Working alone on a farm has its challenges and its dangers. Though you would not know that there are any hidden dangers from the little collection of images we see today. And the little farm is managed in a low tech sustainable manner so my use of machinery is kept to a minimum. My tractor only drives at about 2 miles an hour, the mower has not been used that much in this dry summer and the most commonly used tools are a hammer and my little bone handled fish knife that lives stuck in a crack in a post in the barn. But the hazards are there. And no-one within shouting distance.
My most important safety tool is probably my cell phone. But I am always carrying a camera instead. The phone keeps getting forgotten, or I lose it, then find it, then leave it in the house or the car or by the bed or I have no pocket in my farm skirt or when I do it is a heavy lump when I crouch down and I pull it out and dump it somewhere. 
Viv my poet friend who you will have seen commenting every day with sharp wit and such knowledge, has made me a little bag to wear so that I can now carry my phone everywhere with me with now. She is an Englishwoman living in France so it is already being called the French Baggie. 
And what a bonus to finally be carrying my phone and my good pocket knife and my notebook and pen. Leaving my hand free for my camera. Yesterday I received a txt from my son as he revolved slowly above London on the London Eye. Another txt from a friend who needed four dozen eggs and could she pick them up right now and a call from Our John at work to see what I needed from town. All calls I would normally have missed. 
I slipped from a ladder yesterday while clearing gutters but caught myself. I picked up a super full of honey and bees that was heavier than any I had ever lifted before and I was standing awkwardly. I put my foot into the hole in the loft floor, while throwing down hay, that I knew was there but had forgotten about. I opened a reluctant gate, with sheep hard on my heels and it crashed into my shin, sending us all jumping backward. I am working around old untrustworthy buildings, jogging from one job to the next in an environment when anything can happen. But I had my phone with me this time.
An injury with no phone handy would result in a long wait for someone to notice. But all day yesterday I had this little hand-made peacock coloured fabric bag tied snugly to my hip. It is so comfortable that it is easy to forget, slides through the gates and up the ladders with me, was inspected for hazards by the guard bees, and when I stumbled in the barn loft the bag remained in place ready for anything. We all need to take responsibility for our own safety. I am the worst for thinking “She’ll be right, Mate!” A phrase I grew up with. Time to behave and take control.
Thank you ViV. Thank you.
Good morning. I will be going at top speed this morning as after my chores and the school run, I have to deliver my little cooking oil car to the workshop in a big city I am unfamiliar with. With my little French Baggie tucked into my seldom used handbag.
On my trip to the city, through miles of farmland, I will be on the look out for those old fashioned mid west chicken coops. They have a roofline shape I have decided will be just perfect for the Gingerbread house. I will take a shot of one for you so you can see what I mean. They belong in this landscape.
You all have a lovely day.
celi
On this day last year. Daisy gets lost in the cornfield. Such a funny story.
The Kitchen's Garden 
58 responses to “Working alone on the farmy”
Glad you’re doing that. We have a friend, a woman, who has been living on her own in a big house for a few years now, She has had so many accidents, what with chopping wood and many of the things that you are used to, that without her phone she would undoubtedly be dead. She now has fallen in love with one of our male friends who now lives with her, so she has the phone and him now. Belt and braces:)
How kind you are to give me the credit, Celie. I enjoy making things – and little French baggies are much more useful than poetry, and only marginally less use than sinful chocolate cakes. I’m so glad it gives you confidence, too.
My children chide me constantly for not taking the phone with me when I work…Even though Hubby’s office is in the house, he’s so used to me just dissappearing into the back field or the woods that it would be hours before I was missed. I’ve been more careful since the Wee One came to live with us, but probably not enough.
Good for Viv, for creating a solution that works for you!
Have a wonderful, busy day!
i am like that too, they are so used to not seeing me in the house that noone would even think to look until dinner time!! c
Do be careful but now with your baggie you will have the cavalry come to the rescue if needed (but hopefully not needed) t
I love your critter shots! And I love that you wear a farm skirt! (Please tell me how it is that you stay so clean?! If I did your chores I’d be filthy!) And, I hope your “diet” is just to improve your eating habits and not to lose weight! I get scolded for not having my phone with me, but not having a pocket means storing the phone in my sports bra and it gets all sweaty and falls out! I need a pouch.
Oh i am quite filthy.. and no i do not diet, i just eat well!! your sports bra story is hilarious!! only a woman would laugh tho!! c
Oh, and I thought about you yesterday and my young dog was helping me haul stones: he has a pulling harness and, with some training, can now pull 100% of his body weight. Maybe young TonTon could help you haul?
What an excellent idea, I am sure he could learn to pull a wagon.. I had a friend whose dog would pull HIM along on his skate board.. You have a clever dog there.. c
Don’t you just hate that – cel never rings when next to you, but leave it somewhere and you always come back to 5 missed calls and messages! It is a conspiracy 🙂 Nice baggie Viv! You take care today Celi – don’t forget your baggie:) Laura
I will have to get my wife one of those… she never has her phone with her… I often wonder why she has one… her friends call me and ask me to tell her to phone them…. my costs naturally then…
That really is quite funny, I hope you pass on the messages!! verbatim! c
I’m glad you’re okay!
I need one of those bags! I have the same problem when crouching in the garden with that hard lump in my pocket. Look how skinny you are! Me too this summer. I’m down to my fighting weight. Sorry to be so absent recently commentwise, but I have been checking in every day. Our farm wedding was last weekend. It was purely magical. You can see some of the photos here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151116692432421.464185.503292420&type=3&l=41a831cbc5
fantastic that it all went well, i shall pop over and have a look! it is such a busy time of year for you too! c
Miss C, we are so glad that you are safe and ready for emergencies now! What would we do without you? It doesn’t bear thinking about. Love last year’s post, that naughty Daisy, she’s an imp in cow’s clothing.
The French Baggie is styling! You may have another feather to add to your hat: fashion diva. Take care, Nikki
Excellent of Viv to see your need and solve it with a fashionable and practical bag. Having grown up on a farm, I know how dangerous your working environment can be, even without big machinery. My father-in-law lost a hand and arm when it was caught in a corn chopper in the 1960s while he was harvesting. Fortunately my husband was with him and ran for help. No cell phones, of course, in those days. Be careful and safe.
Cool!! Such a good idea to be able to carry all your necessary things close to you.
Just adore your little French baggie! Very fashionable too, wrapped around your waist! You’ve just given me a great idea to pull out my sewing machine. I could use this on my walks!
I crochet them. Of course a fabric one would work well – maybe with denim material. – I make a lot of quilted shoulder bags, but never thought of doing a little baggie.