We produce this site for our own amusement and to keep our family and friends informed on the progress of our hobbies and the development of our ranch property.  It will always be a work in progress as Jean learns more about web page development.  It will change and evolve--sometimes for the better and sometimes not.   We hope you enjoy the journey with us, but if you don't, you don't have to visit.

We are Alan Love and Jean Schara from San Antonio, Texas.  In early 2001, we purchased 100 acres of hayfield (25 acres) and woods (75 acres) near Cameron, Texas.  Until then, Mercury Ranch existed only in our imagination.

Alan is a retired English professor.  He enjoys a multitude of hobbies.  He is musically talented and plays many instruments--some for enjoyment and some for profit.  He actively collects kerosene lanterns and produces a national level newsletter about lantern collecting.  His collection of 1946 Mercurys is the inspiration for Mercury Ranch, but he also has a 1948 Ford F1, two 1956 Lambretta motor scooters, a home built motor home on a 1968 Ford chassis, and several other classic vehicles.

Jean is a communications officer in the United States Air Force.  She has collected many things over the years, but her current interests are glass (thumbprint pattern) and polar bears. 

Both of us ride motorcycles and have extensive book collections.  We are also incurable packrats, so we rarely throw anything away.  Our pets play an important role in our lives.  Alan has two adult daughters, and we have two granddaughters.  And we are both looking forward to retiring in the next few years.