From Behind to getting caught up - I think!

It amazes me, as we age, how each day is an adventure unto itself. For over 10 or 15 years I have allowed this 5 acres of mine to slowly and meticulously take control and replace me as the "master". Now it tells me when to weed, when to mow the lawn, when to water the garden, when to be creative. Alas, I have taken back control.

Since returning from my walk-about I am, once more, engaged! As I take control things are happening: a new orchard of 27 fruit and nut trees have been planted, 8 new grape vines, 4 new blackberry bushes and a new irrigation system to take care of all of them. Water from the storage tank to all of the bubblers, throw one valve and in one hour they are all watered with water provided by a solar panel to the pump that fills the tank.

Finally finished removing all of the sand from the volleyball court to make the new beaches around the pond. Managed to strike one of my 2" water lines while tilling the court to get ready to build up the soil to plant. It is amazing at how much water can flow out of a 2" pipe at 50 gallons per minute. What a spill! Water everywhere and polluting my hard clay. I thought about calling the White House and FEMA and the National Flood Insurance Program to see what help was available. The lines were busy so I was able to find the valves and shut it down only to have another project to add to my day, fix the broken pipe.

I spent time on my knees this week planting some 167 Photinia plants around our fenced property. A hedge is a coming sometime in the future! My wife, Barbara, asked if I spent any of the time in prayer while I was on my knees. It was just shovel and dig and plant. God will give the increase after I put them in the ground.

So much has been accomplished. My children voted me out as Chief Financial Officer so now I am just Chairman of the Board without voting privileges. But I only have to show up for 1 day of work per week. Love the fact that the paycheck keeps coming. Of course I am available to them when the need arises.

More time in the yard, more time to cook, more time for the chickens, ducks, birds, trees, vineyard and to mow the lawn.

Just plain more time. I do think that God wants us to take more interest in our immediate environment but not to neglect the needs of others that surround us....

Good times!