chapter 432

6/5/2016

Chop Wood, Carry Water

back to my stumpy logging phase

There's an old Zen Buddhist phrase: Before enlightenment chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment chop wood, carry water. What that means to me is chopping wood or doing hands on work literally leads to enlightenment or a higher state of mind. I think Dad knew this, felt this, lived this but maybe could not put it into words.  Shot this at Thanksgiving 1987 in front of our Virgil home. He enjoyed having family come for the holiday (even though he would not admit it) but he always stayed "grounded" during the visit by doing other things and was also happy when we left.

link to Colleen Trees folder

I have one of Dad's chainsaws and was happy to do some clearing work for my neighbor. She had more than a half dozen Pines blown down in recent storms. On this sandy soil the original property owner had over planted leading to weak tall skinny trees that are susceptible to wind damage. After removing the initial problem, I spent over a week thinning out and culling dozens of other dead standing trees and scraping out the thick mat of dead and rotten vegetation and vines. This occurred during the heat spell, which although undesirable, seems to be when I do most of my big projects.

But it is cathartic and I could sense his spirit while running that saw. It is rewarding satisfaction (Buddha video) of some inner core value that you just feel by getting the job done. Savor the sawdust.

I fondly remember carrying water from this Virgil Creek on Stan Connelly's farm to his heifers at the lower barn before we had running water established there. Was just a teen and had to fill up 2 five gallon buckets in the creek and walk back to the barn to water the stock. I'd spread my arms out as far as I could to build up shoulder strength. Might as well get some exercise and be paid for it besides (50cents per hour). I was down there by myself with Stan at the upper barn. It was peaceful and serene on those cold winter days when I had to break through the ice on the stream. Just me and the calves and heifers. Very Zen. I think most farmers feel this in between the moments when it is not just a knock down drag out fight of frustration in life's struggle. Stan - not Zen. For Stanley life was often a bit of a struggle. 

Finally getting my money's worth value out of the pickup. Our landfill is just a mile away and convenient for dropping off (senior citizen discount $35 for a whole year). Sometimes when it is hot, the Zen thing is to carry wood, DRINK water.

Speaking of Senior Citizens, I sat in a cubicle at work next to this guy for 30 years. After retirement, I can't get away from him. When asked if he was having fun, he merely said you don't want to hear about it. I just hope he can reach enlightenment before the end of the journey. 

Ran over to take photos of the 10 Ton Army dump truck. It's locally owned by Craigs Mowing ,very cool, as I drove the 2 1/2 ton version of the personnel carrier at Ft. Dix. This is karma. When you reach enlightenment, the world comes to you.

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