79852

I’ve long loved the desert. Jeff has too, especially Big Bend. The week of June 19 last year we came out “just to look” at some property. We fell in love with two areas and, to decide which one we’d get – if we could get it – we played rock paper scissors. I’d never played before and somehow I won. It turned out we were able to close on the deal and so we ended up with the 80 acres we now call “home” – and Rock Paper Scissors Ranch - although it’s a work in progress. We were having to go back and forth from Austin and Kerrville for most of the year, once a month or so and camping on the property or, from time to time, staying at the Big Bend Holiday House motel. As wonders go a woman who we now call friend asked us to house sit for the summer while she went to Canada so we were able to move here permanently as of May 4. So, we’re able to work on the place every day but Sunday when even Louie rested, or so the story goes. We’re very fortunate that we have jobs that we do remotely with a trip back to meet with clients when need be. Our routine is to do our “real” jobs and then work on the property several hours a day – sometimes the morning, sometimes the evening. And the plan is to have our bedroom and bathroom section of the house complete by September so we can start staying there while finishing the rest of the house. So far, so great. And this week and next we have a friend working with us. A 17-year old rock star in more ways than one. So many folks have asked what’s up with us, what’s RPS, what the hell we’re doing . . . now you have it.

And it’s been the best year of my life. If nothing else, the last photo says it all. We know we’re just caretakers of this beautiful place – trying to keep things as natural as possible. Enjoying every minute of it, including the stops on the porch after a good evening’s work. New friends, old friends, and surrounded by the place and people we love. Grateful in 79852.