For anybody who wonders what the heck I'm doing out here in the woods

Life here isn't so different. You know, get up, start a fire, check the rain meter and go mushroom hunting. Well, maybe a bit different. Nothing comes for free out here but money isn't the price. You, or someone, have to work to stay warm, source and cook food, or even just have social interactions. Hot indoor showers are the reward for good fire tending skills. Warmth comes directly from combustion and electricity from the sun. 

The day to day tasks include mostly wood chopping and stacking as well as trying to stay on top of the cobwebs . The garden and orchard could always use a little attention but this time of year its pretty easy. 

Excitement comes sporadically, normally when nature gets the upper hand, weather or wildlife. Such as when we had to liberate a sizable redtail hawk from an enclosed part of the garden. Some times Marvin, the dog, looses against a skunk and we have to rub him down with all manner of products in an effort to de-musk him. The ravens also love to mess with you and the rodents don't quit. 

Oh the mice! For the first few weeks the mice were partying it up every night in the kitchen area. Seeing as I was sleeping feet away from said party; I took this issue personally. So with Art's approval, I made a few calls and picked up a couple barn cats from a lady in the dollar store parking lot. Now you have to understand these are not cute, sweet pet store cats. These are semi-feral, live outside, and kill for fun cats. Since our feline additions there has been significantly less rodent activity. Let's hope this isn't a coincidence. 

Art and Amy both keep quite busy with paid work as well as ranch jobs. Marvin demands walks and playtime, serving as mandatory mental breaks throughout the day. And those walks around almost 80 acres of land hold new surprises every time, new mushrooms, freshly downed redwood limbs, fluctuations in the river flow, or even an animal or two. 

Social interaction also varies, like the weather. Some weeks I might be here with just Marvin but some weekends we might hava a full house of visitors. Eventually the M.A.S.H. tent will be re-homes in a better place and all decked out. It will be the first 'guest house' of sorts here. With visitors from "the city" comes fresh conversation, new food and booze, and sometimes kids and dogs. The neighbors that I've met so far are all plentiful with personality and charm. There's Carol the sweet, kind, honest, pistol pack'n grandma down the road, the family of hippies I sometimes work for, and then there's the Big Stump boys. Suffice it to say, you know its a party over there when you smell coors light, gunpowder, and chainsaw fumes wafting down the valley. While they get a little rowdy, they mean well. 

But most days its mellow; eat, sleep, keep the woodroom and fridge stocked, and keep the dog happy. I'm about to finish my second book this month! I can't remember when I did that last, maybe back in college but voluntarily. 

As the days pass here my ranching kills are exercised as well as my ability to really be with myself and in the moment. 80 acres of lush redwood rainforest is a great setting to get to know yourself better. Nothing comes for free and personality sprouts from challenges and experience. Those are two things that pop up like mushrooms here.