Twilight. Such an evocative word.
Twilight in Alberta.
And I arrived home to twilight in Illinois.
The pigs were pleased to see me. And the cows came galloping in.
But the birds were galvanised – Geraldine (seen above in the background) positively trilled. She was under my feet and my hands as, working against the dying light, I tried to mix the feed for the pigs. I had to literally pick her up and move her aside so I could work. She was like a twirling cat. She was chirruping and tweeting. Making bird noises that I have never heard a peacock make before. Within minutes all the turkeys and peafowl were flying down out of the rafters to see what was in my buckets.
Today I will clean out the barn corners and shift the little pigs. There has been a lot of rain while I was away and their field is mud. It is not good for the field to get that poggy. And I hate animals to have wet feet all the time. So even though they will complain they have to come back into the barn for a while. When Poppy goes over with Manu they will go in with Sheila so this is just step one.
Tima (the kunekune sow) needs to be separated from Tane (the kunekune boar) for a while. She is due to come back into heat soon. So she will be kept separate for a good six weeks if I can bear it so if she does breed again the piglets will come in the spring. I need to work on that. Also tomorrow I will clean out the cow shed and let Poppy and Sheila (the big pigs) back out into their garden.
And LOOK.
I turn my back for a few days and look what happens. A Christmas tree.
Sigh.
I hope you have a lovely day.
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
60 responses to “Twilight”
“She was like a twirling cat. She was chirruping and tweeting. ” (Well written image) Obviously you were missed and all the welcoming committee was thrilled to see you.
Warm light in the window on a farm. A nice glow for all traditions and legends that stir.
I am a part of her well ordered food chain, the giver of food and warm feelings.. c
hers and many many others…thoughts are nourishing the same as food, right? Smiles sent
Welcome back! Ahh Geraldine is so sweet . She must be very attached to you, mummy ceil 😄
Attached to me and my food bucket! c
It’s touching that Geraldine obviously missed you so. Who would think peacocks have such depth of feeling? Yet The Duke of Kupa knew you were desperately trying to save him. How could he not?
Sometimes i think The Duke died from the shock of going to the vet and then the subsequent injections. I don’t know. But if a peafowl starts that gulping he will be getting a shot immediately then left out in the barn with the others. I think the intervention was the death of him really. And too late with the medications.. He did not know I was helping him – he was a bird – he was afraid. Poor thing. c
Oh, I’m so sorry to hear that! I just remember how sick he was with the breathing and how you fought so hard–bringing him into your bathroom to provide humidity for his lungs. Yes he was a bird, but so is Geraldine and apparently knows and feels plenty!
Welcome home Miss C. Who in all the world gets such a thrilled welcome home from a peahen? How lucky you are!
The shot of that little Christmas tree is so full of cheer you have to love it. 🎄
Yes it is very sweet! c
black and white photos stunning; welcome back
It is good to be back.. c
sweet Geraldine crooning to you along with all the rest welcoming you home- especially John with your nice little tree! Really a nice thing to do!
How sweet to have someone in your life who will put up a little tree for you, with his choice of Star Wars decos. Love it. And I just learned this week that photographers call the hour after the sun goes down or before the sun comes up the ‘blue hour’. It just precedes or follows the ‘golden hour’. And your observations of the colours being blue and black confirms that! xx
Welcome home: you must have the biggest smile on your face being made so welcome by the animals outside and the lovely lights to do away with winter darkness indoors . . . Big John saying ‘missed you’ in his own way . . . bet there are two big dogs back in Canada who remember you also . . .
Sorry about the tree. If it helps, it is quite small and understated.
I’m thrilled that the poultry of all sorts gave evidence that they missed you! You rather expect it from dogs and pigs, but this is a nice bonus.
Welcome home!
I wonder if Geraldine is one of those ardent spirits who delights in a charismatic life? She always appears bright and fancy. What a character! I am glad you are home, and of course there is nothing better than getting right back to the work you love. It’s always lovely to be where you belong. 🙂
The black & white photographs–just right.
But so is the tree in its circle of light.
While I was grateful that you kept in touch with us while you were gone, I missed you and now that you’re back I am as happy as Geraldine that you have returned. How lucky you are that it was Geraldine and not me in your way as you tried to work. Moving ME would be much more of a job than moving Geraldine..Much happy love, your Gayle
And a lovely day to you .. They all missed you Celi!
I love that Geraldine showed you how much she missed you. Hanging out with turkeys all the time is hard work! Pretty little tree to greet you. The best gift was having you back.