Malmo Acres

09/29/2026

Been a busy week out here! We are planning to do an update video when a couple more projects are complete. You may have noticed the content has been a bit slow the past month (we’ll explain why). Last 2 days we’ve been lucky to stay dry enough to get the framing of the chicken run roof done, re-framing and enlarging of a garage door done, and a few other odds and ends. Unfortunately, we didn’t get the chicken run roof done before the land hurricane hits later today so Angelia decided to get the chicken feeder cleaned out now.

09/29/2026

We had a visitor at Malmo Acres today! 📺

We were quite surprised when Darsha Dodge from 10/11 News reached out after seeing our recent post about me joining the Malmo Volunteer Fire Department and participating in the house burn training in Weston.

I certainly never expected joining the department to turn into a news story, but I’m grateful to Darsha for making the trip to Malmo and, more importantly, for using the story to bring attention to volunteer fire departments and the people who serve their communities across Nebraska.

Until the interview, I honestly didn’t realize how difficult it can be for some rural departments to find enough volunteers. And while I'm still figuring out my place on the department and how I can ramp up my education to make sure I am effective on my first fire call, I also know that there are opportunities for anyone to service others if you just reach out and ask questions like I did.

More broadly, I’ve always believed communities of all sizes work best when people are willing to contribute if, when, and where they’re able. That certainly doesn’t mean everyone needs to become a firefighter. There are a hundred different ways to volunteer, serve, help a neighbor or simply make your little corner of the world a little better.

I joined because I thought it was a meaningful way I could contribute to the community we now call home. And if sharing the experience brings a little more attention to Nebraska’s volunteer firefighters, the importance of their training, or maybe encourages someone else to find their own way to get involved, I’m glad Darsha reached out.

Thanks again, Darsha and 10/11 News!

“I think there’s a place for everybody," says a new rural volunteer firefighter, who joined his local department in his early 50s and with no prior experience. "I just think in this world, people need to give back."

09/27/2026

Can anyone relate? 😜

"I wonder if 20 acres is enough." https://buff.ly/ZPFMc4W

09/26/2026

Back-to-back guest changeovers are no joke (and today is our first one)! Angelia and I have just two hours to make the guest house spotless before 3 PM check-in because we are also headed to a wedding. Anyone recognize my movie quote joke?

09/26/2026

I know our neighbors are anxious for some dry weather to get started with harvest, but I am thankful my pond is full for the first time since early spring (without running the well pump 24/7). Looks like we have had a bit over 2” in the past 2 days. Is everyone lined up to get in the fields as soon as it dries out enough?

09/23/2026

We’ve had our share of bonfires, campfires, burn piles, and even propane grill fires. But the heat from this house fire was beyond intense! Being able to go inside a burning structure and not only learn what to look for, but also to experience the heat and smoke first hand was a great learning experience. The instruction and information given by those leading the training was top notch! Glad I was able to be a part of this so early in my Fireman journey.

09/22/2026

Looks like we leveled up to “Guest Favorite” on Airbnb! Thank you to our guests who took time to leave a review after staying.

09/21/2026

Now that all our projects at Malmo Acres are complete and we have nothing left to keep us busy (HUGE sarcasm), I figured this was a good time to learn a new skill by applying to become a member of the Malmo Volunteer Fire Department.

Amazingly enough, a couple of months ago the members voted to let me join - despite most people seeming to know me as "that weird Malmo Acres guy." 😮/🤯

I’ve always had mad respect for first responders, so getting the opportunity to learn from them has already been a pretty humbling experience.

Although I suppose I should disclose that I came in with some prior experience. My firefighting career actually began in elementary school when I proudly served on Ralston’s “Junior Fire Patrol.” After roughly a 45-year hiatus, I’m back! 😂

And apparently you’re never too old to think driving a firetruck is pretty damn cool.

Yesterday was my first house burn training in Weston, and it was an awesome experience. I learned a ton, met more great firefighters from surrounding departments, and came away with even more respect for both the professionals and volunteers who train so they can show up when the rest of us need them.

I also learned that nobody adequately prepared 53-year-old me for what carrying an air tank on my back, wearing all that gear, and sweating out approximately 90% of my internal fluids for a couple of hours would feel like later.

Let’s just say I watched the Husker game last night from the couch with a few painkillers, some muscle salve, a LOT of Gatorade, and very little interest in getting back up. 😂 Looks like the Pilates Reformer needs to be dusted off and put back to work building up my core strength!

I have a LOT left to learn, but if you ain’t learning, you’re dying. I'm thankful to the members of the department who voted me in and for the community who has been so welcoming to our family!

09/20/2026

Our Guest House probably isn’t what most people picture when they think “Airbnb.”

At over 2,000 sq. ft., it’s actually big enough to host a pretty good-sized group—but that’s not what we want it to be.

When our friends and family aren’t using it, we open our Malmo Solitude Guest House to just one or two guests looking for a quiet, peaceful country escape from the city.

No crowds. No parties. No kids. No pets. Just a comfortable place to slow down, enjoy the property, and get away for a night or two.

Friday night was another one-night stay—and another 5-star review by a great couple who just wanted a quick get away. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