When we first moved to the farm, we drew up a plan - our first winter we would tackle the house interior, the first summer we'd get the barn removed and new fences and outbuildings erected, the second winter we'd start a major bathroom reno and so on and so on... We looked forward to setting our own pace, free of urban stress and arbitrary deadlines. Our only constraints would be the weather and our own energy.
The weather has been predictably unpredictable, affecting not only our outdoor exertions but our indoor priorities. Insulation, a new hot water tank, reconfiguring the central heating ducts, putting up a new garage when a windstorm took out our canvas quonset...
As for energy, I've long considered myself a reasonably active person. When my routine was dictated by my kids' school calendar and the April 30 tax deadline, I had no difficulty setting priorities, meeting commitments and generally getting things done. Out at the farm, I look to the seasons to dictate where to direct my energy. With the warmer, longer days, I head outside early to plant and prune. I remind myself to pause frequently - to enjoy the sunset and the moonrise, to notice the birds, smell the flowers and, literally, watch the grass grow. All very zen. Except as I pause and look and listen, I invariably add another couple of items to our project list. By noon I'm hot and muddy, befuddled by the sun overhead and the seemingly endless chores. On good days, I retire to the porch with a glass of ice water. On bad days I fantasize about the central A/C at my old office.
As we start our second summer at the farm and our "to do" list stretches ever longer, I find it important to acknowledge and celebrate our much shorter "completed" list.
The barn is down
a new vegetable garden is in
and we've harvested our first radishes.
By far, the most exciting addition to our farm is Wilson, the 8 week old Australian Shepherd we brought home yesterday.
While it may be too soon to be certain, Wilson's schedule appears to support my own. Up early because there's so much to do before retiring to the porch to escape the afternoon heat.
