Compassion, please

It's not my fault, I don't think. The last job I had ended in August and that one only lasted a couple months. Before that it had been since November since I had had to be productive for many consecutive hours in a day. How could one expect me to be productive, even if for only 4 hours in a day, right off the bat after all of that?

The day started well enough. A little granola with fresh bananas and a cup of Kona coffee. Took my time eating and getting dressed even though The C had already eaten, gone for a run, dressed, studied French and was out spreading mulch around the bases of various trees. By the time I wandered out into the sun she was taking a break and re-hydrating. Always the attentive boyfriend, I sat down to keep her company. She may not have said anything, but the look she gave me was of pure love.

The property we are on is a few acres, and trees all over needed mulch and fertilizer. My nose has been stuffy as of late, so Candace was kind enough to carry the buckets of stinky fertilizer while I hauled the mulch. At each tree we needed to pull weeds and vines and make a nice clean area to spread our load. This was quite nice. I sat down and pulled at green things while gazing around at our beautiful surroundings. Guava trees hid behind every bush and I munched ripe ones when they caught my eye. On a couple of trees we had to unwind these crazy vines that loop and twirl and snake their way up and into trees. I like this, as it's puzzle-ish.

After we'd attended to the marked trees, I plopped my sweaty self onto the ground to catch my breath and take a break. Candace walked off with our now empty buckets and I crawled into some shade. Thinking I must be near to finished with at least half of my daily hours, I pulled off a glove and used my bared hand to lift my sleeve and expose my watch. Imagine my surprise when I saw that only 30 minutes had elapsed! I flopped back onto the grass and stared in stupefaction at the avocado tree above me. Candace returned and prodded me to my feet. Our next task was to clear around and in a small pond on the property. Many vines and unwanteds have grown over the surrounding path and rock walls and into the pond itself. The poor ducks (our boss's pets) have no where to swim! It is sad, watching them quacking and swimming circles in place because there is no where else to go. Feeling good after my break I set into the task with zeal. I was pulling and ripping weeds, tossing them into an ever increasing pile. Sweat began dripping down my back and across my face, my shirt growing darker.

A twinge attacked my right wrist, forcing a yelp from me. I dropped the vine I'd been wrestling and sat down on a bench in the shade to assess the damage. It still moved and felt ok, but I was feeling weak. While stopped, I checked my watch. Only an hour into the day? Really?? I've not felt so defeated and hopeless in a long while. A couple tears leaked from my eyes and trickled through the dirt on my face. Casting the most doleful look I could muster at The C, I explained my predicament: "I'm tired and thirsty!" Again, a look of love spread across her face and she wordlessly walked off to get me water.

Imagine my surprise when a weedwacker roared to life right behind me with The C at the controls!
"Get up, and get working," she demanded.
"My wrist hurts," I whined.
"WHIIIIIRRRRRRRR," said Mr. Husqvarna!

What could I do? I got up and soldiered through the pain, clearing that pond like a champ. All the while The C stood ready to whip me if I stopped. Somehow I made it through the day. But really, it's been so long since I worked where was the compassion? I mean, The C has been consistently employed all the while I've been off so she should not only be used to this sort of thing, but even more energetic at a work day half the length she's used to working.

For now I'll soak in the hot tub to recover, hoping that tomorrow will be easier. On our list of things to do includes putting shoes on the donkey and attacking more vines. Wish me luck.