Then I fly out to California to prepare for the jump over the ditch to New Zealand.
I will stay the night in L.A. – before I fly out. I often feel like a diver decompresssing up into the world. If I do it slowly my blood will not bubble. I have to ease my way back into civilisation. So I stay the night alone in an hotel and catch up on all my writing and mind organisation. And rest, there is a headlong dash to get everything in order so I can leave. Sitting quitely in an hotel lobby sounds like a holiday all in itself right about now. I always write better when I am in a strange place, like a cafe, or a restaurant. Is that odd?
And then when I launch off into the skies to fly back to my family I will be calmed and prepared for the celebrations.
Today we move Aunty Del and the sheep back to the home paddocks. Aunty needs to be with Queenie and the sheep are escaping, so back they come. I can round them up easily, but the young men who will be minding the farm while I am away will not be able to. So I am making everything as easy as I can. There are always lots of minders coming and going when I am away so the animals will be well looked after.
The Soy Beans are beginning to dry. When we get back here, you and I, the fields will be very different.
I miss Daisy dreadfully and have trouble only putting two bowls out for the dogs and still no-one is laying any eggs at all. And Boo is wondering just how long he is meant to live in the chook house. But we are getting there. The beautiful weather makes it easier to say goodbye. Saying goodbye takes a while – it is meant to be like that.
I hope you all have a lovely day.
We will have a good day I think.
Your friend on the farmy,
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
43 responses to “Eight More sleeps”
Yay … the final countdown, sometimes the last few days seem the longest, however it looks like you have lots to keep you busy. You do deserve a break and change of scenery 🙂 Laura
I got a jolt when i realised it was only eight sleeps.. I will be roaring to the finish line thie time!… c
I try to overnight in Frankfurt before flying back to the states. It is so much easier on my body and soul. When I did it in May, I slept for 12 hours, the most I ever sleep is seven hours. I’m glad you’re doing the same.
Hmm, we get to an age where the old bod does not take kindly to punishment, and like you when i arrive I hit the ground running so getting there in good shape is a good idea!.. c
For several days coming and going through international time zones I take a prescription sleeping pill called Ambien , I start with 10 mg the first day and 2 1/2 mg the last. The pill puts make me sleep for about 4 hours. I am dead tired when I arrive and go to sleep only to wake up In the middle of the night ( daytime for my body) knowing that I will not go back to sleep, that’s when I take the sleeping pill and get another 4 hours of blessed sleep.
“Saying goodbye takes a while…” Thank you for those words and that reminder.
Ahh C. you will have everything more than in order by the time you leave…this I am sure of. And keeping busy will help with those feelings of loss but when they do come, let them…you need the time…
We are all looking forward to the trip to Kiwi land and so glad you are taking us along! Please take lots of photos of your sister’s farm…I want to go! Has she had any visitors yet?
Yes, she has had a lovely girl who is the daughter of one of The Fellowship.. how wonderful is that!
Please don’t forget to tell your animals that you will be coming back so they do not go off looking for you. They understand more than you think.
The Magnificent Minders might zoom off to look for me!.. morning emily.. c
Hugs, miss c.
I love the colours in the Farmy photos at this time of year.
Like all the fellowship, I have my metaphorical bag packed and ready for jumping over the ditch with you. Now where did I put my armchair passport?
Good luck with all the preparations! That is a l…..o…..n…..g way to go!
The timing of your trip to NZ seems to be fortuitous, and you have done as much preparation as you can. Enjoy every bit of it 🙂
I don’t think I mentioned that my daughter and her partner are both acupuncturists. They’re doing service work right now (my just-graduated dau in the mountains of Nepal), then on to Thailand for downtime after graduation. Then they’re going to NZ to see what the scoop is there – if their work is needed; if they like it enough to move there. Enjoy your time back home!
How wonderful.. I hope they like it and can open a practise, acupuncture saved my mum a lot of pain.. c
Well now that I’ve caught myself up on your last 5 or 6 blog posts, I’m exhausted. I think I’ve experienced every emotion. My nose is still plugged and my eyes are red from one of them, but that is life. I love your blog and everything about it. It feels comfortable and real, like home. I’m sure everyone would agree.
Decompressing before a vacation is such a good idea, even if for one night. Excited to hear all about your trip!
So nice to have good hands to leave in care of the farmy. The rest day sounds like a wonderful idea.
This is beautiful Celi, a long lingering farewell and transition. Such a good way to do things.