Maria and I got up early to drive to Brandon, Vt. and drop off her latest batch of newly-sheared wool. We got back, took care of the animals, made lunch, and then found ourselves staring at one another across the table.

At the very both time, we each said to the other, “you look tired,” and we laughed it was true. I’ve written every day for several months, up to and through the surgery.

I looked over at Bud snoring on the couch and found the answer. We’re taking a day off.

The boot business, which required all kinds of disruptions in both of our lives, is ending more or less now. I’m figuring out how to sleep with my apnea mask.

And while my foot is no big deal in the scheme of things, surgery is surgery, and it is anything but restful.

I can’t recall not writing every day; perhaps the last time was our one-day trek to Vermont. I remember John Updike talking about the need for creatives to rest and recharge – often.

We are both exhausted; I think my foot injury was much harder on Maria than me; it’s hardest sometimes to be the caretaker and draining.

Maria has a tough time relaxing; I suggested we do it together, and she jumped at that idea. That way, we can keep an eye on each other. We are both acknowledged workaholics.

My suggestion was that we take today off, and perhaps tomorrow.

The world can undoubtedly flourish without me, and we’re planning to hang around the farm with the animals all day Sunday and sit and read and talk, and perhaps the Leica will call out to me.

Next week is heating up for me. Hopefully, I’ll distribute my boots to the Amish, restart my meditation class at the Mansion, and bring boxes of shoes and art supplies to Bishop Maginn High School.

Sometime around Monday or Tuesday, we’ll have our first Amazon Mansion Wish List under the direction of Emily Knudson, the new Director of Activities at the Mansion.

I’m going to take a very brief hiatus from health, Amish, blogging,  boots, animals, peckerheads, and friends.

So I’ll return in a bit, Sunday afternoon or Monday. My body and soul are crying out for a short but actual rest. I hear it. I’ll do it. Maria needs the same thing.

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