McDowell Home Sweet Home

10/03/2026

Wondering what I’ve been up to in my spare time lately? It’s all been happening right here at McDowell home sweet home!

Living on this beautiful land gives us a front-row seat to history, and lately, I’ve been spending my free time exploring our acreage, observing the landscape, and doing some personal surveys after the weather clears. It is incredible what this property holds.

Here is a look at my latest walk and some amazing pieces of the past right beneath our feet:

I was out wandering across our property yesterday doing a walk and a little survey after the recent rains. I am definitely not a professional archaeologist, but I love doing these walks to admire the deep history of this land and recognize those who came before us.

Our property sits right on the western edge of the Kuykendall Archaeological Site, which was a thriving prehistoric Salado village occupied roughly between 1100 and 1450 A.D. The people of this culture were skilled farmers and major regional traders, building an entire community right here in the valley. Finding these items really connects you to how they utilized this exact landscape.

This picture shows exactly where I spotted a piece of black obsidian resting in a tiny drainage wash that isn’t even a foot wide. Right above the obsidian, further up the drainage, there are two pieces of stone that look like they possibly came out of an ancient fire pit—they are scorched, turned color, and look like they were actually broken by intense heat.

As I kept walking, I just couldn't quit finding things! I came across lots of small pottery shards scattered around. None of them were very large or painted, but they were everywhere. I also spotted three small stone flakes left behind by someone tooling out a rock tool long ago. I'm guessing the obsidian was a trade piece, and the plain pottery shards are local utility ware from that Salado village era. The edges of the obsidian are smoky blue with some hints of yellow; at first, I thought it was glass!

I am keeping careful personal documentation of this area, and the obsidian is going right back where it belongs to respect the site. Next time I head up to the museum, I look forward to showing the staff my pictures to see what they think.

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10/01/2026

This morning, our family lost a dear companion and a faithful livestock guardian. I am not talking about one of our livestock guardian dogs. I am talking about Boo, our Rhode Island Red rooster. Boo came into our lives nearly eight years ago, when we were living near Kanab. We had been looking at getting Australorps, but our daughter, CJ, had her heart set on Rhode Island Reds. Because of CJ, Boo became part of our family. What began with a daughter’s wish brought us a rooster who would fill our lives with memories and become dear to every one of us. From the beginning, Boo proved himself to be something special. He was always vigilant. He watched the skies for hawks and kept an eye on the surrounding ground for coyotes. If he noticed any threat at all, he sounded the alarm to warn his hens. I still remember when he first began crowing, and I am grateful that we captured it on video. One memory shows exactly what kind of rooster Boo was. About a year and a half or two years after we got him, a terrible blizzard swept through Johnson Canyon outside Kanab. The wind always blew down through that canyon, and that night it was bitterly cold, with heavy snow. Somehow, a gate into the chicken-coop area came open, and part of the coop collapsed beneath the weight of the snow. The frightened chickens must have run out into the large yard. The next morning, we found Boo with all of his hens huddled safely beneath a pile of branches in one corner of the yard. He had gathered them inside that shelter and spent the night stationed at its entrance, watching over them. That was Boo—the kind of rooster who always protected his flock. He had a mischievous side, too. If you went outside with bare legs, he might walk over, peck you, and give his beak a little twist. But when you picked him up, he always calmed right down. Boo was watchful, brave, full of personality, and deeply loved by our whole family. This is hard to write because we are all going to miss him so much. After nearly eight years as part of our lives, his absence will be felt by all of us every day. We will miss our faithful guardian and dear companion more than words can say. RIP Boo 2018-2026

09/24/2026

Good Morning from McDowell Home Sweet Home!

The day is just beginning in the Sulphur Springs Valley as the first light of sunrise spills across the eastern sky and the Chiricahua Mountains. The sun is still hidden behind the horizon, but its arrival is painted across the clouds in gold, orange, and soft shades of morning light.

