RicelandMeadows

End of the day

July 10, 2011

 

     The end of the day is a peaceful time. The sun sets in the west casting long shadows as it slips below the horizon. It’s a quiet time that signals to the world the time is coming for rest and sleep. It is all part of the natural balance of life.

 

     I once heard an old song called “Red sails in the sunset” I didn’t get it back then. I now know the reference is to the red sky and sunset reflecting off the white sails on a ship. Signalling the same thing as the sun going down on our red maples at the close of day.

 

     I remember, as a young soldier standing at attention, saluting our nation’s flag, as taps were played at the close of day. It made me homesick as I stood far from home in Fort Knox Kentucky. The sun was going down. The day was closing and I would spend another night away from my loved ones. The only thing that brought me comfort, was knowing that my people at home were looking at the same sunset.

 

     The end of the day is peaceful. Chores are done and work is paused here on the farm. I do have to work night shifts now and then so a part of me dreads the sunset. It signals a time to be away from farm and family, sleep and rest and to make ready for the “new” day. Thanks to Thomas Edison and the thing called electricity, night can be day and the rhythm of the world is thrown askew.

 

     Oh how I would love to watch the sun rise from the east end of our barn as I finished milking cows. The day would start bright and beautiful. Man and horse would work our fields , rest at noon and finish by chore time. Then after the milking was done for a second time, the sun would set in the west signalling a time to stop working….. What a great dream. Our fast, paced world driven by money and debt, causes too many people to be working long after they should stop. Employers expect people to put in longer days, as they hold the “carrot” of money out in front of them… often for no monetary gain … shame on them.

 

     Sometimes I am sure that I was born a little too late. I am an agrarian man steeped in farming, tested by the sun and measured by my crops and stock. I could have been a great fulltime farmer .. and by golly I will be yet, in this lifetime, God willing 😮

 

     The sun will measure my days. Work will be an enjoyable venture and satisfaction will be mine. I will help anyone wanting to learn and teach the sustainable methods proven by many generations of farmers before me. In the meantime, I will watch the sunsets and count the days, while finding contentment in my part-time farming that eats up most of my so-called spare time … you just gotta love it … and I do 😮