up there and do the roof anyway, or my work on Sunday will be for naught.

I also start that nasty colonoscopy prep today...through Friday when I have the test.

So many things to do before winter hits hard:

- enclose chicken run with 4' chicken wire
- get water running inside, which includes ordering the water tank, pump, and paraphernalia needed for installation, and having the work done around my friend's schedual
- install septic (hole will be dug this week), and toilet, and pick up the barrels, and other supplies needed for this job
- install shower and kitchen sink/counter
- put up some kind of skirting around the bottom of the cabin to help with heat coming from underneath
- talk to the local fella about hauling water to my place...again...to make sure he's still willing to top my water off along with his
-  I have several medical tests scheduled within the next couple of weeks, and will have stretches of time where I won't be able to do things :-(

My well was dug quite some time ago. The driller finally got ahold of me 2 1/2 weeks ago to let me know he was sending all the paperwork to me, and we discussed the well pump again...my needs, etc...to determine what he would be installing. Still haven't received the paperwork and/or estimate for the well pump. So, I've decided to go with my original plan to install a fresh water RV tank inside (won't freeze) with RV inlet running out of the cabin to allow tank to be filled, a small SHURflo pump, and water heater. I'd already purchased a 19 gallon electric water heater to be used in here, so I won't purchase an on demand to go with this system as originally planned. Will just have to watch my water use carefully.

That doesn't mean that I won't install my well pump. It just means I'm done dealing with this guy, and will put that on hold till next Spring/Summer.

I've had so many situations like this where I've had to shift and change plans because it's so difficult getting work done up here. I feel I rely too heavily on a couple of friends up here to help me get this stuff done, but there's no other way to finish meeting basic needs right now.

I'm feeling quite overwhelmed at the moment, but know this will pass as I scratch off each job completed. With that said, I'm out to finish the hen house roof today. It's just life on life's terms.

ciao...

Welllllll...

I was going to work on the hen house/run today, but it's raining again. Yesterday would have been a perfect day for this work, but I had to spend the day in Grants yesterday...doing laundry, grocery shopping, running other errands. Any activity that takes me off property has to be done on dry days, too...and I wasn't prepared for the rain today. As a matter of fact, I didn't think it was supposed to rain today at all.

So, I'm taking a quiet day today. Just chillin' here at home with the critters.

I picked up an indoor/outdoor thermometer yesterday, and am monitoring the temp while using my oil-filled radiator heater. Wood stove not installed yet, and heat (when needed) is currently being supplied by this little heater. I ran it last night for a couple of hours, and warmed the cabin up to 73 degrees, after which I turned the heater off. Turned on my heated mattress pad about an hour before bed, then to low when I laid down for sleep. Woke up to a 60 degree temp inside, and 40 degrees outside. It felt colder with the dampness outside permeating the interior...though I was quite toasty while sleeping. So I turned the little heater on along with the ceiling fan on low (winter usage to push heat down with no cooling effect) to take the chill off.

It's a very comfortable, steady 68 degrees in here now, 46 degrees outside. I'll have to do a little documentation of times and temps to see how long it takes, but it seems to do the trick so far.

I have a small 2300 watt generator for power outages, but I don't believe it'll handle the heater on a high setting (1500 watts) along with the compact fridge, and cell phone amplifier/booster (the only phone access I have up here). So, I'll have to test it out on lower settings as well to be sure I won't be without heat when it gets cold.

I'd never used an electric heater of any type prior to this, and feel very cautious/nervous about doing so now. I haven't had to leave it on at night thus far, but imagine there will come a time when I'll have to at some point. That makes me nervous because of my critters. With the small space inside, I worry about them knocking it over at night, and creating a fire hazard. They've shown no interest in it so far, and haven't even come close to disturbing it in any way, but the caution is still there.

And that's my day for today! Well...I think I'll make some fresh bread today.

Ciao...

Rain, rain go away!

It's been rainy since last weekend. Aside from making a mess of the main road out of here, my driveway (around 300' or so) is a mud pit, and going anywhere is a tad...well...not safe (nearly slid off the side of the road down the hill), I can't work outside finishing up the hen house and run. I really don't have much more to do: cover roof with tar paper, edge with flashing, then put the roof on...easy peasy. The run already has the posts cemented in place, so all I need to do is put up the chicken wire, and fashion a simple gate into the run. I've decided to wait till Spring to whitewash the inside. I'm running out of time before 'real' winter weather hits.

