We have commented a few times about ranchos. Lots of people live outside of towns on a family ranch. Some are very small. Others, like this one are large. The Alvarado Family moved here to a ranch outside of Tierra Blanca, arguably the hottest place in the mission. They came from Xalapa where the weather is undeniably the best, cool and fresh. Bro. Alvarado's mom was dying and they decided to relocate here. That is very typical of the Mexican culture, to leave all that they have to attend to a parent who is passing away. The pictures were taken in the dry month of April. It is very green and lush there during the rain. The house has no windows. It does have shutters. The Alvarado's raise cows, which they milk by hand, and then they make yogurt. They sell it in town. They also have pigs, chickens, mosquitos, ants and a pet parrot which speaks Spanish.