With my little grandchildren back home and doing good, I am back to work. I have been getting the projects done for this year, with a new one added. We are changing our water filtration system with a new system that will only serve the house and not all the water. The livestock used hundreds of gallons of water a day. Removing the livestock water from the filtration system will save on filters and salt for the softener. I have found the time to start writing blogs once more. It could be said my life is getting back to “normal”.
What really is “normal”? Each day, each year things change. This year I had my grandchildren to care for full time for four months. Last year I spent two months with my daughter caring for my granddaughter during her pregnancy with triplets and their delivery. Then the years my husband was laid off. Everyone has felt the increase in inflation this year.
The cost of groceries and other items I have needed to adjust my monthly budget, removing some things we used to do such as eating out once a week. Others have had to make adjustments to their budgets and/or work due to changes in the cost of just living.
Many things affect our daily life. I no longer do the same activities I did when I was in my 20’s or 30’s. I no longer start young horses under saddle. Farm tasks take a little longer, and sometimes I have to find another way of doing things as I no longer have the strength to consistently lift 80 pounds and move it to another place. I can still lift 80 pounds, but to unload 100 bales of hay, each weighing 80 pounds like I did in years past takes three times longer and two Advil when the job is done.
As the world was coming out of the Covid-19 pandemic, hearing that life would get back to normal was a cliché phrase on the news. But have our lives really returned to normal? Some people still continue to wear masks. I enjoy the six feet separation when standing in line waiting for the cashier ( I like a large personal space bubble). There is still supply line issues in getting products to the store shelves.
Adjustments to our daily lives is made continuously. We adjust for the cost of good and availability of goods. We adjust for aging and what our bodies are able to perform. We adjust for family and friends. As we travel our journey on this earth we are always making adjustments and adapting for what is needed and what we are able to achieve.
I am caring for my sheep and my husband. Cleaning house. Doing laundry once a week instead of three times a week. My meals are smaller cooking for two. I am doing the farm projects and writing more consistently. Life is normal.
Our definition of ‘normal’ is always adjusting and adapting.
amtolle
Me, Myself and I 