Monday, September 7, 2009

Let the farming begin!

(Photo: my husband and his "new baby")

With the purchase of our land and home that are in need of so much nurturing and work to bring them back to life, I have been describing my husband as "the happiest man on the planet", with the caveat that he didn't even have his tractor yet! Well, that day finally arrived yesterday, and once the decision was made about which one to purchase, the anticipation of its delivery was like waiting for a new baby to arrive! Yes, my husband is now so happy that he is truly "over the top". :-) At some point last night, I heard him actually sigh softly in his sleep and say "Oh, it works beautifully." Even with the lights out, I could see him smiling. :-)

Last evening, I was listening to one of my favorite radio programs, The Folk Sampler, a long-running show hosted by Mike Flynn in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. (I listen to it over the web from www.wkar.org.) In Mike's introductory comments for this Labor Day show featuring new and classic folk songs about people and their work, I couldn't help but smile when he said that the only thing consistently found to be associated with long life is enjoying work (I'm likely paraphrasing here).

So many times in my life (and our life together after marriage) I have been unable to do anything that required physical effort, which I believe allows me the perspective that I am incredibly grateful to be able to work right now, and I do mean 'work' in the sense of true physical work. I am not young anymore, nor am I strong, but I look forward each day with enthusiasm to enjoying the physical aspect of working as hard as I am able on our new farm, which is what made me smile at Mike's comment. I cross my fingers and wish for good luck that we really do have a long life ahead to enjoy our work. :-)

Here are a few great quotes about work that I like.

Live neither in the past nor in the future, but let each day's work absorb your entire energies, and satisfy your widest ambition.
~~ Sir William Osler (1849-1919)

Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work.
~~ Aristotle (384 BC - 322 BC)

Derive happiness in oneself from a good day's work, from illuminating the fog that surrounds us.
~~ Henri Matisse (1869-1954)

On this Labor Day and every day, please remember and give thanks for all who derive pleasure by the work of growing your food and getting it to you!

Diana Dyer, MS, RD

3 comments:

Kateri said...

My husband saw me looking at the photo and throughly inspected the tractor. The two of them should get together and talk tractors. =)

Jen said...

I am indeed grateful for that each and every day. I have absolutely no talent in growing things (other than children, maybe), so I'm absolutely grateful for anyone who will do this successfully.

face lift said...

That is so great! I could imagine his smiling face while he is sleeping. I love your post.
God bless!