Of Gypsies and Cowboys

I continually plan on posting more through this venue, and I continually neglect it. I’m hoping that the cold weather and slower pace of activities, guests, chores, and processing will open up more opportunities for writing in the months ahead. I wonder if people are really checking in? When I began this specific blog, I envisioned it being a type of meeting place for others walking a similar path or considering similar ideas; simplicity, change, materialism, family, health, balance, etc. Hmm. Perhaps if I was actually posting with regularity the conversation wouldn’t be so stilted ;)

The ranch in which we live is beautiful. It’s rugged and wild and somewhat difficult to get to with small vehicles. It’s already feeling the deep chill of hard frost and the colors are already settling on the ground instead of the branches. It’s a unique experience to live week by week with no idea about what’s coming in the next season. The climate is more similar to my prairie upbringing than J’s Valley years, yet it’s entirely unique. It’s somewhat extreme: very hot, very cold, very…everything. Maybe that’s where Jem is picking up his expressions and reactions—all out, all the time.

Before the new year arrives, my little family will be moving into a brand new hand hewn log cabin. Each piece of wood has been harvested from our ranch and individually milled at the ranch down the mountain. Each log is notched together by careful strokes of saw and ax through the craftsmanship of our French Canadian white haired neighbour. It’s small (well, only according to our North American standards), cozy, unique, and a piece of art. I am so excited to move in. SO excited to dig out pictures and the few books we have left, to set up Jem’s crib, to make a meal at our own family table. We will make this place a home.

We've been asked by our employers to choose a name for our new dwelling place. After much thought and discussion we chose, Ad Augusta per Angusta, a beautiful latin phrase meaning, "To high places by narrow roads." This phrase not only literally describes the cabin, but it aptly reflects our journey and continuing desire and experience. We'll call it Augusta for short as we continue through these narrow roads to these higher places.