The Industry of an Acreage

‘Resting is working on the farm’ he said. I wonder how may good men have been saved by the industry of an acreage. The demand of the land, its animals and its balance, intemperance, unpredictability. I’m sure it’s saved me from myself more often than not. Good, honest labour. Necessary. Pressing. Physically demanding. Often baffling. So much to be thankful for. Then, the camaraderie of the shared endeavour, the shared labour or strategy. Could any man put a price on it? I am humbled and grateful a thousand times over for the support and sagacity of better men than me. Perhaps some day I can repay them. It’s near impossible to repay a man with words, isn’t it. We must resort to deeds. Even quixotic, writerly types have to find a way. Saved by the industry of an acreage, perhaps, even we might be.