(Above: The exterior of the guesthouse with the front window in place. El exterior de la casa de huéspedes con la ventana frontal en su lugar .)
9/28/2025: Today began in the low 70s and warmed into the low 90s.
The foggy dawn of September 28, 2025 in the field outside of Jacobhouse. La madrugada neblinosa del 28 de septiembre de 2025 en el campo frente a mi casita. 
This morning I prepared the picanha for dinner. I cut it in a crisscross pattern and seasoned it with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Esta mañana preparé la picaña para la cena. La corte en un patrón entrecruzado y la condimenté con sal y pimienta negra recién molida. 
Lunch consisted of beef sausage and bacon (Billy’s), accompanied by a green salad topped with three pickle slices. El almuerzo consistía en salchichas de res y tocino (de Billy), acompañados de una ensalada verde cubierta con tres rodajas de pepino encurtido. 
Padre and his pet, Bog. Mi padre y su mascota, Bog. 
This is the picaña (from cow number 575), reverse-seared. Esta es la picaña (de vaca número 575), dorada al revés. 
We enjoyed dinner with Shae. This dinner consisted of some pieces of reverse-seared Picanha, a green salad topped with two slices of Havarti cheese, and a piece of buttered sourdough bread. Disfrutamos la cena con Shae. Esta cena consistía en algunos trozos de picaña dorada al revés, una ensalada verde cubierta con dos trozos de queso havarti y un trozo de pan de masa madre con mantequilla. 
This is a sliced red apple sprinkled with cinnamon and accompanied by a dollop of Greek yogurt. There was also a peanut butter cookie on top of the apple core. Esta es una manzana roja en rodajas espolvoreada con canela y acompañada de una cucharada de yogur griego. Además, había una galleta de mantequilla de maní sobre el corazón de la manzana.
9/29/2025: Today began in the mid 70s and warmed into the mid 80s. Rainy and cloudy morning followed by an afternoon beset by intermittent bouts of precipitation.
Lunch on September 29, 2025, consisted of a bowl of miso soup garnished with beef, avocado, and spinach. We also ate a platter of sushi. El almuerzo del 29 de septiembre de 2025 consistía en un tazón de sopa de miso adornada con carne de res, aguacate y espinaca. Además, comimos una bandeja de sushi 
I chose these Wagyu ribs for dinner tomorrow night. Elegí estas costillas de Wagyu para cenar mañana por la noche. 
This afternoon I cut and added two pieces of wood to the right side of the frame for the front window. Esta tarde corté y añadí dos pedazos de madera al lado derecho del marco para la ventana delantera. 
Dinner consisted of a bed of greens topped with a fried mixture of beef and sweet potato, cottage cheese, cilantro, chopped onion, homemade salsa verde, a piece of Tomme cheese, and a little tomato. La cena consistía en una cama de verdes cubierta con una mezcla frita de carne de res y batata, requesón, cilantro, cebolla picada, salsa verde casera un trozo de queso Tomme, y un poco de tomate. 
This is a sliced red apple sprinkled with cinnamon and accompanied by a dollop of Greek yogurt. Esta es una manzana roja en rodajas espolvoreada con canela y acompañada de una cucharada de yogur griego.
9/30/2025: Today began in the low 70s and warmed into the mid 80s. Mostly cloudy and a little bit breezy.
This is a Rubia Gallega calf on the cloudy morning of September 30, 2025. Esta es una ternerita de rubia gallega en la mañana nublada del 30 de septiembre de 2025. 
I think I can see the word “Bottom” but I don’t know the other word. Possibly “Drawer”? Creo que puedo ver la palabra: “Bottom” pero no sé la otra palabra. Posiblimente “Drawer”? 
I thought I’d found Bojack in the grass near my mom’s house, but no. I’d found a lot of mushrooms. Pensé que he encontrado Bojack en el pasto cerca de la casita de mi madre, pero no. Había encontrado muchos hongos. 
The mushroom was huge with a stem almost 3 inches in diameter and a 10-inch cap. El hongo era enorme con un tallo de casi 3 pulgadas en diámetro y un sombrero de 10 pulgadas. 
Lunch consisted of a fried mixture of beef, sweet potato, and egg. This mixture was accompanied by a green salad drizzled with a tangy vinaigrette. El almuerzo consistía en una mezcla frita de carne de res, batata y huevo. Esta mezcla estaba acompañada de una ensalada verde rociada con una vinagreta picante. 
This is an order of Indian bison meat I put together for a client. Este es un pedido de carne de bisonte indio que junté para un cliente. 
This afternoon, I attached building wrap to the front of the Guesthouse frame. Tomorrow I’ll cut the paper to make room for the window. Esta tarde, fijé papel de construcción al frente del marco de la casa de huéspedes. Mañana voy a cortar el papel para hacer espacio para la ventana. 
