when preparing to one up your wife

make sure you use a chainsaw before an axe

Sometimes I like to imagine that I’m capable of long term thinking.

Today while chopping wood I was excited by the fact that I was doing something today that would make a difference down the road.

Then?

One of my kids reminded me

But you love cutting wood. That’s not long term thinking. That’s just instant gratification

Then, my wife reminded me that she does the same. I’m starting seeds that will be tomatoes this summer.

I had to one up her.

Well, I cut that tree last year, so I’m planning two years ahead. Besides, you love planting seeds, that’s not long term thinking, that’s instant gratification.

She would not be outdone.

You may have cut that wood last year, but I collected these seeds from plants we grew two years ago from seeds that I stated even longer ago than that.

Yeah, but I got manaure from the barn four years ago to make the soil great for growing all of your plants.

But darling, she paused and smiled, I’m the one who signed her up for riding in the first place.

I smiled.

And that was instant gratification too.

Now?

We have plants and a daughter who beams like the sun when she’s on the back of her horse.

Long term planning works best when the steps you take to prepare for the future are instantly gratifying.

And one more thing?

Never try to one up your wife.

What are you, a fool or an idiot?