el rancho

I mentioned the “ranch” in my last post, and Krista asked me to elaborate. It's high time I did, because I want to say a public thanks for the experience I have had here. It’s a beautiful vineyard and horse ranch in Sonoma. And, no – it’s not mine! (I *wish*!)

I’ve been officially homeless for the last few months, because I sold my house, and couldn’t move into my new house until mid-January.

Lucky for me, I have a very good friend, Nicole. And Nicole lives on a very big ranch, which has been in her family for 3 generations. She lives in an adorable little house that her grandfather built. Further back from the road there are other buildings – some garages/storage areas, a apartment or two, a 15-horse barn, and a more modern ranch house (where Nicole’s mother and niece live). There is another large barn and a few other smaller barns scattered around the property.

Nicole and her mom very kindly offered to let me stay in an apartment on the ranch. It’s absolutely perfect – right next to the horse barn and a stone’s throw from Nicole’s house.

I can look out the back door and see Shasta, one of Nicole’s horses. (see this photo - taken through the open door while standing in my kitchen.)

Shasta checks to see if I’m home and pays extra attention to me (probably the apples I give her are helping in this department).

It’s a studio, with a little kitchen and a full bath. Just enough room for the stuff I need and no room for anything else. Which is a great thing!! So I put 90% of my stuff in storage. I kept out some clothes, a few kitchen things, a bed and 2 chairs. I bought a card table, which fits perfectly (well, after I moved the stove outside, it fit perfectly.)

I get to see Nicole a lot, which is fantastic. My dog India is in love with Nicole’s dog, which helps a lot, too. And Nicole has a fabulous big fenced-in yard where I can safely leave India when I have to leave her at the ranch.

India and I take a nice walk around the ranch first thing in the morning whenever I don’t have to leave early to go to work.

It’s been a true pleasure and a privilege to get to stay here. I am spoiled, and I am so grateful to Nicole and her mom for letting me stay here. As much as I love the idea of getting into my own house, I’m going to be sad to move away.

Later - when I have a faster connection - I'll post some more photos.