Women at work

I crush the eggshells that have been dried above the fire. First by hand. Then, using a method known to women all round the world, I squat on the floor and use a mortar and pestle to crush them into fine pieces. Then they get thrown into the early bed for those other important women in our family, the chickens, to pick at and make new shells. Whilst scratching for shells they keep the surface clear of weeds and will unearth slug eggs and eat them.
I was shocked at how old my hands look. But I guess that years of physical work both inside and out have taken their toll. I am getting old and, as I was reminded last week, it’s a true privilege to last this long and still be going full power.