My friend and I went to Albuquerque for a play day hittin' second hand stores, and to pick up more chicks. She found a lady in Albuquerque who breeds chicks all year long...has quite the set up there. Rose got 6 Buff Orpingtons, and I got 2 Buffs and one black Australorp. They're all 3 weeks old now, so Rose is keeping them in her house in my dogs old wire kennel. All 9 chicks fit just fine, and are growing fast...feathering out already. We're feeding non-GMO feed, fresh fruit/veggie scraps, and baby chick grit. They're flourishing! Sooooo...I need the room for them to all roam once they can be put outside. I know it'll be awhile just yet, but I need them secure for the winter. Next time I run up to Rose's, I'll snap some pics and post them.

Been going to doctor appointments this and last week...just establishing myself as a patient, but have some tests coming up that will put me away from home for a day here and there. The dreaded colonoscopy is one of them. Now...how does that relate to homesteading, alternative living, etc? Well...colonoscopy prep is just plain nasty...a thorough colon clean out. You get my drift? Well, I have a very simple composting toilet system...chuckles...a 5 gallon bucket with a toilet seat using coco-coir (coconut fibers).

The toilet is in the corner with white bucket next to it containing the coco-coir.

 I started off using sawdust but stopped when I found a Child of the Earth bug in my sawdust. They're not poisonous, but can make a stink, and give a nasty, painful bite. Yeah...not goin' there...thank you very much.

I'm telling you...the head on this thing was nearly the size of a small marble! I'm not having anything like that near my bum...lemme tell ya! One of my former students is off grid using a composting toilet, and he told me about the coco-coir...ordered...been using for a few weeks now. It's not quite as good at masking odors as the sawdust, but does the job well enough.

Anyway...using my little composting set up while doing the prep for the colonoscopy isn't ideal by any stretch of the imagination. I'll probably stay at the Bunkhouse, which has running water, regular toilet, etc. It'll be easier to deal with the prep that needs to be done.

I'm older than probably most people doing what I'm doing. I'll be 57 yrs. old next month, so I'll be dealing with things like this that the younger homesteaders aren't dealing with when using alternative systems within their homes. And...I'm single...so am doing this by myself as well. I also have some health issues that need to be considered.

Me (left) with my sisters...Middle sister, Jeanette, in the middle...Baby sis, Niecey, on the right.

Me...hosing down the GrandBabies :) in my Ma's front yard.

I'll be honest...I didn't think about this type of situation during my planning. I did consider the health issues, but didn't think a composting toilet would be an issue. Unfortunately, it is. As a result, I've decided to put in a simple septic system with a low flow toilet. Though this is my guest cabin, I'll be living in it till either next Spring or Spring 2017. It will cost less money to do this than to install a quality composting toilet, and finances are critical at this point...so have to be considered. I also had to consider guests, and their ability/willingness to deal with a composting toilet system responsibly, and the fact that my son and his family will eventually inhabit this cabin during visits...6 people using a composting toilet would be a nightmare.

Is this a compromise I'm comfortable with when considering earth friendly concerns? Yes and no. Yes, because it's more practical given my age, health issues, and guests who'll be staying in this cabin. No, because I'm not so clear on the long term consequences to the soil when one uses a septic system...even a simple, smaller one.

So...learning, learning, learning. I'm still waiting for the well driller to install my well pump, and have called several others for estimates. I'm fairly certain that it won't get done before winter hits hard...probably not till next Spring. It's all good...frustrating at times...tedious at others (particularly with dishwashing and showers), but doable none-the-less. All part of the process...yes?

Ciao

 

Hen House II

So...my son and I built the hen house, and I've been working on finishing it. I got really sick with bronchitis and a sinus infection...put me down for a couple weeks, so I've been playing catch up with work on the coop.

I used an oil based Kilz on it to protect the wood. That stuff is amazing! Dried, it left a sort of rubbery textured coating on the outside walls.

Trim and edging completed.

Trim and edging.

All done!

Kilz all done.

Time to add the color! My daughter in law, Dia, decided it should be turquoise...so...turquoise it is!

Trim and didn't need to edge as the roller covered that beautifully.

Coop painted!

Window covering and lid to nest boxes. It'll be roofed with the roofing material, so isn't completely painted...just edged.

All done...ready to apply wire at the top around the vent area.

