Well, I've found two instances of it now, and so I thought I'd check to see if anyone else had noticed this -- perhaps even in other episodes.In both A House Divided and Any Friend of Walter's, there are scenes where Adam is in the barn cleaning/waxing his saddle. This seems as though it might be the official "Adam task" around the house that the writers have him doing, much like Joe, Hoss --and even Ben at one point when "the boys" are away-- are greasing and repairing wagon wheels.
However, in these scenes it almost seems like for Adam this is a contemplative practice of sorts. I wish I could get some screen caps to illustrate my point -- if anyone can post one or more, I think it would be a hoot. Anyway, can any of you remember other "saddle contemplating" scenes?