Recently O Wise One talked to an old friend of many years ago who wanted to come visit. He was not bringing his wife because she did not like to travel where she had no place to work out! Now in all fairness I have never met this person nor do I want to make light of the need to exercise regularly especially at our ages. But that is one of those statements that I call a "come here and let me slap you!!!" statement. I feel the need to explain the Hickery Holler Homestead exercise/workout regime. Who knows maybe I will start marketing it.....
First of all it requires rising long before our old friend the sun makes and appearance. Why because by 9:00 am it will be 95 in the shade and every animal on the entire farm will be calling your name wanting fed / watered / petted / walked or let out to pee! And every biting insect within a mile radius is waiting for you to emerge with that tender white meat exposed be it deer fly/ tick / sweat bee / yellow jacket / or gnat!
Now for equipment.
A garden hat is not broken in until it has atleast one hole! Mine is well loved...
For workout footwear garden clogs do nicely. No fancy ones just the everyday old garden clogs. These complete with a hole I just discovered in the bottom. Yes I have completely walked the bottom out of my garden clogs but they are a necessity for me because at the end of my workout I can simply walk over to the garden hose and wash off my feet and the shoes at the same time. Then they go on the back porch rail to dry until next time I need them. Maybe I'll charge extra for that hole ......
Next you'll need some gloves. I prefer the ones with the thick rubber coating on the underside to prevent those nasty stings from the stinging nettles that love my gardens.
The next necessity is his and her hoes. Razor sharp and always ready to go at a moments notice.
Now pick a row! Any row. O Wise One and I have a quota for ourselves we each have 3 rows a morning minimum we are responsible for hoeing. Not just the rows but the three foot space in between each row.
Most people when they exercise these days have to have music and have an ipod stuck in their ears. Not here in Hickery Holler cause we got class! Our music comes from the old radio set out in the middle of the garden under an old rusty tub. Not only does it give you some good country music from the local radio station called "The Farm" it also helps to keep the deer out of the corn fields at night.
Many exercise in a gym with a television monitor projecting scenery in front of their treadmill. Here in the holler we just have the Good Lord's gifts spread out for all the world to see spanning field and fence row.
And at the end of our workout we have left behind a pile of weeds and grass shriveling in between the rows in the hot summer sun. Testament to our accomplishments of that morning.
34 rows later and when you get to the other end of the garden in a week or so you get to turn around and start all over again. And that is just one garden.
Not done yet though. The eggs need gathering, lets pick some peas, and lettuce and digs a few new potatoes for supper tonight. The neighbor dropped by some zucchini and cucumbers in exchange for a dozen eggs. Hmmm supper is shaping up nicely.
Okay the morning garden workout is over. As for me I still have to shell peas. Throw 2 loads of laundry on the line. Wash and spin lettuce then cut up and put in jars in the fridge. And is it noon yet. Gotta get some lunch made up. Then finish the laundry, dinner and some more gardening maybe in the evening once it cools off.
So if anyone ever tells you they don't have anywhere to work out you just slap them up side the head or send them my way. Or tell them about this great new Homestead workout I promise you when I get finished working them they will think the gym is a piece of cake.
Blessings from The Holler
The Canned Quilter
