Our life is frittered away by detail... Simplify, simplify, simplify! ... Simplicity of life and elevation of purpose. ~ Henry David Thoreau
These past two weeks as I have run madly through the days feeding stoves, goats, cows, chickens, husband, cats, dogs, fish, birds.... sigh... I have thought a great deal about what it means to "simplify." I think most folks belief that it means to give up the so-called comforts of home. You know, things like cell phones, full time jobs, and cable TV. Not that these things are good for me. But, there is the secret. What is good for you?
For me, it doesn't mean any of these things. I have finally clarified what it means to live simply. For me, it means to live life in such as a way as to leave space for the things that are important to ME and no one else. In short, it means to make better choices, spend my time more wisely, and being more focused on what my life's path is meant to be.
Let's face it. These things are not simple:
Baking bread.
Hanging clothes on the line.
Milking goats or cows.
Gathering eggs and feeding the flock.
Weaving.
Knitting.
Spinning.
Making dinner instead of buying it.
Writing letters.
Preserving food.
Raising a garden.
Making soap.
It is much easier, isn't it, to go to the store, and, as Mother puts it, buy it for a lot less than I can make it and certainly in much less time. However, this doesn't make my heart sing. Doing it, making it, working it, does. My path is to create what I enjoy and desire. It is to connect in a meaningful way with each thing in my life. My handknit socks are much warmer, fit better, and are more reflective of me in colour and style than the thin, workshop made socks I buy at Wallie World for $4 / 12. Each time I slip my handknits on, I can feel them snug my feet; I can admire the workwomanship and can be proud that I did this myself. In short, I have the satisfaction of my creation. I can feel the same satisfaction that Our Father did when, on the sixth day, He stood back, put His hands on His hips, and said proudly, "This is Good."
And so, there we have what it means to be simple to me. It means giving myself the freedom and space to choose the things that are important to me. Location doesn't make my life simple. How I eat or what I buy doesn't make me simple. It is the fact that I am living my life authentically, making the choices that give me satisfaction, that makes my life simple. And, believe me, the day I can afford it (read: house paid for), I will no longer hold a public job! What a fine life that would be! In the meantime, my goal is to have a singing heart every day and rejoice in living my version of a simple life.
What does it mean to live simply to you?
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Waiting Room Blues
Expectant fathers were forbidden to enter the inner sanctum of childbirth until the early 1980s. I was one of the first at our local hospital to have a husband present AND natural childbirth. Next to giving up caffeine, this was probably one of the most trying times of my life.
Until now.
We are waiting. Three does are are nearly ready to explode. Obviously, as Hawthorne rather obviously demonstrates in The Scarlet Letter, your sins will find you out. And, the does mishaviour while we were visiting the Airman in August is becoming all to apparent.
Holly, our Dexter, demonstrated this same truth on Monday. After several months of wondering, "Is she or isn't she?" we found out she was. She presented us with a darling bull just as we arrived home. He wasn't even cleaned off yet. I'll post a photo as soon as I can get one.
Meanwhile, don't fret if you hear a "boom!" from the South. The explosion you hear will be my head... and having to deal with a bunch of January kids. This was not the plan. Thanks, girls. Mean it.
Until now.
We are waiting. Three does are are nearly ready to explode. Obviously, as Hawthorne rather obviously demonstrates in The Scarlet Letter, your sins will find you out. And, the does mishaviour while we were visiting the Airman in August is becoming all to apparent.
Holly, our Dexter, demonstrated this same truth on Monday. After several months of wondering, "Is she or isn't she?" we found out she was. She presented us with a darling bull just as we arrived home. He wasn't even cleaned off yet. I'll post a photo as soon as I can get one.
Meanwhile, don't fret if you hear a "boom!" from the South. The explosion you hear will be my head... and having to deal with a bunch of January kids. This was not the plan. Thanks, girls. Mean it.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
We Need Time Apart
Dear Winter,
There comes a time in every relationship when one of the partners needs a break from the other. It could be as short of a time as taking a bath without someone asking a single question. Or, it could be a day with one's Sissie shopping at Ikea (which rocks! Free Breakfast!). Or it could be a weekend spent with gal pals sipping tea, gossiping, and watching sappy movies. Regardless, one needs a little break now and again to keep the relationship fresh and less stressful.
We have come to this point.
I know, I know. You have always been my favorite time of year, next to summer, mostly because I can wear wool Every Day without anyone thinking I am a bit odd. I adore the sound of snow under my feet, the look of it floating to the ground, the joy of a snow day spent by the fire with knitting in hand. You always bring the best holidays -- Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day -- the best days of the year for eating and companionship. There is even something delicious in how you decorate all outdoors with slender branches tickling the Carolina Blue sky. Ah, dearest Winter, we have something special.
