DAWN TO DUSK

Farm life reminds me of when I was a very young mother with three little ones and always a few spare children running under foot. It did not matter how early I arose or how late I stayed up, there was always something to do. When I was young I thought it would be a perfect day if at 5pm my job as mother, chief cook and bottle washer would end and I could prop my feet up until a reasonable bedtime and awake with nothing to do but take on the new day.

Life is different now. It is comforting to know that there is always something that needs my attention. I have no delusion that at 5pm everything will be completed and I will wake up to a blank canvas the next morning. I have to admit that I am a bit weary of unpacking and rearranging “stuff” to make room for more “stuff,” however; it has been a good lesson for me. I have come to accept that “stuff” that takes up space with no purpose most likely needs to go live with someone that has a need or purpose for that “stuff.” I have to wonder if this job will ever end or will my needs change and the “stuff” that once had a purpose will no longer have a priority. I am guessing since life is change, that will be the case with the “stuff.” My dear, sweet, husband tells me I have a life time to worry about what do to with all of the “stuff,” however I have to believe there must be better ways to fill my days than to worry about where to put “stuff.” I believe that the eliminating of unnecessary “stuff” is a good cleanse for the spirit as well as for the house. It makes room for new “stuff.” Maybe new memories, new experiences, new adventures or maybe just a new spot in the floor that you haven’t seen in a “coons age” (however long that is.) I believe only good can come from letting go of unused “stuff.”  

Randy and I had a conversation the other day about getting up early. It seemed sort of silly to me when your day is your own to wake up and start it before dawn. All I could do is think about how very tired I would be by dinner time. I convinced Randy that 4:30 AM was an unreasonable time for humans to be awake unless it was absolutely necessary. So we slept in until 7 am. We got up and he declared how late it was and I was thinking to myself… “This seems like an honorable time to begin my day when it is cold outside with the wind blowing.” The day got off to a slow start and I have to admit that neither of us accomplished as much as we wished for that the day. Once evening falls, it seems we are both ready to have dinner, curl up in the chair and enjoy catching up on some reading. What I have discovered is, in actuality, it does not matter what time we get up, we start calling it a day when the sun begins to set.  NOW I GET IT… Today we got up much earlier, Randy was on the Yoga mat and I had coffee in my hand before 6 AM. The day was off and running as the sun came up. It was invigorating and then I realized it makes sense to get up early. The plus is, if you get tired… sit down by the large windows and let the sun shine on you while you take a quick rest and soak up some vitamin D. It feels like a nap on the beach.  

Morning before sunrise is a very sacred time, especially in the country. Everything is so very still; even the birds that start chirping before sunrise to welcome the day start slow and soft. You can hear your thoughts. Stirring before dawn is meditation in movement. It is too mystical to not be enjoyed.

Last evening I was looking at some pictures that I may want to add to my blog when I came across the picture of my oldest grandson, Aidan, picking blueberries. He was so excited, he must have told Randy and I, (separately and together) twenty-five times how exciting it was to be able to pick blueberries and eat them, to be able to put them in the pancakes and it did not cost a thing, we did not have to go to the store, we just pick them and eat them. He was so impressed, excited and amazed that it kept him busy each morning picking berries before breakfast. With that in mind I started reading the new seed catalog that arrived in the mail that very day. I read it cover to cover. It sung to me of spring time and new adventures. I can’t wait to grow more things that the grandchildren can pick and prepare. There is nothing that gives a person more satisfaction than to plant, pick and eat their own food. The smile on Aidan’s face in the photo told me that it is a must that we plan a weekend with the grandchildren so they can plant things that they love to eat. With each visit and through the wonder of technology they can monitor the gardens progress. When they visit later in the year they can experience the feeling of accomplishment that one has when they dine on vegetables that they have grown, picked and prepared.

The beauty of farm life is that I have time to dream about the garden before it is time to plant and a husband that is as excited about the grandchildren having the experience as he is about the freshness it will add to our table.  

The lesson I have learned today: Getting up before sunrise only makes good sense! 

My break in the sun must come to an end for now. I am so happy to have plenty of day light to get back to the sorting of “stuff.”


                                   I Love Farm Life
                                             &
                                  I Love You Randy