This past Saturday was my favorite
day of the year, summer solstice. It
means the start of summer and lovely long days.
When I was working it was ideal because it meant I would have so much
daylight after I was off work I still had time to do things like garden and
ride my horses. Now that I am not
working it isn’t as big of a deal but I still love the long days of
summer.
I will say being married to a
farmer/rancher makes this time of year a little bittersweet. I love the opportunity for more time outside but
it means I see less of the man I love.
Although there is great flexibility with being self employed it also
means there are seemingly endless and exhausting days. In the winter when the days are short and
pecan harvest is done for the year we get to spend lots of time together. However, in the summer the daily schedule is
pretty much sunup to sundown 6 days a week and then the occasional Sunday
afternoon when there are jobs that just must get done. It also makes for long days with a little one
in the house. When the bedtime
sleepiness has set in and your little one can’t shake the crankiness but also
can’t settle down it would be nice to have someone to help out. I know that this is seasonal (mostly) so it
will pass but sometimes it is hard to remember that in the midst of chaos.
I think that the flexibility and
wholesome lifestyle associated with farming can be a little misunderstood and
over idealized. The hours and days and months
that go into making food for people is just astounding. Remember, next time you are sitting at your
table eating dinner with your entire family there is probably another table across
the country that is missing a person or two because they are out working to
make food for the masses. Enjoy and
savor every bite you take and bask in the company of your family, it truly is a
special time.
