Friday, August 9, 2013

Taming the Wild Part Two by Alison Hart

Last time I posted I discussed the 'wild' in my yard and pasture, which did not refer to my fat, lazy horses who have never reared.  Bucked a few times, yup, but nothing too strenuous. It mostly referred to nature taking over our acreage at every chance. This post I am continuing the discussion of "taming the wild," which refers to getting life--aka summer, busyness, deadlines, getting ready to go to the beach and chores--under control.

Chores are never-ending in the summer. I don't have to mention it to anyone who has animals and gardens. I can't imagine I am the only one who feels as if chores are as out-of-control as a rearing horse. Would I have as much to do if I lived in an apartment? Would I still make as long a 'to-do' list if I had a quarter acre and one cat?  No. And obviously for some dysfunctional reason, I prefer this 'out-of'control' environment or I wouldn't live where I do. But chores seem to especially  'rear' their ugly heads when I know I am leaving for a week even though we are taking the dogs with us and the girl we have caring for everything else is competent. So quit worrying, right?

Deadlines are also on my mind since I have a book due. Yes, the beach equals writing time. I am taking my laptop and notes and getting away from antiques and booths, which are so distracting, so I can get down to business. I won't say this is a working vacation because I love to write so it's not work, but here at home the animals, treasure hunting and gardens call to me louder.

But the worst 'wild' thing in my life is my office aka inventory/storage area for my booths. It is a disaster and I am embarrassed to say that my plans to get it under control this summer failed miserably. Partly because every time I tagged a boxful of items to go in a booth, I brought home a boxful from a yard sale. Does anyone else have this horrible blight surrounding them? Any suggestion on how to tame such wildness before it threatens to crush me?  Yeah, a storage shed has been suggested, but I am afraid it will encourage me to fill it up as well.  All ideas are welcome!

In the meantime, I hope all your summer plans to tame your own wild have been more successful than mine!

6 comments:

Greener Pastures--A City Girl Goes Country said...

The more stuff you have, the more work you have. I tackle one project every day. I buy and sell old things like you but I decided it's not as much fun as I thought it was and I'm not going to do it anymore. Just going to collect for myself.

Laura Crum said...

I try to tackle one thing at a time, as the above comment said. I start with what's bugging me most. And I try really hard not to stress about the notion that my house and/or property must be perfect in every way. Like you I have lots of critters and a big garden, and there is always stuff that needs doing.

Greener Pastures--A City Girl Goes Country said...

Right. I keep thinking I'm going to catch up, but I never do. But how lucky we are to have critters and a garden and old things!

Linda Benson said...

Alison - I am like you. Every time we leave (even for just a couple of days) it takes me forever to get all my plants watered, lists for the caretaker, and everything under control beforehand. But it's because we care so much about our homes and animals! I hope you enjoy your stay at the beach, and come back refreshed and rejuvenated!

Calm, Forward, Straight said...

Glad to hear others get overwhelmed too. :D

It me takes a lot of effort to focus and rise above the call of what needs doing from every corner of the farmette. Laura's recommendation of prioritizing is probably the key... If I weren't always so "oh look - a squirrel!"

Enjoy your beach trip!

alison said...

thanks guys for all your comments. i am using my son's keyboard and laptop and it is confusing so pardon the mistakes. I agree one project at a time, but the list never gets shorter. I also agree that we all love our critters, gardens a d old stuff, whether we sell--yeah it is work--or collect.

The beach is great so far.