At any given time of any given day I can tell you with reasonable accuracy where any of my animals are and what they are doing. (Except Poppy who is sometimes where she should not be).
I can be cleaning out a pen in a group of cows and there is little chance that an animal can sneak up on me. Cows are usually the best sneakers, they walk slowly and carefully, quietly, but because I know the habits of my animals and their behaviours it is seldom that they can surprise me. Each animal has different levels of tameness, they have a pecking order, some will startle, some will simply stare, some are nosy, some just wait. So we flock and herd and always know where the others are to avoid collisions or competition with a bigger animal. I am smaller than the cows and the big pigs so my senses sharpen when in with the cows and pigs. For your own safety you think like a cow or a pig and be aware of your place in the herd.
I know each animal’s favourite corner to eat, the order they like to be fed in, where they are likely to sleep and when – where they are when my back is turned. What side they see best from. Who will test every fence for weaknesses and who will just follow along. It is seldom that an animal can give me a fright when it appears in a gateway or turns the corner by the barn. I know which birds to wait on and which birds do not mind me walking past.
Yet when a person – a human person – walks unexpectedly into the barn as I work in tune with my animals and birds, I can get quite the fright. My suck in my breath. Often I will even jump and squeal like a girl which is deeply embarrassing considering. Worse, the little pigs will jump and squeal in the exact same tone and at the exact same time then bolt for the corner behind me as we all whirl to face the human who has entered.
Am I going feral? Wild? More pig than girl? In touch with my inner animal just a bit too much?
Good morning. Sheila still refuses to have the little pigs near her (unless she is bearing down on them in full sail to steal their food) so I have concluded that she is just not a Pig Person.
Yesterday was dull with very little light and cold and I hope you have a lovely day.
Love celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
65 responses to “Cheap Frights”
It was a denim sort of day, hmm? And, yes, that last photo of the barn is quite extraordinarily beautiful in its shroud of winter cold.
I think, as long as you don’t jump and bolt for the corner behind the piggies, when a stranger startles you in your own barn… then a little squeal of surprise is quite acceptable! Feral? Yes, okay… just call it being in tune with your wild side… hahaha
Hope you have a lovely day too. And keep warm, as I will try to do. The winter cold has finally reached us here as well, but weatherman predicts it will hover around the freezing point until Sunday when it takes a dip again. So even though it’s certainly not quite tropical out there, it also is not so very bad. ~ Mame 🙂
We are cold and blowing but sun has burst through so I feel instantly better about a day with sun! c
Snorts – you know who else likes hugs? <> Oinks and snorts. Maybe Sheila is just a loner like moi. I bet we would get along amazingly. You think? XOXO – Bacon
You and Sheila – long lost loves, ships that pass in the night, unrequited love. Such a sad love story! c
I know right?! I just know she’s my true love. XOXO – Bacon
You live with nature and you live with animals, so you are so much more attuned than others. All the senses we have, but don’t often use, are really coming to the fore in you. I think its so wonderful ! I was simply amazed how each animal had it’s own personality when we had our farm. I had never realized that and never would have if we hadn’t had the farm. As you said, some are relaxed and easy-going and other take flight – or move away when in our presence. ( I ended up with a real love for chickens … ‘who would’ve thunk it’….) And, as you mentioned, its a good idea with animals larger than us to really pay attention… and then, with the smaller ones, we often have to pay attention in a different way so we don’t frighten them – or step on them. You are doing such an excellent job! After yesterday’s post about all the frozen doors and lugging the water I thought, ‘Not for me”. You have courage and you are a VERY hard worker!! Plus you take gorgeous photos and write such an entertaining and informative blog. You go girl !! ; o )
Oh Cecile thank you.. I am very lucky because my job is what I love.. c
Blue… All so blue. Me too. – Beautiful color(s) though. The Beauty in deterioration. Ravages of time…
You are definitly not going feral – that is normal, Celi.
You love this evening blue – I know this about you now.. c
ah yes- everyone needs a bell and each bell has a different tone…. I’m not asking much….then by your farmy entrance have a selection of bells for the humans to choose and wear so as not to startle you! Hah! Have a fright free day!
Many decades ago when I lived in Vermont, a fellow I knew who was schooling high school dropouts asked if the guys could come over and string beads with me. Sure, said I. So these scruffy little gents went to work stringing beads. One guy said, “This necklace if for my mother. And I’m going to put a little bell on it…so I can hear her when she’s coming.” Never forgot it. Laughed then, laugh now. Much love to all you lovely folks and especially to you, Celi. Should we ever be together in your barn, I will whistle Dixie when approaching you, Gayle
Oh what a great story! This is why my children have always encouraged me to wear all my silver bangles – they hear me clink .. c
I love the pictures today. Frosty!
very frosty.. c
I’d like to come and wrap fabric on and around all your rusty barn bits to dye it, there would be such wonderful patterns and colours. Have a good day Wild Woman…..:)
What an interesting thought! c
Loving the photos, I find them very calming.
close ups of the stock trailer – I love decay.. c
Did you know there is an art magazine named Beautiful/Decay? It’s very modern art, such as fantastic graffiti.
You my dear are not feral .. You are just magically tuned into your farm and your gorgeous animals 😃
Like you and your beautiful garden. c
I have bells… attached to every entry gate, and the front screen door which is around a verandah corner out of the way. I dislike being snuck up on. A traditional cooee, anyone home? I think is a very civilised approach.
Yes! My Godmother has bells too so she is not surprised in her OUTDOOR SHOWER. I am deeply envious of her outdoor shower.
My father had one to – and used it… 🙂
Well, Jake will just have to learn a loud Down-Under ‘coo-ee’ when trying to find you. . . . most strangers to the farm would shout out in this instance anyways ! But, I agree, I hate to find a totally silent two-legged creature suddenly behind me 🙂 !
Especially in the midst of a snow storm when you cannot hear your self think either!
I also startle easily when someone appears unexpectedly, complete with loud gasp.
I loved the shot of the barn/crib. Had to put it on my Pinterest board.
Sounds like you are one with your environment – and intruders appear. Got some giggles over the pigs squealing, too. I love pictures like these as much as those of the animals. The little details of life overlooked when in a rush. Or maybe you cherish those when you aren’t there any more. In any case, lovely portraits.
(And hope you have a cat-like hat to keep you warm. )