Getting Settled

Hola friends!  Here I am, sending you the first post from our new home at Fire Mountain Farm.  So far, so good.  It is unbelievably beautiful here, like a mirage after crossing the vast, hot desert plains of Utah.  Christine and I were very forgetful about taking photos, but luckily, I do have the three pictures taken in Arches National Park, Moab Utah (thanks, Steve!).

We were quite occupied during our road trip, taking care of the cats and ourselves.  Bella escaped once along the way, but luckily, only got as far as C's grandmother's bushes, where we found her crying for help.

As you can see, Bella is now happily exploring the farm, catching giant grasshoppers and following me around in that nonchalant feline way.  Christine, how would I have managed to get these cats here without you? 

 Here's a funny synchronicity for you - when the 2 cats that live in the barn made their first afternoon appearance, I cracked up - they are the visual doppelgangers of our cats!  The mama looks like Bella, though with a sweet, droll expression, and her daughter looks like Boris!  Bella is not at all sure about Mama cat, as you can see...

 ...but Boris is perfectly comfortable hanging out with her.  "Mr. Social", that's Boris.  Notice how I'm going on and on about my cats?  Well, they are my familiars in this new landscape.

 The water system is crucial to keeping the farm growing and green, and this is our biggest job as caretakers.   Here's the sprinkler set to water the plantings we see from our basement apartment.  John, the experienced caretaker, is teaching me how to run the water...

...while Catherine, owner of Fire Mountain Farm, is coaching me on how to care for chickens, among many other tasks.  This is the smaller coop ( I LOVE the bright colors of the purple house and cheerful outbuildings).  Mark and I may soon be the proud owners of our own flock!  Farms are very busy places; I'm gaining a new appreciation of what goes into growing food and maintaining an organic farm.   The beauty of this place is deeply nurturing.