Filed under: July 2013
Cody, wetting a line.
July 3, 2013
Time and the tides wait for no man – Geoffrey Chaucer
This statement is so very true…. Our son and his faimly came home for a visit from Montana. It has been too many years since we have seen them. The grandkids have grown like kids do, but it makes you stop and wonder where the years went.
The hay still stands in our meadows. The rainy weather making it impossible to make hay. The corn is trying to grow in the saturated soil. It is at least enjoying the hot muggy days. I am not.
I feel as if I am wishing my life away as I wait for haymaking weather. I keep checking the ten day forecast. The symbols for storms and rain are all that I see. I look at my grandchildren and other markers for aging and realize that rain or not, another day is passing by… I need to seize it!
My grandson has no problem finding all sorts of things to do. He runs from here to there excitedly discovering lots of things on the farm. He helps with chores, pets the animals, yet finds plenty of time to sit and fish. I think at his young age, he has life figured out. He knows to rush when you need to, but leave time for resting and all the really important things that life brings.
I watch him fish and it makes me slow down. I remember when my oldest son would fish too. There was nothing in his life more important than fishing. I wish I would have taken more time to sit and fish with him. Those days are gone, never to be re-gained. He is now the one busy, trying to make ends meet…. but he is smart enough to still spend time fishing.
All is not lost for me. My fun and enjoyment comes from farming. I drown myself in it and am very happy. There is no work in it for me. I feed the animals and look after them. I talk to and touch them often. I watch my plants and crops grow. I make plans for many seasonal things, often planning two or even three years ahead.
It seems like “only yesterday ” for so many things, yet time has slipped away and even my red hair is mostly gray. I vow today to try and live more for each day. I want to make the most of them, take more time for friends and family, engage in writing more and doggone it … spend a little time fishing…. even though I really don’t like to fish 😮
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RicelandMeadows 
Hi Ralph
Just wanted to say thanks for the blog posts, I check in on your progress and commend you for your consistent updates. Like you I had to build my farm from relative scratch and like you all the work and energy I have invested in this place has been all I could ever wish for. Chores are not a chore and when I am not working on my farm I am thinking about working on my farm. Our farm here in Maine is new at 3 years since clearing the timber but we are making a lot of progress. We raise sheep and chickens and use a few Haflingers to put up loose hay, plow the garden and haul firewood. I really appreciate your comments in this post about family and spending some time to “go fishing” (I don’t enjoy fishing either but I enjoy it as a metaphor). As I have gotten older (I am young at 43) I have become more aware that the people in one’s life are really what is important, if I don’t stop working for a minute all my loved ones will be grown up and gone. I have a beautiful wife and three great kids still in primary school. I share your realization that one needs to “seize” the time to enjoy the blessings that we have. I will always love working hard but I think those people that I love empower me, if it were not for them I would not be so driven. Keep up the good work
Billy Foster
Poland Maine
PS: here is the blog that I kept while building the place. I have not updated it in at least a year but it shows the spread of the place.
Comment by Billy Foster July 11, 2013 @ 11:45 amhttp://www.uponthehillfarm.blogspot.com/
Thank you Billy for the kind words. I did check out your farm through the Blogspot. I can see that we share many of the same views and methods. I am glad that I can help stir feelings and thoughts and perhaps even give you a bit of insight now and then.
It looks to me like you are doing it right. The number one thing is just as you say, family. Having a family who supports your dreams, helps with the plans and shares in the work is priceless!
I see too that you understand the term “Gone Fishin” and find value in it just as I do.
Comment by ricelandmeadows July 11, 2013 @ 4:36 pm