Tough Decision

JohnP · March 21, 2010, 08:48:04 PM

When the doc said my problem isn't going to get any better but in fact will get progressively worse we had some hard decisions to make. Our place consisted of 210 acres, fairly small for a ranch out here, plus a couple thousand under lease from the feds. As of today or actually tomorrow we will only have the house and 5 acres. The leased land will remain in our name until the end of the year. My buddy on the backside of the mountain will be moving his herd off the winter range onto our lease. We have six young heifers left, which will be donated to our local 4-H group. Then of course I still have this guy:

He will probably end up with my buddy also.

We went house "shopping" today and I just don't know if I can take leaving the mountain side. We had a little rain today and when we crested the hill coming down into our place, this is what we saw:

This greeted us when we pulled into the driveway:

The wife then said "You know we still have the five acres and the house we can stay as long as we like, no hurry to move into town.

golfertrout · March 21, 2010, 08:49:49 PM

you better stay John

coyote101 · March 21, 2010, 08:53:15 PM

Sorry to heaar that Mr. JohnP. It is obvious from all your posts that you really love the place. I'll continue to pray that this all works out fo you.

Pat

KySongDog · March 21, 2010, 09:04:38 PM

Sorry to hear about the potential move, John. It is hard to leave a place you love but all things must end sooner or later. Better to do it now before you get in a position with limited options. Don't let emotion cloud your judgment. I will have to face the same decision in a few years. I am not looking forward to it.

alscalls · March 21, 2010, 09:11:21 PM

John.......... I just dont know what to say...... Prayers sent my friend.

FinsnFur · March 21, 2010, 09:46:01 PM

Just the thought of having to face that makes knots in my stomach. Giving up a homestead is nothing compared to quitting chewing tobacco.

I think if I could make it work, I'd stay put on the 5 acres. At least you'll know your home and your comfortable dealing with the rest will be slightly easier, without having to deal with the move, the relocation, and all the adjustments compounding your discomfort.
Plus it sounds like your wife is vowing to make anything you do decide as easy as possible by supporting you 100% and that is an awesome support system in itself.

Bopeye · March 21, 2010, 10:10:20 PM

John I had no idea. That place looks like an oasis and the just the thought of what you must be going through pains me. I'll pray for ya my friend.

Hawks Feather · March 21, 2010, 10:39:27 PM

John,

This is not the kind of news that any of us wants to read and definitely don't want to hear. It would be easy for me to give advice, but it will be best if you and your wife make your own decision.

Jerry

GunDog · March 22, 2010, 09:11:13 AM

QuoteThe wife then said "You know we still have the five acres and the house we can stay as long as we like, no hurry to move into town.

Mr John again I find myself about lost for words. I would like to say that since joining this site I have always admired your pictures and post and now look forward to them. I hate to hear of your worsening condition sir but will continue to pray for you. I think you are a very lucky man living a life that some of us will never know, and with one heck of a LADY by your side. What ever decisions you make from here on out will be in the best interest of family, that I'm sure of. You have a great day old buddy!

P.S. Even your old bull looks saddened by the news, great pictures Mr John!

vvarmitr · March 22, 2010, 11:16:38 AM

Geeze JP!

Know I'm be praying for ya, but I have one question .... what's moving to town going to solve?

pitw · March 22, 2010, 11:46:31 AM

John P, I wasn't going to give any advice as I thought it wasn't my place but then I though that I like as much info as I can get on a subject before making decisions. Personally I hope to go out on my farm but who knows what is coming. If mobility is an issue then I guess only you can decide if town is better or not. The peace in the country is the greatest part of being out here but if I was stuck on 5 acres I'd be as hobbled as living in town if I couldn't cross the boundary line.
Whatever the decision you make is just remember I'll be on this end of chat if you want to talk at any time. I believe you have made tough decisions before so I'm sure you will get through this one.

Jimmie in Ky · March 22, 2010, 02:06:31 PM

I can understand your having to make such a desciscion John. There are several of us who keep the average age on this board fairly high . But whatever your desciscion , remember that ones mental health is a big part of living.

