Author: E.Y. Redal

fences

Webster says a fence is  a structure of rails, stakes, strong wire or wood erected as an enclosure, barrier or boundary. also to ward off, keep away. My fence has nothing to do with any of those things except wood. It surely won’t keep anyone out!

Last year I told you about the severe cutting of trees north of my home.The contractor of several homes plans to build his home and two others also “north of my home.” I also told you about the pond I built also  “north of my home.” The pond is right out there, kind of in the middle and “north of my home.” It is not the cozy place I pictured when I built it.

Yesterday was my birthday. my daughter and her husband came with their car loaded with wood. They said “We are here to build you a fence for your birthday.” And build it they did! They made a cozy little place beside my pond. Now this fece isn’t to ward off or keep away anything. It just keeps me from seeing the houses down the hill from me.

I am very happy and appreciative of my daughter and her husband and can’t wait until I fix the area real pretty for summer. I can’t do that because I am recovering from a concussion. Nuts, anyway!

By the way, my fence is just 16 feet long and 6 feet high and isn’t at all a structure of rails, stakes, string of strong wire erected as a barrier or boundary, but it is a cozy place to sit and relax. You are invited to sit along with me!

Nothing To Do!

I fell one day last week and my Doctor says I have a concussion. When he gave me his orders I thought I would have nothing to do. I figured it would be nice to have a nothing to do week or two, but I was wrong! I could not watch television. I could not read. I must rest. Well, I’m not used to that so I can’t wait until my Doctor says I’m okay,

I’m reminded of an old cartoon where a little boy was lying on the grass looking at the sky and his father asked him,”What are you doing, Freddie?” “Nothin’,” the boy answered. The father looked shocked.

Parents seem to think  that it’s a real sin for our kids to be doing nothing. They schedule every single minute for them with dancing lessons, Little League, soccer or what have you..and if the kid isn’t doing anything the parent tells them to go play video games or just watch television. Whatever happened to doing nothing?

In an earlier time, if my memory is correct, youngsters could spend hours doing nothing. Sometimes they’d take a fishing pole with them but often they would just lie in the sun dreaming   of whatever kids dream about. Or else they’d walk aimlessly, drinking in the sights, smells and sounds of nature. Kids don’t do much of that any more.

When I was a kid, there were more chores to do after school hours. I remember carrying water from the town pump and taking care of the weeds in the garden. So, when we had an hour or two to ourselves, we did what we wished. That time was precious.

So, today I am celebrating doing nothing and I don’t like it one bit. I think of those folks who can’t do anything at all but sit in their wheel chairs. I must, when my Doctor tells me, go see some of those folks in nursing homes. Want to come along?