working

~~~~~~~from Farmer's Almanac:

Human Character
Don't try to live without labor. If necessity does not quicken the energies, keep to work as a matter of principle, for activity, mental and physical, is essential to the perfect development of human character.~~~~~~~~~~~~

So here we have two chairs. They need glue, they need paint, they need some adjusting. Why do I do this to myself? Why do I have to lug these projects home? Why? Because I love to be doing things.

As of today, I figure there are enough things in my own home and yard to keep me busy for a good year. I could sew all of my fabric into quilts, aprons, dresses, jumpers, cloth napkins, Mum-Bunnies, curtains. I could crochet all of my yarn into a rug while watching Roy Rogers. I could make doilies until the cows came home. I could RE-clean all of the ceiling fans. I could perfect all of the gardens as they are all crying for attention right now. I could write my book that only has a title and a bag of thoughts so far. ***Don't Fall Down and Go Boom****** I could write a hundred letters with all of the stationary I own.....do more English with my girls, memorize Proverbs 8, go through pictures, send birthday cards as I ought..........then my recipes. I have lots of yummy things to do but they are not organized. I could read all of the Spurgeon books my husband has in his library.........

Other than the daily things that call out for your attention, what are you doing over and above necessity? That is where real living comes from. Making time for what you enjoy. Doing things that make your house a home. Writing letters, reading good books may not really be work, but they are good 'busy' things!
I don't know how to jar jelly or pickle pickles........that might come some day. Don't try to do what others do. Looking at blogs can sometimes depress the easily depressed..........let other blogs of women that are active encourage you to do what YOU are good at and enjoy doing.

I look over the list of things I said I could do for a year.......are they work or projects? Is working in the yard REALLY work? I don't think so! I have also found that washing dishes can be quite fun.......it doesn't HAVE to be work.

Don't eat the bread of idleness.
Don't sit on your porch and twiddle your fingers. Sit on the porch and visit with your kids. Crochet something. Write a letter. Memorize Proverbs 8.
DON'T JUST SIT THERE!!!

~~~~~~~~~Another quote from the same book:

Delight Was Chasing Butterlies; and Beauty Was Watering Flowers.~~~~~~~~~~

Find delight in what you do, and you won't call it work anymore!