But, my precious, you have asked too much from me this year. This is the third week of temperatures below 30-degrees all day. The roads have been untreated for the ice and snow, thus, we haven't been able to get out and even our Mail Carrier couldn't get in for most of the last two weeks. It isn't entirely your fault, I know, the state budget is partially to blame. But, all the same, you must accept some responsibility. Every night, we have had to feed, feed, feed everything on the place and haul water, gallons and gallons of water, to all the animals. Even Mr. Hardy has gotten somewhat selfish and demanded more wood than we thought possible for him to consume. Frankly, he has been like tending a three-week-old baby who is on a two hour nursing schedule.
So, darling Winter, may we have a little time apart? Perhaps you would enjoy going to Canada just for a few days? I hear they love you even more than I do. I can have you packed in five minutes. What do you say?
As ever,
Matty
There comes a time in every relationship when one of the partners needs a break from the other. It could be as short of a time as taking a bath without someone asking a single question. Or, it could be a day with one's Sissie shopping at Ikea (which rocks! Free Breakfast!). Or it could be a weekend spent with gal pals sipping tea, gossiping, and watching sappy movies. Regardless, one needs a little break now and again to keep the relationship fresh and less stressful.
We have come to this point.
I know, I know. You have always been my favorite time of year, next to summer, mostly because I can wear wool Every Day without anyone thinking I am a bit odd. I adore the sound of snow under my feet, the look of it floating to the ground, the joy of a snow day spent by the fire with knitting in hand. You always bring the best holidays -- Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day -- the best days of the year for eating and companionship. There is even something delicious in how you decorate all outdoors with slender branches tickling the Carolina Blue sky. Ah, dearest Winter, we have something special.
But, my precious, you have asked too much from me this year. This is the third week of temperatures below 30-degrees all day. The roads have been untreated for the ice and snow, thus, we haven't been able to get out and even our Mail Carrier couldn't get in for most of the last two weeks. It isn't entirely your fault, I know, the state budget is partially to blame. But, all the same, you must accept some responsibility. Every night, we have had to feed, feed, feed everything on the place and haul water, gallons and gallons of water, to all the animals. Even Mr. Hardy has gotten somewhat selfish and demanded more wood than we thought possible for him to consume. Frankly, he has been like tending a three-week-old baby who is on a two hour nursing schedule.
So, darling Winter, may we have a little time apart? Perhaps you would enjoy going to Canada just for a few days? I hear they love you even more than I do. I can have you packed in five minutes. What do you say?
As ever,
Matty
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Cold Turkey Ain't For Chickens
So, let's start at the beginning. I broke my neck 15 years ago in a fall. At the time, I weighed a very lovely 14.2 stones, to be exact. When I woke from surgery, my darlin' neurologist said, "You must lose at least 50 pounds." I, being the over achiever I am (remember: my word for the year is Moderation), I lost a bit more.
Now, here I am, 15 years later and have allowed a portion of the weight to creep back on. Not much, but enough. Add to that the fact this year a number of folks near and dear to me have had their own serious health issues -- breast cancer, heart attacks, ruptured bowel, high blood pressure, diabetes and so forth -- and you can see that it seems that a warning bell is going off around me that I need to be more Moderate in my lifestyle.
Thus, I have given up caffeinated coffee and tea as well as reduced my sweets by 75%. Did I mention that I love all three?? And, have I mentioned that I now have a monster headache that seems to be my own special friend? On top of that, I am now having weird dreams which, I am convinced, stems from my lack of drugs -- er, coffee, tea, and sweets.
We had a speaker for in-service today who addressed the topic of "mental health crisis in the workplace." After five minutes, I turned to my suite mate and whispered, "Glory! Since I gave up coffee, tea, and sweets I am a poster child for 12 out of 15 of the illnesses she has listed!" My suitemate giggled, slid a little away from me, and whispered back, "Well, at least I now know how to get you committed for 48 hours if you act out!"
Do you think they would let me have caffiene and sweets in observation? It might just be worth it.
Now, here I am, 15 years later and have allowed a portion of the weight to creep back on. Not much, but enough. Add to that the fact this year a number of folks near and dear to me have had their own serious health issues -- breast cancer, heart attacks, ruptured bowel, high blood pressure, diabetes and so forth -- and you can see that it seems that a warning bell is going off around me that I need to be more Moderate in my lifestyle.
Thus, I have given up caffeinated coffee and tea as well as reduced my sweets by 75%. Did I mention that I love all three?? And, have I mentioned that I now have a monster headache that seems to be my own special friend? On top of that, I am now having weird dreams which, I am convinced, stems from my lack of drugs -- er, coffee, tea, and sweets.
We had a speaker for in-service today who addressed the topic of "mental health crisis in the workplace." After five minutes, I turned to my suite mate and whispered, "Glory! Since I gave up coffee, tea, and sweets I am a poster child for 12 out of 15 of the illnesses she has listed!" My suitemate giggled, slid a little away from me, and whispered back, "Well, at least I now know how to get you committed for 48 hours if you act out!"
Do you think they would let me have caffiene and sweets in observation? It might just be worth it.
Monday, January 3, 2011
One Day Closer....
