Walls and Work--Musings

Weeks ago when my sweet husband began this wall, I was amazed at how quickly it took form.  This picture was taken when he had just begun--now one whole side of the driveway is walled and he's waiting for our good, warm weather to return so he can start on the other side (the bricks won't dry when it's as cold and overcast as it has been these past couple weeks).  He doesn't knock himself out, just works slowly but steadily every day--mixing the adobe, making the bricks, stacking the partially dried bricks, laying the dried bricks with more adobe mud.  And slowly but surely, a wall begins and grows.  I joke to family and friends that David's hobby is work, and it is--and apparently so is mine as well.  It's part of our New England heritage perhaps; also part of a shared belief that each one of us was put here in this life to be of use in some way.  So he makes an adobe wall to provide shade and privacy and a barrier to the mule deer who find our yard so delicious--and I make salves and ointments and tinctures that provide both comfort and pleasure to those who use them.  Neither of us are able to NOT DO ANYTHING.  So much for retirement.  It's a simple life here; it's a spartan life in many ways.  We live as poor people in a poor town in a physical environment that sticks you, bites you or stings you. On one level, there's not much going on as far as external stimulation goes.   But if you are so inclined, you always can find something to do that's worth doing.  If David and I are somehow modeling a lifestyle worth others' consideration, it would be these things we would want you to consider:  you don't need very much money to have a fulfilling life--in fact, you need way less than you think you do; love and affection will keep you warm when every blanket fails you; being outside is better than being inside; doing something that feeds your spirit is as important as doing something that feeds your body--what's important is the DOING, not just thinking about it or wishing for it; kindness works when nothing else does. So have a good day--MAKE a good day for yourself and those around you.  More later!!!  Annie