I am so exhausted. There is a scene in “Under the Tuscan Sun” where Diane Lane’s character has met a hot Italian (aren’t they all hot Italians?) and she went with him to the town where his family lives and she spends the day with him. They eventually go to his apartment and make mad passionate love and she is ready for round two and he says he’s “exhausted”. Yeah, it isn’t that kind of exhausted (but don’t I wish!).
I spent the day today (Saturday) hauling rocks. Almost too-big-for-me-to-handle rocks. I’m going to be bruised tomorrow. And sore. Wait…I’m already sore. I caused a mini avalanche and one of the rocks landed on my shin. And the wheelbarrow tipped over on me. And I have scrapes all over. Such fun.
Last weekend I excavated an area on the side of my house that has a small slope. It is steep enough of a slope that bark mulch won’t stay in place, water runs off and plants won’t grow. So I’m terracing it. That’s where the rocks come in – they will be my retaining wall. I’ve got one row in place, but I am going to start over on it. The second load of rocks that I hauled in has some better base rocks in it. By the time I got done unloading that second load of rocks, I could hardly move. In fact, the last wheelbarrow load is just barely inside the fence of the backyard and there it will stay until I start finishing the wall … on the other side of the house. I couldn’t even muster the strength to take it around the house to unload.
My shower afterwards was the best ever – it felt so good to wash off the dust and sweat! I could have passed for Pigpen, taking a cloud of dust with me wherever I went. In case you aren’t familiar with that particular cultural reference, Pigpen is a character created by Charles Schultz and he is part of the Peanuts gang of Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Linus and Lucy. A dust cloud follows Pigpen everywhere he goes. Yeah, that was me. If I wasn’t so tired, I’d give you some links to follow. Google is your friend.
Even though I’m exhausted and not remotely close to being done yet, I’m feeling very good about it. It is quite satisfying to be able to say I did this on my own.
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July 4th, 2010 at 4:53 am
Your strength and will and power – yes power – to take on a project and get it done continually amazes me. Truly inspiring!! Today – I hope you’ll take some time to rest and appreciate all you do. YOU GO GIRL!!!
July 4th, 2010 at 5:37 am
Please sit down and rest ! If it is as hot over at your place as it is over here in Holland you shouldn’t do anything, it is just too hot!!
You are one hard working woman, and I admire you for it !
July 4th, 2010 at 7:11 am
Love the picture !!!
July 4th, 2010 at 7:26 am
Careful. Don’t do anything stupid like REALLY hurt yourself!
I used to be just like you…jumping right in and doing any project that came my way. I retired and got “soft.” *sigh*
Beautiful light and processing on your image. I must admit it took the story to understand the significance of the image….LOL
Have a great long weekend.
July 4th, 2010 at 8:07 am
Oh, I so know that feeling. Over the past ten years I have built my garden, each bed had to be raised because my soil is so bad, I made paths, and a pebble terrace and have gone through several wheelbarrows.
But you are so right, it is the kind of work that feels so good. And even better when you are finished and the aches and pains have moved on and you can sit there one evening and admire what you have created.
Now go rest up
July 4th, 2010 at 11:05 am
Toni! Lifting rocks is prison work!
Ouch! One thing it does do, is make you feel alive and present in the moment.
I like how peaceful the rocks look, with one not knowing their evil tendencies.
July 4th, 2010 at 12:58 pm
Those are big rocks, Toni. Be careful. You should get N or E to help you. Great picture where the sun highlight it.
July 4th, 2010 at 2:39 pm
I had to LOL at the Pigpen image of you after working so hard, Toni. “Doe voorzichtig” is what we say in Dutch: Be Careful. But I’m just like you…or used to be, when I was younger and crazier. I was invincible. Not so much any more, but I totally understand that thrill of accomplishment. You Go, Girl, is totally right. Now rest awhile! Happy Holiday. We have made it to our destination here in SW France, before we set out again on Wednesday…but as Petra said, it is too dang hot. UGH. And no A/C.
July 4th, 2010 at 3:25 pm
Hmmm, I thought the story might be going somewhere else from the first paragraph but, good job! I very occasionally tackle those hard labor projects and, although satisfying in the end result, getting there sucks.
July 4th, 2010 at 3:53 pm
Oh Toni, I think that’s the best kind of exhaustion! Just think about all the calories you burned and I’m sure you slope looks great!
July 6th, 2010 at 3:23 pm
A lovely image of what must be abrasive, heavy material to move – and then to move again and move more into its place! It sounds like the sort of project that is great at the start and end, but in the middle you’re left thinking WHY?? I hope you post a photograph of the “after”, when the work is finished and you’re able to relax and enjoy.
July 6th, 2010 at 6:29 pm
You have caught the sunlight perfectly on those rocks Toni. Will you please make sure that you get that sunlight on your own body as well? Even when it is ‘steady as a rock’, it still needs light and warmth.
You can be so proud of yourself managing to do such hard work!! Chapeau!!
July 7th, 2010 at 2:00 am
i love the clarity of the light on the rocks, how absolutely gorgeous! and well done you for the hard work. i remember making a patio in my old house in botswana; i went and got a load of beautiful old terracotta bricks, literally loaded them onto my truck myself, took them home and laid them (this when i single girl so no boyfriend to help me
) – it actually gave me such a good feeling and i felt very proud of myself 
July 7th, 2010 at 10:35 am
Yikes! I’m tired and sore just reading about it. Have experienced the same many times, although I have to admit of late it is less and less pleasurable. Congrats to you though. And NICE IMAGE! Not an easy one to do.
July 11th, 2010 at 1:34 pm
I’m exhausted just by reading about it. I’ll bet it looks really nice. Well don!!