When I retired and moved back to the farm, my world shifted on its axis. All the busyness of going to events and places earlier in my life (something I think most younger people truly need) became rather boring. I sat with my books, made flower bouquets for the house and cooked what I grew in the garden. I realized that Thomas Moore was right once again: “the ordinary arts we practice every day at home are more important to the soul than their simplicity might suggest.“
Ironically, a lot of my retired friends have not yet discovered this. They worry that I am not scurrying here and there like I used to. The only time this bothers me is at Christmas when we get the form letters of people giving a litany of all they have accomplished during the year. My response these days is to send jokes and cartoons that I have gathered with them in mind through the year. I think of my friends more now than I did when I was running through life.
Yes, it funny how the simple things like tending to garden plants is so grounding (pardon the pun).
I often think about the dizzying, flighty, frenetic sense that digitization has brought and long for the days when I couldn’t access these wonderful things and everything seemed more solid in a good way.
Yes, I agree! I've recently made the decision to read more print materials and only use the internet when it's actually necessary. I've subscribed to a number of magazines and journals that I'm hoping will replace my internet browsing. And I also have a huge bookshelf full of excellent books to read.
When I retired and moved back to the farm, my world shifted on its axis. All the busyness of going to events and places earlier in my life (something I think most younger people truly need) became rather boring. I sat with my books, made flower bouquets for the house and cooked what I grew in the garden. I realized that Thomas Moore was right once again: “the ordinary arts we practice every day at home are more important to the soul than their simplicity might suggest.“
Ironically, a lot of my retired friends have not yet discovered this. They worry that I am not scurrying here and there like I used to. The only time this bothers me is at Christmas when we get the form letters of people giving a litany of all they have accomplished during the year. My response these days is to send jokes and cartoons that I have gathered with them in mind through the year. I think of my friends more now than I did when I was running through life.
To thine own self be true.
Thinking for yourself is a radical idea in the world today. Keep them busy with circuses and bread keeps the masses pacified.
Yes, it funny how the simple things like tending to garden plants is so grounding (pardon the pun).
I often think about the dizzying, flighty, frenetic sense that digitization has brought and long for the days when I couldn’t access these wonderful things and everything seemed more solid in a good way.
Yes, I agree! I've recently made the decision to read more print materials and only use the internet when it's actually necessary. I've subscribed to a number of magazines and journals that I'm hoping will replace my internet browsing. And I also have a huge bookshelf full of excellent books to read.