The Sleepy Eye of my Mind

When I first dreamed of having peacocks, this was the scene I saw in the sleepy eye of my mind. Kupa up on a fence surveying the farmy.  His colours  flashing but somehow blending with the surroundings. A tail like a collection of impossibly precious emerald brooches draped so casually across  the rustic fence.  Kupa has the most fantastic neon plumage, from his demure petticoats to the tail that grows longer daily. He is first up in the morning, and getting wonderfully tame.

He is an anachronism and at the same time perfectly at home in this location. Though the sight of him scoffing pig food in the pig sty is still a little unsettling.

Minty is learning to share. 

Though in the late afternoon  she still  likes to wait for her milk up on the verandah with the cats. 

Good morning. Daisy is standing on the North side of the barn this morning, with an udder filled to bursting, it seems to me, just chewing her cud watching the sheep mill about looking for breakfast.

So we will wait some more. There is a lot of waiting in farming. It is like making a movie.  Setting the scene takes longer than shooting it.

The Old Codger had a lovely day for a drive yesterday and enjoyed showing the therapy people around his expectant home. Now we wait to see what they recommend.  The sun was shining, it was warm without the heat and a perfect day for an outing for him.  He has been at the retirement home undergoing his therapy for almost four months. He has not been in a car for that long,  or outside for more than a few minutes. He needs some sun!  Unless you are an owl you need some sun.

Here is the beginning of this saga if you need to have a catch up. The Old Codger is lucky to have a lovely involved daughter, however she lives far, far away so I physically stand in for her.  Hopefully between us we can get him home soon.

Everyone needs an old person.  Paid or unpaid. Related or unrelated. Welcome or not. If we all simply took on the responsibility for one old person, then the retirement homes would not be so bursting with residents. But keep in mind. None of these old people think they are old! Nor do they realise that they need you.  So be subtle.

Have a lovely day. It is cooler and cloudier this morning but I am not going to mention the R word.  Lets just surreptitiously cross our fingers in our pockets and hope the clouds continue to darken. It is a perfect day for working in the barn and staying close to that vastly pregnant heifer!  Though Daisy will probably just hang her huge head over the gate and watch me all day.   Chewing, chewing, chewing.  Waiting, waiting, waiting. Watching the crew build the set.

But sshh, no looking at the Star!

celi

87 responses to “The Sleepy Eye of my Mind”

  1. Your words of wisdom to all of us on caring for the aging are sage advice. God willing, we will all be “old” someday. And some of us are closer to “old” than others. Thank you for the reminder that we all need to care for one another.

    • Oh no, I know your age and you are not old yet!! Not when you are still charging through the day like you do. Now go and have a nice cup of tea on the porch .. all the young people are doing it nowadays!! c

  2. Indeed an “old person” is a must have. My old person died in February and I celebrate as I miss her. she died as she lived, “her way”. She was 93 years young and a delightful spirit. She referred to the old folks as old “ducks”. When she found out she had congestive heart failure she
    plainly stated that she was done. I have some of the most amazing memories. I always smell my “whiffy” roses (her description) and smile !!!
    Go Daisy go !! Cheers C !
    Nanster

    • Good for her. they are so funny like that referring to others as The Old Ducks!! (laughter) no-one thinks they are old.. just as well too.. c

  3. Love the supermodel twins dining with Minty. And the cat nosetouch photo is too sweet. No looking at Daisy, but she is in my thoughts today. Don’t tell her though – it might make her huge head even bigger.

  4. Kupa certainly adds a sense of royalty! Simply beautiful…the word “majestic” comes to mind! Thank you for the background on your Old Codger. I am so hopeful that he can make a go of it more or less on his own…I really understand how important it is to just get some sunshine! Bless you all for the uncommon commitment, Celi. I don’t know many people who carry the same sense of awareness that you do. Wishing you all well today…Debra

  5. We do indeed all need an Old Person – we keep them feeling young and giggly and they teach us wisdom and patience and a whole lot more besides. Great shots…that cat is so gentle!

  6. I think the cat-lamb nose touch photo is postcard material, as is the Kupa shot! I was startled and smiled when I saw the lamb on the verandah with the cat. It’s wonderful that all of your animals seemingly get along…no cats chasing birds, etc. It is a good thing to spend time with old folks…the age, the wisdom, the peace and the perspective.

    • i think the cats are catching the sparrows though, as they have a tendency to vomit them back up on the verandah! eeoo.. does not matter how much you feed a cat, they will still hunt.. c

      • Doh! I know Minty is a girl – sorry, I was very busy for a couple of days and went through about 30 new blog posts earlier – it must have numbed my brain, as, evidently, I couldn’t tink or spell 😉

        • Don’t you hate it when you can’t tink!? I knew you knew she was a girl.. after all you used her name! Maybe have a cup of tea and a wee lie down! Busy is good! then rest is good! c

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