... to spring. It was a balmy 41-degrees here today. The sun shone all day. And, the moon is out tonight, accessorized by lots of shimmering stars. A perfect night.
The Airman left yesterday after a lovely two weeks home with us.
When he was just new, I told Mother that I had learned a little something about how God worked.
"It's like this," I explained. "God gives a child a little tiney hole in their heart that only a Mother has the key to that will make the child feel guilty."
She agreed.
"But," I added, "He also left a hole so our hearts aren't filled unless they are in it."
She smiled. "Welcome to motherhood."
I've thought of that a lot today. My son is nearly 30 and, yet, he is still my heart. I miss him when he is gone, but I understand he has a path to follow. I just wish it weren't so far away. In March he will finish Tech School and be awarded his 'crab' -- a very high honor. And, then, he will pack his duffle and head 22 hours overseas -- 14 hours time difference -- to pursue his next challenge.
Why didn't someone tell me that being a Mum meant I had to let go?
The Airman left yesterday after a lovely two weeks home with us.
When he was just new, I told Mother that I had learned a little something about how God worked.
"It's like this," I explained. "God gives a child a little tiney hole in their heart that only a Mother has the key to that will make the child feel guilty."
She agreed.
"But," I added, "He also left a hole so our hearts aren't filled unless they are in it."
She smiled. "Welcome to motherhood."
I've thought of that a lot today. My son is nearly 30 and, yet, he is still my heart. I miss him when he is gone, but I understand he has a path to follow. I just wish it weren't so far away. In March he will finish Tech School and be awarded his 'crab' -- a very high honor. And, then, he will pack his duffle and head 22 hours overseas -- 14 hours time difference -- to pursue his next challenge.
Why didn't someone tell me that being a Mum meant I had to let go?
Sunday, January 2, 2011
One Word
The wonderful little book Flourish, Catherine Hart Weber, has filled my night night reading for the past week and let me say, it is a very thought provoking book. The challenges in each section results in careful reading and thoughtful pauses. It is a book I heard of first on "Homeword" right before Christmas break. By the time I arrived home, I had determined to order and read it over the holidays.
She suggests, as our friend Tina has written about this past week, selecting a single word to focus on during year. This has been a challenge for me. Let's face it. I need a lot of work. Selecting one word for a year to movitate change is, well, reckless at best!
However, after spending time in thought and prayer, one word has been sifted from the debris field of possibilities:
Moderation.
Also defined as balance, calmness, restraint, steadiness, judiciousness. Yeppers. Just the word I need.
After a little research, I found Biblical instruction on moderation:
Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. – Philippians 4:5 NKJV
And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. – 1 Corinthians 9:25a NKJV
Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls. – Proverbs 25:28 NKJV
And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; - Ephesians 5:18 KJV
Then, I looked to see what my two greatest literary heroes had to say about it.
When he is pushed, tormented, defeated, he has a chance to learn something; … he learns his ignorance, is cured of the insanity of conceit; has got moderation and real skill. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
A man is rich in proportion to the things he can afford to let alone. ~ Henry David Thoreau
And. last, but certainly not least, I looked to see what my faith guide had to say:
Be rather bountiful than expensive; do good with what thou hast, or it will do thee no good. ~ William Penn
Frugality is good, if liberality be joined with it. The first is leaving off superfluous expenses; the last bestowing them to the benefit of others that need. The first without the last begets covetousness; the last without the first begets prodigality. Both together make an excellent temper. Happy the place where that is found. ~William Penn
And, so, my sole goal this coming year is to be ....
Moderation.
She suggests, as our friend Tina has written about this past week, selecting a single word to focus on during year. This has been a challenge for me. Let's face it. I need a lot of work. Selecting one word for a year to movitate change is, well, reckless at best!
However, after spending time in thought and prayer, one word has been sifted from the debris field of possibilities:
Moderation.
Also defined as balance, calmness, restraint, steadiness, judiciousness. Yeppers. Just the word I need.
After a little research, I found Biblical instruction on moderation:
Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. – Philippians 4:5 NKJV
And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. – 1 Corinthians 9:25a NKJV
Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls. – Proverbs 25:28 NKJV
And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; - Ephesians 5:18 KJV
Then, I looked to see what my two greatest literary heroes had to say about it.
When he is pushed, tormented, defeated, he has a chance to learn something; … he learns his ignorance, is cured of the insanity of conceit; has got moderation and real skill. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
A man is rich in proportion to the things he can afford to let alone. ~ Henry David Thoreau
And. last, but certainly not least, I looked to see what my faith guide had to say:
Be rather bountiful than expensive; do good with what thou hast, or it will do thee no good. ~ William Penn
Frugality is good, if liberality be joined with it. The first is leaving off superfluous expenses; the last bestowing them to the benefit of others that need. The first without the last begets covetousness; the last without the first begets prodigality. Both together make an excellent temper. Happy the place where that is found. ~William Penn
And, so, my sole goal this coming year is to be ....
Moderation.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
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