I was welcomed with a large gust of wind and a group of hombres relaxing on the front porch of the tack house. One with a guitar, another with a beer, and others in jovial Spanish conversation. They looked up at me, surprised to a see a guera. We had a friendly conversation that made me embarrassed by my pequito español and I became conscious of my tight clothes and light eyes. A calico cat rubbed up against me and my worries instantly left. They gave us beer and we went out to do what we came to do. Unfortunately, the wind was too strong for a trail ride. I petted Delta's soft nose as she explained to me how the hell I was supposed to ride this thing. I set out around the ranch, terrified, but enjoying it. When she made us trot, I fell off, for there was nothing to hold onto with this type of saddle. Ironically, I was more bruised from other happenings that week then I was from the fall. I saw some cats playing and knew my time on the horse was over. I quickly drank my beer and went in search, yet they had evaded me.
Back at the tack house, she immediately told all the hombres that I had fallen. We all laughed, I scolded her for telling. They demanded video footage of which there was none. I told them I wanted more cats, they informed me that the calico was a new mother to an extremely fresh litter. I had a hard time understanding why I was not informed of this upon my arrival, and instantly had five tiny kittens on my body at once. Kitten therapy has saved me more than a few times.
We sat on the filthy and littered porch as the sun dipped below the horizon. The dirtiness was refreshing - no one cared about trivial cleanliness or organization. One hombre enjoyed a massage, another stretched out his legs after a long day of work. One was still singing and playing guitar. Another attempted to converse with me but hardly spoke a lick of English. We all talked and laughed, the old womanizer had arrived and had many dirty jokes to share. I sat back with my cats and beer and enjoyed the stillness more as we were plunged into night darkness, without the single speck of electricity present. Just our voices and laughter carried out over the calm night, and I felt wholly content. I reached down to pick up the momma cat and was pleasantly surprised by the feeling of enlarged nipples ready to feed. My fascination for breastfeeding was gratified as I gave the babies back to their mom and watched them all suckle her while pushing with their paws to receive more milk. Perhaps one of the cutest natural wonders of this world.
We said our goodbye's, hugs and kisses, and I knew I would miss the simple serenity of this place.
