What we anticipate seldom
occurs; what we least
expect generally
happens.

~Benjamin Disraeli~

 

“Keep calm and carry on.” This has been the mantra that I’ve had to keep repeating to myself all through the month of October. It has worked pretty good up till now as I sit at the computer, way past my deadlines and hours of work left to get done. I will of course manage, this isn’t the first time nor will it probably be the last that I push the limits. Keeping me really busy has been the Western Cowman photo contest, when we changed the rules this year, I thought that it would reduce our numbers, and while we are down this year, 611 photos are still pretty darn impressive. What was even more remarkable was the quality that this year’s entries produced; our judges really had their work cut out for them. The great photos surfaced to the top and we have all of them contained in this issue, so enjoy.

It has been said many times that “all trails lead home”, and with this next news, it has never been more true. After thirty years of doing business in Sacramento, we have always been at least thirty minutes from our James Danekas & Associates offices, and that was on a good days commute. After taking a hard look at the price of gas, the wasted drive time, we made the decision to move our offices back to the community where the ranch is located. Finding office space in a rural environment is something of a trial, but we were fortunate that space opened up in a realty building, just five minutes from home. The JDA offices will share office space with Steele Realty in Sheldon, Ca, the Steele Realty building is something of a landmark and if you’re looking to find us, the buffalo statue as tall as the two story building is an easy attraction, I guarantee you won’t just drive by. We’re excited about the move and look forward to having our daughter Mercedes be able to take a much more active role in the company, now that we can get back and forth to the ranch so easily.

We understand change is never easy, so I want to let you know what our new address and phone number will be at the end of November. The new address is P.O. Box 410, Wilton, CA 95693; our phone number also changes since we leave AT&T country to 916/685-8980. We’re very thrilled about this move and if any of you find yourselves in our zip code, be sure to stop by, as this office building has a character all its own.

I’m going to have to continue my mantra of “keep calm and carry on” as we make the big move this month, and navigate what I’m sure will prove to be new and challenging trails. The chill of the fall finally found its way to our neck of the woods this morning as the breeze had a bite to it and the whiff of smoke from fireplaces from the surrounding homes, sweatshirt weather for sure. I guess this is my wake up call that muck boot season is just around the corner. Turn up the heat, grab something warm to sip and settle in with the beautiful photos from this year’s contest. As November winds down we’ll be in our new space and pausing for that moment as we count our many blessings and toast one another a Happy Thanksgiving

….. Happy Trails