A Good Ache

I spent most of yesterday gardening and I am paying for it today. We did a great deal of walking in Venice and I thought I was getting into pretty good shape. How deluded I was!

I was two or three weeks behind on my gardening when we got home and the weeds had nearly taken over. I also had annuals to plant and some general cleanup to be done. By the end of the day on Sunday my bones were weary and today my muscles are all screaming, “You over did it!”

However, as I stood in the backyard this morning - just as the sun was beginning to come over the trees – I marveled at the creation as a familiar tune came into my head…

“The spacious firmament on high,
With all the blue ethereal sky,
And spangled heavens, a shining frame
Their great Original proclaim.
Th’unwearied sun, from day to day,
Does his Creator’s powers display,
And publishes to every land
The work of an Almighty Hand.

Soon as the evening shades prevail
The moon takes up the wondrous tale,
And nightly to the listening earth
Repeats the story of her birth;
While all the stars that round her burn
And all the planets in their turn,
Confirm the tidings as they roll,
And spread the truth from pole to pole.

What though in solemn silence all
Move round the dark terrestrial ball?
What though no real voice nor sound
Amid the radiant orbs be found?
In reason’s ear they all rejoice,
And utter forth a glorious voice,
Forever singing as they shine,
“The hand that made us is divine.”
- Joseph Addison