When we arrived in the Calchaqui Valley we expected to be greeted warmly...almost as saviors. We were coming with new energy, new hope, new machinery...and new money...to make the desert bloom.
Reminds me of at least two quotes from the timeless wit of Gilda Radner's Roseanne Roseannadanna: 1. "It just goes to show ya! It's always something!"? and 2. "You got take the bad with the good". Great article, Bill.
Maybe you should write more columns like this, Bill, and stay out of politics. When you write about your life and experiences in your various homes, you become a reasonable person, willing to see the many sides of life. It is actually an enjoyable read. Unfortunately, when you write about politics, you become a hateful, biased, purveyor of half-truths.
I have never found a column written by Bill to be hateful. Anymore than I find criticism of one of his columns to be hateful. Just because you have a different opinion doesn’t mean you are being hateful. Instead of resorting to insulting a person who disagrees with you, why not point out why their position is wrong? The fact that people resort to insult rather than rational argument most often means that they have no way of refuting what is said.
Actually, Terry, I have posted rational replies to Bonner's hateful comments on Trump many times over. But I get it, you don't like that I used "hateful" without giving a full explanation this time. Apparently "biased" and "purveyor of half-truths" were good with you.
Are you sure that you’re not labeling Bill’s opinions as hateful simply because he has a view that differs from your own? Rather than jumping to place your pretty extreme labels, why not start by providing us with information that really proves his “errors” and then let us readers decide if either his or your comment should be labeled “hateful”?
Whoops. I hit "Like" by mistake. To answer your comment - I have done that many times over as I wrote in the comment that you replied to. Did you not read it?
Milei rewriting property laws in Argentina is like letting a drunk cowboy handle your mortgage, now everyone with a pickup truck and a dream thinks they own a mountain.
This guy walks into the Calchaqui Valley like he’s Clint Eastwood in a spaghetti western, pointing at squatters and saying, “You have the right to remain homeless.” Meanwhile, your ranch has turned into a petting zoo for people who identify as indigenous after one too many ayahuasca trips, and the only thing multiplying faster than their cows is the legal bills. But hey, at least Milei got rid of the “open-ended provision”, now you can finally take back your land, just as soon as you finish fishing your water line out of a llama’s mouth. And Bill, I don’t care what all 73,000 of your subscribers say about you, you’re all right bruh!
You build it. They try to steal it. They kill each other and they kill dogs to dress them up with little saddles . I’d keep my powder dry around this crowd Bill.
It does strike a nerve doesn't it ? The hacks, the free loaders, and the right reverts back to a collectivist parasitical self loathing group aka government.
I would say that, even though Bill has lost money on the Ranch, he has more than made up for it, by writing about it, by people subscribing from his excellent writings, on his travels, and explaining how the monetary system works.
I wish I had contemporaneously written more about my (and spouse's) travels and taken more pictures to "remember" the journeys and the meals and the bus drivers and the weather and the travel companions and... The list alone of these unfulfilled wishes would cover too many pages and too many years. Best regards to all who travel and take all the dang pictures and video you can!
Great descriptive article. I enjoy your perspectives. Maybe buy a 3D machine & manufacture your hard-to-get parts. I prefer these articles. Skip the politics.
Excellent view points on 'life' itself I thought. Ahh, an old cynic might say, "life is just one damn thing after the next"! True dat, but most of us manage to keep going by thinking of the many great times we have had, and the wonderful friends and family we know and have known. It is good to be able to help our fellow humans sometimes.
Always love these stories because you tell them well. Sounds like a long life of love and enduring hardships. I wish you many more years of experiences in your four residences before your final chapter is written. Thank you for sharing these moments in your life. I cherish these musings.
rigador irrigator as you say or one who makes ROWs where the water travels to water the fields
I've enjoyed the articles on the ranch and the way you savor the experience there as well as Ireland. To observe and extract the essence of the movement of daily life.
Reminds me of at least two quotes from the timeless wit of Gilda Radner's Roseanne Roseannadanna: 1. "It just goes to show ya! It's always something!"? and 2. "You got take the bad with the good". Great article, Bill.
