There are definitely some mornings when I wonder why I don’t just go and do what I was supposed to do 10 years ago – downsize my life, give up my dreams of love and challenge, and get that condo. Instead I had to go buy a farm, and then go and get another one. When it’s -10 as it was this morning, it was one of those mornings. I fantasized about an apartment in Brooklyn, Thai restaurants everywhere, movie theaters down the block, the super in the basement.

When it gets below zero, the chemistry of life alters. The animals get hungry and edgy, they need extra hay and grain. And something always – always – freezes. This morning it was the frost-free faucet by the side of the house. We had to go borrow a hair dryer from Jenna Woginrich (the best neighbor in the world, a fantasy neighbor always willing and able to help) go get the line thawed.

The snow is hard as a rock, too cold and slippery to herd sheep, we are burning through firewood for the wood stove. And winter has just begun. I told Maria that still, when I think of a condo, my stomach sinks. This is where we want to be.