Ghost Ranch is where I first discovered my love of red lipstick. Yes, you heard me right. I found lipstick in the middle of the desert. Is Ghost Ranch the begining of my origin story? Definitely. 

Here is the thing, Ghost Ranch is where so many people found themselves, I can think of many friends who feel like they are their best selves at the Ranch. This summer while listening to Leslie Kempes give her Ghost Ranch history talk, I noticed how many people are historically drawn to the ranch. Georgia O'Keeffe isn’t actually all that creative when it comes to a place to land, a place to create, a place to start fresh, and a place to gather. 

I call myself a Ranch Brat, it’s something I am proud of. To me, it means I have had a lifelong connection to Ghost Ranch. From the moment I first arrived, I knew it was a place I would be returning to for the rest of my life. And from 4 on, I have come to the Ranch every year of my life. 

 One night some Ranch friends and I came up with a list called “You know you're a Ranch Brat if…”

So here is the list, you only have to hit one thing to be considered a Ranch Brat:

1. At one point in your life, you have had a pet named after something to do with New Mexico.

2. You have a tattoo of a Ghost Ranch skull, Zia, mountain formation, or anything alluding to New Mexico. 

3. You have had a sing-a-long in front of a fire pit on the ranch. I would also accept a sing-a-long anywhere on the ranch.

4. You have fallen in love at the Ranch. In any way, shape. or form. 

5. Somewhere on your body is a scar with a good story about Ghost Ranch

6. You have seriously contemplated donating most of your future lottery winnings to the Ranch. 

Maybe someday we Ranch Brats may win the lottery, but until then there are still smaller more achievable ways to donate to Ghost Ranch. 

Please consider donating any amount you can spare. Whether it's $5 or $50, you are helping the future generation of Ranch Brats discover their true selves. As an added bonus, if you donate $200 you will be entered to win one of six copies of a signed edition of Ghost Ranch by Lesley Poling-Kempes. Donate today and tag in your Ranch Community!