(Above: The sunset of 7/4/2024 (better than any firework). La puesta del sol del 4/7/2024 (mejor que cualquier fuego artificial). )
6/30/2024: Today began in the mid 70s and warmed into the high 80s. Quite humid. Drizzly in the afternoon.
The early morning of 6/30/2024: I helped cow #905 reach the leaves of a tingletongue tree. She really likes to eat that type of leaf. La madrugada del 30/6/2024: Ayudé a la vaca #905 a alcanzar las hojas de un árbol “Tingletongue”. A ella le gusta mucho comer ese tipo de hojas. 
Lunch consisted of a Wagyu & pepperjack sausage. This was topped with mustard and red onion. To accompany it, I ate a green salad made by Padre and dressed by Madre. El almuerzo consistía en una salchicha de Wagyu y queso pepperjack. Esta estaba cubierta con mostaza y cebolla roja. Para acompañarla, comí una ensalada verde hecha por mi padre y aliñada por mi madre. 
I prepared lamb shanks to roast for dinner. This mixture consisted of lamb shanks (6), potato, carrot, red onion, fresh rosemary, salt, black pepper, and a sauce of tomato, red wine, and chicken broth. Preparé piernas de cordero para asar para la cena. Esta mezcla consistía en piernas de cordero (seis), papa, zanahoria, cebolla roja, romero fresco, sal, pimienta negra y una salsa de tomate, vino tinto y caldo de pollo. 
The cloudy afternoon of 6/30/2024 in the easternmost field of the farm. La tarde nublada del 30/6/2024 en el campo más oriental del rancho. 
Dinner consisted of roasted leg of lamb (shanks), roasted vegetables (carrot, red onion, and potato), and a spring mix & arugula salad dressed with the meat juice. La cena consistía en pierna asada de cordero, vegetales asados (zanahoria, cebolla roja y papa) y una ensalada de mezcla primavera y rúcula aliñada con el zumo de la carne. 
A sliced red apple sprinkled with cinnamon and accompanied by two cherry-plums and a dollop of Greek yogurt. Una manzana roja en rodajas espolvoreada con canela y acompañada de dos ciruelas cerezas y una cucharada de yogur griego.
7/1/2024: Today began in the mid 70s and warmed into the mid 90s. Partly cloudy.
The morning of 7/1/2024: I cut and seasoned a Wagyu flap steak for dinner later that day. La mañana del 1/7/2024: Corté y sazoné un bistec de falda de Wagyu para la cena más tarde ese día. 
Lunch: A tray of sushi (tuna, spicy salmon, and eel rolls) accompanied by a bowl of miso soup garnished with green cabbage, spinach, avocado, purslane flowers, and a little bit of lime juice. El almuerzo: Una bandeja de sushi (rollos de atún, salmón picante y anguila) acompañada de un tazón de sopa de miso adornada con repollo verde, espinaca, aguacate, flores de verdolaga y un pocito de jugo de limón. 
A photo of Padre and Wag concluding work for the afternoon of 7/1/2024. Una foto de mi padre y mi tío concluyendo el trabajo de la tarde del 1/7/2024. 
A small lizard on a chiltepin stem. Una pequeña lagartija en un tallo de chiltepín. 
Dinner consisted of a salad of romaine lettuce, green cabbage, banana peppers, avocado, and pan-seared Wagyu flap steak dressed with a little bit of olive oil, homemade barbecue sauce, black pepper, and salt. La cena consistía en una ensalada de lechuga romana, repollo verde, pimientos amarillos enfrascados, aguacate y bistec de falda de wagyu al sartén aderezada con un poco de aceite de oliva, salsa barbacoa casera, pimienta negra y sal. 
A sliced red apple sprinkled with cinnamon and accompanied by a spoonful of Greek yogurt. Furthermore, there was a cherry-plum positioned atop the apple core. Una manzana roja en rodajas espolvoreada con canela y acompañada de una cucharada de yogur griego. Además, había una ciruela cereza posicionada encima del corazón de la manzana.
7/2/2024: Today began in the mid 70s (and quite humid). It warmed into the mid 90s.
The dawn of 7/2/2024: An Angus cow and her adopted calf. El amanecer del 2/7/2024: Una vaca Angus y su ternerita adoptada. 
This morning, I had a Segway accident. The right wheel stopped working and caused the machine to turn rapidly and fall atop me. It was not very comfortable, but at least it occurred on soft ground. Esta mañana tuve un accidente en el Segway. La rueda derecha paró de funcionar y causó la maquina girar rápidamente y caer encima de mí. No fue muy cómodo, pero al menos ocurrió en suelo suave. 
Lunch: A fullblood Wagyu Chuck steak. This cut was seared over high heat in a skillet and accompanied by a green salad made by Padre and dressed by Madre. El almuerzo: Un bistec de hombro de Wagyu de pura sangre. Este corte estaba dorado a fuego vivo en una sartén y acompañado de una ensalada verde hecha por mi padre y aliñada por mi madre. 