 So...the blue tarped structure in front of the hen house is/was the chicks temporary structure. I used things on hand to set it up in June...a large dog enclosure surrounded with chicken wire buried about a foot to stop digging predators, chicken wire across the top, and tarped for shade. I placed a smallish pet carrier inside for some type of housing for the two hens, and space for them and their food and water.

Well...it was seriously in the way while all of this work was being completed...so I took a day to enclose underneath the coop. Moving the chicks was the most difficult part...lol...the larger one is a tad aggressive...snot! But they were moved so I could take down the initial temporary structure, and finish work on their permanent home.

Chicks under the coop.

Enclosure under coop.

Happy chickies!

Tarped construction taken apart and straw placed in compost.

I decided that I need to get some flashing, roofing paper, and canned insulation before putting the roof on top. Have to drive 2 hrs to closest Home Depot or Lowe's, and haven't had a chance to do that just yet...maybe this weekend. Once that's acquired and in place, I can put roof on top of coop, whitewash (I found a simple, safe lime wash to use) the inside. It has to be secure from rain/snow before I whitewash...so...figuring out when to do each step is critical. Then I can enclose the run, and cut the chicks loose.

Currently, I only have the two Rhode Island Reds...my first...*whispers* I don't like them. I got three of them the end of May, but lost one of the chicks early on. I prefer Wyandottes, Buff Orpingtons, and Australorps. I'll acquire some pullets this month...once the run is completed, and a few more next Spring.

I've been feeding them a non-GMO feed, and I have to say these are the healthiest chickens I've ever had!

Thanks for reading...

Ciao

I feel very fortunate...

I've been talking with a good friend who lives in Oakland, CA, and is a movie set designer. Scott's going to come live on the property for a month or two when I get my cabin in place, and help me do much of the work inside the cabin. He's a very skilled craftsman, and will save me tons of money, frustration, and time by hiring him to work with me up there.

While I'd love to hire locally, because it's such a rural area, I'm told it's difficult to get dependable folks to do work as I'll need done to finish the inside of the cabin. Very difficult. My buds that live up there...the Fifields...say that having Scott up there will be a godsend. They wish they'd had a similar option early on. So...I'm feeling really fortunate...and grateful...to have such a skilled friend who can take the time to drive up and help me out.

We'll have to work around his jobs in CA, but he assures me it won't be difficult, and I'll have him for the duration. I figure we can get all the insulation hung, plumbing (shower, kitchen/bathroom sinks, etc), wiring/boxes run and hung, I'll get a couple young fellas (former students who live about an hour away) to help with hanging the drywall, build the wood stove fire barrier, and I'll be good to go to do the finish work myself. Scott says...maybe 6 weeks...probably not that long. Depends on issues with mud (it gets pretty icky certain times of the year) for supply deliveries, and gettin' in and out to pick up what we can ourselves.

Of course, I'll have a professional install the wood stove...not attempting that myself. I want it done right so as to avoid fire hazards. I'll also have an electrician connect the wiring to the main to avoid electrical problems/hazards, and so the all the areas that need inspecting will pass. Because my property is where it's at, I don't really have to do the inspections, but I don't want my kids to run into problems (someday farrrrrrr from now) if they should decide to sell the land/cabin.

So, though things are kind of quiet at this point, I'm still reading, studying, and researching a variety of things in order to refine skills I already possess, and to acquire others that will be needed. I sorely miss my laying hens...daaaaaang those eggs were scrumptious, and I thoroughly enjoyed watching their antics scampering around my yard. I'm itching to move up there, and keep looking at different ways in which I can do so. Realistically? Not in my best interest...so I'll keep plugging along, but it's hard...particularly now...Spring...planning...planting...*groans*...itchin' itchin' itchin' to git 'er done!

Thanks for reading...Ciao...Lu

Growing things...

I grew up in a family of gardeners. When I was young, we had a small yard with a garden out back, and a much larger garden at Grandma's...way bigger yard space to grow one. I remember planting, pulling weeds, harvesting, canning, and freezing...as well as eating all the yummy produce we grew. Also remember my older brother, Mick, throwing nasty bugs at me..slugs...big, fat, green tomato worms. And...sitting under my Grandma's pear tree...next to her...snapping beans, shelling peas, looking at clouds, listening to the different birds. Peaceful...content...loving...warm memories. lol...even Mick and the nasty bugs.

