Some More Tao of Farming

Let us gaze upon the beautiful wheat of this summer that will probably not be harvested to be used as food for people who make bread. Such are the ways of the world these days.

But wait! This is not a negative piece. I simply wanted to thank Mother Nature for producing the awesome sight seen here. Because of the current system of economics and insurance, it is more profitable for us to forsake our lovely wheat and collect the insurance for it. (For the gruesome details, see previous post.) Nevertheless, there is no cost to appreciating it for what it is -- the fruits of our labors and the bounty of Mother Earth. Also, it will not be totally forsaken as it will be baled along with the clover for hay for some very lucky cows!

If we look at this event as an instance in time along a continuum of life, the monetary rewards become stripped of their importance, to some extent. Not everything valuable is directly related to money, fortunately. So, I take a page from the fabulous writings of my daughter, Julie, and give you a list of those farming things that do put a smile on my face, time and time again:

(Here is that smile, by the way)

• cooking over the open campfire in the firepit we made
• watching the children run wild and grow like weeds
  
• sitting on the patio watching the deer walk up the ridge across the pond, stopping at their salt lick, looking over at us, and heading on to the forest (maybe minus one during hunting season)
  
• enjoying 'Denny and Alan time'* complete with matching wool pajama tops
  
• hiking our land...yes...OUR land!
• taking pride in the home and barns we built ourselves
  
• checking on the beavers and their dams on the creek and wondering just how many trees to share with them
  
• putzing in our respective barns
• taking the raft out on the pond, disturbing the great blue heron so that she dropped her fish (sorry!)
  
• cuddling farm kittens and enjoying their antics, watching them grow
• tractoring around
• napping
• gardening
• mowing
• fishing
  
• viewing the moon and stars without the interference of city lights
• welcoming friends and family from near and far (Marlin can't wait for Jayne's visit)
  
• basking in the friendship and protection of our beloved neighbors
• reveling in the changing of the seasons and enjoying the charms of each one: planting new items in the spring, harvesting wonderful fruits in the summer, witnessing the colors of the fall, catching snowflakes in the winter
• looking forward to retiring on our little slice of heaven one day.

Cheesy? Maybe.

True? Definitely.


*A reference to the good ole' boys of Boston Legal as they solved all of life's problems at the end of every show on a fancy balcony with a glass of brandy and cigars (we use wine and snacks).