June 1, 2004
-
Le travail , c ' est la santé !
Work is health !
English version below the first picture
150 mètres de haute haie à tailler deux fois par an est un excellent exercice . Vous avez à bouger sans arrêt le lourd escabeau en acier ( acheté en 1970 ) , monter et descendre les marches et actionner le plus horizontalement possible le lourd taille - haie électrique ( sans couper le fil et sans vous couper vous même comme cela m ' est arrivé l ' an passé au …genou ! ) ) . C ' est un dur travail mais comme le montre la deuxième photo je reste souriant et en pleine forme ....
Après quoi vous avez à tondre la grande pelouse une fois par semaine , courir au potager où il y a toujours quelque chose à faire . Il n ' y a pas de danger de se retrouver chômeur . C ' est bon pour le corps et l ' esprit .
Oui croyez - moi le travail c ' est la santé .
150 meters of high hedge to clip twice a year is an excellent exercise . You have to move unceasingly the heavy step ladden made in iron ( bought in 1970 ) , up and down the steps and act the most horizontally possible the heavy electrical hedge clipper ( without cut the wire of course , nor to cut yourself as it happened to me last year at my....knee ! ) . It is a hard work but as the second photo shows I remain smiling and in full shape …
After that you have to mow the large lawn once a week ., to rush to the vegetable garden where there always is something to do . No danger to become unemployed ! It ' s good for the body and the mind .
Yes ,believe me work is health .
Comments (91)
I weeded our house yesterday and kayed down mulch. I'm starting to enjoy spending time working outside.
You look so happy in your garden - such a lovely smile.
That is so true! Have a great week!
one day, i hope to have a yard of my own that i can work in. this is work that i look forward to doing!
Oui, les exercises sont bons pour le coeur et le corps... et qui est plus, tes exercises sont bons pour la terre, puisuqe ton jardin parait très beau.
mike
My husband does the outside work, while I do the inside. You're right to think of it as good health!
Les haies semblent bonnes! Dependré le type de travail, il peut être fatigant. Mais, naturellement c'a pu être amusement! et ne vous surmenez pas...
work like that is definitely good for your health!!
Oh my gosh! That does look like hard work!!
C'est comme ça qu'on passe sa retraite, Michel? C'est du travail à plein temps! Mais quand on fait ce qu'on aime, c'est tout ce qui compte. Je suis sûre qu'il est très gratifiant de manger les légumes de son potager aussi.
Garde le sourire.
Clara
Unfortunately, I don't have a garden, but when I visit my parents, I always help them with their garden. I'm always tired afterwards.
En effet!!!
Le travail c'est la santé - Ne rien faire c'est la conserver
... tu connais la chanson Michel !
Cela te va très bien ces activités de jardinier !
Prends bien soin de toi cette année en haut de l'échelle !
Amitiés de Nidau (retour en Allemagne ce weekend prochain)
Well Done Michel . It does keep you very fit all that gardening . I am sure Mum would gladly put you and Jannie up if you came to her garden
and you were aksing ME if I had energy to sell?!! you sure have been working hard urself!
Great photos, I'd love a hedge like that... except for all the work, of course. Hehe!
C'est parfait, monsieur! Quelque travail!!
I agree.
Wow, that was actually quite inspirational--I am currently searching for my first job, and I have been quite down about it. Hopefully it will keep me energetic and healthy, as clipping hedges does for you!
<3
that has got to be hard work, michel. so glad that you're still able to do it.
*hugs*
~janny
Keeping a garden is a lot of work!! It looks to me like you enjoy it...it's good when people enjoy their work.
My grandfather always had a lovely big garden, and he was quite a fit man...just because of the amount of time he spent working in the garden.
Vous paraissez très robuste et sain. Le travail de jardin vraiment doit être d'accord avec vous. Me, j'aime être dans mon jardin, aussi. Mais je ne suis pas aussi en forme que vous êtes.
