So much that needs to be done in a short period of time.
I can't do it all.
No matter how hard I try.
Things are falling by the wayside more and more each day.
I'm not keeping up.
No way am I catching up.
Seems the hurrier I go, the behinder I get.
Send in the clones.
18 comments:
Oh, Mama Pea, I’m right there with you. And I find increasingly that no, it can’t all get done, and then I undertake Task Triage. I have decided that some things simply will not get done. Here’s thinking of you ...
Send in the clones, indeed! I'm not sure if there is more to do every year, or if I am getting slower. I feel like I am so far behind, I'm right behind myself. I'm trying to let things go, but - as you know so well - it's almost impossible. Argh!
Soooooooooooo true. Do what you can, and leave the rest to Him.
Joy - I am too stubborn. Haven't reached the point yet where I can decide some things will not get done. (You are a much wiser woman than I!)
Susan - I think there really is more to do every year. How can that be when I know I've eliminated some of the things I used to do? Must be that old illusive list thing where we cross off three things and add five more. Funny how that never works, eh?
AgentX,not - Ah, another wise woman I should listen to!!
-smile- You aren't going to want to hear this....
But, did that ever stop me? *evil grin*
You are trying to do too much.
Perhaps a few years ago, when you first began, you could do all those things. Sure, why not? You were younger then.
But now, you can't. And it should not be a surprise. We simply can not do all, which we could do, as we age.
And the sooner we realize this, and come to terms with this, the more happy we will be.
I slid into this realization, and being content with it, easily. Not so my husband. And it has been a constant job for me, to make him see the light!
For him to stop trying to plant too many things, and then, have to take care of them, and etc., etc., etc.
I have finally, mostly accomplished it! Dern Good Thing! Because he is 85! ,-0 Was he going to wait till 90, to slow down??? By himself, probably.
Just lucky he has me, to be "The Voice Of Wisdom".
LOLLLLLLLLL
I concentrate on the fruit and veggies I like most or are the most expensive to buy. I also prioritize the things that are the most important to eat organically and can't be peeled. Soft fruits like strawberries and raspberries. Blueberries of course. Greens.
I know it's hard because you have a vision of what you want to accomplish, but if you injure yourself by overworking, then nothing gets done.
Maybe edit out those yucky haskap berries. If you don't love them, don't waste precious time on them.
wisps of words - Hush up, now! I don't want to hear the truth!! (As she covers her ears and sings loudly, "Lalalalalala . . . .") Yeah, I know you speak the truth, Oh Wise One. Not sure my situation has so much to do with age as always being this way. You've obviously handled your husband (and yourself) better than I have. My husband is the one that's the problem (no, no, not me!) in our household. He never stops. Always coming up with more projects (with sound reasoning behind them) we need to do. So how can I slack off when he's always cheerfully working his little buttinski off? Your hubby has you as "The Voice of Wisdom." Mine calls me his "Anchor" and I'm not always sure that's meant in a complementary way! ;o)
Heidi - Yep, I've come to the realization (really, I have) that I'll never be a success at growing the beautiful flowers I've always wanted to. And I do concentrate on growing our own healthy, nutritious food as a priority. I never want to rust out, but do truly realize one can wear out . . . before one's time. And unnecessary stress can be a killer on anyone. I'm being good this morning, sitting inside with a latte, leisurely catching up on some desk work because it's overcast and muggy outside with the black flies having a field day. So that counts for something, right? It's not just the garden during our short season up here near the tundra, but all the maintenance and upkeep that needs to be done when the weather allows. And, of course, putting up the wood we heat with. (Been thinking about some changes on that front which might be a good thing.) Funny you should mention the haskap berry bushes. They've turned out to be one of the easiest of our berries to take care of . . . just keeping the weeds down around them. And this year they are bigger and more lush and FULL of berries . . . all of which I'll pick and put in the freezer for our daughter to experiment with this winter. (Think wine!!!) Thanks you for your wise support. I appreciate it.
