Visions

Almost three weeks without a post! It is not that nothing has happened. Au contraire!

Last Friday, we had the construction site and property blessed by Father White, who performed a similar service for me prior to my last Camino. When I drilled wells overseas it was important to bless the drill site. It left the workforce feeling positive and under a watchful caring eye. The workmen on the wranch house thanked me for having this project blessed.

After Jack’s visit a couple weeks ago, he shared with me a list of what he envisioned for the ranch, such as a shooting range, a driving range and so on. Other visitors, like Phil, have shared their expectations: a shooting range is a common feature. Juliette, perhaps influenced by the season, would like a haunted house and is putting her vision to paper. I have engaged in discussions about hiking trails through the woods, a bridge across Katpaw creek, a pond, full of fish, big enough to paddle a kayak in, and a few sanctuaries to stop at and rest the soul.

My vision is a community of family and friends, a place to share memories and create new ones. I see a place without cellphones or television or any of the distractions that draw us away from human and natural relationships. I see a place where we can tell outlandish tales (but no lies!), sing songs or chant the epic tales of our timeless history. I envision sharing drink and breaking bread with kids and grandkids, brothers and sisters, nephews and nieces and cousins – and my extended family of friends, of course. And when I am alone, I look forward to a world of meditation and dreams and visions.

And, lest I leave anyone out, there will be wild pig hunts!

The vision for the house started on the proverbial napkin and graduated to graph paper and eventually a proper design and plan. And now the plan is coming to life as day by day I see the house developing, like an embryo in 3D ultrasounds. It is like waking early and watching a loved one, in deep peaceful slumber, whose face becomes ever clearer as the sun rises, dispelling the darkness and shadows.

And as this construction takes shape, I roam around inside and outside, like RNA ensuring the plan is followed, with a little mutation here and there. Looks like the vaulted ceiling next to the 10’ kitchen ceiling is going to work. A small closet is moved, and now we have a huge master shower. Oh well, the whole family will fit!

Paula and I have been on the phone with vendors, designers, tradespeople. We have been ordering all the kitchen and bathroom fixtures. My millworks guy dropped out so we had to replace him but it gave us a chance to re-imagine our cabinets. The stone mason ran out of the stone we liked so we went to plan B. We have visited Floor and Decor trying to consolidate the tile order we created in California last month. And of course, many stops at the Sherwin Williams store to pick up paint and stain samples: We decided on the exterior colors a few days ago.

We have been very lucky. We had about 6 weeks of dry weather to get the house dried in and we just made it before heavy rain hit yesterday and continues tonight.