"You must know you are in paradise..."

Got a nice email from Jan today, after seeing pics posted of Buck and Rupert. She said, "You must know you are in paradise..."

And we are. This is the most beautiful place I can imagine being.

To look at our property, at first glance you think..."wow, lots of clearing done...but there's so much to do." There are large patches of bare earth. There are windfalls lying around, roots protruding, firewood scattered in several areas and trees waiting to be cut into firewood. There are deep muddy tire tracks in places. There's stuff piled up because we don't yet have anywhere to store it. Things look rough, and unfinished...

And then you take a walk around, and see the incredible plantlife. You see signs everywhere that wildlife frequent our woods, and if you're very lucky, you might see Mama Moose and her new calf in the back by the meadow. The air is filled with birdsong, and the aspens tremble and sway in the breeze.

We have the company of three adoring dogs, a noble and beautiful horse, a funny and adorable donkey, and a small grey and white cat.

I do know we are living in paradise, and sometimes it takes my breath away.