I finally got a start on at least one of my resolutions last week upon taking a couple days off work for a brief ‘working' vacation.

If I was working, how was it a vacation? To me, just having time to get some things done on my property and staying away from the rest of the world to do a little manual labor is a vacation.

I also enjoy the peace and quiet of a few days in the woods, working on projects, planning others and improving things that are in need of improvement.

Isn't it odd how things change?

I remember being in college and working nights and weekends at a warehouse, stacking boxes to the ceiling and dreaming of a day when I wouldn't be outside on a loading dock in the middle of the night carrying boxes of who-knows-what to be stacked on big racks of other mysterious crates and boxes.

Sometimes we got one that was ripped open or broken and had to list all the items. Usually it was stuff like little decorative wooden rocking horses, toys, glassware or home items. However, when you get an entire case of wooden rocking horses, it weighs enough to make you wonder if it is going to be something you can lift.

I felt that way at least once every night I worked that job. There is a certain threshold between victory and injury, to which I prefer to stay well to the victorious side.

At any rate, at that time I got lots of exercise and my belly filled with labor. Climbing those scaffolds to place boxes, carrying, stacking and lifting all evening and into the night.

At that time, I looked forward to going back to school to read and type and do things of that nature, rather than do the work at hand. Isn't it odd how the grass always looks greener somewhere else? The secret to happiness is not seeking things we don't have, it is appreciating that which we have been given. I wish I had thought that up all on my own, but I can't take credit. It is an idea that I strive to live by, especially when I see something that someone else has that I would like to have.

Not long ago I noticed a new Ford truck a friend of mine has and how much better it looks than my old beater. However, the next day as I was driving down the road, I thought about how comfortable and familiar my truck is. It is almost like an old friend that has been with me for more than 10 years. Friends like that are hard to come by.

As for working, I now realize that a little labor is good for both the mind and body. Never do I feel as alive and clear-minded as I do when I am outside, getting something necessary or profitable completed. The fresh air and hard work are just what the doctor ordered for me, a person whose job often requires sitting in a chair for several hours per day.

Last week, I cleaned up some at the house here, removing a bunch of stuff that I should have thrown away a long time ago. Actually, counting the garbage, I ended up with an entire truck load. Spring cleaning came early. Then I went to my land and loaded up recyclables, old aluminum windows, copper pipe and the like, and headed out for a trip to the salvage yard. I netted about $40 for the lot of it, but my yard was better off for it. The lady at the salvage place told me I could have done better if I had removed the screws from the window frames and had the stuff sorted before I got there. I'll know better next time.

Next, I need to move two engines, a truck bed and a bunch of lumber. I sold the truck bed earlier this week, so that's one more thing out of the way. I'll probably have to wait for my next vacation for the rest of it to happen. There aren't too many hours of light in one of these old winter days. Not to mention the fact that the cold weather can put a damper on a man's ability to function outside for long periods of time. I was able to get some of the yard straightened up, but I still have lots more to do. Friday I started work on one of my bedrooms, tearing out the old paneling to rewire and sheetrock everything. I got about half done, but at least I don't have to worry about having something to do. That's the great thing about work, I never seem to run out of it.

At any rate, by Saturday, I was ready to install a couple of new windows. I had two of the old drafty roll-out type that I had salvaged somewhere, but their performance was less than desirable. One didn't work at all. So, I decided I would take them out and put in two new replacement windows. I decided to wait on replacing the back door until another day, I can't see working in the dark.

Sunday morning it started snowing as I was on the way to church and the service let out early. I decided to take a final trip to the cabin to clean up and get packed up to head to Sparta. By Sunday afternoon, I took the opportunity to get some much needed rest, sneaking in a two-hour nap between football games and dinner. By Monday, I feel sure I will be happy to get back into the old pasture. That greener grass will wear you out.

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