Thursday July 4, 2024 Happy 4th of July friends! As always, my heart goes out to all the animals who must endure the local fascination with fireworks and other loud noises this month. Although the neighborhood here was exploding for almost an hour last night, our two house dogs actually seemed OK. In previous years I’ve been out in the barn trying to calm the guardian dogs and perhaps they were just glad to have me close by this time. And tonight we’ll hear it all over again. <sigh> The barn cats hide sort of like they always did for shearing day and they’ll come back from their safe spots when they’re hungry today. The fire risk alone should have curtailed it a bit, but most people think that applies to everyone else. Ha.
Little by little, we are formulating a plan for the big move. We’ve decided to leave this place pretty much intact so we can come back here when we want to and be functional. Visiting a winter wonderland can be fun, taking care of livestock and living in one can be challenging!
When I first decided it was time to move (back in the middle of winter 2022/23 when the snow wouldn’t stop and the dogs kept escaping and the hay barn seemed 100 miles away from the animals) I started looking at homes in New Mexico. For the record, they do get snow there, but it usually melts in the morning. One of the things I loved about NM architecture was the kiva fireplace. Our new home has 3 of them! yay!
Known for its beehive appearance, a kiva fireplace is common in homes in the New Mexico. Originally crafted from adobe, a Spanish term meaning mud bricks, traditional kiva fireplaces were very heavy. Conventionally placed in the corner, a kiva’s adobe walls radiate heat and provide cozy warmth to a room. The broad base, narrow top, arched firebox door and top flue opening are typical attributes. I imagine the one in the photo one was part of the original 1901 structure.
So how’s that for covering 2 totally unrelated topics in one day? 😂 That’s what I do. Happy 4th friends, be safe and thanks as always for checking in.
Photos of the day:
This Kiva fireplace is near the entry to our new home. Cozy, yeah?
Maureen
Love the fire place. Happy 4th of July to you and Ed.
Linda
Same to you Maureen! Thanks for leaving a comment. 😊
Lana
That hay field is so tall and practically buries the Berner! Great picture! What happens to the barn cats when you move?
Linda
Oh Lana the barn cat dilemma haunts me every day. I probably need to rehome them all. 🥲 I haven’t even started to look because I wish I could take them all with me. But our dogs do not like cats and the cats do not like our dogs. And the new place does not have enough space to have them all live with enough distance for separation of species. The adult boys love to hunt and have never been in a house, but I insist they be fed and cared for like any other pet. Too many farmers just toss a few cats in a barn and expect them to take care of themselves. So I have to be careful how I go about it. Toothless has become so friendly I think he’d be happy sitting on someone’s lap all day long! Our dear lady Garbo might do well inside a house as well. I know I have to face it pretty soon, and honestly I’m dreading it.