I sat down a short while ago with the intention of making up a list of today’s plans. I saw yesterday’s list on an adjoining page of my journal and immediately realized that I didn’t need to do this. The reason is that today’s tasks will be identical to yesterday’s. This is because I’m in the midst of doing repetitive chores, writing the day’s dispatch being at the top of the heap.

The above thought reminded me of the movie “Groundhog Day” – a film in which actor Bill Murray (on Groundhog Day) woke up to learn that every day was going to be like the one before, that is unless on the given days he corrected

his shortcomings. A brilliant film. This is because it has an element of plausibility to it.

Today’s list being like yesterday’s list got me to thinking about what happened to Murray happening to me. Yesterday I worked on my proposal, tended to the garden, took care of the animals, and prepared and ate my meals. I did, in the afternoon, go the State Fairgrounds and gave an assist to the horse show attendees. Will do all of the above today again except for the horse show gig. And tomorrow I will do all of the above. And Saturday I will do all the above. And, there is the likelihood that on Sunday I will do all of the above. The latter depends on Pete’s plans.

Pete is now in Chitna, dipnetting. Going for the big fish. I didn’t go because I don’t have it in me to kill fish by bashing them on the head with a club. I suppose that this is why I am now the central actress in what is my own personal Groundhog Day. It would have been different had I said to Pete “I’ll go with you and assist you in slaughtering salmon.” The movie of my mind would then be entitled “Alys the Salmon Slayer.”

I’m instead here, taking care of things that need taking care of. This being late summer, this is a fairly easy task. I don’t have to fire up and keep the woodstove going, nor do I have to lug water to the horses. And I don’t have to worry about slipping on the ice or risk animal life and limb by attempting to get them past the ice skating rink at the base of the road.

The Garden of Weedin’ is looking good. I now see why people engage in the seemingly onerous task. This is because there is delayed gratification. It does my heart good to see sunflowers bloom and poppies blossom. And it does my stomach good to see cranberries and raspberries in profusion in the middle quadrant garden. And I take partial credit for the fact that the slug crop is nearly non-existent. This is because, early on, both Pete and I were judicious about weeding.

Later today, after I get the livestock out, I’m going to resume weeding. If the task seemed overwhelming, I would not do this. Groundhog Day indeed.

Next: 216. 8/9/14: Lessons Learned: Making up for Lost Time