“Whether the road is great or not, whether the speed is fast or slow, becomes a small thing when we are in the right company and are moving in the right direction.”
– Gaur Gopal Das
After not being on the land for eleven months it felt strangely familiar and comforting to drive down the access road. My eyes feasted on the flowers and patches of green, although I felt slightly disappointed that the yellow of summer has already banished most of the green of spring. We wanted to be on the land to enjoy some of the beauty of spring, but at the same time needed warmer weather, because of our current basic living conditions.
I could feel my heart sank into my stomach when we stopped at the house. It was not the picture I saved in my head. All I could see was neglect and work. Dust and spiderwebs clung to the window- and doorframes, while thistles thrived as if cared for by a gardener’s hand. I wanted to cry.
To stave away the shock I grabbed a broom and started to sweep the rough cement floor. We needed to focus on the practicalities of sleeping, eating, and having a functioning bathroom, so Michael grabbed the strimmer to clear a path to our outside bathroom and the bucket that serves as our toilet.
It had been six months since his last visit, and it quickly became clear to us that although we may take breaks, nature doesn’t.
Sometimes one need to simply focus on the little things not to feel overwhelmed, and so we started by doing what we had to do, instead of getting stuck on how much we still needed to do.
Around us nature reinforced the idea that beauty and joy are to be found in being aware of the little things. And what better way to notice that than through the viewfinder of my camera?
Watch our YouTube video of the same title
June Visit 2019
Written by: Jolandi
Sometimes we need to focus on the small joys to keep from crying over the tasks ahead. Hope you got a lot done.
So true, Terri. We did get a lot done, and we have come to understand and accept that emotional ups and downs are simply part of the process. Interestingly enough that understanding makes it easier for us to cope. My next blog post will focus on the actual work Michael managed to get done. – Jolandi
Oh! I know that feeling too well! Nature and the dust bunnies never rest; it seems like the latter especially reproduces by the hundreds. I wish I could wave a magic wand and at least give you a functioning modern bathroom. But building a home is a process; sometimes it’s overwhelming, but the rewards are well worth it. Hope you were able to relax a bit today.
I wish you had a magic wand too! We also hope that we will soon have a functioning modern bathroom. We’ve managed to buy the toilet, shower pan, taps and floor tiles, and the electrician/plumber should get all of that done before our next visit at the end of August. Fingers crossed. – Jolandi
That is still a stunning view.
Even though it may feel like you are taking a few steps backwards, you are always making progress. Just look at the bigger picture. You are not building a house, but you are building a home.
Definitely true, Richard. These journeys always take longer than expected or hoped for. We often remind ourselves that one day we will look back and laugh about how we sometimes feel. Michael often says that he can now understand why so many people abandon their dreams. We will hang in there, though! – Jolandi
Hello Jolandi,
Firstly, it’s already been said, but thank you for sharing such stunning images.
I can’t imagine the “roller coaster” of emotions you must feel when re-visiting your land after a long pause. Even tending the small yard in the back of our new home can be daunting (weeds are among the strongest of wildlife, I think!) so what you and Michael are going through must be quite a task. But as you say, during times like this, we take a few breaths, and appreciate what’s around us. And one step, one task at a time…
I hope you’re feeling much better, and all our best to you and your husband.
Thank you, Takami. I am doing well. Basically back to my old self, which I am very grateful for.
Yes, I think you are right when you say that weeds are among the strongest wildlife. 🙂 We often laugh at the futility of our plans and lists, as they are always rearranged when we realize what surprises nature has in stall for us. All in all we managed to achieve quite a bit, even though we had to include a couple of unexpected tasks. It really is a challenge to move the project forward when we are not on the land, but we have come to accept that it has a rhythm of its own, and that we will eventually have a livable house.
We hope you and your husband will enjoy your little garden this summer, without it being too much of a chore. – Jolandi
I think we all need those reminders to take one step at a time, one day at a time.
Indeed, Tanja. We so often forget this when we keep focusing on the big, often overwhelming picture.