Jiggidy Jig. I am home. Back on the farmy. The sun has risen to a cloudy day. It looks like rain and warm. 42F (9C) . 
I can hear the calls of the red winged blackbird outside the window. This is the bird that signs the end of deep winters grip for me. I am very fond of the more common birds and the red-winged blackbird is very common indeed and when they migrate back to Central Illinois then I know that spring is not far behind.
I sat as patient as a hat on all the planes that carried me back to America folding up all my sad feelings and putting them back into their little mind boxes and stowing them away. Once you agree to love someone you also commit to the misery of missing them somewhere along the line of life. And for us expats who live far from our homes and families this sadness lives with us. Mine is kept in little box in my mind. Safe from harming.
Above is the little tent I slept in in the Australian bush. I spent both nights sleeping on the ground with no cover, just the fly screen, in this tiny woman sized tent, sleeping under the stars. Happy as a lark. But now the travel blog is closed for a while and the farm blog is open again.
I am back in farmer mode. The dogs have been dancing with skunks in my absence, the cupboards are bare both in the barn and the house, (though the greens in the glasshouse look fantastic) the hay is looking sparse and both barns need bringing up to date, so I will be busy today and in the weeks to come. But Aaron, my first summer worker, is hard on my heels arriving later this week so help is on the way and soon everything will be ship shape again and we will begin to hum straight into the approaching spring.
Good morning. Thank you to you all for tagging along on my Australasian holiday everything worked out so well, but now – To Work.
Much love
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
83 responses to “Home again, Home again …”
To the other world and back again. Welcome home. I know the animals must be perkier today as they hear your voice. (and no doubt some humans, too). The afterglow of your journey will linger for some time, no doubt, while the sadness is packed away. You met my very best friend of 50 years – Ardys – while you were in Melbourne. I know she has to deal with that same sadness at times.
It was wonderful to meet Ardys, such a gentle soul she is. I did enjoy our lunch.. c
Spring is springing here also! I am always so delighted when we turn the corner from winter.
Linda
Yes – I can see the corner now!! c
Great to have you home again, Celi. I enjoyed my virtual tour, though I have been late to comment. My routine has changed over the past month and I only seem to catch up late in the evenings when my eyes are tired. Another couple of weeks and I should be back to normal. I can just imagine the buzz from the Farmy residents as you drove closer to home. Animals always know long before humans do. I am glad you have a few days to yourself before Aaron arrives to work and discover the magic of the farm. Stay well and enjoy the rise in temperature.
I am looking forward to Aaron coming too – I need the help after neglecting the scooping for a few weeks! c
Such beautiful words Celi: ‘Once you agree to love someone you also commit to the misery of missing them somewhere along the line of life.’ We head off to Ohio tomorrow and I will keep them in mind. Welcome home. xx
Ohio – you are travelling ! c
Home again, home again, jiggety jig – I ALWAYS sing this when returning home. 🙂 Welcome back.
It runs through my head more times a day than i care to admit.. c
You’re a wonder, travelling and blogging… I’m just managing the travel bit, occasional blog comments and Instragram/FB pics. I’m also managing feeling the disconnect from home even though our travels are much anticipated, by creating a mini-home -our nannavan- we tow along with us. I’m pleased you enjoyed your time in Australia 🙂
Your Nanna van sounds glorious! c
‘Once you agree to love someone . . . ‘ methinks is the operative phrase for all this post . . . . Celi, I don’t think one ‘agrees’, one just ‘does’: and all the rest comes with it 🙂 !! Oh, am most impressed with the rock-climbing/camping gear – I think that is the cutest pup-tent I have seen! Would have been gorgeous to wake up in that beauty!!!! And Mad, I live in a gated village just outside a National Park in NSW – oh yes, we have red-bellied blacks and browns – one just takes care. The spider I most fear is the “redback’ ’cause it is small and one may miss and they are rather poisonous: I actually have two of them living next to high windows in my cottage: I leave them alone, they have left me alone: cool! probably take care of my mosquitoes and flies 😀 !!
Red-backs are nocturnal so I hope they are living on the outside of the windows ..
NOPE . . . .but they just ‘look at me’ and I cannot reach them and they honestly seem friendly . . . [famous last words . . I hope not!] Go to sleep, Missy . . . .
Welcome home! I’m glad you had a good trip. It’s always wonderful to see family and friends, but there’s something about home, at least for me.
Yes, home is a god place.. c
Lots of little boxes to put away when one is an expat. I’m leaving for Germany in two weeks, although it is not the same since my mom passed .
What a wonderful trip and what a wonderful thing for us that you are back with us. I am selfish I know but I have missed your animal pictures although I did love all your travel photos. Don’t work too hard!
Missed you being at the Farmy. So glad you have returned. Much love, Gayle
I’m probably a weirdo, but when I get home it isn’t so much about being “home” but kicking myself into gear and getting after all of that wonderful busy work that sits waiting for me! There’s something about being so connected to the land, animals and work that is exciting about returning home. Welcome back farm girl. 🙂