Today the slow rhythm of nature contrasted with the fast pace of life. This contrast really comes home when I am with my grandchildren in the county as I am today. On one hand we have the cow pastures across the road, acres of land, a huge compost pile we added to today and fall color in the trees. It is a very peaceful scene.

On the other hand, from the time the kids came home from school, did their homework, watch TV, played with the puppy and with some video games, had a quick meal, off to football practice for one of the guys, home again with the puppy running around till bedtime, it was very hectic. The amount of energy spent from the three children and the dog and my trying to keep order wore me out.

In Growing Power we talked about moving the farm to the city. Here in the country we have moved the city to the country. Tomorrow night the three young boys from the dairy farm across the street are coming over for the night as their parents attend the Dairy Expo in the Madison. So I will have six children to watch over for awhile till my daughter-in-law comes home from her her evening job. So the country boys will be coming across the street to this urban environment and their parents will be leaving the farm for the big city.

The day is on us when the distinction between county and city is disappeared. I like to call my grandchildren “county kids” but they see themselves just the same as any “urban kid.”

The power of the worm is to help eliminate this difference between county and city. Today I brought up a bucket of worms from my urban worm depository to put in the compost pile they have here on their land in the county

Also technology is eliminating the difference. Tonight by cell phone I talked with my wife and with a friend from Casa Maria, the Catholic Worker House back in Milwaukee. Also there was an exchange of emails, which can be helpful or not, confusing or clarifying a situation. With cell phone and computer it does not matter where one is,, city or country. Communication is bringing us together as well at times bringing us apart.

My dream is that some day before I die I will see the successful merging of urban and rural, of intellectual and worker. Peter Maurin, the co founder of the Catholic Worker had a vision of urban farm centers that brought all walks of life together in peace and harmony in a sustainable environment. It is just that the growing pains to achieve this vision are at times tough.

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