Improvement vs Enjoyment

2021 was the year of improvement at Hummingbird Ranch. The first major change being the removal of the manufactured homes-cum-meth dens. Second came the fence.

As I’ve told you, a family of longhorn cattle from a neighboring property graze our land. Their very lovely owners have for years mended our beaten-to-hell wood fencing with twisted barbed wire, random planks, and metal scrap. Stretching more than a 1/4 mile along the frontage road, our penetrable fence has been an eyesore and magnet for squatters for years. And as much as I would have loved to replace it with the beautified version of its former self, economics dictated a standard metal stake and wire replacement - green with white tips. We did splurge, however, on the three entry gates, the primary gate being the most majestic and Yellowstone-y.

It’s actually one of my favorite things about the ranch, it feels aspirational, like we will be able to create a homestead deserving of such greatness.

And speaking of aspirations, i’ll be honest, it has been a challenge for me to feel fulfilled by our progress. I have Pinterest pages spilling over with ideas for the barn, a house, a pool, even a bocce court! The changes thus far have been critical to the safety and integrity of the property, but man, I struggle to temper my need to plow forward until my dreams have been fully realized.

"When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible." - When Harry Met Sally

Exactly, Harry! I just want all the things, right now!

Buying the trailer has helped tremendously with this yearning, and along with the economic downturn of 2022, which forcibly kept my plans in check, I’ve been practicing gratitude and contentment. And there is A LOT to be content with. Hummingbird Ranch is a stunning piece of land, and every time I set foot on it, I can’t believe my luck.