I rode my neighbors’ Peruvian Paso and Missouri Foxtrotter in the morning, all across the two track on the canyon edge — the river dazzling in turquoise and sapphire beneath us while the horses kicked up plumes of dust with their shambling, ice smooth gaits. I still smell lightly of equine and sweat.
The sun is sinking through wildfire smoke, casting an unearthly glow on the sage, the rising moon, the endlessly curving faces of the fruit I am picking. I am barefoot now, stepping on the sweet rot of apples fallen from the trees. I taste a plum. Then one more — yellow, deep purple and ruby red. I’m sullen over missing the cherry crop. Apples and pears drop to the ground, sporadically, landing with muted thumps in the dirt. I can hardly believe all of this is ours. I slap a mosquito dead on the back of my hand. I run my fingers through the knots in my hair. Tater barks out loud, for joy. Me too.
I wish Robert could quit this fire season and come home to me so we might start in on making this place even more of a sanctuary, even more of a paradise.
Can’t wait to see all this beauty unfold in your new space. Welcome Home Plume.
Oh, Jillian! I’m so happy for you both. Home!!!
Hot Damn! You had me at mature orchard. Well done Jillian
So Very Happy for you, Those pears are to die for, Seriously! I can just smell them now.
A farm! With an orchard! So very happy for you and looking so forward to seeing all the photos.
congratulations! a new home (especially one as divine as this one sounds) is an exhilarating thing. So many possibilities sprawled out in front of you, so many ways to make it truly yours. Enjoy!
i have read your blog for several years now and have always wanted to tell you…..you are a naturally beautiful genuine soul that shines bright. you shine bright in a day in age where our true selves are lost, wandering, daydreaming, and grasping at straws that leave us empty. we are searching for something wild, pure, steady, and real. i commend you on being true to yourself and following your wild, pure, steady heart. may you and yours always be blessed.
….so, right now i’m wondering what it feels like to step barefoot on fallen apples….
xx
[p.s. please tell tater i love his attentiveness to you. kiss him for me in that soft velvet crease between his eyes….]
That moon…
So, that’s it…you can call this place home!!!! Soooooooo happy for you. Welcome home!!!!!
I just wanted you to know that I enjoy your blog immensely. I was raised in lovely Montana and it is my favorite place on earth. The mountains, the sky, the earth, the river, the precious growing season. All are in my heart. I live far away now. Nearer lakes and color in the fall, and a longer growing season. I come here to see the mountains and rivers, and you never disappoint. Thank you. – Julie
What bounty, what beauty!!!