Tuesday afternoon, February 12th, my phone rang. Robert was right there and answered it in his baritone jokey way, “This is Joan.” On the line was Terry Gervais, whom we had never met. She is the niece of our recently deceased neighbor, Jimmy Robieson, our reclusive artist friend who lived in the deep woods between the road and the Mountain Water fence line. Terry was calling from Minnesota to tell us that Jimmy had left his land and house to us. We were speechless and had to sit down. The property is a long 5 acre strip of huge and ancient Gambel oaks and cottonwoods. Hidden in the woods is Jimmy’s hand-built hippy-era house, an incomplete Mayan-inspired pavilion, a 1970 Opel GT, and a functioning well. Jimmy's is a marvelous habitat of a working artist. With his endowment, so incredibly thoughtful and generous, we suddenly have a bunk house and shop. Our heads are spinning. Thank you dear Jimmy from all of us.

Big news, too, on the Mountain Water studio building front. This week, with the roof and insulation complete, the crew begins the interior drywall. Another big jump! All of the cabinets are on order, as well as the exterior siding. The front porch paneling is up—a switch to wood, aspen tongue & groove, which we think will be a homey contrast to the industrial chic burnt sienna patina of the rusted metal building siding.

As always, we’re grateful for your continued encouragement and support. Can’t wait to see you here one day!