Thursday November 7, 2019 It’s been a wonderful 70 year ride for sure! And now I can tell you about the most amazing birthday surprise ever. When we first moved to this wonderful property in 2003 with our herd of alpacas, chickens, dogs, cats and the rest, I was absolutely smitten with the “greenness” – grasses, trees, water from the creek and the quiet and safe feeling I got just being here. But there was one tiny potential problem. A 4 acre strip of land between our fence and Lower River Road was owned by someone else. We did inquire about it, but it was too expensive to even consider. We just hoped and prayed that cows and horses would be our only neighbors. But development is encroaching in Eastern Summit County and we were more than a little upset to see a couple with a measuring tape over there planning where they would put their house. Nooooo! You cannot imagine how that would change the feeling of the ranch and I seriously didn’t know if I could stay. What I didn’t know is that my son and daughter in law had also been trying to purchase that land since last July as a 70th birthday surprise for me! Communication from Bangkok (where my son lives and works for now) with a cowboy who likes to talk face to face presented more than a few challenges but we closed the deal in the nick of time. ( yes someone else did want it for building) So Blue Moon Ranch can expand out for four more grassy acres knowing that no houses will ever disturb our quiet little slice of heaven. Best Birthday Gift EVER!!! PS I can’t believe I am really that old, but I have no plans to slow down so don’t worry.
Photo of the day: 70 years ago my dear dad thought the day was important enough to save this calendar page. I miss him every day.
And an illustration of where someone’s house might have been built!!! ARGGGHHHH! 
Mary Cruickshank-Peed
Happy birthday, Linda! Many happy returns of the day! (And hurray for not having a big house right in your eye line. I have some friends who have 80 acres. They built their beautiful new house at the bottom of a hill, with a large south facing window wall to help with energy efficiency. Couple years later, the property next door went up for sale… the people who bought it built their house right on the top of the hill. They thought they’d have a nice view. Instead, they get up every morning and look right down the hill into my friend’s house. You’ve got to wonder what they were thinking.)
Linda
Thanks Mary.
Sharon
Happy Birthday Linda! What a great and wonderful present. Have a great day!
Nancy
Awesome birthday gift indeed. HAPPIEST of birthdays to you!
KATHIE CARPENTER
Happy Birthday Linda! What a great surprise!! That house would have made me move, too!!!
Linda Harper
Wonderful story, Linda!! Our kids are wonders to behold. Happy happy birthday. Jeri’s mother, Linda Harper
Jen Johnson
Oh how I love happy endings! Happy birthday dear friend!