I know, you think I've fallen off the face of the Earth

By now, I think, it is very old for you and for me to say it has been a very long week(s).  The rhythm of the ranch is utterly consuming...duh. 

As a ranch team, we are moving closer and closer to the point where Amy heads off to her new job.  She has been a great person to work for/with.  She is a hard worker, and I leaves me feeling as if I should have more get up and go than I already have. I feel very blessed to have had three months to get to know her and learn from her. 

This past weekend I ventured south to Santa Fe for a workshop.  The workshop was offered by a small sustainable living group and was co-supported by the coalition sponsoring my apprenticeship.  The workshop focused on erosion control, specifically alluvial erosion (water).  Much of the South West geology is very brittle.  The cemented rock found across the landscape is made up of other eroded material (e.g. sandstones), which lends itself more easily to weathering.   In norther New Mexico and much of the South West, summer monsoon storms roll in and dump an inch or two in a very short period of time.  One inch of rain in one square foot is equaled to 0.6 gallons of water. This = lots of runoff.  Plus, there is very little vegetation covering  this arid environment, especially after over grazing and deforestation.  Large gullies (arroyos) have been formed across much of this landscape from the rush of water down hillsides. 

The workshop focused on building structures that are based on natural systems to slow down water entering arroyos and navigating water into older pathways that are more structurally sound.  A group of about 35 volunteers moved ~30 tons of rock.  We built structures called one rock dams, zuni bowls, and stair steps.  All of these structures attempt to slow the water's velocity and reduce erosion.  Eventually plants will grow between the rocks and catch more sediments and create more ecologically diverse areas.  It was a great experience learning while doing good work. 

Other notes:

Spent about an hour branding our small group of unbranded calves today.
Learned how to castrate bulls.  
Little Abbey still seems to like us.
Purchased a pair of riding boots!
Still searching for a broad rimmed hat I like. 
We lost a cow over the weekend... :(
Reinventing the front yard with a clover/grass mix. (It was just bare ground). 
Having a little bit of time to sit down and play guitars with G.


I'll leave you all with a Yogi Tea quote: "Every smile is a direct achievement."