I feel the same way Mama Pea!!! When the growing season - and lovely weather for that matter - is so short for us...there is just way too much to do and way too much we WANT to do!! For me, I just want to enjoy each day as it comes and some days are hectic-ker than others! :) I am just so happy not to be cooped up in the house anymore than I even welcome the sore muscles lol! You all have so much work to do in the good weather, I don't know how you keep it all up AND keep posting so much on your blog!!!
Well if it makes you feel any better, I'm in there with you too. The older I get, the more I realize I can't keep up..... anymore. Might that be called 'wisdom'? Is in my book. It takes a strong person of courage to admit their abilities are changing and adapt as such. The only thing constant in life is change... right?! Now, after saying all that.... I know sweet, ever-hardworking Mama Pea, that you get more done in a day than most folks achieve in a week!!! :)
I'm trying to learn to accept things don't get done on schedule and that's ok. Like I didn't get my new raised bed built before my dad rented a skidsteer. Oh, well. Not worth more stress or guilt.
Saying from a favorite book: "I'm all behind like a cow's tail today."
Beeeeeeeeeeeutiful New Header!!!!!!!!!!!
Feel your pain. Same here. Vx
For a long time I thought I was just lazy or slow. I coudln't get anything done the way others did. Then I realized I'm not like the others. I have physical limitations, I have four/six children (one with special needs), demanding job and there has been a lot of hardship in my life. Even my veggie plot is more difficult to maintain than most I have seen, our micro climate is worse (we have more frosts in springs and later than others in surrounding areas, our soil is hard clay etc...) I do what I can do, of course it is not enouhg for ME but it is enough. I can't do more. My list od to-do's is neverending, but I will do them when I can.
This spring has been crazy, because I had to do a lot of things that are not really my tasks, but as a head of the household I just have to do them (you know, when one thing breaks down, others will follow... including humans) so I found myself learning to use chainsaw. And weather has been a pain, everything needed to be done in three weeks instead of two months. but this too shall pass.
Same here, only the rain is a big issue.
Rain - You know I admire you so much for all you have been through and have come through with such a shining, optimistic personality and outlook on life. Just keep on being wise enough to structure your life in the way you have (chock full of HYGGE!). I'm trying hard to follow your sensible, sane and life-affirming example. Hugs!
Lisa - I don't honestly feel like I'm not able to do as much as I always have. In my case, it's more as if the world situation is making life more cluttered, difficult and demanding of us all if we wish to stay safe and self-reliant/self-responsible. This is one BIG thing to deal with and I know each and every one of us is in the same position. At the same time, we somehow need to maintain a life that brings contentment and satisfaction as that's the only way we'll survive.
tpals - Love your "cow's tail" saying! Making a schedule out for yourself is kinda like making that list. Why bother? But keeping our sense of humor keeps us going, right?
wisps of words - THANK YOU!
Vera - I feel such a sense of "oneness" from you all the way across the lands and ocean!!
Ulvmor - Sending you all the best wishes and support I can across the miles and through the ethernet! Compared to what you're dealing with, I have no reason to whine or complain about my difficulty keeping up with what I have set as goals. I read of so many who are handling it all as a single adult and I couldn't admire them (and you) more. I know I couldn't handle this place without the total support of my better half. Period. You are an extremely strong person with an attitude that will keep you going. Thanks for commenting.
Kristina - Whenever I read your blog these days I just cringe thinking of all your rain and what happened to your garden a couple of years ago when it totally flooded out. I'm doing a stop-rain dance for you. Enough is enough!
At our ages (60ish) there's no way we can plant it all. We focus on a few key plants for canning and preserving, plus a smattering of others.
Cockeyed Homestead - Hey, every bit of healthy, nutritious food we all can grow ourselves on our own little piece of land is better than money in the bank. Plus it gives us wonderful exercise without having to go to a gym! Keep at it!
Post a Comment