I hate it when the barn doors are closed, it is such a cold drafty space in there, the animals need sunshine and air. When the big doors are open the nasty drafts are exorcised. Lots of air always wins over a little air flying in through a tiny slit in the wall. I hate that word slit. It is such a mean little word.
And yesterday we had plenty of both. It started out a little chilly – the afore-mentioned 7F (-14C). And even though I was trudging through the snow in my Sprigged boots with my buckets of warm water for the pigs, it just felt better with the sunshine filtering through. 
The moment I opened the doors of the barn, after the storm had abated, all the animals streamed out like a reversed Noahs Ark into the sun – even the big birds, the peacocks, flew out of the barn and then from roof to roof, barely touching the snow but settling into the sun on whatever roof caught their fancy. I watched them and felt as though I were those birds, just flying – because I could. The turkeys were, as you can imagine, confused. I find it hard to think like a turkey.
So frustrating for our Geraldine. She is so beautiful. She is a peahen in a flock of turkeys. Poor girl. I can literally sit next to her and stroke her feathers – though as a rule birds do not like to be touched by humans – Geraldine makes an exception for me ( and maybe Amanda who was her first human and will be visiting again after Christmas).
Mr Flowers.
This is probably my favourite picture this month.
What is your favourite I wonder!?
I hope you have a lovely day.
Love your celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
46 responses to “Open those doors”
The barn in a blizzard photo from yesterday is my favourite. It’s my computer’s wallpaper this week.
I love that! Yes it is a good shot! c
Your favourite picture is mind boggling. Pigs and peacocks. Hmmm.
|’m glad you can let the sunshine in (and the flerd out) sometimes, despite the cold.
love,
ViV in sunny, chilly but-nothing-like-as-cold-as-the-Farmy, France.
I think drafts are more dangerous for animals that open cold.. drafts blow.. through those nasty slits. c
and for people as well.
Good Morning! – Your image of Noahs Ark brought me to smile, Celi. Oh, beauiful Mr. Flowers is with his growing glory (my fave). Love the sunshine in your pics… Have a wonderful day!
And we had sun again today – just lovely – cold but lovely.. c
I’m sorry, but I am a sucker for the plonker pictures. They make me extremely happy, their noses pressed between the fencing…
Those wee piggies are SO NAUGHTY! Impossibly cute they are.. c
I love that Geraldine will let you stroke her. And I love that the animals scampered out to the sun. And I love beyond reason that you talk about it. And the fact that I can read it? Beyond all the other reasons of love. Gayle
Love is a curious place! c
Wish I could have seen that reverse Noah’s Ark. You captured that exit scene perfectly with that phrase.
Enjoy the sun! (We had “frost on the pumpkins” last night even as far south and close to the coast as we are. Brr – happy dogs!)
Front on the pumpkins – is that a literal term? c
Old timers without tv weathermen used to say “frost on the pumpkins” all the time after observing early morning gardens during the first cold weather spells. It was literal. Winter must be here. It always brings up images of early mornings on the farm in the fall. More like “frost on the rooftops, grill, or dog house” here.
It is a bit early this year, but maybe just as a special treat for “Frostival” – celebration when they open the outdoor ice rink downtown.
I couldn’t possibly pick a ONE favourite! Although your’s is a brilliant one. I didn’t know birds didn’t like to be stroked. Maybe if they’re raised with loads of handling they become used to it and tolerate it. It would be the greatest treat to stroke those beautiful peacock feathers, and Geraldine is such a princess. I love how her crown is growing in. Such beautiful birds, all of them. I had an idea which might be fun: maybe you could take some random photos of the turkeys and everyone could pick a photo and try to caption it with thought bubbles. 😀
I guess most of my birds are semi wild.. thought bubbles sound fun!! c
If only Sheila and Mr. Flowers were best fiends. He could perch on her head like a crown 😉
That is a perfectly funny idea! Perfectly./ c
I think that would top the Christmas hat last year 🙂
Oh! A CHALLENGE! c
Ha ha – be very careful, I don’t think Sheila will take too kindly to a peacock standing on her head.
My favorite photo will always be the pigs on the gate smiling. But the rest follow closely. I like what you said about the word “slit”. It is a mean word. And the bird lunching with the pigs just tickles me pink. What a great Monday. Keep warm, dear heart, keep warm and strong.
Wherever there is food there the birds wil be they are so well fed!
The plonkers and Miss Sheila are always winning photos in my book! Geraldine is a quite beauty. I have raised orphaned doves and I suppose because I was their mama, they loved to be touched or stroked. I had two one time that perched on my back or shoulders as I worked outdoors. They’d come flying from a distance and land on me as I worked. Then one spring day they flew off to the south never to return – that I know of anyway. It is a special thing to know intimately and be able to touch these exquisite creatures. They each have their own personality, and they read our energy.
That dove story sounds wonderful – do all these lost animals and birds feel they must come to your house – I just love what you do for them.. c
I wonder if word has gotten through the woodlands that the wounded, sick and orphaned can get free shelter and food! 🙂
I think there might be a sign somewhere!.. c
I like the one where the pigs are jumping up on the gate with huge smiles on their faces!
Linda
yes that one is my fav too –
I couldn’t possibly pick a favorite photo either, although the one of Geraldine here is beautiful. She is quite exquisite! My pet crow loved to be stroked too and sometimes she would close her eyes when I did.
Love Mad’s comment again…I think he’s quite “mad” about Sheila..as we all are. 🙂
Sheila is a loveable old girl
I love any photo with any pig in it… Also the big architectural shot of the barn interior. I hope there was just a nice steady stream of them flowing out of the barn, and no rude jostling and trampling of the smaller ones.
Thats true, there does seem to be some kind of order – though Naomi has a habit of walking over the kunekunes to get outside.. c
I just love the flerd.. that they hang out together regardless of feathers, fur, two legs or four…
yes it is all about the food!
I love all and any photos of Boo, it was him…..he?…. after all, who brought me to the Farmy and he’s so much like my Mirrhi. There’s a gorgeous photo of him in The Cast as a wee pup, looking adorable with his head down, eyes up….sigh! I loved the one yesterday in the snow with his stick, waiting for a game. Is Geraldine Mr Flower’s youngster or Godot’s?
Geraldine is Mr Flowers progeny, Godot was too young to be breeding.. c