I was up in the hay loft yesterday stacking hay.
I grab the strings of a bale with my gloved hands, hefting it and as I drop it into its space I am already looking to see where the next one will be going. So when I swing the bale up off the clatter box it is already aimed at the slot where it will rest while my eyes mark the space for the next one as I am walking back.
This is how we pick apples too: as we pick one apple with one hand, our second hand is already moving to the second apple and our eyes are already choosing the third apple. That way our movements are not wasted and time is well used. And the brain does not get taxed with indecision.
But more than this, if you consciously choose where you are moving to, you are more likely to get there. If you see the steps ahead, you can then look further ahead as you step.
Does any of that make sense? I have a lot to get through in the next few days but if I make a visual list, seeing myself writing the cheques, seeing myself picking up the hay and stacking it exactly where it belongs, putting books into bags, stripping beds and moving sheep aside and cows in. Fixing the last fences and oiling the gates. If I visualise the steps I need to take to achieve the next task as I am finishing the first one.. I usually get it all done.
The other trick is not to expect to get too much done. Always write an achievable list. I am working on that one. Stacking wood and stacking hay I can do. The List? I am working on the list.
But goodness, I will be ready for my rest by the sea!
Last night it absolutely Poured! So much water coming out of the sky.
So I stayed in and began negotiations for a boarfriend (I know that is not that funny but I laughed!) for Tima (He is from California!)
Then I finished negotiations for a lovely Dutch Belted Cow.
She is in Southern Illinois. Both will be transported to the farm in November. The Dutch Belted cow is 6 years old and has always been a nurse cow, but is very quiet, very easy to manage and her owner believes that she will adjust to being milked very easily. She is a gentle calm cow, he said. She also has a nice firm udder and good legs and a history of easy births and no problems. He calls her a dreamer. She is bred, due to calve in the spring and he has given me a very good price as he has shifted to a new farm with less pasture.
The little Boar is black and white and has an excellent lineage, we are still negotiating. I don’t know terribly much more than that yet. I will let you know.
This shot is for Equus. Do you see her eyelashes? So sweet when she is asleep.
Poppy tells me that she is going to be a very good piggie while I am away and will do nothing but sleep and eat good grass. And she will never ever pick up her food dish and bash the gate with it. She would never do that. That must have been some other piggie, she said.
The new set of chicks have been delivered very gently to the post mistress. All alive and well. They are now at Jake’s place with a warm light and lots of good food.
Queenie had her bloods taken and we will find out late next week whether she is pregnant or not. The Lady Vet will send me an email and I will let you know. Nothing ever stays still for long does it. Now I am off out to see how much rain we got last night, it is a huge downpour.
I hope you all have a lovely day.
Your friend on the farmy,
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
40 responses to “Thinking hay”
Thank you, Cecilia, for the lovely eyelashes. And very funny that you have to wait for them to GO to sleep. When my mother tucked us in at night shed say, “No laughing no talking no showing of teeth!” I trust you say something similar to your piggies.
I have never seen a belted cow. It is very exciting to me to see such an unusual-looking cow. When i was a kid i saw Holsteins only and only for a ride in the country. And also when I was young the brand of milk we drank was called Borden’s. Guess the name of the cow pictured on the carton was . Elsie!
Maybe nature is trying to gently surf you on your way? (a dreamy cow – oh, just right!)
My new mantra- “If you consciously choose where you are moving to, you are more likely to get there” I love that! Thanks
I got my book last week, it’s so great!
How about the name Dreamy, for the new cow? I guess you’ll have to meet her.
Have a nice Holliday 🙂
Busy girl! Lovely post and pics …
Lovely. I look forward with excitement to meeting the new arrivals. I too make lists, especially when I am leaving home for a few days. never mind the list, just remember to bring yourself! Hope you have san easy weekend.
How cozy does she look sleeping so sweetly:) achievable lists… I’m working in that one too.
Sometimes the pace and to do list can be intimidating, but as you say, focusing on the end result helps keep us on track! All looking lovely and well at yours, Celi xx
I completely understand what you say – I do the same (like MD) with maps, and then lists, and building projects and sewing…..makes perfect sense! And Boarfriend made me laugh too 😉
Am celebrating our Long Weekend with a huge smile looking forwards to seeing a couple of new inhabitants to the farmy . . . . Agree Elsie is a most suitable name.
At the same time have been listening to Kiri de Kanawa sending you the message:
Haere mai ra
Ki ahau neira
Te aroha tino nui
Haere mai . . . . [from ‘Tahi nei taru kino’ . . .]
I send my love across my Ditch to welcome you when you arrive from across the Pond Milady !!!!!!
After so much loss at once, the holes in the farmy are filling in with life again. ❤ I'm excited for the new cow, they are definitely an Oreo breed! I have a funny cow-name story for you. As a teenager I visited my step-grandmother, Maude, in another state. She came to California to fetch me, and as we boarded our return flight one of the attendants noticed her name on her ticket. "My name is Maude, too! I've never, ever met another Maude! I'm going to buy you a drink on the flight." When she did, she asked my grandmother how she got her name. "I was named after a Dutch queen," she said. The flight attendant explained that she was named after a retarded cow. She grew up on a dairy farm. Her parents allowed her older sister to name her in order to make her feel included in the new-baby process. Unfortunately, her sister wanted a little brother, and was pretty angry that she didn't get one.
Ha ha ah, that is such a funnny story! a queen and a retarded cow! great!! have a lovely day J.. c
So much to set in place, and so much to look forward to as well. Go well with all the preparations. The sea is awaiting you, and we are working on clearing the current cold blasts in time to give you the promised warm welcome in Kiwiland.
My great-grandma had two names for her cows, Bessie and Flossie I like Elsie better. I think if I had a farmy I’d get a cow or two, and I definitely would get a Kunekune, Tima is just too cute.
What a beautiful, happy, comfortable post on this day! Warms my heart.
xoxo!
K
I smiled at “boarfriend.’ 🙂 Looking forward to the new additions to the family.