Hot, dry June makes for FIRE!

The big blaze of 2012. Mancos.
Menefee Mtn. Day one.






Farm and house and road g just before evacuating for the night.


The helicopter looks like a fly. They didn't even try putting it out, saved every house in the foothills though. Mancos was gratefull.

Spring thaw, time to get started. Nothing like a freshly tilled farm...





Potato planting in April. Because my soil is so wet (and therefore cold) I have begun planting them nearer to the end of April.


Told myself, with the typical overly-optimistic thoughts, that I was going to get the tomatoes right this year. Got a good start but the first planting (pictured above) suffered. That's what I get for farming and house building at the same time. Maybe this year I will grow them to the best of my ability. The harvest wasn't spread out enough last season. There's always plenty to improve each season and I imagine it would take about 100 seasons to really feel like I have things down. Never boring!

Winter 11'-12' on the farm.

Cold cloudy sunset.


Last winter I mostly stuck around and played carpenter, electrician, plumber, and painter.
Wiring the place took about 6 weeks LONGER than I thought it would. Plumbing about two weeks longer. Gotta love Montezuma county for the freedom to do things yourself!!
I estimate I did about 30,000 worth of skilled labor on it.


But how nice it is to have a home! With year-round running HOT water! I went six years without, so I still appreciate it everyday.