On Track

From the height of our land, looking north. Infrastructure not pictured: Primary critter and hay pole barn, wind turbine, tool shed, and two greenhouses

This is our place. Or most of it, anyway. Despite what I wrote a couple of weeks back, I actually kind of like it. It is simple and somewhat rustic, and at times entirely chaotic and messy. But we know every nook and cranny (have assembled most of those nooks and crannies ourselves), and I have wonderfully specific memories from certain events during construction: The time I fell down the open stairwell, the work party to hoist 7″x9″x20-foot green hemlock beams in place, the day a concrete truck got so stuck we had to bring in two 100+ horsepower tractors to extricate it. It took hours and no one would charge us a nickel for their time and equipment. I can point to the exact spot in the living room where each boy was born, and where they took their first steps.

As I mentioned in that previous post, there are things we would do different, if we had the chance to do them again. But when I consider everything this place holds for me, in ways physical, emotional, and even spiritual, and when I look at the photo above and realize that each and every one of the structures on our land are imbued with specific memories, most often involving Penny and the boys and/or good friends… well, I suppose in that regard, I wouldn’t change a darn thing.

My plan is to grow old and die here, and although none of us can really know how our lives will unfold, I am pleased to report that so far, I’m right on track to meet this goal.