From time to time I'll have Clay share a few thoughts, progressive pioneering from the papa point of view. Here is his very first post!
“Grapes of wrath, tobacco road” is a phrase my Grandpa used to use. He
used it to describe the broken-down, the destitute or those who had
suffered a string of hard luck. I’m not going to make an extensive
accounting of the current economic ‘dustbowl’ to punctuate my point.
I’ll only say that many people are down if not plain down and out.
With that in mind Amy and I take pleasure in activities that remind us that life is still good. We can be simultaneously broke and happy. It is surprising how much mileage you can get out of a cheap can of paint; that cleaning up some trim on the front of your house can be such a satisfying endeavor. Working with one’s hands, slowly making improvements on the house or apartment, enjoying the company and conversation of friends, all basically free.
What do you do that reminds you that life is rich? This Sunday
after church we drove to visit our friends. We had a picnic in a park
with a pond and ducks and poison ivy. We talked forever. Sam played
with our food and we learned that our friends are expecting their first
baby. We ate grapes. We played Bocce. Amy and I won. It took a long
time to finish the game because Sam kept stealing the Jack. We were
really living.