Here in my area it's going to be thirty minutes before I see a hospital no matter what I do. Even if I moved to town! And quite frankly, I could not do without this little piece of heaven on earth that I own. Yesterday , somehow, a wood pecker got into the feeder and had to be released. The squirrels are eating buds from the maple trees and hte wrens are checking the shop for nesting sites. Pretty soon these hills will turn white with dogwood blossums, a sight I would not be able to see in town. Just being able to look out the window and see these things is good enough for me. Jimmie

JohnP · March 22, 2010, 06:36:09 PM

It's a done deal, signed the papers a little while ago, stopped off and had a brew or two. Sold the 205 acres to a good rancher friend, actually a hand shake sealed the deal about two months ago. I think I sold it for a fair piece and he thinks he bought it for a fair piece so everyone is satisfied. I still have the ability to hunt it whenever and however I want, he was kinda pissed when I asked him if I could still hunt it. Said it was an insult to our friendship, guess he's right I'd been pissed also. "The" bull is heading out tomorrow as are the heifers. We haven't made up our mind yet if we are going to sell the house and the five acres. The nice thing is that although I sold our deeded acreage and gave up my lease our five acres still borders on the national forest. So I can walk, when I'm capable, out our back door into thousands of acres of national forest land.

vvarminter, the advantage is that we would be a lot closer to a medical facility, grocery store and other conveniences. Our place with all the acreage was just to much for me and keep up with. To see it get run down would break my heart. So I think I can keep five acres for the critters. Now I don't have to worry about mending fence, moving stock from one range to another, fixing drinkers, selling beef in a bad market, and a whole host of other worries.

By the way the wife read all this and said to tell you all that your a good bunch of guys. Also repeated what I said some months back. The door is always open and there is always a pot of coffee brewing and a pan of beans on the stove - come kill some coyotes!

FozzyBear · March 22, 2010, 07:23:46 PM

JohnP I am very sad to hear that it is not a good future instor. But one thing I have found out every one on this website is there for you if you mead them. As far as moving I cant say wat to do. I have lived in the country all my life. I probity would go nuts if I moved to the city. It sounds like you know how to make the tuff decision. I hop the best for you and your. Looking forward to your post & pick in the future.

HaMeR · March 22, 2010, 10:25:38 PM

Hi John. I've been thinking about this post since you made it. I don't know what to say other than the land went to a good man & his Family while you still have the run of it. Your Wife appears to be very understanding of your Love for where you are at & I believe she shares it with you. I understand not wanting to see it get rundown & repairs are costly if you don't have somebody there to help you.

With all that said I would like to think that my decision would be to find a nice single story home with a couple bedrooms & a large bathroom on an acre of ground with some compromise to the DR/medical care,grocery store,, etc,,etc & a wooded area. This way you will have neighbors that can help you in an immediate situation before medical help arrives & just be a few minutes from town. Plus in the right area you will get to see the rabbits & deer on occasion. Plus the obvious security amenities like fire & police. I'm not telling you what to do or how to do it. I would like to think this is the decision I would make to ease the burden on my Wife.

I do wish you & the Mrs all the best & that you can come to a compromise of sorts that will allow you to be at ease with your decision.

Dave · March 23, 2010, 02:10:17 PM

Hi JohnP,
Sounds like a tough one, all right. Seeing all your posts and reading your stories is always a pleasure, and I can't imagine how hard it would be to have to move away from where you're at. I pray your health improves and you're able to handle the house+5.
Dave

iahntr · March 23, 2010, 07:19:26 PM

Hey John, I too have thought quite a bit about this since you posted it, added it in a few prayers too. Tough stage in life that nobody wants, but
has to be dealt with. My opinion doesn't matter much ( although

, I do like, and agree with your wife's statement, "You
know we still have the five acres and the house we can stay as long as we like, no hurry to move into town."

) only you and your wife know
all the facts and can truly make that decision. In the time we've got to know ya, it's a pretty easy assumption that you've had to make some tough
and important decisions in your time, and I'm sure you'll make the best one for you and your wife. I just want to wish ya the best in whatever you decide to do.

JohnP · March 25, 2010, 09:42:28 AM

Well we made our decision. We decided not to make a decision. That is until the trama of selling off our property and stock is behind us.

HaMeR · March 25, 2010, 10:06:29 AM

Excellent decision John.

I knew you would take your time & think this thru.

Jimmie in Ky · March 26, 2010, 03:50:17 PM

Not a bad desciscion John. Without that stock to care for daily you wil get time to heal and may find it a blessing. I know it can be a pain when your not feeling up to it. But there is always something that had to be done today no matter what aches . Good luck and you two enjoy that littel peice of heaven you have. Jimmie