And here we are back on the farmy. After an uneventful and long, long couple of flights to Chicago from Auckland, I was whisked away from the madding crowds of airport people, with all its suspicion and controlled chaos and driven back to the howling prairies.
The wind has been blowing out of the North since I stepped out of the car last night back onto my own land. All through the night it howled, blowing away the promise of snow. 
John was thrilled to see me home and the animals were mostly ambivalent. TonTon, The Old Dog and all the sheep were happy to see me..
but 
the cows and the Shush Sisters just looked past me to John, to see is he had any food. 
Daisy is thinking about it. But that’s OK.
As soon as it stops blowing, and I have had a rest (sleep has eluded me since I arrived back in the country), I shall get out my pitchfork and start cleaning out the pens, counting the hay bales, checking the feed, walking the fields, taking over my share of the chores and making friends with the animals again. Daisy needs a good brush. 
Queenie has put on weight. Little fat cow.
Of course the cats are always up for a cuddle…
… Chickens – not so much. 
And here is the beginnings of The Coupe. The floor is down. 
They got much further ahead than I thought they would.
Yesterday had a high of 34, and blowing, cold but not too bad. Still, a far cry from the beaches and colour and bustle of New Zealand. In fact my bones are still carrying some of the warmth from the summer Down Under so the cold has not made me shiver yet. However I am glad to be home. Though home is a funny word. Maybe home is the place where you get to unpack your suitcase and put it away. We all have many homes in our hearts.
Good morning. It is 5.30 am., not dawn yet, though I am assured that the days have begun to get longer.
Today I shall walk the boundary with the well travelled Camera House and bring you all up to date. But rest assured that except for a couple of the older chickens, who succumbed to a cold spell, all the animals are in good health and excellent spirits.
There now. We are back to being a daily dawn farm weblog again. And so far – All is well.
Have a lovely day.
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
68 responses to “Home again, Home again, Jiggedy Jig.”
Welcome back to this side of the equator!!! Although, I did enjoy my warm sunny visit to your land of birth. Having you back among those of us who are in the throes of winter helps are days got a wee bit better!
Have fun milking again…could prove seamless!
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com
¸.•*¨*•♪♫♫♪HAPPY NEW YEAR ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥
Daisy is going through a retraining period now, she was very naughty, however I am hoping I can get her back on the straight and narrow.. she is still giving lots of milk though! c
Good Husband woke me with coffee and the big news. Celi has a post up! He has been checking the weather concerned that a big storm would brew up and leave you stranded someplace other than where you want to be. Welcome home. Virginia
Welcome home!
Our dogs were always a bit distant when we came back after six weeks… it was as though they were still in emotional shock… and then it would wear off, and they’d be back to normal after a few days….I bet that’s what;s going on for your piggie-wigs… and yes, east west – home’s best. -Keep warm…..
Welcome home Celi – there’s no place like it!
Seems a few of the animals have put on a bit of weight in your absence!
Welcome home. Travelling is great, but it is always good to be home.
So glad you had a safe arrival home, and that you stored some NZ warmth in your bones. It’s been raining since Xmas eve here, so you timed your visit perfectly. I have this picture of you bonding back with Daisy as you give her a good brush.
I am glad you are back. I have missed your morning posts so much, though I am so glad you were able to spend time with your family. It was really enjoyable to see the rest of your life as well. 🙂
Everything in its’ place and all is right with the world. (Did your granny/mother ever say that at the end of cleaning up?) Glad the wind blew you safely home.
Old dog did look pleased to see you. (The others may not let on as they don’t want you to know how much you were missed).
Rest up and then let the stories spill out.
Welcome home and thank you for our journey too! From beaches to Kiwi cows, ‘proper’ cups of coffee to beautiful babies – you kind of lost Christmas Day doing it, but Santa brought a fortune before, during and after! Lordy, but the Illinois air does look cold!!!
SO good to hear from you again Celi! Overseas travel is very exhausting – do give yourself LOTS of time to acclimatize yourself to North America again. I’m sure your heart strings are still tugging for NZ and the family there….. at the same time as you’re happy to see the Farmy again. Merry Christmas!
welcome home
Good to have you back! My hubby loves the Shush Sisters and asks me often what they have been up to. Enjoyed following your travels, but I really, really love your daily Farmy posts! Hope you are sleeping well tonight! ((Hugs)) Rani
Welcome back C! I love what you said about having many homes. We all seem to have several don’t we. Sometimes they can all pull at the heartstrings in opposite directions…I like the thought that where you put your suitcase away is home. Glad the animals are all in good spirits and I have no doubt they are happy to have you back. 🙂
Such a very long flight home! I can’t imagine how your thoughts must pass between two very different homes, and the loved ones connected to each. I admire you so much for your resilience and the joy you exhibit in both homes. I think of the Jon Kabot-Zinn book title, “Wherever You Go, There You Are.” I loved getting the chance to know your children a little bit, and to celebrate what fine, loving people they are, too. They have a lot of their Mama in them! 🙂 Welcome to what is at least your primary residence! Hope that warmth holds for a bit, too!