Time

I think that in this day and age people have lost the concept of time. Yes, I realize you know what time it is, probably every second of every day. That is not what I am talking about. That is part of the problem even. You see, we are so busy running to get here and there and this done and not enough time to get around to it all we make ourselves worn out and frazzled. We have lost the ability to assess, manage and Appreciate time. People who don't do a certain task don't understand what it takes to do that task, whether it is in an office or out on the farm- a task is a task. That is why I want to explain and educate people as to what it Takes to farm/dairy. It isn't an on again off again take it up when you want to thing. It is every, EVERY day- even if you don't want to or don't feel like it! And it takes TIME to grow things. We are used to going to the store/market and just picking up what we want/need when we want without thought of what it took to get there because we don't have to.

Our concept of time is : what time do we get up, time to get to work or get kids to school or time to get work/chores done around the house, make lunch/supper, time the TV show/news comes on, time for bed............

We think of time we spend with our families, friends, pets and or lack of it.

I am here to let you know about time it takes to Grow. Mothers it is an easy equation for you to think of the amount of time it took to "grow" your baby. It happened in stages.

Once the farm has things in place we can have "continual" crops- that is one finishes and another is ready so that there isn't much "without" time. But we still have to have Time for things to grow and get ready for harvesting.

We plant seeds, about a week later they sprout up and you see leaves; but it takes on short things a MONTH and others Two to THREE MONTHS before you can enjoy them. Think about your Last three months, what has been going on and try to imagine not having a particular veggie for that amount of time.

Now during that time, we don't just forget about it and  wait til it is ready to pick. We have to take care of it- water and feed! Yes, you have to "feed" your plants. You also have to make sure you keep pests and bugs away or you will have nothing there. That takes a lot of time and care.

People will remark about pricing and how you don't or shouldn't expect to get paid for your time- especially when it comes to a "craft" project- and although you really can't put an hourly rate on things like this, your time is what took these plants to grow and survive and come to your plate.

So, back to that last three months you have had. Think about what you did, what went on and if you were hurried during that time to get anything done.

Now- imagine taking care of something like a plant for that same three months and getting NOTHING at All out of it during that time, only Giving YOUR time to It no matter what else was going on, still having to take care of it because it depends on you for everything ( of course, it is a PLANT ; it can't do things for itself  ).

Time becomes more evident, relevant and urgent even and also it becomes cherished- or should be.

We can't all or don't want to all be farmers/dairy people. But time is the same for everyone. It doesn't work for one and not another; it doesn't stop for one or give more for one or another. Even with "busy" schedules you should STOP and Consider the time you have and what you are doing in it.

Also, when you pick up that next veggie or fruit from you farmer, stop a second and think about the time it took- even ask how long- Then, give Thanks, to the earth, the plant and the farmer.