The power had gone off. The wind was howling, the rain spitting angrily at the windows, the clouds low and heavy as roiling black seas, the day so dark I moved my work to the table by the window so I could see. So the first I even knew of a tornado warning (they call it a Tornado Watch here) was when the power came back on. And my phone connected to the wifi, buzzed its warning (seek shelter), too late, then died again. The wind howled – the storm raged – but we had no tornado. Just the storm. Huge winds. And a lot of rain.
With the rain in the forecast I had already brought all the pigs inside and the cow’s barn doors were opened. Everyone has access to the barn and its shelter – but is a barn safe?
The bands of weather here are so narrow you can have a storm on one farm and a catastrophe on the next farm.
One mile away the wind was so bad that it took out one of my favourite old barns. The day before yesterday it was standing up as the workers strengthened its walls for a new roof. Today it is gone. God said, No. I had to call my neighbours as they travelled to Christmas with family hours away and send them photographs of the devastation. So sad. Their barn and all their plans are now a pile of rubble.
And a reminder to me. Tell them you love them now. Don’t wait. Even if it feels strange. Better not left unsaid. That could have been my barn with me and my cows and pigs IN IT! We must speak.
Then the skies parted for a moment and golden light descended like forgiveness.
I hope you are not caught up in the wild weather of the Americas. I hope you have a lovely day instead but if you are in California I really hope that you are getting piles of rain and snow in the mountains. I hear that the rain has arrived. Well done.
Good morning – Christmas Eve tonight. We have no other family here. Just Our John and I but we will have a lovely dinner anyway and I will spend hours and hours on the phone today and tomorrow with my own family and my extended family – Hugo with his Papa in France, Fede who is with his family in Argentina, Amanda who is coming here on boxing day, Tomoyo who is home in Japan now.
I am not a fan of Christmas and all its guilt and commitments and presents because you have to but I love the phone calls!
Above is Hugo’s flock, a bit young yet but living happily in the West Barn, helping Manu with his housekeeping. I always think that chooks and cats make a barn seem alive. We have the chooks now . I am working on a cat for this barn! But ecosystems move slowly.
The home barn rocks along! No stone left unturned since I let the home flock out to range free for the winter. I have let their door stand open and the dogs stand guard – so far so good. But we all remember the days of the Bastard Mink so I hope I am right. I hope the dogs keep them away. But I cannot keep them locked up all year – that would be cruel.
Much love to you.
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
76 responses to “Warning”
Christmas Day in the morning here, sun’s just up but covered with grey clouds…rain is the forecast for the day but it’s still hot. I have been really busy this year leading up to Christmas, not just Christmas preparations but selling my house too, my son is visiting from down south and the day will be busy with breakfast at one friends’, lunch at a neighbours then a picnic tea at the river with a group of ‘orphans’. It will be lovely, but I’m exhausted and just want to sneak away and read a book and drink tea quietly on my own…..roll on Boxing Day 🙂 My son has a different attitude to spending and buying than I do, it’s the biggest and best all packaged in more landfill waste….hurts my heart to see. I realise how simple and uncomplicated and sustainable my life is when I have visitors. Anyway, enough ranting, a happy Christmas to the Fellowship of the Farmy, I hope your day is filled with love, peace and fun. Terrible about the barn, those poor people, I hope they can rebuild when they return home. Nose kisses for Boo and Ton.
I think we are all as one soul in wishing for your continued welfare. You describe things so well, and that little pig peaking over the fence was dear. You are fascinating, and I feel the same way about the holidays but will have good ones; it makes others happy. Hugs and stay safe, e
It’s so sad when Mother Nature wreaks havoc- I hope no animal was harmed by the barns collapse. Not sure what would be safer- in or out of a barn when objects are flying through the air. Have a lovely day tomorrow just the two of you – how sweet it is! Love and hugs to all! Kathe
The golden light photo is special. Like you, I really don’t like most of what Christmas seems to be about these days. Am trying to make my own peace with it. Wishing you a safe season and a wonderful New Year. xx
So glad you are all okay. We heard the reports of tornados your way. We’ve had 20’C weather here all day. Very unusual for us! But, oh, how enjoyable! I was outside from 10 am to 4 pm straight. My skin feels like that first real sunny day of spring when you are toasty and windcleaned. We enjoy a quiet Christmas here too. Although … we’re always tempted to sneak out to the barn at midnight to hear the animals talking …
The barn seems to me to be a symbol of all that is good about America, so sad to see it destroyed. I am entranced by the beauty of your rooster’s combs, such brilliant reds. This Christmas, my husband and I will be the oldest at the “party.” How did this happen, we wonder. Bittersweet for us, at best. Anyway, I am so grateful to you for sharing your life, Cecilia, as someone above said, all the ups and downs. And there’ve been plenty of downs! And I do love you.
Not an hour ago, I was rummaging through some stuff and found a notebook I had no idea I had. Inside, what do you think it had but several newspaper stories I’d saved over the years from the “Travel” section of the newspapers. Every single one of the articles was on visiting a farm for a vacation.
I didn’t hear about the terrible weather downstate until as Littlesundog said, she read it here! Thank God you are all right!
here in Chicago a “Watch” means conditions are ripe for a tornado; a “Warning” means tornadoes have been sighted.
Tho’ Christmas Day has well and truly arrived in Eastern Australia with all the usual obligations . . .just wanted to pop in for a minute to wish all of those having a cuppa or glass all the very, very best for the holidays wherever and a happy, healthy New Year in sight . . . . so, so glad for you Celi about all the phone calls to your much extended family tomorrow . . . that would be the highlight of the year for me . . . .
Yes, we must speak. I’m glad the tornado passed you by, or didn’t hit, or whatever. It’s the same with hurricanes here. And the weather, the wet, wet, weather. We are slipping and sliding in mud, and, though I said I wouldn’t complain, I’m over it. Enough already. Then again, 15 minutes down the road and it’s desert dry. “Bands of weather,” indeed. They are called microclimates here. Glad you’re all safe, and that your barn remains standing. Sorry for that of the neighbors. One must wonder at times like that what it’s all about. Some stay, some go. Just like people, just like life, itself. Perpetually changing, often confusing. But here we are! Sending you love and best wishes from the islands, Celia. Be well.
Best wishes Celi to you & John. Christmas Eve is my favorite part of the festive season, as it heralds time for us to take a break. This year we finished rearranging & unpacking just in time to get ready for our Christmas lunch family visitors. Like you & John, it’s usually just the G. O. and me, we have a special seafood dinner and a few glasses of wine. We look forward to it as a tradition every year.
Here’s wishing you as happy a Christmas as possible….after all, it’s just another day with all the possibilities of every other day that will make up our life:)
Sad to see your neighbor’s barn in this condition. Glad you didn’t have to deal with a tornado.