This is part five of the Remembering Montana series of posts reflecting on my family’s three weeks on a small Montana ranch in the fall of 2018. Some reflections are recently written, but this short and sweet post came from those I posted to social media while we were at the ranch. Scroll down then navigate back to read previous posts.
Day 7 (September 26, 2018):
Sometimes it feels like we’re camping–especially when we want bacon for breakfast.
There were never vents installed in the kitchen. Are these a requirement for cooking meat? Seems reasonable. Jane is a vegetarian (transitioning into veganism) and clearly an avid animal-lover and advocate for sustainable living. She let me know early in our communications that we would not be able to cook meat inside the house because of the vent situation. Do I believe that’s the only reason? Maybe, because when I asked if we could bring something to cook meat outside, she said, “of course!”
Jane trains dogs and has written extensively about her methods. I’m not sure she realizes it, but she uses non-violent communication with all her “fur-kids”. Who knew that even animals respond to “dialogue” over rewards and punishments? I take great comfort in this new knowledge. And while Jane and I differ on certain sustainable living principles, she’s clearly a badass from whom I have lots to learn!
So, this is our set-up. Imagine us squatting around our single burner propane stove on this porch cooking (sustainably-raised 😉 ) meat. I love camping!
Restoring Justis 