Frozen in time

From time to time, Bill and I talk about moving south when we are old. Curiously, the definition of what constitutes being ‘old’ changes as we age!  I was talking to my son about this phenomenon and he seems to think moving south should only happen once we aren’t so ‘spry’ (his word - not mine). Spry? Good grief!  Who says stuff like that? Spry is such an old-fashioned word.

Paul P. Martin surveying part of his flock.
 Bailieboro, Ont. - Circa 1975

I’m just not sure I could live full time in the south because I love all the seasons in Western New York. However, I have to admit it wasn’t always so - I used to dread the winter. Growing up on a farm in Central Ontario, the winters were brutal. Especially with a barn full of animals. The water in the barn would freeze so often that we resorted to carrying hot pails of water from the house to the barn in order to thaw the pipes and the water troughs. A total slog. By the time we reached the barn, the water was already cold. The practical teachings of Heraclites clearly in evidence.  

There were no days off from the chores. My father’s favorite saying: “When you wake up, get up; when you get up, do something.” And, there was always something that needed doing. Clearing the snow to make a path to the barn door was just the beginning.

I swore then that I would leave the north when I became an adult.

Yet, here I am living a happy life in Buffalo. When I wake up in the morning I still hear my father’s recitation in my head, but it’s an entirely different ‘something’ that I must accomplish.  Now, all I have to worry about is shoveling the snow in front of the house...which I do with pleasure. Because in contrast to my farm girl days, this life is so easy! That’s the thing about joy – it is often unattainable unless you’ve had some level of hardship. It’s all about appreciation.

Today was a spectacular winter day. Cold and crisp with a blue sky and lots of sunshine. A gift. I took a quick walk around the neighborhood and drunk in the sights and sounds. I even felt appreciation for this frozen bit of water – knowing that I did not have to do a thing about it.