House Evolution Continues

An early morning moon

Above the marine layer

Middle Ranch as the sun comes up

Rosie, who is certain she’s going to die unless she eats immediately

Yesterday started at 4:30 for me. I had to go to Middle Ranch to learn how to take care of all the horses so I will be ready when its my turn. The horses and Middle Ranch are part of a Co-op. We have a great barn manager whose name is Cathy. She lives in the house that Joanie Propst did. Joanie Propst was a friend of the family and she and her husband took me in every summer and put me to work on their ranch. It is there I learned to ride, milk cows, feed pigs, and collect eggs from all their chickens. I am certain it was my time spent there every summer that nurtured my love for animals. Its is the reason I came to love this island so much. My time spent there were the happiest moments of my childhood. Once Joanie’s husband Doug retired from the island Conservancy they moved to Northern California. Joanie had started the Pony Club before she left so when she was no longer here a group of people took over the Saddle Club and set it up as a Co-op. Cathy moved into Joanie’s house and took over managing the barn and she has been doing a great job for 20 years now. However everyone needs a break so on the weekends Cathy relaxes and all the horse owners take turns doing Cathy’s job on the weekends. My weekend will be September 2-3. Its a huge responsibility so I want to make sure I know what I am doing so I will go up a few times to help Cathy so I am confident at doing the job by the time its my turn.

Two bulls enjoying the morning quiet

My beautiful Rosie

Middle Ranch

Catalina quail

A squirrel sunning herself

The girls crossing the road

A bottle brush tree

I took the Buffalo Chaser and had a great ride up to the ranch. It was breathtakingly beautiful. The marine layer was still thick up in the interior and the creatures of the island were out and about affording me a few shots of them as I made my up to the ranch.

I had a great time with Cathy and look forward to doing it again soon. In fact I would be up there today but I am now getting busy cleaning my house and getting ready for my friend Trudy whom I have not seen for 7 years.

Before

In the meantime the painters have been working hard on my house and I have to say I love it. Every one has been a bit speculative of my color choices but as they progressed through their work strangers are now stopping and complimenting the painters on their work and how cool the colors are. I took a few pictures yesterday so you could see what we have done. Anyone who knows me knows I have long wanted a yellow beach house. I got the beach house so the most natural next step was the yellow. After the house is done I want to paint the doors a unique green. The best way I can describe the color is the green that appears on copper when it has been oxidized. I think it will really make the house stand out.