The kittens are dealing with the cold by lying about in my washing, playing in the fruit bowl, sneaking into the cupboards and their table manners are dreadful.
Boo still loves them though.
The barn was still yesterday. Still and quiet. Cold. The birds fluffed up and warm, peering about watching for any loose oats spilling into the straw. It is hard for me to describe to you the stillness and essential warmth of the barn even in the bitter cold. The animals watch me, oh I know it is a cupboard love but once they have inspected my hands and seen no apples or carrots they turn back to their sleeping or scavenging, thinking and drifting and the sounds of the whispering building and the chiming birds resumes. The wind speaks, the chandelier sparkle of drifting snow through the myriad of cracks in the old barn sparkle like miniscule tinsel falling to the ground. It all shifts and rearranges itself into a small oasis of dove-tailing peace.
I honestly believe that if I did not have a husband in the house to tend, I would not come inside at all. I would take my blankets and my thin foldable pillows and I would curl up behind Sheila and with my dogs at my back I would sleep in the straw out there in the barn. I know that seems strange. John won’t even come out and do chores in the cold. He hates it. But I love the challenge of it, the knowledge, its power, and the barn with all its holes and patched roof and unstable loft, and flocks of birds, it is my haven. the breath of all these animals who depend on me, their eyes and radar ears and if the animals can survive out there surely I can too. I would you know. Sleep out there. Just to see if I could. The cows have their own beds, the same one every night, the big pigs have their bed, and the little kunes have their bat cave, the chickens roost in the same spot every night. Should I sleep with the big pigs or the kunes?.. hmm.
It was cold yesterday. But we have seen colder. Much colder.
And it snowed last night.
I hope you have a lovely day.
Your friend on the farm (and everyone needs a friend with a farm)
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
71 responses to “Barn Beds”
I don’t love the cold. That’s why I work in a place with heat lamps hung everywhere.
Hopefully yhis next bout of cold will not last too long.. three days I think – but I am not looking forward to it at all.. c
This reminded me of a funny thing my mom used to say to us kids when we left the back door open. Shut that door! Were you born in a barn? 🙂 and of course you know where the saying its a 3 dog night came from!
Sheila would be my choice although John might feel a little put out that you would rather sleep with a pig than him! That would be difficult for him to explain to his work mates! :))
I am sure he would say nothing at all and invite the dogs in!.. c
Thank you Celi, I think I have found the answer to my cold metal hip, it often wakes me in the night during the wintertime. I must find a Sheila to lie along my right side to keep me warm!
I will send you a kunekune, perfect size for a hip snuggle.. c
I’d sleep with the kittens! You can never have enough kitten pictures! Your description of sleeping in the barn reminds me of the Heidi stories when her grandfather makes her bed in the barn loft and she awakes to the smell of hay and sounds of nature, and drinks fresh creamy milk for breakfast. Wonderful.
Perhaps you appreciate the cold because you didn’t have much of it growing up? I didn’t either, in Florida, and I loved Ohio and its harsh winters because the spring – oh the spring! – meant so much more when I knew it wasn’t forever.
There is something in that i think. Our winters by the beach were definitely mild.. c
You are such a great girl! I love the way you think. And yes, you could sleep with your wonderful animals quite easily I would imagine. Your photos are divine … sigh. 🙂
It is cold here to the north of you. A lovely thought to sleep with your animals, but chilling too! Stay warm.
That cold is coming for us now.. I am not looking forward to it.. c
It’s here minus 35 degree wind chill. Yikes! Stay warm.
[peeking in 🙂 !] Agree with ‘The Daily Cure’ – cuddle up to John rather than Sheila !!!!! Oh Miss C: clicking onto the farmy is like being at the best ever party as far as ‘conversation’ goes 😀 !!! Have tears in my eyes from laughter!
Oh my gosh, I am so with you! If I had animals outside I’d most certainly sleep with them. That’s my favorite part of backpacking, sleeping outside curled around my dogs.
I don’t care much for winter but I do like the feeling of accomplishment when it’s -10 F (yesterday morning) and I’ve fed, watered and refreshed the bedding of every living creature here. That includes knocking the ice packs off the equines hooves. Poor Winnie the donkey looked like he was tottering on stilettos!
When I had my indoor pot belly pig one day I had a vicious stomach flu. I crept about outside feeding horses and such and when I came in a crawled into the daybed. Pretty soon Rosie the pig jumped up and snuggled up along my back and my two little rat terriers cuddled up in front and I was comforted.
I felt like I was right there with you tonight.. but tucked warm inside. I’m not sure I have the courage to sleep outside and brave the cold.. it’s -13C and feels like -22. We have white chandelier snow here today as well! xx
Love It…
You make the barn sound so inviting.