I still love gardening, and cut my gardening teeth (solo gardening as an adult) in the AZ mountains...5200' elevation. Crappy soil that needed massive amounts of amendments to build it up, short growing seasons, unpredictable weather/freezing/monsoons/hail/drought/May snows...did I mention crappy soil? Oh, and feral cats that were always digging up what I planted. My youngest son...then about 3 yrs old...thought it was great that he got to pee on the yard...around my garden borders...to prevent those same cats from crossing a marked territory. It actually worked, too!

I'll be about 2300' higher in NM with a 7200 to 7500' elevation on my property. It slopes...gently in most cases. There are several flat areas where I could do raised beds along the lines of what the Zuni's do up there called "waffle gardening". It's a form of square foot gardening...designed to retain water in a drought inclined area. The soil's crappy...sandy with lots of caliche and rocks and tough weeds. The soil will need amending on a larger scale than I'm accustomed to doing, and using different means by which to do it.

I've been studying permaculture principles for a couple of years now, but only recently got more serious about it. I've purchased several books: Gaia's Garden: A Guide to Home-Scale Permaculture by Toby Hemenway; Permaculture: Principles and Pathways Beyond Sustainability by David Holmgren; Sepp Holzer's Permaculture: A practical Guide to Small-Scale, Integrative Farming and Gardening by Sepp Holzer; and Permaculture in a Nutshell by Patrick Whitefield. I've not begun reading those just yet...still finishing the Southwest gardening books I purchased, and am currently taking an online permaculture course that starts with the basics, and will take me through to the actual design elements.

Because of what I'm learning, I'm rethinking just how I'll be 'gardening'...veggies...and how I'll be rehabbing my soil. As I mentioned, I'm learning about soil rehab on a larger scale...so I can plant native species of plants with a better chance of successful growth. I'm learning about nitrogen fixing plants...Hairy Vetch, Winter Rye, etc. I've a small meadow near the lowest slope/border of my land...would make a beautiful spot to do native wildflowers, grasses, and other plants. Start smallish...let it spread naturally...right? Might be a good spot for some fruit trees, too. Will have to think about what I'll do with that particular area.

I'll want to utilize some of the many stones available on the property...mass...to surround my beds. Holds the heat. Days are warmer...lots of wind, too...nights are cool. The extra mass from the stones will hold the heat through the night...helping to keep the soil warmer. I'll also make use of more than one or two cold frames. I've seen some interesting, simple ways to do them...will try different ones to see which I like best...then use that version for the others. I like to start gardening early...earlier the better. With such a short growing season up that high, I'll need all the help I can get extending that time frame.

I'm excited...I get to try new techniques (new to me, anyway), and the idea of working that soil? chuckles...floats my boat! I'll actually get started this Fall, and will plant some winter rye in a couple places to see where it does best. Though I won't be moving up there till 'next' Spring, I'll be closer with our move to So. CA, so I'll be able to drive up in a day...camp out...hang...do my deal...start doin' some of the soil prep. I'm ready!

Thanks for reading. Ciao...Lu

Beginning...

So...I've wanted to live a more rural, secluded lifestyle for a good number of years now. I have notebooks filled with home design possibilities, permaculture landscape ideas, gardening and composting information, livestock keeping and care, food storage alternatives, etc...dating as far back as 20-25 years ago. Many of those notebooks lay dormant until a few years ago when I began updating my research, and refining/defining my ultimate goals for a self-sustaining lifestyle within a rural setting. I'm getting older, you see, and felt it was time to make this move, or I might never get to do so.

I had left AZ (around 2007 or thereabouts), where I'd been living for about 30 years, and moved back to my hometown in IL in order to be closer to my aging parental units. Duty and desire met, I started seeking a rural property to either purchase or rent/lease in central IL. Man oh man! Can you say, "Outrageously expensive!" Yeah...wasn't happenin' anytime soon in IL. Primo farm land...rural...forested...any combination...didn't matter...ouch! So, I started looking in other places...researching growing seasons, potential for solar/wind power use, affordability, etc. I ran into all kinds of sticking points that prevented a move from my city house to a country house.

Still, I gardened, composted, began learning to can, dehydrated my garden produce, and even acquired a small backyard flock of laying hens...all within my enclosed city house backyard. And drooled over properties that were far out of my financial reach, but continued to gather information...further refining/defining my goals.

A couple of my raised beds from the last year's gardening venture. I had 5 total last year...all of which have since been dismantled due to my move...transition to homesteading Lot 31.

  Last year I tried my hand at canning dill pickles, and Dilly Beans. Everyone seems to like them...so will certainly try that again. Previously, I'd done lots of canned tomato products, as well as applesauce and apple butter.

