Tag: Work

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Simplicity

“I do not particularly like the word ‘work.’ Human beings are the only animals who have to work, and I think that is the most ridiculous thing in the world. Other animals make their livings by living, but people work like crazy, thinking that they have to in order to stay alive. The bigger the job, the greater the challenge, the more wonderful they think it is. It would be good to give up that way of thinking and live an easy, comfortable life with plenty of free time. I think that the way animals live in the tropics, stepping outside in the morning and evening to see if there is something to eat, and taking a long nap in the afternoon, must be a wonderful life. For human beings, a life of such simplicity would be possible if one worked to produce directly his daily necessities. In such a life, work is not work as people generally think of it, but simply doing what needs to be done.” 

― Masanobu Fukuoka, The One-Straw Revolution

Today was my second day of mowing with our new John Deere. I have to say in my wildest dreams I never ever thought I’d say I owned a Deere.

The plan was to take a picture of me as I mowed. A problem with that plan presented itself very quickly. Because it has been so very dry here from the moment I began mowing I was immediately covered in a substantial layer of reddish-brown powder. It’s not that I’m that vain. It just seemed kinda silly to take a picture of someone so very well camouflaged.

Now I understand why people in the old Western movies wore kerchiefs over their faces.

So, for the sake of storytelling, I took a still of “Bull,” our little tractor. He did a remarkable job today. I’m starting to get pretty attached to this little guy.

As I type I am having a hard time believing we are heading into the last holiday for this summer season.

As I pour my wine, I wish you all a very happy and safe Labor Day holiday. Take this time to rest and spend time with those you love. I am reminded daily time is promised to no one. Grab and treasure every minute. Let the small stuff go. Live and love like there is no tomorrow.

I’m taking my own advice and stepping away from the daily posts for a couple of weeks so I can spend time with people I don’t get a chance to see often.

Just think of the stories I’ll have to share!

“Thank you for the day and night,

for rainy spells and summer’s light.

Thank you for the skies of blue

and puffy clouds in grayish hue.

Thank you for the gigglefests

and midnight’s cloak to hasten rest.

Thank you for tomorrow new

and yesterday’s tomorrow too.

Thank you for “I’m glad we met”

and also for “we haven’t yet.”

Thank you for the peace of mind 

a grateful soul doth always find.

I am…

B…simply being…

I love you all and wish you a holiday filled with heartwarming memories.

~Peace~

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Hard Labor

“Without hard work, nothing grows but weeds.” 

― Gordon B. Hinckley

For the past few days, Michael and I have been working on the yard. It has been much harder than I ever imagined.

Friday we had help getting the four large piles of fill dirt scattered across the rocky ground that surrounds our new shed/truck port. When we were done, the lot was covered with a thick blanket of new top soil. Even with all that help it took hours.

Yesterday our seed arrived. Grabbing our hats, sunscreen, and yard tools, we headed off to plant our seeds.

To our surprise, the heat and humidity we’d complained about over the weekend had baked the top of our fresh layer of soil into a thick, hard crust. There would be no planting until we re-tilled the soil.

Hours later we began to scatter our special seeds that’d been developed to survive the harsh summers we face here in the Texas hill country. Mother Nature has given us a serious challenge and we are prepared.

We are now on full-time sprinkler duty–keeping our use as low as possible–and sprout alert.

The hours working the soil gave me an outlet for my frustrations as well as time to think. So many things are just so wrong right now. We are smart people. I do not understand why we are in such a mess. By the time I’d finished pounding through the rock hard dirt, I’d released a lot of tension. Even as hard as I was literally hitting the ground, I found no answers–only more questions.

I’d started yesterday reading an email that contained my favorite prayer. The words of this prayer also ran through my mind yesterday and were, without a doubt, another reason I ended my day feeling very tired but more at peace.

I’d like to share my favorite prayer with you.

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.

Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.

Amen.

The power of prayer is phenomenal. May God hear our prayers and bless us all.

I am…

B…simply being…

~Peace be with you.~