June 19 - 27

Only Facebook pics for Matt's visit June 19-23.

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June 24 3:30pm

Back on the porch, it's 75 degrees with a soft on-and-off rain falling. Yesterday when I dropped Matt off at the airport in Austin the heat index was 112.

Loved having Matt here for a few days and showing him where I live for the summer. One example of why I like having Matt around:

A: I wonder if there is a cave on Cave Creek Road

M: Actually... [goes on to tell the fascinating true story of the hermit who lived in the cave on Cave Creek Road back in the 1800's]

We had Carrie, Paul, and Chuck over for dinner on Wednesday, which was a success. Conversation was lively, there was much exclaiming (of a positive nature) over the new paintings, and the beer-can chicken and homemade crouton salad (with lettuce and tomatoes from the garden) were a hit. They even stayed an hour longer than I predicted.

Had a lovely visit with Lane and Courtney in Austin last night as well. Great to catch up with these friends after years, meet their fun and diverse friends at an impromptu party in someone's back yard (koi pond, fairy lights, music, tightrope, much laughter), meet their adorable daughter, and spend time in their beautiful homey home.

So begins the next phase of the trip. Two months (and 10 canvases) to go. Things to look forward to: Fourth of July BBQ and fireworks at the Wikander's, and hopefully an overnight visit from the Becker-Scotts that will include wine tasting and goat-petting (if we can get near those goats).

Now to count chickens, since I was away last night. Fingers crossed that there are still ten of them.

I've been here for what, 3-4 weeks now? and am already dropping my G's. I mean droppin'.

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June 25 10:30am

This morning:

Nine chickens ☹️

The goats are in the pasture across the pond, but the kids are gone (no longer interested in trying the goat tacos at Tubby's)

Overcast and cool, perfect painting day

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June 25 12:30pm

Goat update: I was mistaken! All the goats with kids are down in the pens. They don't sell the babies as a rule and never before they're weaned.

Also, all the does in the other herd are unexpectedly pregnant so now there will be MORE babies.* And I have a new job feeding that herd every other day. So, that's cool.

All that news delivered AND an excuse to offload another dozen eggs. Eventful Sunday.

* Hopefully babies before my time here is done. How long is a goat's gestation cycle?

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June 25 1:30pm

Today:

- Fed the cats, chickens, geese, goats, and horses

- Drove in to town for provisions

- Had a pull-up-alongside pickup truck chat with Chuck (good to know the electric fence is now hot... if it'll dissuade a 900-lb horse I'm guessing it would give a 125-lb lady a bit of a surprise)

- Scraped chicken poop off the roosts and added more nest box bedding (ew)

- Got some kind of nettle stuck in my finger (ow)

... And it's only 1pm.

Funny thing I forgot to add from Matt's visit last week:

Driving in Fredericksburg we saw a wind turbine blade go past... and past... and past... strapped across 2 trucks with a wide-load escort blocking lanes where it needed 2 to turn. Chased it down to get a better look while trying to figure out what it was. Super cool. Longer than a blue whale.

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June 26 4:30pm

Heaven. Low clouds (rain just started), 85 degrees with a little breeze, cows mooing a symphony in concert with the swallows, Renald sleeping belly-up on the porch sofa next to me. I am feeling extraordinarily blessed.

[Equally horrified by current state of the US]

This year has afforded me many opportunities for reflection on what I believe and the narratives I carry about myself and others... about possibility, love and desirability, independence v interdependence v needing v choosing every day and where those all intersect...

I didn't paint today and my brain has been operating at red-line but I am fully aware of how lucky I am to be here, be who I am in fault and blessing, and have a place to go when my time here is done.

After several years of being at a numb standstill I can't express enough gratitude for the past 6 months.

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June 26 10:00pm

Sheet lightning, minutes-long thunder, sheets of rain....

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June 27 8:30pm

Today:

Another epic thundery downpour put a finish to painting early, which was okay because it was kind of a crap painting day, which sometimes happens.

Chickens got a nice big batch of scrambled eggs. Then laid the same number of eggs. 

Episode 3 of the Lonesome Dove miniseries. One of my all-time favorite books, surprising subject of one of the very first of many solidly enjoyable beach walk conversations, and locationally appropriate through season 2.

As expected after a red-line-brain day, many revelations. Growing like the lawn, and looking forward to mowing once the rain stops

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June 27 7:30am

Good morning!