We have a tiny little garden. Less than 5 metres by 5 metres. No hedges, just boring brown fences, and no-one in this house is at all green fingered. But, one day.......... I intend to have a beautiful garden.
ah bon, je suis pleine de sante, donc, car je travaille toujours a l'ecole
I kept thinking that as I get older I will have so much idle time. ....not so! It's seems like I get more busy. Looks like you do too.
what an extraodinary living fence. how beautiful.
It sounds like a lovely job to do! I love being outdoors in fresh air and sunshine working with my hands. Doing something meaningful....I envy that work!!
je crois que le travail est tres bon pour le sante aussi!
vous etes tres moche.
yes but i wish to work less...and live more.
enjoy!
Indeed, my friend... indeed...
I agree, Michel...work like this is good for the body and mind.
You feel like you've really achieved something after having spent time tidying up around the garden. Then you can sit back with a nice, cold glass of wine and admire your handywork! 
Lovely photos!
You are right, it keeps you young and healthy. My grandpa lived to 93 and worked all his life. He had a huge garden in his last years and like you truly enjoyed the fruits of his labor.
It looks scary working on a ladder with a electric clipper. Be careful and don't cut your knee again.
And afther all that work a little time to relax with a bottle of 1664 bier. What kind of Horse riding does your grand daughter? dressure?
Amitié
Carlo
Work helps you to maintain your physical and mental health. You are quite correct Michel.
Be careful up there! My vegetable garden is under 5cm of water--I can't plant anything yet!
You seem to really be enjoying yourself! Be careful.
And enjoy 
This is the good life!
~Paloma
Yes! I agree gardening is so wonderful! you feel so accomplished when everything is done and you see the beautifully trimmed hedges and neat crops! : )
Quel panache!
je suppose que vous avez manqué mon petit mot en décembre quand je racontais que c'est l'Ecole Publique qui m'a éduqué. enfin, je n'avais pas exactement dit cela, mais vous voilà informé à présent.
merci donc de vos très gentils compliments mais j'ai encore beaucoup de progrès à faire. d'ailleurs parfois je confonds un peu avec l'anglais.
et oui, Monaco a perdu, ils étaient carrément absents de par l'esprit et le jeu; on ne les reconnaissait plus. Malheureusement ils ont manifesté le genre de forme auquel ils nous avaient déjà familiarisé en Ligue 1 et il a fallu que cela se répète en Finale Européenne.
par contre Les Bleus ont la forme et j'ai pu regarder avec saveur leur dernière sortie à Montpellier contre les andorrans, avec pas moins de quatres buts contre l'équipe en Europe la plus obstinée à défendre, perdant rarement avec plus de deux buts d'équart!
prochain match dimanche contre l'Urkraine contre qui les Bleus n'ont jamais réussi à marquer car à chacune de leurs deux rencontres, le score se terminait vierge.
Vive Les Bleus !
After the relaxed picture we see the work picture! Yard work is a big part of the springtime and summertime and helps to remind of the beauty we have all around us. I'm glad you are still smiling after clipping all those hedges! Neil did our hedges this weekend and I didn't help at all. Next time I will have to help him out. I love your "old school" ladder! They don't make things like they used to!
That reminds me that as soon as the rain stops I have a mountain of weeds to remove... ugh! Some of it is poison ivy, I am not looking forward to that! I hope you are having a lovely week my friend
I did an hours work in the garden today ( I HATE it
) and have decided that I will buy a flat with a window box 
All I did was " pretty up " the part near the patio, where I can admire it 
and I'll leave the rest to the gardener. I am prepared to give you and Janine free board and lodgings in return for any help - and I haven't got huge hedges. 
How about it ?????? 
Marie
felicitations! vous avez été nommés pour M. Xanga!
You do look like you enjoy the work in your yard and garden - what a beautiful place you have there!
Lovely photos!!
Everyone has to keep active!! That's the secret to having a healthy and long life!
Il me fait plaisir de voir dans ces photos-là que tu es en pleine forme!
Merci pour ton commentaire à propos de St-Germain-des-Prés et ta recommendation du restaurant le Procope! On va y visiter la prochaine fois quand on retourne. Peut-être nous pouvous rencontre si tu es à Paris!
