Chop Wood, Carry Water

We are SO grateful that the water now comes in through a pipe.  When I was a kid on the farm, we carried it into the house in three-gallon, enameled buckets.  Two of them sat on a cart in the kitchen after they had been filled at the pump.  For many years now (since 1957) faucets, sinks, a toilet, and a shower have been a part of the house.

Three and a half rows of wood for the winter

But when I visit my mother, I get to chop wood.  We left the farm for my mother to take RN training.  I was too young to handle an ax except to make kindling. And when I tried to milk the cow, it just made her cranky.  Small hands are can make a mess of things.

"Small" wood for the stove

All these years later, it is safe to say I grew up, though a child-like glee wells up when the ax falls smartly and the wood splits with a decisive and resounding crack.   I found that I love to chop wood.  I make sure that in all the Things I get to do today, time is left to include a contribution toward keeping the house warm.