An afternoon activity. When I took this photo, we were about to feed a calf with crooked legs. Una actividad por la tarde. Cuando tomé esta foto, estábamos por alimentar un ternerito con piernas torcidas. 
Dinner consisted of a fried mixture of eggs and leftover roasted lamb and vegetables. Additionally, there was a salad of spring mix, arugula, and tomato made by Padre. La cena consistía en una mezcla frita de huevos y sobras de cordero y vegetales asados. Además, había una ensalada de mezcla primavera, rúcula y tomate hecha por mi padre. 
A sliced red apple sprinkled with cinnamon and accompanied by a spoonful of Greek yogurt and a cherry plum. Una manzana roja en rodajas espolvoreada con canela y acompañada de una cucharada de yogur griego y una ciruela cereza.
7/3/2024: Today began in the mid 70s and warmed into the low 90s. Partly cloudy.
A morning activity of 7/3/2024: I was free today, but from Jacobhouse, I saw Padre and Wag castrating some little lambs. Una actividad matutina del 3/7/2024: Yo estaba libre hoy, pero desde mi casita, vi a mi padre y a mi tío castrando unos corderitos. 
Lunch: Eggs scrambled with chiltepin, mozzarella, green pepper, red onion, and fresh rosemary. These were accompanied by a green salad made by Padre, dressed by Madre, and topped with leftover beef from last night. El almuerzo: Huevos revueltos con chiltepín, mozzarella, pimiento verde, cebolla roja y romero fresco. Estos estaban acompañados de una ensalada verde hecha por mi padre, aliñada por mi madre y cubierta con sobras de res de la noche anterior. 
This morning, I worked a little bit in the garden. The green pepper plants have a fungal infection, but they still look pretty. Esta mañana yo trabajé un poco en el jardín. Las matas de pimiento verde tienen una infección de hongos, pero todavía se ven bonitas. 
The slightly stormy afternoon of 7/3/2024 seen from the field to the east of Jacobhouse. La tarde un poco tormentosa del 3/7/2024 visto desde el campo al este de mi casita. 
Dinner consisted of a Mississippi-style Wagyu shoulder roast. This was accompanied by a cabbage salad, and there was also bowl of homemade barbecue sauce for dipping. La cena consistía en un asado de hombro de Wagyu al estilo de Mississippi. Este estaba acompañado de una ensalada de repollo, y, además, había un tazón de salsa barbacoa casera para mojar. 
A sliced red apple sprinkled with cinnamon and accompanied by a spoonful of Greek yogurt. Una manzana roja en rodajas espolvoreada con canela y acompañada de una cucharada de yogur griego.
7/4/2024: Today began in the mid 70s and warmed into the mid 90s. Nearby thunderstorms cooled temperatures to the mid 80s.
Lunch of 7/4/2024: Scrambled eggs with chiltepin, mozzarella, and fresh rosemary. These were accompanied by a salad made by Padre and dressed by Madre. El almuerzo del 4/7/2024: Huevos revueltos con chiltepín, mozzarella y romero fresco. Estos estaban acompañados de una ensalada hecha por mi padre y aliñada por mi madre. 
These are two full blood Wagyu burger-steaks. They have been seasoned with homemade barbecue sauce, salt, and a lot of black pepper. Estos son dos bistecs de res molida de Wagyu de pura sangre. Han estado sazonados con salsa barbacoa casera, sal, y mucha pimienta negra. 
The cloudy afternoon of 7/4/2024 in the southeasternmost pasture of the farm. La tarde nublada del 4/7/2024 en el campo más sureste del rancho. 
Dinner consisted of the aforementioned steaks, reverse-seared and accompanied by a colorful salad made by Padre. Additionally, I used a little bit of sour cream for dipping. La cena consistía en los bistecs ya mencionados, dorados al revés y acompañados de una ensalada colorida hecha por mi padre. Además, yo utilicé un poco de crema ácida para mojar. 
A sliced red apple sprinkled with cinnamon and accompanied by a spoonful of Greek yogurt. Una manzana roja en rodajas espolvoreada con canela y acompañada de una cucharada de yogur griego. 
The sunset of 7/4/2024 (better than any firework). La puesta del sol del 4/7/2024 (mejor que cualquier fuego artificial).
7/5/2024: Today began in the mid 70s and warmed into the low 90s. Much humidity to be seen in the morning. Cloudy in afternoon, but rain uncertain. It is very dry.
The dawn of 7/5/2024 in the southeasternmost pasture. El amanecer del 5/7/2024 en el campo más sureste. 
Lunch on 5/7/2024: A fried mixture of beef liver, chiltepín, and eggs topped with spicy Cholula sauce. This was accompanied by a colorful salad made by my father. El almuerzo del 5/7/2024: Una mezcla frita de hígado de res, chiltepín y huevos cubierta con salsa picante Cholula. Esta estaba acompañada de una ensalada colorida hecha por mi padre. 
