Today, well, just about 30 minutes ago, I decided to walk the entirety of the land that we're buying. It had always been too cold, too wet, or something. I wasn't able to walk it when we were just looking at the property. I was warned there were holes, and the owners and their realtor didn't want me to walk the entire thing. I could look at photos. I just couldn't take any of my own. There are a couple of areas I could drive to if I really wanted to, so I could peek over the fencing from the side of the others who own land on either side, but I trusted the surveys to tell me what the land looked like and where our boundaries are.
The really funny (I say funny, but it was actually incredibly sad) thing was that the owners who are selling the place to us didn't know they owned 14 acres. They were told it was seven acres when they bought it. Someone was pulling the wool over someone's eyes; that's for sure. We got to the bottom of it. Our realtor put in for a survey, and through the original titles and abstracts, it was determined that we were making our offer on the land around the house, and about 12.8 more acres, not seven. (The area around the house is about 1.35 acres.)
My daughter Laura took me on a tour. She's been around it a number of times. She's the one paying for any and all fencing. I just bought the place. I'm going to let her pay half starting in February; she's finally able to get work again. This is huge, and we're all very thankful. She's been without a regular job for nearly two years - no fault of her own. It's been unreal. Well, today, she took me on a grand tour; the weather cooperated. We walked the entire 14 acres, and I put in well over 2800 steps in doing so. I figure I can have a big honkin' tractor come in and grade down a path for me that lines the entire place, and I can just walk my own property four times a day! Done!
We walked it, and we found many, many little deep holes in the ground. Of course, we were careful not to step in them or around them, not wanting them to cave in and cause one of us (me) to trip. When I got back to the computer, I looked it up, and we either have a mess of Oklahoma Brown Tarantulas living in our fine pasture, or it is more likely to be moles, voles, or pocket gophers with the occasional Cicada Killer Wasp. (Don't tell me that.) I'm really hoping it's just moles. When I was a kid, our German Shepherd Lady Wayne put an end to one on Groundhog Day...he didn't have a chance to see his shadow.
So, walking the land felt good. It took a while, too. We were literally out walking for more than twenty-five minutes, and we were walking at a good pace, one that would allow us to watch our feet and to keep an eye out for anything that may come out of one of those holes. The fence needs repairing, and mostly it needs replacing. That's going to be a big and long, drawn-out project for Laura. I'm going to sip my tea, write books, and pretend to catch fictional killers. I'm not about to pull lines taunt or put gloves on my hands to help her keep the lines straight. Nope, that outside area belongs to the kid. I prefer my office and the kitchen.
When we lived in Lebanon, Indiana, for all of two or three months in 2011, we had 25 acres of land, but we also had an awful home that would never pass inspection. We had to let it go. We found out later (2021) that it was finally demolished, as was the big barn, and someone is now using the patch of grass to grow rich alfalfa hay. There was a block of four or five acres in the back that grew there when we were living there. All the hopes we had simply didn't pan out. It happens. That's why this time, we're excited to have a good home. We do have a bad barn that will need to be demolished, and that will happen. We also have a lot of hay grass on the property. Maybe Laura can find someone to mow it, and take 1/2 for themselves, leaving 1/2 for us. We'll see.
One of the best things about this place is the potential it has. In the days, weeks, months, and years to come, it will brighten, shine, and become so pretty. Laura is looking forward to every new act that transforms the place into the horse rescue she has always wanted. This is her dream, and by her getting her wish, I have obtained one of mine. Moms are like that, aren't they? God is good. God is always good. In so many ways, we thank Him. Laura has named the place the Double S Equine Ranch. She'll incorporate soon and start the process to become a 501(c)3 non-profit. She's in it for the long haul.
Photo Credit: Laura Stringfellow
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