Dinner consisted of reverse-seared Wagyu ribs, accompanied by a green salad topped with two slices of pickled cucumber and two pieces of Swiss cheese. There was also a bowl of homemade barbecue sauce for dipping and a horn of red wine for drinking. La cena consistía en costillitas de Wagyu doradas al revés, acompañadas de una ensalada verde cubierta con dos rodajas de pepino encurtido y dos trozos de queso suizo. Además, había un tazón de salsa barbacoa casera para mojar y un cuerno de vino tinto para beber. 
This is a sliced red apple sprinkled with cinnamon and accompanied by a dollop of Greek yogurt. Esta es una manzana roja en rodajas espolvoreada con canela y acompañada de una cucharada de yogur griego.
10/1/2025: Today began in the low 70s and warmed into the high 80s. Mostly sunny.
The beautiful sunrise of October 1, 2025, in the southeasternmost field of the ranch. El lindo amanecer del 1 de octubre de 2025 en el campo más sureste del rancho. 
These are the cuts of beef I chose for dinner tonight and for dinner tomorrow. Estos son los cortes de res que elegí para la cena de esta noche y para la cena de mañana. 
This morning I made the hole for the front window of the guesthouse. First, make a horizontal cut across the top of the window. Esta mañana hice el agujero para la ventana frontal de la casa de huéspedes. Primero, haz un corte horizontal por la parte superior de la ventana. 
Second, make 45-degree cuts toward the top corners of the window. Segundo, haz cortes de 45 grados hacía las esquinas superiores de la ventana. 
After that, make a triangular cut on the bottom half and a vertical cut on the top half. Then, fold the paper inward and use a stapler to secure it in place. Después de eso, haz un corte triangular en la mitad inferior y un corte vertical en la mitad superior. Luego, dobla el papel hacia adentro y utiliza una grapadora para fijarlo en su lugar. 
The exterior of the guesthouse with the front window in place. El exterior de la casa de huéspedes con la ventana frontal en su lugar . 
The interior of the guesthouse with the front window in place. El interior de la casa de huéspedes con la ventana frontal en su lugar . 
Lunch consisted of a fried mixture of eggs, beef, and sweet potatoes, along with a green salad drizzled with a tangy vinaigrette. El almuerzo consistía en una mezcla frita de huevos, carne de res y batata. Además había una ensalada verde rociada con una vinagreta picante. 
This afternoon, I tidied up the Guesthouse. Esta tarde ordené la casa de huéspedes. 
Dinner consisted of an Indian bison hamburger steak, topped with Swiss cheese and accompanied by a green salad drizzled with balsamic vinaigrette. La cena consistía en un bistec de hamburguesa de bisonte indio, cubierto con queso suizo y acompañado de una ensalada verde rociada con vinagreta balsámica. 
This is a sliced red apple sprinkled with cinnamon and accompanied by a dollop of Greek yogurt. Esta es una manzana roja en rodajas espolvoreada con canela y acompañada de una cucharada de yogurt griego.
10/2/2025: Today began in the mid 70s and warmed into the high 80s. Mostly sunny morning followed by a cloudy afternoon.
This is the stew I made for dinner today (October 2, 2025). Este es el guiso que preparé para la cena de hoy (2 de octubre de 2025). 
This is the ground Indian bison I browned in the pan outside my little house this morning. I’m going to put it in a nood-less lasagna. Esta es la carne molida de bisonte indio que doré en la sartén afuera de mi casita esta mañana. Voy a ponerla en una lasaña sin fideos. 
Lunch consisted of a fried mixture of eggs, beef, and sweet potatoes. It was accompanied by a green salad drizzled with a tangy vinaigrette. El almuerzo consistía en una mezcla frita de huevos, carne de res y batata. Esta estaba acompañada de una ensalada verde rociada con una vinagreta picante. 
This afternoon I made a noodle-free lasagna for dinner tomorrow with Sean and his wife. Esta tarde preparé una lasaña sin fideos para la cena de mañana con Sean y su esposa. 
The uncooked “nood-less lasagna.” La “lasaña sin fideos” cruda. 
This afternoon the ducks were looking at the mural on the south side of the Studio. Esta tarde los patos estaban mirando el mural del lado sur de la casita de mi padre. 
The cooked “nood-less lasagna”. La “lasaña sin fideos” cocida. 
Dinner consisted of a Mississippi-style stew garnished with grated sweet potato. La cena consistía en un guiso al estilo Misisipi adornado con batata rallada.
10/3/2025: Today began in the mid 70s and warmed into the mid 80s. Mostly cloudy.
This morning, October 3, 2025, I prepared a portion of noodle-free lasagna for the Brimages to take home. Esta mañana del 3 de octubre de 2025, preparé una porción de lasaña sin fideos para que los Brimages se llevaran a casa. 
