Ed Bullock dropped off the last two cords of wood we need for next winter. He put it as close to the shed as he could to try to make it easier for Maria.

As always, I asked if she wanted me to find someone to help her or stack it for her, and she said no, she wanted to do it and loves to do it.

She does. I’m not sure we will need more, although I’m grateful for our solar panels this week. Our last three electric bills have been 000. and that’s with a lot of air conditioning and fans on.

We might need one more cord, and Ed said that would be no problem, this summer or later.

The price of wood has gone up to $200 a cord (it was $170 just a couple of years ago) but that is a lot cheaper than heating oil. My hybrid Toyota has also paid off.

It gets 51 miles to the galloon.

We’ve ordered 70 bales of first-cut hay for the winter, that price has gone from $5 a bale to $9 a bale in three years. I don’t complain about rising costs; they are an inevitable part of life, and whining and bitching does no good and change nothing.

But people who fantasize about living on farms have the right to know what they cost. The animals are lovely, but they are not free.

I refuse to be a grumpy old man; life is too beautiful.

The people who sell us this aren’t trying to gouge us; their costs are rocketing upwards. They do the best they can.

I’m fortunate to have what we have. Some people in America can’t get wood or hay and many can’t even use their air conditioners for fear of shutting down their grids.

I have nothing to complain about. We are not in a drought, and the temperatures will be more seasonal next week. I am fortunate to have a partner who loves outdoor work and finds it relaxing.