Well, I guess since we were introduced to it by those fun young folk who sort of adopted us last year when we were camping at Elephant Butte Lake. We sat around a big bonfire, shared beer and stories, got acquainted and slightly drunk. They were all from Las Cruces, friends since High School.

At that time we were reluctantly coming to the conclusion that we were going to have to live, at least for a time, in a city so we could find work and make enough money to get back on the road. So we were picking their brains about the job situation in Las Cruces. They didn’t make it sound very hopeful.

It rained on us in the tent.

From there we went on to Arizona, California, and finally, back to New Mexico. We hoped to “hole up” someplace at least somewhat enjoyable for the winter, work a while, and get back on the road.

Instead, through an amazing sequence of serendipitous circumstances we wound up here on the ranch – a better place than we would have dared to dream of. Just a few miles from that campsite by Elephant Butte Lake – where we first tasted Tecate beer.

There were probably a dozen points in time between these two that could have been major turning points – “What if” –

One of these days, it might be fun and interesting to look back over my life and play “What If” – make a set of short stories based on it. I bet anyone could do that and give us an intriguing glimpse at what makes a life.

Now for something completely different.

Monty is home and doing well. Today he came and collected his goats and took them home. Sigh. I sort of miss them. Sort of. He knows someone who is maybe still looking for permanent homes for some goats – they’ve sold their place and are moving on. Wondered if I wanted any more. I thought about it.

No.

LOL. Don’t get me wrong – I love my goats. A whole bunch. But I really sat and thought about this decision – because it is really about more than, “do I want a few more goats”. It’s about just what am I doing here – where are we going with this.

Originally, we intended to stay pretty fluid. A few goats can be given away, or taken to the sale barn – and the same for a few chickens – even a horse or two. So if we decided not to stay, if we couldn’t get work, if Ron tossed us out or sold the place and didn’t buy another ranch, etc. we could easily divest ourselves of attachments and move on.

Of course, over the last few months we’ve seen this move into a more permanent looking situation. As permanent as “until the ranch sells” anyway. Ron assures us he will roll the money into another ranch, most likely a larger one, and wants us to move to the new place. We’ll have three to six months notice, too. At the same time, we've become very sure that we do NOT want to move into town and live inside T or C.

Okay – but where are we going with this? James knows I love animals, and is gung ho to buy me one of everything on the ark to enjoy while we have this place. I guess it is a sign I’m growing up or something – but I weigh each animal as if it were a life changing decision.

I don’t want to become “pet poor” again. You know – you’re making good money but you don’t have a thing because every dime goes into pet food, vet costs, and other animal needs. Been there – done that. I have to honestly say that at least at this point in my life I don’t WANT to be the crazy old cat lady down the street with thirty cats because what if I have to move? Or I just WANT to move? I love cats, but I want a savings account, and an RV, and a new kayak, and a new laptop. And those things don’t EAT (or shit). (I’m saying cats – but it applies to all animals)

It is true – and something to consider – that I am perfectly capable of making money with animals. I could put out the effort to find out how I could market the milk from our dairy goats (our little girls are supposed to be quite good diary goats, in fact – although their original purpose here was to be weed-eaters), as well as sell our eggs. Other possibilities we’ve bandied about are Angora goats (raised for their hair and sheared twice a year), or training horses and giving riding lessons. Even the miniature cattle we laughed about – turns out the little Yebu bulls are used in Little Britches rodeos for bucking bulls – they could well pay their own way, too. The ranch owner has made it clear that he doesn’t care what I do – long as we live here and take care of the place.

But I am just coming off six years of trying to make a living with my art, writing, and web design. I put a lot of heart and soul into that – taught myself a ton of Internet business savvy – among other things. And while I had some success – my accountant husband tells me I’ve made a profit the last two years (although probably not in 2006) – it has had it’s own brand of stress and worry. I admit, most of it is self-inflicted – I decide I want to get something done and then circumstances prevent it and I kick myself, or I get it done and then it isn’t nearly as profitable as I expected. Typical business stuff.

Now that I have my little job, I no longer have that pressure – and I am making more money. I like that. Right now.

As I work my little job I discover I can no longer go and go and go like I did when I was twenty. An eight-hour day is enough – I may do a tiny bit of ranch work, but not much. Mostly, big ranch jobs get done on our days off.

So I think if I were to really try to make a living off the animals – or a profit anyway – I would either have to cut back my working hours, or quit.

I like my little job. I really do. I also like a nice regular paycheck. Very much. Go to work. Work hard. Come home. Relax. I’m getting pretty fond of that, too. Any one reading this who has ever had animals, particularly livestock, knows that just ain’t how it works if you have a job – and are raising livestock for profit on the side.

I do like the idea of finally being able to prove just how self-sustainable I can be. I want to try the goat milk – yogurt – cheese idea. I’ll breed Sweet Pea once, and see how it goes. I really want my chickens, for eggs for us and to share with our friends here. Depending on the laws about it – I might sell the extras if there are any. The garden is just waiting for the weather and a load of topsoil to start planting. Again – enough for ourselves and to share.

But more goats just to have them, or miniature cows for fun…probably not. Not right now anyway.

Yes, I will have a horse or two (James says he wants to ride with me). That’s a bit in the future yet as there are some financial things I think are more important to take care of before I’ll feel like I can risk buying an animal that needs shoes every six weeks and a vet visit for vaccinations and worming twice a year, never mind feed and so on. So we’ll take that one step at a time. I would like to just enjoy a horse for awhile – no ringside horseshow mother, no pressure to compete, no goals, just ride around this gorgeous ranch and enjoy. I suspect that after a few months of that I’ll find myself teaching the old cowpony dressage – just so he’ll turn a little better – and next thing you know I’ll be training and competing. But, we’ll see.

Blessedbe