When I was a very young mother (and I was very young indeed.. I married ridiculously young to a perfectly nice boy ) My mother said to me.. OK, you have proved you are a really good housekeeper, now you have a baby – so just be a Mum. She was not a Saint, she was just a Mum like the rest of us but her advice rings through the decades since her loss. One should not lose sight of our Great Work of the moment.
An old, old man sat on a bench inside a London supermarket, (what is the name of that place – on Holloway Road – Mad just down the road from you?.. not Marks and Spencers – Waitrose – that was it! – Waitrose – they delivered .. what more could you want).. they had a special ring by the door on Hollaway road for tieing up your dog, next to a water dish. I was inside by the Check Out and had dropped some coins and the old man who sat on the bench – he said, as he reached down to help me pick up the coins, “Look after the pennies and the pounds will look after you.” It was like a chant – a mantra. His two friends, equally ancient and worn to the bone, nodded from either side of him, their hands in pockets jingling coins. Not quite well shaven, but not quite neglected. They nodded in unison, these three, watching the world flow past. I would have packed them in a bag and taken them home if I could. No doubt their wives would have helped me with the packing.
So even though I have spent days packaging books, with mounting excitement (check the book order page for why and how). Because this is a good book. Incredibly special. Because we did this! Because we did this – all by ourselves. 
Still, we must not forget that it all began with us. You and I. The little people. The Fellowship. That is you. And you are here to watch over our little farmy. So let us return to the farmy.
The Kitchen’s Garden Farm is where this all began. So after a day in the city, and then a day of excitement opening lost boxes of books. I am remembering that it all started with a wee farm and a large and deliciously noisy Fellowship. That is you by the way.
And I do love my Big fat Aunty Sheila’s tail.
Especially when she is Seeing OFF a dog.
And if anyone tells you that pigs don’t eat grass… send them to Our Sheila. She will sort them out.
Poppy is still on the wrong side of the fence. What will happen when I am away in New Zealand. This piggy needs a full time minder. I swear she is a shape shifter.
You are on the wrong side of the fence again Poppy. But we do appreciate the smiles.
And the miles.
I hope you have a lovely day. Stop being careful.
your friend on the farmy
miss c
The Kitchen's Garden 
35 responses to “Mum said …”
Perhaps a teeny weeny wireless camera super glued to Poppy’s forehead to see how she does what she does would be the trick. If she can do magic, then you can take her on the road or perhaps join a circus with her since we are not being careful today..ha I’m so pleased that the book is flying off the table. You are right, it is a great accomplishment and I admit that I am proud to have participated in the project. Kitties in boxes in the sun, perfect. Have a wonderful Sunday C.
You could definitely put a small video camera on a collar round her neck – there are some very cheap ones available for cyclists, which should work.
I agree with Kim up above – a GoPro cam could really come in handy on the farm!
Yeah I managed to order a book! And it is on it’s way (says my email from Amazon!). Wanted two books, but I will wait to make sure everyone else gets at least one first.
The saying “look after the pennies” was a big one in my family, slightly different ending “and the pounds will look after themselves”. Of course that was back in the day of Pounds, Shillings and Pence! Looking back I can’t believe we manged with 12 pennies to the shilling, and twenty shillings to the pound – yet we were still able to do the math in our heads! Even with the 1/2 a crown (2 shillings and sixpence), the 10 bob (50 shillings) and the 1 guinea (21 shillings or i pound and 1 shilling).
Have a lovely Sunday everyone.
I saw that come through, and yes your package will be on its way on monday.. there are plenty of books now so need to hold back with the ordering.. c
10 bob equals 50 pence in ‘new’ money!
Delighted to hear the lost books have been found! I too remember the words of my mother spoken oh so many years ago. Five years ago on this date, I had my hip replaced, I am enjoying today and the freedom to move without pain. I have never looked back. A real reason to celebrate!
That certainly is reason to celebrate.. what an excellent result.. c
I would like to roll up this post and put it in my pocket, so that I can look at it whenever I’m in need of a lift: it encapsulates everything I love about the Farmy: Celie’s get up and go wisdom, the quirky but beautiful animals, and the warm feeling of being part of a worldwide fellowship of friends.
we are very lucky to have all found each other, i wonder if that particular search engine is really an angel, getting people together..
Ah…Vi you and Celi have said it all! We are all lucky to have found each other!
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
I love your mother’s advice… just be a mum… on a morning when I’ve cancelled a trip to do just that. What a lovely reflection. I’m so grateful to have discovered your blog… and looking forward to following you 🙂
Ha ha – yes it is Waitrose and they have a couple of benches just past the tills by the Window.
Those pigs are on form today 😉
Thought you would know.. I used to walk there to get the groceries.. c
That’s it!! Poppy needs a GoPro strapped to her head!
Perfect!
Have a wonderful vacation back home travel safely.
Not going for a while yet, but you know how i am .. I am a planner.. c
Nothing gets done when you don’t 🙂
I didn’t order my book through Amazon as a writer, but did send the money to you through paypal. Did I do the wrong thing? I don’t think I ever realized just how big Sheila is until I saw today’s photo relative to Ton Ton. She’s a fine specimen.
Betsy you did exactly the right thing, this way you get your writers discount. And your package is addressed and ready to go tomorrow!. c
Wonderful images of your pigs!!
Such a lovely sharing of past and present! You have brought together such a wonderful farmy!
Sheila really IS big. I’m wondering how your trip to Chicago went. Did you find a wedding gift?
Yes i did. I cannot tell you here what I brought as the recipient may read it but it was exactly what I wanted.. we had a lovely lunch too so I achieved all my objectives.. c
A magic pig…but of course.
Wouldn’t want to be a dog in Sheila’s way. Wise words from your mother and ones to remember.