It's a way of life here. I don't get the part about lifting 50 pounds over your shoulder hell here you better be able to lift 100 pounds over your shoulder or you might be considered a sissy. We chop wood by hand...not a cord or two try 10 a year. Who rents anything we do "all" of our work by hand. Where do you live? Florida? Ca? Boston? You don't know "hard work" until you have been lobstering for a couple of seasons, this includes WINTER. I am a female at age 50 that puts the younger ladies to shame. And a few men too. I think your article is all wrong. I really don't think you would do so well here in Maine. We are getting on in age and granted I cannot lift more than 100 pounds anymore but be damned if 50 pounds is anything. It's nothing.

I guess we're all sissies down here in southwest Virginia, then. Oh well --- as long as we're having fun!