Dear Dave, I wonder if there is a formula that would reveal at what age you begin to crave simplicity. I am there, right now. I want to talk more about that, but I need to warm up with some news.
Planting and harvesting are pretty focused, both of these seasons have always meant a lot of work , however one of many goals is to keep each season as condensed as possible. The most recent USDA planting report for Minnesota shows 81 percent of the corn planted. 91 percent of spring wheat is planted, 51 percent of the beans and almost all of the sugar beets are in the ground.
I think our spring wheat planting has gone pretty well, Dave. Last week I heard that the recent rain has created a crust that makes it difficult for the germinated wheat seed to send its shoot through the crusted soil. I even saw a picture of one such frustrated shoot that was dug by hand from beneath the crust. I think our farmers are further behind on corn planting and wheat than the USDA report but about the same on soybeans and sugar beets based on my windshield survey. This particular survey carries an error rate of plus or minus however far off I am.
We learned a song in grade school that talked about simplicity, Dave. The main lyric I remember is, “tis a gift to be simple, tis a gift to be free. “I have always enjoyed freedom, but I have not always led a simple life. Even today, I enjoy a lot of variety in the things that occupy my time. My schedule isn’t simple however my approach is simpler.
I think I know why I crave simplicity, Dave, I think the reason for this is that I know what I need, and all the rest is just busyness. I don’t have time for busyness; it is a trap to engage in the drama and silliness with which some people fill their lives. The gift of simplicity is the gift of freedom. It is a freedom from the stuff that means nothing and the gift of being able to focus on the stuff that matters.
This is such an odd time of year, Dave. This is the time when I feel more in touch with my surroundings. I especially feel it when I am with animals. There is an exquisite loneliness being with the birds, the rabbits and the cattle as we both share space, especially as the sun goes down. There are few places I would rather be than with the animals, however there is something about our time together that engages me with life and shows me how fleeting life is and how great the responsibility is to productively use this life. It’s a lonely feeling, Dave, and it will soon start. I guess I am supposed to call this a growth opportunity, and I suppose it is true.
That’s all the news and simplicity I can gather for this month’s letter, Dave.
Tell everyone I know hello, You’re little bro.
