Thursday, May 15, 2008

Ray Of Light

As I slowly carve the dense underbrush and brambles further and further from the edge of the forest surrounding my little house, I have noticed an incredible array of native shrubs and flowers beginning to emerge now that the sunlight is able to reach their roots once again. Species that I have never seen before and never imagined lived here in this valley. This is Grancy Graybeard (chionanthus virginicus) or "old man's beard" as many older people call it. There are several of these shrubs near the house as I have recently discovered. My mother recognized it when she came to visit recently and told me it's common name. Tons of flowers are also coming out such as violets, jack-in-the-pulpit, bee balm, butter weed, coreopsis and many more that I don't know right off.
One day while working in the garden, I was thinking about how all this life was blooming around here that I never knew would be here and it suddenly struck me how maybe our own lives are like this. If we cut back all the superfluous crap and stuff choking the light out of our lives, things would begin to bloom that we never knew were there. It doesn't matter if you look at this from a religious point of view or strictly philosophical because we all have way too much stuff in out lives that we think are so important, that really doesn't mean much. Too much physical and mental clutter. I mean, when we are at the end of our time here, is that 52" TV really going to matter? Or that we saw every episode of "American Idol"? But I'm not just picking on television, there are lots of things that occupy more of our finances and time than they should. Like, some people are appalled that I don't color my hair. What? Good God, if some man won't turn my way because the gray is noticeable at 10 feet then he probably couldn't handle me anyway.
I do think I work way too much sometimes. I get up at 4:30 a.m. and go to work for 8 or sometimes 10 hours, come home and work some more on this house or in the yard. I don't usually stop until time to go to bed about 9:00 p.m. I do try to get out on the weekends sometimes and attend a gallery opening or some such thing. Last month I went out on a few dates with a guy that a friend set me up with but nothing came of that. I am thinking that I may try to do a few arts and crafts shows this year just to get back out and socialize. Of course, there are some things that it's nice to indulge in a little. I like to make things and probably spend maybe a little too much money on music. I've mentioned before that I have had doubts about why I am trying to build this house this way (paying for it as I go and spending so much time on it) but I just didn't feel I had many options, so while I had the energy and money to do it, to go for it. It's a slow, hard way to go but I don't have any family or whatever that I would otherwise be neglecting so, why not? I'm glad now not to have a house payment but sometimes get very tired of never being through.
It's raining today over most of the state, a steady, soaking rain so we did not work today. I slept a little late which was nice but am frustrated because I can't work on the outside of the house! I think I will try to work on finishing the pantry walls. That is one room I have long ignored and it won't take much to finish it which would help my feelings a lot and help with some storage issues too.
* Madonna/ Ray Of Light album
she's flying, trying to remember where it all began
she's got herself a little piece of heaven
waiting for the time when earth shall be as one.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

You should write a novel. You already have a theme.

MamaHen said...

Hey Pablo! Well, I must be a little thick because I'm not sure I get what you mean. What's my theme?

Anonymous said...

You are doing great things with your home, I love all those skills you have.

Be glad you are debt free girl, that's going to be a very important factor in the years to come for everyone!

The edge of the forrest looks gorgeous, I love that sort of environment, you are very very lucky girl!

Blessings:)

Tossing Pebbles in the Stream said...

I love the wild plants, (I am interested in wild edible foods). I watch to see which ones the critters eat.

You seem to have a good handle on your life. Your hand crafted house will be a great source of pride and pleasure. It will be finished but I bet you will aways be thinking of ways to modify it.

MamaHen said...

Yes, Molly, I am very, very, VERY lucky and I am extremely thankful to not owe anything on this house etc.

Hey Philip! "hand-crafted house", boy, I like the way that sounds!;) I am proud of my little house but had a lot of help doing it too and I imagine that I will always be working on it to some degree. But that's good.

Ron said...

Hey, Annie, I read your post the other day, but didn't get a chance to comment. I really liked your analogy, and I think it is very true. So many things demand our attention and time in our lives, especially with the media blasting at us every which way we go. It's nice to step back and think about what is truly important... then make sure those flower get a chance to grow, whatever brambles have to be cut back to allow it. I enjoyed your post.

Eventually, your house will be "done." And it will be yours! You may be sick of working on it now, but it will repay you with many years of enjoyment. :)

Ron

MamaHen said...

Thanks Ron! I'm glad you enjoyed it.