You know Michel..i should rephrase what i said to you before..i remember saying to you..i thought you were a lucky guy. I think itz not that. You just have a great attitude towards life!=)
I once read somewhere and i'll never forget it...the secrets to a happy, long life:
Maintain cheerfulness. Eat lightly. Exercise moderately n' Maintain an interest in life!!!!!!!!!! I think you're doing all those things!
The ladder AND the hedge is a WORK OF ART!!!!
The work will keep you YOUNG!
~~ Betty ~~
nickname - Beatrice - from my sister first, then my friends! On the internet I am also known as Bea, Beatrice AND Miss B! My grandmother was Beatrice and the surname? DeMers ... her maidenname was Lamareux ... Very French
And don't ever stop Michel!
All your hard work keeps your plants happy and healthy too! At Prov.3:12-13, Solomon says "I have come to know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good during one's life; and also that every man should eat and indeed drink and see good for all his hard work. It is the gift of God." Hard work is good for us, and to rest after working is a reward too!
Going up and down the steps to cut the hedge sounds like the early form of step aerobics! And people pay to do that! You are right, it's great exercise, and the results are indeed rewarding, not just for health, but also the beautiful hedge and garden
I am thankful that I do not have a big hedge to also trim. My many shrubs are already too much! For me, nothing is as enjoyable as being outdoors working with the garden. Take care that you do not fall.
Carol Suzanne
I love attempting to read the French entries you post...keeps me "on my toes"...Merci beacoup...
a person's work is never really done... life can be work, but that work can be FUN too, can't it... and it can be work of our choosing and work that we enjoy as we enjoy life and health. *smile*
*hugs*
Work is health- EXCELLENT!
Chris est mon petit ami que toute la *famille* voudrait expédier à bord de la première expédition habitée sur Mars. ("The first manned mission to Mars", je ne sais pas si c'était la bonne tranduction ou si ça a rendu le sens.) Le jeu a pris toute un ampleur et nous y participons à présent aussi.
A juste titre, Chris fait l'Informatique de Gestion.
Ce n'était point indiscret et si tu as davantage de questions, n'hésite pas à les poser, Michel.
Clara
There is nothing like stepping back from a hard project or work, and then getting that sense of complete power and accomplishment. The sense of confidence and pleasure is immeasurable. I can see this look on your face Michel, as your work in your yard. And I can tell that the hard work has paid off for you friend, as you have a very beautiful piece of land.
Your friend,
Sarah
I enjoy your pictures as much as your sentiments. I shall send them along to a friend I know will appreciate them. Boston
Est-ce que tu habite a France? Je voyage a Paris en été avec ma famille. J'habite a Massachusetts!
I DO BELIEVE YOU Michell! I know the work and enjoy my yard as well. Of course, Mike would make you think he does all the work around here, but
you know the real story! 
hugs and love,
Deb
It is well worth all of the hard work. Your garden always looks so well tended and lovely. Full of wonderful plants.
Working with God's earth is good therapy for the Soul...you seem to have a very healthy Soul and a beautiful part of God's earth...thank you for your visit and your comment...huggs...Sassy
Yes, I agree. As the old saying goes, "Idle hands are the Devil's Workshop." Enjoy the weekend!
hello! this is the first time i visited your site and it is very interesting! I love the photos and your grandaughter is so beautiful! I love that name, Manon! Goodbye!
Ha, ha! Lazy me! I just purchased a riding lawnmower to ease the pain - summer grass in Alaska requires mowing each 4 days.
Hi Michael, when i grow up, well i am grown up, but i think i need to grow some more, i want to wear a hat like you and have a hedge i can shear like you do. you look cool!!
I'm sorry that I'm late. I was a bit under the weather for the past few days. I worry about you up there on a ladder soooo high. Where is your trusty friend to hold the ladder so that it doesn't tip?
I love your yard! What a great place to do some thinking ... and trimming.
DG
Votre jardin est cool!
Le femme dans le blog de mecredi etait Miss Australia et maintenant elle est la nouvelle Miss Universe 2004.