Such a good writer Bill. I always enjoy your missives, no matter what they're about or where they lead.
Thank you for a perceptive article, Bill. Quite enjoyable.
Maybe you should write more columns like this, Bill, and stay out of politics. When you write about your life and experiences in your various homes, you become a reasonable person, willing to see the many sides of life. It is actually an enjoyable read. Unfortunately, when you write about politics, you become a hateful, biased, purveyor of half-truths.
I have never found a column written by Bill to be hateful. Anymore than I find criticism of one of his columns to be hateful. Just because you have a different opinion doesn’t mean you are being hateful. Instead of resorting to insulting a person who disagrees with you, why not point out why their position is wrong? The fact that people resort to insult rather than rational argument most often means that they have no way of refuting what is said.
Actually, Terry, I have posted rational replies to Bonner's hateful comments on Trump many times over. But I get it, you don't like that I used "hateful" without giving a full explanation this time. Apparently "biased" and "purveyor of half-truths" were good with you.
Are you sure that you’re not labeling Bill’s opinions as hateful simply because he has a view that differs from your own? Rather than jumping to place your pretty extreme labels, why not start by providing us with information that really proves his “errors” and then let us readers decide if either his or your comment should be labeled “hateful”?
Whoops. I hit "Like" by mistake. To answer your comment - I have done that many times over as I wrote in the comment that you replied to. Did you not read it?
Milei rewriting property laws in Argentina is like letting a drunk cowboy handle your mortgage, now everyone with a pickup truck and a dream thinks they own a mountain.
This guy walks into the Calchaqui Valley like he’s Clint Eastwood in a spaghetti western, pointing at squatters and saying, “You have the right to remain homeless.” Meanwhile, your ranch has turned into a petting zoo for people who identify as indigenous after one too many ayahuasca trips, and the only thing multiplying faster than their cows is the legal bills. But hey, at least Milei got rid of the “open-ended provision”, now you can finally take back your land, just as soon as you finish fishing your water line out of a llama’s mouth. And Bill, I don’t care what all 73,000 of your subscribers say about you, you’re all right bruh!
Lol
BB: Great story! Hope you don't give up and sell. The people and their families need you, even if they don't realize it.
You build it. They try to steal it. They kill each other and they kill dogs to dress them up with little saddles . I’d keep my powder dry around this crowd Bill.
It does strike a nerve doesn't it ? The hacks, the free loaders, and the right reverts back to a collectivist parasitical self loathing group aka government.
A very pleasant read. Thanks and enjoy the view.
I would say that, even though Bill has lost money on the Ranch, he has more than made up for it, by writing about it, by people subscribing from his excellent writings, on his travels, and explaining how the monetary system works.
I wish I had contemporaneously written more about my (and spouse's) travels and taken more pictures to "remember" the journeys and the meals and the bus drivers and the weather and the travel companions and... The list alone of these unfulfilled wishes would cover too many pages and too many years. Best regards to all who travel and take all the dang pictures and video you can!
Bittersweet.
The funny part is that at this point, many of us want to find out. Vaya con Dios!
Great descriptive article. I enjoy your perspectives. Maybe buy a 3D machine & manufacture your hard-to-get parts. I prefer these articles. Skip the politics.
Excellent view points on 'life' itself I thought. Ahh, an old cynic might say, "life is just one damn thing after the next"! True dat, but most of us manage to keep going by thinking of the many great times we have had, and the wonderful friends and family we know and have known. It is good to be able to help our fellow humans sometimes.
Always love these stories because you tell them well. Sounds like a long life of love and enduring hardships. I wish you many more years of experiences in your four residences before your final chapter is written. Thank you for sharing these moments in your life. I cherish these musings.
rigador irrigator as you say or one who makes ROWs where the water travels to water the fields
I've enjoyed the articles on the ranch and the way you savor the experience there as well as Ireland. To observe and extract the essence of the movement of daily life.