The cloudy afternoon of 7/5/2024. The clouds have been torturing the grass; every day it seems like it’s going to rain, but then it doesn’t. La tarde nublada del 5/7/2024. Las nubes han estado tortuando el cespéd; cada día parece que va a llover, pero entonces no llueve. 
Dinner tonight consisted of Belgian blue shoulder steak. The steaks were seasoned with coffee and salt and reverse-seared in the oven and then the pan. In addition, there was a salad of red cabbage, carrots and jarred yellow peppers. La cena esta noche consistía en bistec de hombro de azul belga. Los bistecs estaban sazonados con café y sal y dorados al revés en el horno y entonces la sartén. Además, había una ensalada de repollo rojo, zanahoria y pimientos amarillos enfrascados. 
A sliced red apple sprinkled with cinnamon and accompanied by a spoonful of Greek yogurt. Una manzana roja en rodajas espolvoreada con canela y acompañada de una cucharad de yogur griego.
7/6/2024: Today began in the mid 70s and warmed into the low 90s. Very little rain, quite hot and humid in the afternoon.
A morning activity of 7/6/2024: I made simple almond cookies. The ingredients consisted of: 2 cups almond flour, ¾ cup Splenda, ¼ cup butter, 1 tsp. vanilla, and 1 tsp cinnamon. I mixed all of this with a beater, put dollops of the dough on a sheet pan, and then baked the cookies for 17 minutes in a 350 degree Fahrenheit oven. Una actividad matutina del 6/7/2024: Hice galletas de almendra sencilles. Los ingredientes consistían en: 2 tazas de harina de almendra, ¾ taza de Splenda, ¼ taza de mantequilla, 1 cucharadita de vainilla y 1 cucharadita de canela. Mezclé toda esta con un batidor, puse cucharadas de la masa en una bandeja del horno, y entonces horneé las galletas por 17 minutos dentro de un horno de 350 grados Fahrenheit. 
This morning, Padre and Wag hung a banner beside the road to advertise our feed for sale. Esta mañana, mi padre y mi tío colgaron un letrero al lado de la carretera para anunciar la venta de nuestro forraje. 
Lunch: I ate a fried mixture of beef liver and eggs topped with Cholula. This was accompanied by a green salad made by Padre and dressed by Madre. El almuerzo: Yo comí una mezcla frita de hígado de res y huevos cubierta con salsa picante Cholula. Esta estaba acompañada de una ensalada verde hecha por mi padre y aliñada por mi madre. 
Dinner consisted of reverse-seared Wagyu short ribs. These were accompanied by a salad of spring mix, arugula, thinly sliced carrot, and tomato. There was also a bowl of homemade barbecue sauce for dipping the meat. La cena consistía en costillitas de Wagyu doradas al revés. Estas estaban acompañadas de una ensalada de mezcla primavera, rúcula, zanahoria en rodajas delgadas y tomate. Además, había un tazón de salsa barbacoa casera para mojar la carne. 
A sliced red apple sprinkled with cinnamon and accompanied by a spoonful of Greek yogurt. Una manzana roja en rodajas espolvoreada con canela y acompañada de una cucharada de yogur griego.
Final Note: During my time in the Dominican Republic, I had time to think about life. I could look at it from the outside because I was living outside of that life, and on returning, I have made some improvements based on those thoughts.
First, I’ve begun to sleep more. 1 hour more per day. (Note: This might be reduced by 15-30 minutes in the future, as it feels that I’ve begun to catch up on sleep.)
Second, I’ve literally and figuratively maintained a greater distance from my phone. This idea arose from a video I watched during vacation. The video was in Spanish, but from what I gathered, the speaker urged us to consider ‘attention’ as something we only have finite amounts of. Whether that attention is ‘paid’ consciously or it is ‘stolen’ unconsciously, the resource is being utilized. Phones are notorious for stealing attention, especially if they are utilized as instruments of entertainment rather than tools. Thus, I am making a conscious effort to transform the phone primarily into a tool.
Third, I’ve worked on my schedule. After one week of this, I can see that it is better than the schedule I previously had. By placing tasks into meaningful blocks on specific days rather than working on everything every day, I’ve been able to accomplish more in a more refreshed manner. I’ve also been able to schedule an actually-free day in the middle of the week and a more fulfilling block of free time at the end of work days. I have since added two “schedule checks” to my calendar – July 1st and January 1st – to remind myself to regularly revise and update my schedule if needed.
I have no quotes today from writing, but there will be more in the future. It is almost time to move on to outlining the Grimorzak portion of Book 2 – To Lands Beyond.
Having the opportunity to see from an alternative perspective is a gift. Just one of the many benefits of stepping out of the box. Great week, next week will be likewise I’m sure.