 Two of my 7 hens...these two were named Breakfast, and Dinner. Lunch was a rooster, which I couldn't have in the city...so Dr. Z took him. The girls were excellent layers for me...a Buff Orpington, and white Australorp. My cousin assures me they still are!

Then...I mentioned to my friends (owners of about a 26 acre alpaca ranch in the NM mountains) that I was having no luck finding what I wanted for property. Now...I'd been to their home in the past...fell in love with the beauty and history of the area, and envied them their life. Don't know why I'd not thought of looking for property in their area...they took care of that lapse quite fast!

Thus began yet another investigation (aka online research) into the possibility of living the way I want to in that area, and looking at potential properties...all online at that point...hmmm...pretty close to a year ago now. Well...I took a road trip with my girl, Gracie (a 19 month old German Shepherd puppy...large puppy, but a puppy none-the-less)...and drove to NM to Fifie and FeeFee's alpaca ranch just before Christmas 2013. For a couple of weeks, while enjoying Fifie and Fee's generous hospitality, I wandered several properties, but kept coming back to Lot 31...and spent an inordinate amount of time wandering it with Gracie.

Gracie...she is definitely a Mama's Girl! How can you not just love that beautiful face?

Gracie was in her element up on the mountain...on Lot 31. She ran loose the entire time, which, I must say, scared me half out of my wits initially. She's a city girl...raised in a largish, fenced yard, with lots of daily walks thrown in for exercise, as well as lots of ball throwing, and chasing Wilson. I was worried about her running off...never to be seen again! Fifie assured me she wouldn't go far...her connection to me is quite strong, which he noticed right away. Anyway...she ran...and ran...and ran...and played...and ran some more. Holy Moly that girl is FAST! And never went out of hearing range for my calls, which she responded to very quickly...much to my relief!

Lot 31, Fence Lake, New Mexico. Soon...soon...soon to be home!

Lot 31 is a gently sloping 12.203 acres with several potential cabin sites, and a natural...almost...drive down to those areas. It is heavily treed with native Juniper (very nice for firewood use), and Pinyon Pine trees, a few Agave, and Yuccas, and many shrubs and other plants I can't identify just yet. Wells are popping anywhere from 400 to 600' in that area, so digging for that liquid gold wouldn't be too cost prohibitive. The aquifer underlying that area appears to be a good one, which is enhanced by the fact that the area isn't well populated...and isn't likely to increase much in my lifetime. There are also no other draws on the water that would take it from that area, nor are there any plans to do so in the future. Because I'd lived so long in the AZ mountains, and gardened fairly extensively, and Lot 31 is only a little over an hour away from the AZ border...I know the land there. More specifically, I know the dirt, and how to work it to help it produce delectable, edible delights. *chucklin'* I know how to work the soil for a garden. Sun is abundant for solar power, and wind...well...wind is a very viable back up option.

One of the potential cabin sites.

There is only one covenant for the subdivision: can't split the property...if sold, it sells as original acreage as bought. So, no one to tell me what I can and can't do on 'my' property. The lot is fenced on two sides...state land on both fence lines. One neighbor...who only visits his property during summer months...is fencing between our properties, and the other neighbor owns his 13+ acre lot simply as an investment...no fence there...and...yes...I've put a bug in his ear that he needs to sell me that 13+ acres to add to my 12.203 acres.

One of my absolute favorite features on my new property...Lot 31. This dead Juniper sits just toward the entrance of the property...and I've already begun decorating it with...well...stuff.

Yup! I bought it...I close the deal on Lot 31 on January 31, 2014. I am beyond excited! Ecstatic! Thrilled beyond belief! And a little bit frightened of what I'm taking on at this stage in my life. That little bit of fear doesn't take away from the joy...not one iota...is just there from time to time. Like...when I gave birth to my daughter almost 33 years ago...I had this moment that passed very quickly when the midwife placed her in my arms, and I thought to myself, "What the hell have I done?" *chuckles* Then, I was totally taken with this beautiful, incredible, tiny human being that looked into my eyes...such an old soul reflected there. And...the moment passed never to return. So...yeah...I'm entitled to a tad bit of fear...though a greatly desired change, it's still a huge change, and will require a tremendous amount of work to get it where I want it. It's been quite the process, and I'm still in transition (more on that later) to an actual move to my property...like...spring 2015, but it's moving along as it's supposed to do so at this time.

I'm game...bring it on!