Wednesday, August 26, 2009

I miss you!


Life has changed, folks. This is me riding a symbol of the new times. Our new mower was necessary to stay ahead of Mother Nature's abhorrence of a weed vacuum. Time was when we used a little electric mower to cut the grass and the job was done in 20 minutes. No longer.

If we aren't clearing land, we're building in the garden shed. The bottom line is, my nine-to-five weekday bachelor mornings, when I had the hours to indulge my love of music and the written word, are a thing of the past. They may come back when this construction/moving adventure is done early next year, but for now, we get up and go to work every day. We're back home around noon (too hot to work past that) but then I find myself occupied with the other important mundanities that keep life rolling.

Honestly, I'm not complaining, but this new reality is keeping me away from you and this place and I regret that. I still swear I will not give up this blog, but really, I don't know how often I'll be able to write anything. For now there is no news on the "transition" front except that the house continues apace. I've shared weekly updates with many of you via email--if any of you are curious to see what the transition is literally about, visit here occasionally. It's really all my life is about these days. If you save the website you'll see weekly updates, usually on Saturdays.

I'm still following all of you, my friends, and enjoying your words and pictures. I'm with you in the ether like always. I'm just not contributing to it as much as I used to (or would like).

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

We understand. That's what retirement is all about. Work your ass off then drop dead by an old oak tree. Got one picked our Ralph? And thanks for the updates by email. I thought those rednecks had made off wid you guys.

Ralph said...

Still kickin' Z&M. And I'm really grateful for the hard work, dirty and sweaty as it is. It's a great way to stay in shape--not doing the walks as long as I'm hauling stuff into the trailer a couple hours a day. Plus, I have a great tan!

nan said...

Hi Ralph! We miss you too! Those days of music and writing will be back, so don't give up the blog! Just write when you can without guilt and know that when you do, I'll be ready to read. This is just a stage - and it sounds like a fun one for you! (Plus - all that great exercise and outdoors! So good for you.)I will try to check on your weekly photo updates. When you started this blog, it was to track the life change . . . so there has to be a long and enduring post-script after the transition is made! Good luck with all the work.

Jeff said...

Days of transition, Ralph, days of transition. You'll have a rich treasury of stories to come back with - the extraordinary found in the ordinary.

Besides, as Nan said, you'll come back in the best shape of your life! Some heave and ho, and a little bit of mow, is good for the body and soul.

Onward! :)

- Jeff

Linda - SE PA said...

Well, yes, you are missed!

Yet, as other commenters have said - the blog is all about Days of Transition. And this part of this transition is labor intensive, so it seems to me, a natural progression of "blog silence" with brief commentaries and waiting for the Days of Reflection which will follow.

Season's move so fast and it seems you have your work cut out for you - only how long before the leaves fall and lawn work closes its chapter for this year.

And most importantly, in many ways, this is your time with Steve as well as his time with you. Memories...

Ralph said...

Nan, Jeff, and Linda, you're all right, of course. I'm hoist on my own "Transition" petard. Linda, I like "Days of Reflection" and I think I'll start a dummy blog just to reserve the name....

Peewit said...

I have been slow to comment of late because I too have been spending a lot of time away from the computer over the summer months. As the winter starts (I am backing to leaving for work in the dark as of this week And I even came home in the dark after a particularly long day yesterday) Then I wil lretrn to the computer and post more to my blog and comment more freely on others. I think what I am saying it is not a problem when life intrudes on the virtual world- we all know it's still here when we can give it more time

Peewit said...

P.s I might even be able to spell when I have more time!

Ralph said...

Peewit, thanks for reminding me of that operative concept: life! Here I am talking as if it's in the way.

Dark mornings and early evenings already in the UK? You'd go nuts here. It's still high summer in North Carolina, no two ways about it. We're expecting Hurricane Danny to dump some rain on us over the weekend, but no dangerous winds, thank goodness.

Mark said...

You're doing cool things and making changes in your land and in your lives. It's really great. I'm proud to know ya!

The cottage by the Cranelake said...

I understand completely! Life in the real world does take time from the life at blog land :-)

I have now upgraded to a lawn mower with engine to have time to do other things in life too. It took to long time to mowe the lawn with the old one without engine. Especially if the grass was weat.

But I still feel that there is to little time. Well winter here will soon change that I think :-)
Have a great day now!
Christer.

splendid said...

Dear Ralph
i agree with everyone here with being patient and letting nature take its course. We will all still be here...enjoy the autumn.

Ralph said...

Thank you, Speldid. I'm taking everyone's advice to heart and just doing what needs to be done.

Eclecticity said...

Loved the pictures Ralph. And look at all your fans! Can't wait to see the finished product. And you know, SC is just South of NC. It must be marvelous to see your new home being born and you will really know every square inch.

Hoping they are square anyway! E.

Ralph said...

E, there's a standing, open invitation with your name on it. I can't wait to re-open for business and end this limbo state.

Mim said...

Ralph
Your post reminded me of my life since last Nov when my husband suddenly was at home all.the.time! Very different. So when he's bustling around and doing 101 projects I feel pretty guilty reading the internet! As the summer progressed we were outside more and more and projects too numerous to mention.
I am enjoying your house process. It does sound mighty hot there and buggy! And yes we have so many before and after pictures... if I only took the time to store them on my computer and post them. I need to do that on the kitchen though.. it will look mighty different. Stay cool and hope our breezes here will head south.