A Full Saturday

Last night, just before dozing off, I remembered to turn off my watch alarm and commented to my wife, "Glad I will not be waking up at 5:00 a.m."

But I did anyway. And eventually hauled myself out of bed around 6:00 a.m. to make the coffee and then take Piper for his Saturday-morning romp. We hike and run the hilly trails behind our house. This morning I came to grips with something I've known for a while, my shoes were on the brink. Normally I go through about two pair a year, but these have lasted much longer because my new day job does not leave time for trail runs. That of course has left me with rusty limbs and a worn out tire around my middle. Despite such complaints and a little cold, I stoked up the strength to run a few last hills in my tired shoes. It was kind of a last good-bye and thank you.

Piper and I got home, and I immediately got to work in the backyard shoveling his poop. He watched curiously. Then I started to dismantle our backyard. I'm completely rearranging the planters, and so moved all the cinder blocks off to the side. Then I proceeded to sledgehammer the little bit of patio that is going to be the heart of our new family garden. Let's just say it didn't take too long to remember that I'm still sick. Even so, I love using a sledgehammer to break up concrete. It's like using a powerful chainsaw to cut up a fallen tree. Satisfying.

So it was back inside for a delicious wife-prepared breakfast. Then clean up. Then grab my old-faithful running shoes, a sweatshirt, and an ugly button-down shirt and then stuff them all in a bag. Off my daughter and I went to the Goodwill drop off and then REI to replace the shoes. Unload three things, add one thing.

I love shoes. And especially shoes that can take me on adventures. I got some nice Vasque trail runners that probably will last me another year, given how few miles I'm putting on shoes these days.

Later in the afternoon we went to the local Alternative Christmas Market our good friends put on each year. Our girls each got some things: jewelery, a journal, and a creche. And I bought my wife some soup mix.

We ran into tons of friends and folks from around town. And best of all our girls were able to enjoy buying a little something with the money they've saved and feel good that their purchase was helping someone else in the world. That's a feeling kind of removed from most purchases. What fraction of each penny goes to the cashier at Wal-Mart? But when you buy at alternative gift markets or farmers markets and the like, a good portion of the money goes where it belongs, to the people who make the goods. I know it's not perfect and ideal and there are exceptions. Yet for the most part, buying from a real person helps us remember there are human relationships in commerce.

Comments

[Matt]

Hi Dave, I just saw your website on the fox 29 news. So I wanted to tell you i like your site. Send me some pics of the new garden, i also hope you are feeling better.

all the best and God bless,
Matt

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