Hawthorn Hill Journal by Richard DeRosa

To Cut or Not To Cut Back?

For some time now, we have been wrestling with this issue: how and where to start cutting back. We have spent so much time and energy building up the place that contemplating a slow-down is wrought with a host of conflicting feelings. So, what is the hold up? Habits are hard to break. And a reluctance to admit to ourselves that our energy levels are not what they used to be… Yesterday, while driving the tractor up the hill, now fully loaded with gardening tools, supplies, etc., I stopped by the three topless satellite poles that have been bugging me ever since getting the fiber optic hookup we have been waiting for what seems like forever. Well, I thought, since I am here and have what I think are the appropriate tools, why not dig up just one pole? Two hours later, sweat dripping from my forehead and through my flannel shirt, shoulders and arms pleading for a respite, I gave up the ghost. The lesson learned: yeah, you feel pretty robust, still, but you ain’t the same guy who could work at stuff like this from dawn to dusk and actually not feel anything but satisfaction with few minor aches and pains.