For me, some of the most powerful elements of a stone wall are the spaces in between them, which reveal the light and shape of the world in a particular way. I am doing a Bedlam Farm notecard stone wall series for the summer, and barns also.

I am getting floods of interesting e-mail about growing older and also about leaving the farm. At times like this, the blog is a miracle. It’s reach is far, its readers thoughtful and encouraging. And honest.

The farm mail is about evenly divided between people urging me to stay, as the farm has been a productive and meaningful place, and people who believe change is healthy, and that my new life with Maria suggests it might be time to move on. The messages are helpful, meaningful and interesting and I am reading them, sharing them with Maria, and I appreciate them. They have already taught me a lot and given me a lot to think about. And I am thinking about them.

Jessie Wong passed along this question from Tao-te-ching: “Do you have the patience to wait till your mud settles and the water is clear? Can you remain unmoving till the right action arises by itself?”

I would say the answer to both questions has often been no. But I would like it to be yes, so I am really into this message.

Also, from Betty Cameron in Alaska this very wonderful message which I will paste up by my computer this week:

“Jon, I’m 62 and many of my same age friends have decided that they’re too old to do any thing. They are in good health, what a shame! I’m looking for a small hobby farm, learning how to quilt and spin wool, designing my garden journal, building an addition to our small cabin in Alaska, learning how to kayak — I could go on. Thanks for your wonderful books and blog.”

Wow. Thank you, Betty. I feel sluggish. If I weren’t in love, I’d book a flight to Alaska and propose to Betty.  I love every word of this message.  This is not a person living in the narrow expectations of others.

Live. Work. Create.