And on and on we go. October 5, 2022

I haven’t written recently because we’ve been pre-occupied with the myriad daily chores and projects that must occur as winter approaches. Firewood, frost protection, garden harvest, vehicle maintenance. We have most of the firewood in, just waiting on one more cord. The 1000 gallon rainwater cistern is full and super-insulated. I’m setting it up to be able to collect snow melt from the south side of the house through winter. It’s an experiment involving frost-free downspouts and first-flush apparatus.

The solar is working perfectly and it’s wonderful to have more power than we know what to do with. No generator! A washing machine! Dryer! If you’ve enjoyed these luxuries all of your life, imagine doing without. 85% of Americans have at least a washer in their home, but only 2% of people in Africa and Asia (www.statista.com). I’m glad to have them working again.

We had 2 surgeries in our home recently, my gallbladder and Zane’s balls. Glad to say both patients are recovering nicely. But it did cramp our style for awhile.

Alan’s moving ahead with the well vault cover. He’d be done with the concrete work if only it would stop raining! We’ve had a lot of rain, 2″ a day at times, so far above average it’s a joke at this point. There was even some snow on the mountains the other day, not unusually early, but a wake-up call nonetheless.

Hunting season started on Oct. 1 in New Mexico, and runs for 3 full months without a break. We haven’t seen hide nor hair of an elk or bear or even a deer; they must still be in the high country. But, a few hunters have been prowling around with their spotting scopes, so Alan and I went around and hung up a bunch more No Hunting signs. Most hunters are great, but it only takes one stupid one to put a bullet through your house.

Anyway, all is good here in the hinterlands. Hoping to get into the high country to leaf-peep soon, but it has to stop raining first!

Finally: both of us are registered to vote and have drivers licenses. We are officially New Mexicans now!