To Be Like George

Today I went with a friend up to Mount Vernon (we actually made the plans before I lost my job -- otherherwise I might've hesitated to pay the $15 entrance fee). Day one of doing tourist stuff.

So George freed us from the British and yadayadayada, but the man didn't exactly relax when he was at home -- his plantation was one of the most

prosperous in Virginia. He gave up tobacco to farm wheat --

and sold it as far away as the West Indes. He tried

innovative farm techniques and read lots of books and knew the theory behind his agricultural practices. And he managed the estate even when he was freezing in Valley Forge.

If I'd gone down there still employed after the last few months of doing nothing at work, I would have felt depressed because I knew I wasn't being that productive and he "never let the sun find him in bed." But since I have this new euphoria of being able to actually find something to do that might be constructive and fulfilling...I want to get things done like George.

And 200 years later, his farms are still producing food like this:

So as I start my job search, I'm going to keep a mantra of, "Be like George." Not that I expect to be rememberd for anything I do in 200 years, but I could at least find something that I'm excited about.

Oh, also, his gardens had pretty flowers: