I love Ralph

I love Ralph
Originally uploaded by ancho and lefty.

I think Ralph loves me too. His leg is healing well after his car confrontation.

Los Jetsetters

Los Jetsetters
Originally uploaded by ancho and lefty.

My two friends on the left actually flew into our tiny local airport from Louisville. It's cool to have friends who fly independently. Don't they look stunning?

Our house in the sun

Our house in the sun
Originally uploaded by ancho and lefty.

Our hens

Our hens
Originally uploaded by ancho and lefty.

Here are two of our three hens who produce the most delicious brown eggs for us. They are great ladies.

Dog Sandwich

Dog Sandwich
Originally uploaded by ancho and lefty.

Dog love rules. I think this is the same day that I got engaged.

Ralph and Rosalee

Smorgasbord 137
Originally uploaded by ancho and lefty.

Recent additions to our home, Ralph and Rosalee are big fans of walking back on our land with yours truly, swimming in ponds and streams, and eating. When the aformentioned are neither available nor feasible, they enjoy barking.

Year of the Dog

I recently adopted two dogs. One, a black lab I named Rosalee. She and her companion, a mutt named Ralph, appear to be about two years old. They are cute and cheerful and full of energy, but Rosalee attacked my cat Poe, the QUEEN of our domain, right before Christmas. So, I found myself with a big problem- what to do with Rosalee after she caused my cat to need twelve staples in her belly. At first my reaction was to get rid of Rosalee- send her back to the pound. Then, I relented. I realized that I had already fallen in love with her. I also realized that it would kill me to send her back to the pound. So, now we live in a precarious bliss- the dogs out only when Poe is inside, and Poe outside only when the dogs are in their big 20 X 20 kennel space. It works, but it isn't always easy. This situation makes me yearn for a time when the dogs and cat can peacefully coexist outside. I dream of one day being able to leave them all out, unattended for long stretches of time without violence. I have asked people more versed in the way of the dog and been told that Rosalee needs behavioral modification. I am skeptical. I do not have a lot of free time what with teaching at two universities and writing a dissertation. If anyone has advice I would appreciate it.

A new year, a new blog

Last year, Ancho and I kept you up to date with our continental drifting via the ever-popular, BathCo2Acosta. The 2005 blog had its moments, but whatever those moments may have been, they have passed. With the dawning of 2006, I find it necessary to break through the skin of my old blog and begin anew.

But don't fret! This blog will be chocked full of just what you've come to expect from an Ancho and Lefty production- biting social commentary, witty chatter, and of course, aimless rhetoric.

This year Ancho and I have much to do:

I will be writing a dissertation and teaching.
Ancho will be remodeling and raising chickens.
We will be getting married in late summer!
We will be (ok Ancho more than Lefty) installing a wood-burning stove in our old house.
We will go on a honeymoon.
We have some other stuff planned, but I don't want to wear you out.

Happy New Year!