Inspiration
Yesterday, as I sat in my conservatory quietly reading & wondering if I would ever feel energetic again, I spotted my elderly neighbours in a nearby field hauling their hay bales in for winter storage. He was using a small cart, but she was using just a sheet, dragging two bales behind her at a time. They repeated this exercise over & over until the whole field was clear. Inspiration comes in many guises & I thought if they can muster the strength to get out & do what needs to be done, then so can I.
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My husband and I just saw your episode of house-hunters! We also love the sustainable life, and my husband actually just got back from visiting Lithuania. We are excited to see you all living out your adventure. Don’t feel guilty taking a rest when you need it. A little sunshine, sleep, and coffee will put you to rights again 🙂
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Thank you for coming and finding us after seeing House Hunters! So happy you enjoyed the episode. We love the life we’ve chosen, even if it is a little exhausting sometimes. Sunshine, sleep and coffee all sound really good right now!
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Hay bales are heavy. I remember well how the twine cuts your hands. I hope you feel better soon.
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I have been sick for the past two weeks and I am slowly recovering. I too have wondered if I would ever get my strength back. Today I have done a lot of house work witha few breaks here and there. This post gave me hope on two levels one that I’ll be good as new soon and I dream of being older and still able to more than carry my weight. Seeing your neighbor has inspired me.
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Thanks Sue. Hope you’re feeling better now.
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Sorry to hear you are still under the weather June. Darn! Time for a vacation! I can relate to these two. I know ALL about moving hay bales. I can’t use a sheet, ours weigh a hundred and fifteen/thirty pounds each, but I give her a high five for hard work regardless. Way to go sister 🙂
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Thanks Susan! Vacation is now underway – I feel better already!
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Awesome. Have a wonderful time 🙂 Rest, relax, recoup!
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Perseverance. Hard Work. Determination. These folks are an inspiration, for sure.
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Love those two! Here’s hoping we are all that strong at that age! Meanwhile, I really hope you will have your Doc run a gamut of tests to find out where the deficiency lies. We can all give you advice from our armchairs, but there is nothing like a blood work up to pinpoint what might be ailing you. I was exhausted all the time, and when my Doc did my blood work and prescribed a regime of vitamins and nutritional changes, my world changed. If your doctor poo-poos this, (some do…especially if they do not focus on women’s issues) find a new one. Wishing you all the best!
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Thanks Rebecca. Yep, blood work is definitely on the list. Here’s hoping all I need is a vitamin boost and a good rest!
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You might have your doctor check you for anemia. That can leave you feeling wrung out. Best of luck.
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Thanks Mary Ellen. Now that I think of it I’ve been eating very little red meat recently so my iron could well have dipped. I’ll check it out.
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Physical work keeps you young, I firmly believe that. My parents are in their 70s and still farming and they are an inspiration to me. No matter what, they just Get It Done, and I love that!
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Do your neighbors know that you are “spying” on them? Good shots. Thanks for the photos. They reminded me of my aunts and uncles working in the fields back in Taiwan when I was a kid. – Claire
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Oh, I hope they don’t think I’m spying! I was trying to be as unobtrusive as possible – hence the slightly fuzzy shots. I don’t normally share photos of people but I just thought these guys were awesome. I want to be that fit at that age!
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I love reading your posts. This couple is amazing!
I’ve also been really tired lately. Last week while visiting our son at school/university I started taking iron and the B12 vitamins I got him for energy. I am also a fan of natural vitamin D!
This week I feel great.
Hope your feeling better soon. You need to enjoy your beautiful weather before your crazy cold arrives. 🙂
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Thanks Dana. A vitamin boost does sound like a logical first step, especially with that cold weather just around the corner. Glad you’ve got your energy back!
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June, Your symptoms are so in line with a vitamin D deficiency. Perhaps if you have not thought of that, you could check. It’s pretty debilitating and most need more than they think they need. Anyway, sorry if I’m overstepping a boundary here, but I think many of your readers feel like you are family now! Love the couple and your photos.
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Thanks Vilija! Is vitamin D not just from sunshine? Cos I know I got tons of that! I actually thought I might have had heatstroke at one point. But I’ll definitely look into it. I would hate to think that a little vitamin supplement was all I needed to bounce back into action!
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My lack of energy turned out to be hypothyroidism…was half dead before the doctor thought to check for it…wrecked my quality of life for many, many years…negatively impacted my babies when I was pregnant with them…needed enough thyroid medicine to put me in the hyperthyroid range. We would have found the problem a lot sooner if we’d gone by symptoms (subtle as well as blatant) rather than one-size-fits-all ranges, but it takes doctors less time to order blood tests than it does to take the patient’s history or thoughtfully consider to the patient’s symptoms. Please get your lack of energy checked out, but do your own research and be your own very vocal advocate! I’m on a mission to save others the same needless suffering, can you tell? I recommend the book Hypothyroidism Type 2: The Epidemic by Dr. Mark Starr. Good luck!
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Thanks Jone. Thyroid problems did cross my mind as there is some family history. I’m still hoping it’s just a passing thing, but I won’t let it linger. In the meantime I’ll take a look at those symptoms and see if any are a fit.
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A simple blood test would show a need for more vitamin D. Sun is a main source but Is not always fully metabolized by all. I’m sure you do get lots. But this would be an easy thing to tick off your list while you seek out other causes. Good luck, I wouldn’t want to see you get to the point where pushing to get things done becomes too hard in itself.
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Thanks Vilija – I’ll get that checked.
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I am taking a break from working outside in our 90 degree heat and stopped to read this. Amazing! What a team they are! I wonder how they decide who gets the wheeled cart 🙂 I’m so happy to hear that you are feeling a bit better enough to tackle some small jobs – I am also! Adding some mushroom compost to my raised beds today, so that they can amend the soil nicely in the coming months. Looking forward to hearing how you will be wrapping up your gardening season!
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Thanks Angela. Delighted to hear you’re feeling better too. It feels good to get out in the fresh air, doesn’t it? I’m almost done lifting veg – there’s just the cabbages, a late batch of onions and the zucchini still running. My arms are tired but my pantry is full, so the job is nearly done!
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Is that a little cat there behind her legs? Or a dog?
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It’s a small dog, Simone. He ran back and forth with them all day long. Not easy on those tiny legs!
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How inspiring! Look at them go!!! Sometimes when we inevitably get stuck in a rut, overwhelmed by the amount of work we have looming ahead of us, or just are momentarily down in the dumps, it’s good to remember that ACTION will often get us mentally over the hump. Just getting started on a project for 5 minutes will create a surge of energy. Hang in there June! Thinking of you from across the globe as I try to get myself into action this week as well! 🙂
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You’re so right. I find that making lists and breaking big jobs into smaller jobs helps me get started. Once I get stuck in there’s usually no stopping me! I did manage to tick a few items off the list yesterday, thanks to this awesome woman.
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June, I’m so sorry. After reading the other ladies comments I felt awful that you haven’t been feeling well. I haven’t had time to read all your posts so I apologize if my comment came across as inconsiderate of your situation. Hope you figure out what’s going on. You’ll be in my thoughts for a speedy recovery!
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No, not at all – I appreciate the thought and the comment. All I’m missing is the pep in my step – hopefully there’s a simple reason for it. But you’re right that taking action does help you feel energized, even if it’s only for a short burst.
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