Our Most Valuable Resource

I came across this formula the other day; you should try it too: take your age, multiply it by 365, subtract the product from 25,000. Do you know what that number signifies? That is approximately how much time you have remaining if you live in North America. I was shocked to see my number in the 8,900 range. While 8,900 days is rather abstract (it comes out to 24 years years and some change), it is strange to see your life expectancy spelled out in such a specific number.
     How much time have I wasted? How much will I continue to waste? Now, that number was simply a general outline; I could drop dead today--laid low by an aneurysm or killed in a car crash--or I could live to be 96, no one knows, but still...it serves as a good reminder that no one, NO ONE lives forever this side of death.
     I've found myself less enchanted by video and computer games these days, notorious time suckers that they are, and yet I still find plenty of ways to sift out my hours in a less-than-stewardly manner. Time wasted flipping through TV channels or surfing the web could be much better spent. Of the seven deadly sins (Pride, Avarice, Lust, Envy, Gluttony, Anger, and Sloth) sloth is in my top three. Why is this? I don't know. It serves me in that I don't speed through life missing details, I can spot hawks on the highway all the time, but I don't tend to be motivated when I should.
     I'm slowly, emphasis on slowly, working to be more, dare I say, productive? Actually, productivity is not what I need. What I need to be is a better steward of my time. Productivity is for an office, time stewardship is for a life. "Wasting" time with a friend, family member, or God is not productive, but it is necessary. "Teach us to number our days, LORD."
     So, how much time do you have left and what will you do with it?

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Good reads of 2009

I haven't made a list like this in a while, and I believe I discussed most of these on the blog as I finished them, but I thought I'd make a handy short-hand list for you and me. These are only in the order I read them and do not indicate any preference. The Open Door * Frederica Mathewes-Green The Children of Hurin * J.R.R. Tolkien The Omnivore's Dilemma * Michael Pollan Agrarianism and the Good Society: Land, Culture, Conflict, and Hope * Eric T. Freyfogle Wonderful Fool * Shusaku Endo Up the Rouge: Paddling Detroit's Hidden River * Joel Thurtell and Patricia Beck Johnny Cash and the Great American Contradiction: Christianity and the Battle for the Soul of a Nation * Rodney Clapp (I started the following in December, but I haven't finished them--so far they are excellent: Love and Hate in Jamestown * David A. Price and The Picture of Dorian Gray * Oscar Wilde) Try one of these--let me know.

Worth Quoting

There are but three social arrangements which can replace Capitalism: Slavery, Socialism, and Property. --Hilaire Belloc ...

The Completely Unsexy Adventures of Constructing a Driveway

Yesterday marked the third phase in our attempt to create a homestead at the Martin Hollow. We now have a gravel driveway. Does this mean wild bacchanalia there? In a word: no. It simply saves me about 400 feet in walking when I'm carrying various tools designed to destroy decontextualized organisms, e.g. autumn olive and garlic mustard. It is also the beginning of our footprint on the land and it helps us to visualize where the house and garage will eventually be placed. The above are two views of the approach from our road which ends in a cul-de-sac (and a large pond just beyond that) to my right (north). Here's a closer view after the gravel has been added (above). This view is from the road facing south. Notice the culvert next the shovel? I told you this wouldn't be sexy. Just below is another view from the road looking northwest. You can see the bobcat tractor in the distance. This (to the left)...

I Am Not Hamlet

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