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”
Yes I can understand the dangers well, if I fall on the farm it could be days before My partner comes back from work to look for me. But sadly there is no cellphone reception anyway. I love the blue bag, it’s good that Viv is looking after you.
now just make sure you have battery power; wonderful friend, great stories, the lost cow of yesteryear good too; i love your blog, i love your blog
Celi, I’ve been keeping up with your posts, but away and busy has meant no comments… this post is a fine example of what I see you do along the lines of your dream (yesterday’s post, I think), you crochet people together into a huge warm world wide rug (like one of your wonderful spiders and their web) – Viv’s wonderful baggie, a reminder to all of us of something we know but don’t always do, ie take care a practical sense, and another assembly of wonderful comments 🙂
Good on you, Viv! Celi, glad to know you’re a bit safer now.. xx
What a lovely gift! I’m so glad that you’re not without a phone out there. Too many pitfalls and no one nearby…definitely a case for having a phone handy.
What a kind and thoughtful gift…and Peacock Blue?! 🙂
How thoughtful, such a perfect gift. I was reminded of the need to carry a phone after I fell and broke my wrist last year when out at the bach alone. I do all sorts of jobs out there, but have made a new rule not to go up a ladder unless someone else is there, and to get someone else to clear the gutters for me.
How perfect! I try to have my phone with also, as I am alone here quite often.
Uhuh! From a gal who only has a landline [DON’T ask!!] and once spent 11 hours after falling into my shower recess whilst passing with too many heavy files/books in my arms and e’thing falling thru’ and past the door – it CAN be somewhat ‘scary’ if one lives alone in the country [well, semi-rural 🙂 !] and your yells cannot possibly be heard . . . . Oh, had a week’s ‘holiday’ at the local hospital after that one!
NO! That must have been awful! ELEVEN HOURS! mercy. you poor darling. Though we can only do our best. You can’t have the phone on you every minute of the day.. thank goodness you eventually had help.. c
{Huge smile] : i have never had a mobile [cell]!! So, nothing to carry with me 😀 ! The ‘tidy side of me’ just had to correct!!!!!!
Good morning, c. I have a mobile phone. It’s often useless; dead battery. I forget that it needs recharging. Probably because nobody rings me on it – it receives 1 SMS each day which tells me what time to pick up Mr Misk at the rail station. I occasionally SMS my youngest son who replies with 1 or 2 word responses such as OK or HUH? or OK Bye.
Glad that you survived your accidents. Take care. 😉
That whole battery charging thing is what I forget, and while i am thinking of it best I put mine on the charger right now..why don;t they last longer! c
That’s wonderful, Celi! I’m happy to know that you are now able o ask for help in case of need, but please, be more careful…so many head traumas… 😉
Have a good day, C!
Yes, be careful… no texting and haying!
(laughter!).. c
Keep yourself safe. Having a mobile by your side is such a wise idea in this day and age whatever we’re up to. 🙂
Ahhh… so now you’ve a safety net to go with your criss crossed wires and bridges. Thankfully you’re now safe! Be careful, c, I shall now start worrying about you!! My Dad fell when his ladder broke, so inspect your ladders for me will you? It gave us a huge scare because he’s older, but he was more worried that he’d fallen and was quite relieved it was the “ladder’s fault” and not his!
Great idea. It has fired me with enthusiasm for making that gardening apron I have promised myself, where all my tools travel with me and are not left lying around waiting for me to trot back and find them when I need them.
Oh I know just what you mean, i walk all over the property looking for stuff! c