This weekend denoted a mere ten months living on the ranch. In some ways, it feels like three years. The pace, the calm, the quiet, how quickly I felt at home in these surroundings. I have met so many kind, giving, generous and open people here; the community truly is a gift.
Had a good friend over for dinner Friday, a classic plan, steak and whiskey. I had another visitor stop by and share for a while, we ate, we drank (oh we did), and caught up on stories. He is wiser than I in many ways, and proffered a succinct summation.
I had an old friend I have known for half my life. Crashed at his place when traveling the country, he the same on his trips. We visit at times, we email regularly, we hike when allowed, it is what it is. He’s now retired and planning a full month to explore our lovely state; plans were coordinated. He just proclaimed there was no time to see me, not a drop in, not even a hello. Time for two days to camp just south of La Veta, time to spend a day at the Dunes, time for a day in Crestone, yet he will venture past the 160 gate this Friday with no time for me.
As my new, true and whiskey-softened friend quickly summated, “Then he’s not your friend; he’s just someone you know.”
Life is life. It is what it is. I have folks offering to (and often do) feed me, share equipment with me, give me firewood, help me lift heavy things, make me homemade preserves and proffering fresh ranch meat. Life is good here. People are amazing here. I will do my best to be an equally good neighbor and friend to them all.