After the recent monsoon rains, the desert is wearing a welcome coat of green, a sight we've been waiting a long time to see. Mornings like this are a reminder that even after the driest seasons, renewal always finds its way back to the land.

Wishing all our friends and followers a blessed, safe, and productive day. Take a moment to enjoy the beauty around you, wherever you are.

-hsh

09/24/2026

Hey out there!

We’re still around!

It has been quite a while since our last update here on the McDowell Home Sweet Home page, but things have just been very, very busy behind the scenes!

Lately, I’ve been spending my days enjoying a fantastic new job up at the Chiricahua National Monument! I’m working for the Western National Parks Association in the bookstore up there, and it is truly an incredible place to spend time. If you haven't been up to the monument lately, it is always a spectacular place to explore and check out.

Being out there so much has given me the chance to spot some amazing local wildlife and flora. I’ve recently posted a bunch of pictures of the beautiful plants, unique birds, and colorful butterflies I see out on the job over on my personal page. I’d love to invite anyone following our page here to head on over to my personal profile to take a look at those photos and see what’s been blooming and flying around the monument!

Along with working part-time up at the monument, we have also been tackling quite a few major projects right here at the house:
Animal Care Updates: We've been refining our feeding schedules and trying different feeding techniques to make day-to-day management a bit smoother.
Next Year's Garden: We didn’t get much of a garden in this season due to a handful of issues. However, we are already getting the raised beds ready for next spring by layering in different kinds of compost so we can have a great garden next year!
Property Maintenance: We are finally starting to get things sorted out, clearing the heavy weeds and putting down some clear walking trails across the property.

Between chores, I've been doing some photography right here at the house. Fall migration is in full swing, and these tiny visitors are moving through the property with some incredible aerial maneuvers. Enjoy the slideshow below!

07/28/2026

Today's "Talk From a Can" comes from Badger Clark, one of my favorite cowboy poets. Clark spent several years down near Tombstone, Arizona, along the south end of the Dragoon Mountains, where he worked ranches and first began putting his thoughts into verse. Later he returned to South Dakota and built his little cabin, the Badger Hole, in the Black Hills. I've been fortunate enough to visit there a few times. What I appreciate most about Clark is his love for the natural world. His poems capture the freedom of wide-open country, the cowboy way of life, and a deep respect for God's creation—something that has always spoken to me.

07/18/2026

Have a great evening everyone

07/17/2026

07/16/2026

Good Morning from McDowell Home Sweet Home
Thursday, July 16, 2026

Good morning, friends.

Today marks two weeks into retirement, and what a blessing it has been.

This morning I found myself sitting on the porch with a cup of coffee, watching another beautiful Arizona sunrise. Years ago, I used to joke that when I retired I'd spend my mornings sitting on the porch drinking coffee and watching the sunrise. Well, the sunrise and coffee part happened, but there doesn't seem to be much sitting still around here.

As the sun came up, I listened to the birds beginning their day. This morning we heard and observed a Cactus Wren, Curve-billed Thrasher, House Sparrows, and quail calling in the distance.

I'm especially grateful today for my family and for my wife, Angela. Through all the changes, long work schedules, projects, challenges, and dreams, she has been right there beside me every step of the way. Being retired, working on projects I enjoy, and spending more time with family are blessings I never want to take for granted.

The sunrise reminded me of something this morning:

"The day ahead is more powerful than anything that happened yesterday. Move forward."

Weather Report

Current temperature this morning is 69 degrees with light winds.

Today's forecast calls for a high near 88 degrees with thunderstorms developing this afternoon and rain chances increasing to 80 percent.

Friday and Saturday both look favorable for monsoon activity, with rain chances around 70 percent.

Flood Watch in effect this afternoon and evening.

As I'm writing this, I can see small rain showers moving across the Chiricahua Mountains. It's one of those sights that never gets old. Seeing rain fall over the mountains reminds me that moisture is finally making its way back across the desert landscape.

