Helping hands

Living in the country, one must be resourceful and mindful of the concept of interdependence. Here are a few of the people who are helping us along in our journey to build a ranch:

Chris Lopez— Third-generation grower of high-quality hay south of Socorro, Chris is a self-professed perfectionist when it comes to hay, and he is just about the only grower around who specializes in grass/alfalfa mixed bales, large and small. We’ve been stockpiling as much of this beautiful hay as we can for the winter.

Greg Weidick— Pie Town-based handyman and jack-of-many-trades, with skills ranging from fence-building, restorations, painting, piñon-nut harvesting, new construction and a host of other talents, Greg is an ever-readyto-pitch-in guy.

Jeanetta Sturgeon— Longtime endurance rider and friend, Jeanetta is a valuable addition to the team. She has agreed to stay on our property with her two Arabians and help us look after our horses, cats and other animals. She has a keen eye for horse health and nutrition.

Karl Phaler— Our neighbor and host who sparked our decision to relocate, Karl has graciously allowed us to use his guesthouse for the last three summers while we are building our ranch from scratch. Lover of ravens, his four horses and his toy poodle, Joy, Karl’s razorsharp wit and wide-ranging insights keep us all entertained and informed. Karl is a frequent contributor to this series with his unique observations and photography.