As I spoke for Press Publish in Portland, Oregon. 
In the most beautiful hotel. Telling them our stories – about you and me and our animals.
This man slept. Outside my window. 
And what a triumph we were. I told them the story of you and me. And these people understood.
But still this man slept. Unmoved.
Then in the night, like all animals of prey he awoke and stood guard about himself for the night. Visited. A-companied. Waving his flag. Announcing his presence. Gathering his herd. Standing Watch until the sun came around again.
I don’t know what this means. This man and I. But I do know that sheep and cows sleep in the daytime and are up grazing and watching in the night. Aware. And I also know that he is a popular fellow this homeless man of the street and he got a good breakfast. But I do not know much more. Cities are difficult.
And the other thing I know is that I loved this opportunity to talk with people like us. This conference was grand and rich and very personal. We have some new friends coming.. and I know their names.
The other thing I know for sure was that having you listening to me talk through the magic of the interwebs kept my back straight and my smile firmly attached. Once again you carried me. I know many of you could not tune in and Andrea said she would let me know when the tapes of the talks are released. Maybe late April. I will let you know.
Good morning. I am away again -Breakfast and bubbles with our Fellowship friend Chris, then off home later today. More cars, more planes, then blessed home.
Time to get back to the farm.
See you tomorrow
Love your friend
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
69 responses to “While we were talking”
It sounds like it was a great success 🙂
I’m glad that homeless man was able to sleep undisturbed – some of them don’t fare so well.
All day he slept, but at 5.30 this morning he was still wide awake still sitting with his people. I guess he his a night owl.. maybe he is a kind of watchman for the food trucks and that is why they let him be. c
That makes sense – they’d appreciate having him around and be willing to feed him 🙂
He certainly eats well.
Good 🙂
I’m home, too. Just arrived. Safe journey, c.
welcome home misky!… c
Safe journey. C! Congratulations on a beautiful talk and trip.
Thank you – it was great – a really super organisation.. c
Safe travels back home C.
Never doubted you would be anything other than brilliant!
🙂 Mandy xo
Morning Mandy hope all is well in SA.. c
All beautiful and sunny thanks C. Sending some warmth your way. xo
I am so glad it was a great success and you enjoyed yourself. I wasn’t able to tune in for some reason. I had FD troubleshooting and even Sissy Jo. But I hope sometime later it will be available in some format that we can all watch. I’m so proud of you, my friend! You totally rocked Portland!
I felt these same feelings when observing the homeless in NYC last summer. We are all connected – some way some how. 🙂
There was some trouble with the live feed, sorry you missed it but thank you for trying.. it was taped so I will let you know when those are loaded.. not until after the next conference though.. c
Maybe he didn’t sleep outside your window, but you spoke near his bedroom? 🙂
ha ha ha something like that!
So glad you had a successful adventure. I had such fun watching you on my computer and Bill listened in while he played his computer game. Your blog is like your farmy, changing and growing every year to include new farm animals and new members of the Fellowship. Bringing people together from around the world. I’m even doing a quilt block exchange with a group that Kate in Chiconia started. How cool is that? Enjoy your brunch and safe travels home. Boo will have much to tell about the wee goaties.
We have created something unique that is for sure.. many people commented on the Fellowship as being a very special group. But God help me, I am terribly tired.
I’m looking forward to the tapes of your talk. So happy it went well and you met more lovely folks. I will be very glad when you are home – the scene outside your hotel window has been disturbing to me. Musn’t wear blinders all the time, though…
No, we must stand watch. Even the disturbing stuff. Everyone has a story, I wished I had a minder last night so i could have gone down to speak with him.
I caught the last half of your presentation having been delayed in reaching my computer screen by unexpected visitors. It was wonderful to catch the last few photos and hear your words. I will be very happy to have the opportunity to watch the parts I missed when they are available.
Random thoughts– Cities, and the people who populate them can be both glorious and enriching, but also rather lonely and mysterious depending on circumstances. A presence on the street, reversing day and night in what seems to be an act of self-preservation…do we ask ourselves if these moments with friends and fellowship for this man are just as enriching to him as our conversations here among the fellowship, and while WE may not be sleeping on a city street, I think we all also have our own mysterious ways of watching, and protecting and preserving just as he, and the farm animals do. Perhaps your ‘encounter’ with this person speaks to the ability of the human spirit to reach out in companionship…street corner fellowship or farmy fellowship… the same goal was achieved.
Beautifully written Deb. Thank you. c
i watched you,,,from the comfort of my bed..you were brilliant, confident and entertaining. It was great to actually hear you, I have seen the face and I know the farm but to actually put a voice to the face …was…fantastic…….but I gather that you did not like the coffee!
Shame about the man who slept , he missed a great opportunity but I expect he is happy in his own way..otherwise he would change it!
Would not like it myself..I love my warm comfortable bed….
You did well and we are all so proud of you…..now home again and back to the Farmy
love u Miss C you did real great
Thank you patrecia. And here I am sitting in my hotel bed writing to you. Don’t we love our beds!
Patrecia, I completely agree with your point about a voice being added to the face. Miss C seems a bit more complete to me now 🙂
This is a wonderful post!! I work Saturdays so missed the broadcast. Have a good journey home!
Funny I was looking at the pictures you posted the night you arrived, and I thought the Homeless Guy was pretty savvy, sleeping close to atm and food vans, wondering if he had other recreational supplies? The feed was mostly ok here in SA and I did enjoy hearing you talk. Safe trip back to the Farmy. Rest up in the plane if you can. Laura
I think I might sleep all the way home
Deb, what a touching comment and Miss C, I’m sorry I missed your voice , do you still have an Australian accent ?
Oh Gerlinde! that’s a New Zealand accent! be careful!
A common mistake Gerlinde, and yes i am told i still have quite an accent.. c
A common mistake, yes, but our accents are very different……..your accent is still strong. My daughter who has lived in the States for over 20 years sounds very American, except when she’s around Aussies, and she drops back into the drawl, no-one can understand her then.
Thank you very much 🙂 I think this group often inspires me to look at things differently than my typical perspective. I can vouch for the accent with Miss C–she sounds properly New Zealand (er) (ish)
http://invisiblepeople.tv/blog/ if you would like to meet some homeless people, I can introduce you to some. From the Social Worker in this forum, Linnea
You did great, Miss C! I caught much of it, and I was impressed!