Despite my best efforts at eating well, walking regularly, taking consistent yoga classes, keeping my social life alive, my mind engaged, and my attitude mostly positive, my body knows it is 75 years old. This, in itself, is not a bad thing — in fact, I am thrilled to be here — but it is taking some adjusting in my thoughts and my daily activities.

I consider myself “semi-retired” but still am active in all the workings of the farm. Harvesting each week with my son, Sky, and filling our customers’ CSA bags is part of my routine. The seeding of trays bi-weekly still makes me happy and hopeful. But, the usual tilling, planting, feeding, and hoeing I have happily passed on to Sky.

The constant landscape maintenance of these beautiful four acres is a daunting job. The mowing and weed whacking are always handled by my son, Bay.  I am trying to schedule bi-weekly family workdays to tackle the big jobs. On those days, I find myself directing my grown children and just attempting to remember that doing too much always creates bodily havoc afterwards.

The cleaning and setting up of our farm stay rental cottage is something I rather enjoy. Putting on a podcast and puttering in that small, lovely, uncluttered space is mostly enjoyable. Although, I can delegate that task when travel takes me away.

The most time-consuming part of my job here in our farm life is the office. Who knew that the “simple life” we strove to create all those 38 years ago would entail so much time at the computer?! Just keeping up with cottage booking correspondence, tax filings, permit renewals, bill paying and more takes hours and hours. Not to mention the time on the phone attempting to reach customer service for the inevitable glitch in one thing or another. I have discovered that I simply must get up occasionally and do something else —- make a smoothie, hang up the laundry, take a quick stroll around the gardens— move in some way and then return to the desk.

So, I am in the process of recognizing what this beautiful vital 75-year-old body, mind and spirit are capable of and this can be challenging. Asking for help after handling so much alone for so many years is something I am gradually becoming more comfortable with. The inescapable aches and pains that accompany me are just testimony to my years of hard work and intense play. I try to listen to them these days and take time to rest and recuperate, not just push on through as I was able to do in a younger body.

I guess this written rambling is mostly for me. For me to celebrate myself and my amazing body. To reflect on the years where that body was more lithe and limber and then relish the fact that it is still capable and beautiful. I am striving to continue a vibrant active life for years and years to come and this body will accompany me on the journey. So, I best believe in it and respect it!