To: "homestead AT lists.ibiblio.org" <homestead AT lists.ibiblio.org>
Subject: [Homestead] Living life
Date: Sat, 27 Aug 2005 09:23:21 -0700
I am excitingly close to retirement; will be going home to Heartwood on
September 9th to get it back to the condition where I left it four years
ago, get the shop building started, then back here to Phoenix for the worst
part of the winter, then Chris will go with me back to Heartwood in time
for the redbud-and-dogwood extravaganza. Then presumably starts the
happily-ever-after part, subject to revisions by Momma Nature and other
strong forces, but most strongly directed by the homestead philosophy.
So I've lately been feeling both excited and contemplative. Happened across
this oldie but goodie* again, which now I will take the time to share with
those who have not read it before and with those who have read it but
perhaps would profit by a rereading:
"If I had my life to live over again, I'd dare to make more mistakes next
time. I'd relax. I'd limber up. I'd be sillier than I've been this trip. I
would take fewer things seriously. I would take more chances, I would take
more trips, I would climb more mountains and swim more rivers. I would eat
more ice cream and less beans. I would, perhaps, have more actual troubles
but fewer imaginary ones. You see, I'm one of those people who was sensible
and sane, hour after hour, day after day.
Oh, I've had my moments. If I had it to do over again, I'd have more of
them. In fact, I'd try to have nothing else--just moments, one after
another, instead of living so many years ahead of each day. I've been one
of those persons who never goes anywhere without a thermometer, a hot-water
bottle, a raincoat, and a parachute. If I could do it again, I would travel
lighter than I have.
If I had my life to live over, I would start barefoot earlier in the spring
and stay that way later in the fall. I would go to more dances, I would
ride more merry-go-rounds, I would pick more daisies."
--Nadine Stair