Sometime after my husband and I were married I discovered an old rocker that was set aside by a neighbor on the curb for bulk trash.  I remember stopping my car and, upon further examination, proclaiming it was still good.  This did not please my husband, who was then assigned the task of hauling the glider all the way back to our house.  This glider remained in working order until we got our new fence installed.  Recently, when my husband sat on it, there was a terrible rending sound and I hollered he should get up immediately.  It nearly caved in!  However, it was really a simple matter to repaint the metal and replace the wood.  Only this time we chose a much more sturdy natural cedar which we varnished with a treater against the elements.  And just look at it now!  It is such an indescribable amount of joy for me and it cost a very modest amount to have redone.  When did we become such a disposable society?  I guess because my folks grew up during the Great Depression it was ingrained upon me NOT to waste — ever.  I love our “free” glider so much, which we restored for pennies on the dollar.  It resides under our redbud tree overlooking our koi pond.  And it is so relaxing to sit and listen to the waterfalls while watching our fish swimming languidly, fanning their beautiful long tails through the water.  The American author Neil Strauss said:

“Almost everyone who reaches a plateau where he or she is happy and comfortable says it’s because of finding balance between work, relaxation, exercise, socialising and family – plus some alone time to do something contemplative, creative, or educational.”

I think I may have stumbled upon this inadvertently … and it is on the bench.