Today's Homestead Projects

- Install new 6-gallon poultry waterers
- Build bucket watering systems for the ducks
- Complete morning feeding and animal care
- Continue organizing homestead records and finances
- Work on McDowell Homestead branding
- Put away groceries
- Continue laying cardboard and mulch in the garden before the rains arrive
- Move straw from the trailer and prepare additional garden areas
- Improve the duck feeding and watering area beneath the mesquite tree
- Jump-start the van after accidentally leaving a door open yesterday

As usual, enough projects to keep me running around like a chicken with my head cut off most of the day.

Plant of the Day

Catclaw Mimosa
(Mimosa biuncifera)

Observed at McDowell Homestead, Sunizona, Arizona

Catclaw Mimosa is one of the native plants that helps define the landscape of southeastern Arizona. While many people see a thorny shrub, we see an important part of the desert ecosystem.

This plant provides shelter and nesting habitat for birds, cover for quail and other wildlife, helps slow runoff during monsoon storms, reduces soil erosion, supports pollinators, and provides browse for goats.

One reason we appreciate Catclaw Mimosa on the homestead is its resilience. Even after being browsed by goats, it often recovers well and continues providing habitat and forage.

The observation featured today shows healthy green leaves and developing flower buds as monsoon season begins to bring new growth across the property.

We're continuing to document local plants, wildlife, and natural history through our iNaturalist observations and look forward to sharing more species from around the homestead.

Animal of the Day

Wenda
Great Pyrenees Livestock Guardian Dog

Today's Animal of the Day is Wenda.

Wenda has been with us for almost as long as we've been at McDowell Homestead and has become one of our most loyal companions.

One memory that stands out goes back to when I was still working in Phoenix. Angela had traveled north of Phoenix to take care of an errand. On her way back home, she needed to come through Phoenix, and I convinced her to stop and see me before continuing south toward Tucson and eventually home.

Wenda was riding along that day.

Back then she was much more cautious around me and often kept her distance when I came home from work trips.

Over the years that changed.

Now she follows me during chores, checks in when I'm feeding animals, and keeps watch over everything happening around the property. When I pull into the driveway, she usually knows exactly who's home and comes over to investigate.

Wenda is a reminder of one of the best parts of homestead life: loyal animals that become family.

Morning Wildlife Observations

- Cactus Wren
- Curve-billed Thrasher
- House Sparrow
- Gambel's Quail

Today's Observance

Arizona Monsoon Season

July is the heart of Arizona's monsoon season.

For many people, rain is just weather. Out here, it's life.

Monsoon storms bring much-needed moisture to deserts, grasslands, gardens, ranches, wildlife habitat, and the people who call southeastern Arizona home.

Community Corner

Today we'd like to recognize our neighbors, local ranchers, farmers, homesteaders, first responders, volunteers, and community members throughout southeastern Arizona.

Thank you for helping make this part of Arizona such a special place to call home.

Gratitude Corner

Today I am thankful for my family, Angela, retirement, good health, our animals, beautiful Arizona sunrises, strong coffee, and another day to build our homestead dream.

Daily Motivation

Outwork yesterday.
Outwork excuses.
Outwork doubt.

Have a blessed Thursday from all of us at McDowell Homestead.

Every sunrise is a reminder that we get another opportunity to move forward.

07/16/2026

Another beautiful Arizona sunrise at McDowell Homestead this morning. As I sit on the porch with a cup of coffee, watching rain showers move across the Chiricahua Mountains, I'm reminded how blessed I am. Today marks two weeks into retirement, and I'm grateful for family, good health, loyal animals, and the opportunity to spend my days building the homestead we've dreamed about.

Monsoon season is finally bringing much-needed moisture to the desert, reminding us that growth often comes after long dry spells. Here's a look at today's sunrise, the wildlife around the homestead, and a few moments from another busy and blessed morning in southeastern Arizona.