Recharge

View from Kuilau Ridge Trail

Because we farm, we are privileged to see the outdoors up close and personal on a regular basis.  But, because we farm, we don't often get to see a beautiful day as a chance to relax.  Instead, it is a good time to exert ourselves and work extra hard to take advantage of the weather.  This is part of the reason why we so highly value an opportunity to go somewhere that has extremely nice weather much of the time and beautiful places to enjoy it in.

It often takes us a while to relax because we have trained ourselves to be ready to work in conditions like this.  The brain doesn't automatically allow us to 'chill out' and just take things in stride.  That might be part of the reason we like to add hiking into the mix.  Certainly, we like the idea of being active and we definitely like the chance to see some of the places the hikes take us to.  But, hiking means we are able to tell ourselves that we are doing something.  It stills that little anxious voice that says, "Hey!  It's nice outside, go WEED something!"

Tammy and I have been giving ourselves the opportunity to enjoy the artwork the earth is willing to share with us.  We've also been indulging in some amateur photography and writing, reading and honing our conversation skills.  It's only natural, given our professions, that most conversation circles around the farm or school.  It's what people do, talk about the things they are surrounded by most of the time.  So, we are surrounding ourselves with different things for a while.  Things like green hills, purple mountains and blue skies.