Ca me fait grand plaisir de voir qu'on lit vraiment mon blog, Michel. Si mon Français est aussi bon, c'est aussi grace à Clementine (Fabrice est son petit ami.) Elle est Française et nous sommes restées très amies, nous passons une partie de nos vacances d'été ensemble. Elle a un journal sur un site Français mais elle a ouvert un compte ici pour pouvoir me laisser des messages.
Félicitations pour la nomination pour Mr. Xanga.
Toute mon amitié.
Clara
I am sorry I have missed some of your blogs! I like your pictures: relaxing and working. Working is a privilege and sometimes we forget that!
About the cherry 'stones': we call them 'pits' so maybe you did not see that word or be familiar with this use of it! I have lost my French translator, but you are GREAT with English!
Have a wonderful weekend! 
relaxing work is health...but not the stressful kind of work, very unhealthy! those hedges do look like theyre a lot of work but going up and down those stairs everytime you have to move is already a workout for itself.
i cannot believe you are not wearing a helmet!!!!!!!
when thinking of someone to tell about my gardening adventures you're name came to mind... I planted some strawberries a little over a month ago and I already have ripe berries!!!!
Gardens are the one piece of pride in every man's life. Alas, I now live in a flat. I miss my garden.
I am lucky and only have 15 m of high hedge to trim. It is well worth the work for it makes the most beautiful fence and backdrops for lovely gardens.
The plant in the background...tall white flower spike upon tall spiky green blades. What is it called? I have seen and admired the unusual plant here in my city at one house and have never made time to stop and ask about it. I am a little afraid of knocking at a strangers door to ask about the garden. But, I should, for all wonderful gardeners are so friendly and love to talk about their plants.
You're such a hard worker and it shows in how healthy you are. Just don't over do it okay? We don't want anything happening to you!
I trim our hedges too but they're not anywhere near as tall! Good thing too because I get scared on ladders!
I had to look in the dictionnary to find out the meaning of " Pince sans rire". on apprend quelque chose de nouveaux chaque jour.Merci.
Le jeux de mots est aussi tres beaux.Merci.
Les Belges sont fameux pour les blagues.
Amitié
Carlo
Gosh.....no privacy fence needed with those hedges. Never could train my bushes to do that even if I tried. You look so happy up there working.
what a beautiful garden and yard you have!! Looks like you are having a lot of fun working on it.
I am up visiting my grandparents the last couple of days. My grandpa is not feeling well at all. But I did update my blog - it's Solon's birthday today!!
Answer to T_canya : The plant with white flowers in the background is a YUCCA . The name is the same in French and in Englsh .
Everytime I go home I get recruited into yardwork. Heheh
Health to you! I expect you to be a centenarian and still blogging here.
You are correct, gardening is good for your health-both mentally and physically. I get so much joy out of working in a garden, but glad I do not have a hedge to trim. That looks like a lot of work, as well as a little dangerous on a ladder.
My hedge consists of several lilac bushes and I will have to trim the dead blooms off those-but I will be standing on the ground-using a long-handled trimmer.
I hope you take care in working on that ladder. Enjoy your garden-it is a beautiful one. Have a great weekend, Michel!!!
Love
Edie Rose
Hello hope your haveing a wonderful week end. HUGS ~n~LOVE
Wow! You have the art of relaxation down and you don't mind yard work! What a life you lead, my friend!
That is amazing. I have never cut grass before. I don't believe that I would find much pleasure in it, though. But you look happy outside in the yard that you work so hard on. Good for you! I do hate that about your knee from last year. I hope that it healed fully. Please be careful and watch out.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Hello hope your haveing a wonderful week end. HUGS ~n~LOVE
Nous n'avons pas une haie comme vous, mais notre petit jardin est beaucoup de travail!
That is a TALL hedge to trim! I would love to have some hedges like that here...
I'm sure that it IS great exercise.
hugs,
Lisa
That looks like a LOT of work!
watch the fingers in those hedge trimmers as well, I nipped a finger once trimming trees and bushes.
You must be in incredible shape to do all that. Hedge clipping is hard work up.
Comments are closed.