I have various friends that don't understand why I would possibly live where I do. I live in the middle of nowhere. But you know what? I grew up in the middle of nowhere, and wouldn't trade it for anything. I used to go out and trek over 30+ acres without my folks being concerned about me. My mom would look out the kitchen window and see me venturing out on whatever adventure I had concoted in my mind, and knew that I was ok.

I had a friend who was concerned about my disregard for Annie's safety as she checked on the chickens. What if the coyotes got her? Sorry, but good Lord. Have you met Annie? If a coyote encountered her and tried to impose its will, it would leave with a complete brainwashing about the ways of nature. That's the coyote you would accidentally find in nature with a stick in its mouth tilling the soil trying to create a whole new food program for coyotes across the state. (Hopefully, it would contradict the Santa Cruz county agricultural standard, and stay away from pot as its plant of choice).

At any rate, I struggle to financially hold on to this place for one reason. It's the closest I can come to raising Annie in a way that I can deal with, and make work. If your internet connection can handle it, I invite you to see the evidence that what I've done and try to do is right (about 14MB): Annie and her cousin scaling the hillside. Good stuff if you have the patience and/or connection.

Doing what I can....