Lunch consisted of a fried mixture of eggs and Mississippi-style stew, accompanied by a green salad drizzled with a tangy vinaigrette. El almuerzo consistía en una mezcla frita de huevos y guiso al estilo Mississipi. Esta estaba acompañado de una ensalada verde rociada con una vinagreta picante. 
I made three loaves of braided sourdough bread for the shop tomorrow morning. Hice tres barras de pan de masa madre trenzadas para la tienda mañana por la mañana. 
Later I made a tube to collect money from customers who pet and feed Betty. Más tarde hice un tubo para coleccionar dinero de clientes que acarician y alimentan a Betty. 
Dinner consisted of keto lasagna, a slice of mushroom pizza, and a colorful salad made by Padre. There was also a horn of red wine to drink. La cena consistía en lasaña cetogénica acompañada de un trozo de pizza de hongo y una ensalada colorida hecha por mi padre. Además, había un cuerno de vino tinto para beber. 
The dessert: a sliced red apple sprinkled with cinnamon and accompanied by a spoonful of Greek yogurt. El postre: una manzana roja en rodajas espolvoreada con canela y acompañada de una cucharada de yogur griego. 
A photo of the Brimages enjoying the keto lasagna. Una foto de los Brimages disfrutando de la lasaña cetogénica.
10/4/2025: Today began in the low 70s and warmed into the mid 80s. Brief bouts of precipitation throughout.
The colorful dawn of October 4, 2025. El amanecer colorido del 4 de octubre de 2025. 
I chose a piece of Swiss cheese to top the burgers for dinner. Elegí un trozo de queso suizo para cubrir las hamburguesas para la cena. 
Lunch consisted of a Mississippi-style stew accompanied by a green salad. Both were topped with red cabbage and finely grated sweet potatoes. El almuerzo consistía en un guiso al estilo Mississipi acompañado de una ensalada verde. Ambos estaban cubiertos con repollo rojo y batata finamente rallada. 
This is a sliced red apple sprinkled with cinnamon and accompanied by a dollop of Greek yogurt. Esta es una manzana roja en rodajas espolvoreada con canela y acompañada de una cucharada de yogur griego. 
The hamburger steaks and bacon I prepared for dinner. Los bistecs de hamburguesa y tocino que preparé para la cena. 
This afternoon I built a support for the hibiscus plants in the garden. Esta tarde construí un soporte para las plantas de jamaica en el jardín. 
Dinner consisted of a hamburger steak topped with Swiss cheese, bacon, chopped onions, ketchup, and mustard. This was accompanied by a green salad garnished with three slices of pickled cucumber. La cena consistía en un bistec de hamburguesa cubierto con queso suizo, tocino, cebolla picada, salsa de tomate y mostaza. Esto estaba acompañada de una ensalada verde adornada con tres trozos de pepino encurtido.
Final Note: This was originally intended to be read at a gathering with Sean & Katie on Friday. Unfortunately, an illness prevented them from coming to feast with us. Still, it gave me an opportunity to revise and fine-tune the epigraph for Bakkan’s Chapter 10 in Book 2 – TLB:
I hate admitting it, but Auriel was right.
At first, I thought this was our Court Alchemist’s way of brushing me off her pinafore so she can govern the Vale and educate my children as she sees fit. (Granted, she may consider that an added benefit of the current arrangement). However, as I reposed this morning on my favorite boulder, I could not deny the tranquility and perspective that has settled upon me over these past three moons. I sat for a time, observing the streamlet that trickles its way down the cliff face just behind my cabin, granting the stone sparkling beards of emerald lichen and forming a small pool at the base – a favorite bathing spot for the avians of the region.
At one point, there was a robin – a gorgeous red-breasted fellow – that, in spite of there being space enough for the small flock of his kin, insisted on opening his craw in an ugly yawn and chasing off every other potential bather. I watched him for some time, and while doing so, I reflected. I reflected deeply. I descended into myself as if into a deep, dark spring, thinking... thinking of what? Nothing other than the medium through which I sank: Water. Whether rill or robin and whether river or row-man or froth or Fahreiver, life is water. Much of the variation we see is manifested solely by differences in its distribution.
Of course, as is often the case, my ponderings turned toward the Empire. More specifically, the Lower Quadrant. At this time, enemies of our house are crossing the stormy autumn seas. They risk death by drowning (if that is not symbolic, I do not know what is), and when they arrive? They will die by the thousands – the tens of thousands – along with our own.
And all for what? The pursuit of more water. The desire to control more water.
Why must we be like the robin? Why, when – with a few moments’ consciousness – a trickling streamlet is enough to fuel a moon’s worth of contemplation? Why do we yearn to control an ocean when, gods know, it is impossible to master the one droplet that is our own?
- from ‘Studies of Self & Silver’ written by Queen Rhowena Plompaytis
Sure appreciate the sharing of both the writing and tasty food… I’m working on my drop, plenty to keep me busy there. It was an interesting week no doubt.