the spring woodpile

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The woodpile is shrinking. If not for the Polar Vortex winter, this pile would be even smaller.  We missed out on three and half months of woodland experiences due to the severity of the cold.  With over six new inches, this weekend was as snowy as the last.  I kept thinking this was nature's way of giving us a bit of the winter experience that we didn't get.  It's the best time of the year to have this experience of warm days and pleasant nights, when the trailer warms to a snug comfort level, and the snow is decorative if not welcome.

This year I aim to return to wood chopping. 

 

I did this when we first got our Wisconsin retreat but I am easily frustrated so gave up on the chopping and lost the little bit of built-up muscle.  This year I aim to change that. Dave talks about letting the weight of the splitting maul do all work, that I just need to get into the rhythm of the swing, and let loose on my control.  I also have to envision the axe busting the log into several pieces.

Could this be a meditative challenge?

This year I aim to find out for myself what it takes to learn and earn this life-sustaining activity.  Life-sustaining for a previous era, so perhaps it's better to think of it as a pleasure-sustaining activity.  One the greatest pleasures in my life is sitting by the fire on a chill spring night, under the bare tree branches and the twinkling stars. 

This year I aim to gain skills that will sustain pleasure.