What the hell, right. No hugs. No kisses. No closeness. No faces. It is so loud at the mill- with two mills running 24 hours a day now and with masks on all the time – we have given up on casual conversation – just shark attack quick 6 second communications.
If I am home by 7 of an evening it is an early night. I leave at 5.30am. But I could work 24 hours a day and still not be done.
The demand for flour is like a big monster and when that meets a little country mill that celebrated for breaking-even last financial year, well, as you can imagine, the owners are pretty excited. In fact the owners are working longer hours than me trying to keep this thing afloat in these wild seas.
The orders are like a big maw. Insatiable. We keep running out of everything, then finding a new supplier then running out of that, it is an incredibly game of hide and seek.
But surely this has to settle down soon. Something will break. Not me, 12 hours a day is just farmers hours to me. I have been nowhere but the mill and the farm for weeks. Just like you all. Keeping isolated. We need to. I know that. But there must be a way to create joyful communication within this isolation.
Piglets are coming today. This summers first group. That will be good. And I will shift the chicks out into their outside space. Hopefully this last week was the past of the cold. Why is it still so cold.
The good news is that there is a massive drop in pollution. This surely must impact the climate crisis. More people taking walks and sitting in their porches I hope. I have a friend in Chicago who describes every day as a Sunday afternoon.
John’s sons have been sent their stimulus checks of 1200 dollars. I won’t get one because I am not an American citizen though I am still working so I have no need of one. John is retired so his small income is un-interrupted for the moment. Though there is concern that the pension funds have been tied to the stock and mortgage markets.
However we need to all be very frugal. The anxiety of it all must be monitored within ourselves as well. Now is not the time to break and run out screaming – we have a while to go, the time to plan and change has come, we need to be adapting and growing as we hunker down. So we emerge like butterflies new and better prepared and different. It will be different. Now we need to seek ways to thrive. We need to find new ways of getting the job done. New ways of living. New ways of doing business. New ways of being loving.
We adapt – that is what human beings do.
How are you all doing out there. Let’s hear from each other again. Answer each other’s messages too. I love it when you all talk amongst yourselves. We have been the fellowship a long time now. 
Write me a message. Tell us about what is going on in with you and in your region. Tell me how things are with you. Let’s have an update. I worry about you all out there.
🦋All my Instagram posts for the mill have always had this butterfly in them. This blue butterfly. So people know it is me talking – ironic really. 🦋 because this is now where my focus is lying – emerging from all this – new. With wings! Different . We can design a new world.
I need someone to make me a T-shirt!
Cecilia
The Kitchen's Garden 
103 responses to “I KNOW”
Actually my life hasn’t changed much at all. Being retired my first thought when I wake up is always, ‘now what day is it?’. I haven’t noticed any huge shortages at the grocery or the local farm supply/feed store. I’ve never been much of a tv watcher and I’ve pretty much stopped watching the news – the hysteria is ridiculous. I spent almost two weeks in Ecuador and the Galapagos (a truly magical place!), and fortunately got home just before everything hit the fan. We’re having a bit of an up-down spring weather wise so it’s been kind of a challenge getting spring chores done when there are snow showers. A warm up is expected this week so hopefully it’ll be an end to the cold. So good to see you post again, missing any updates on all the critters.
HI, YOU ALL! Any room left for a straggler on this lovely day?
Ceci! THANK YOU for the pictures. So nice to see someone else’s yard! Our daughter went home after helping me for over a month – getting things organized and settled in after my hub’s heart attack in March. Being from LA, she kept a photo journal “A month at the folk’s farm”…animals, birds, flowers, chickens……….
Yosemite has seen a resurgence of animal life returning to the Valley, as the park is closed – period! We, too, have noticed the blue skies, brighter stars, and silence! So quiet and lovely!! Have our windows open to let in the warm Spring air – ahhhh!
PLEASE EVERYONE, STAY WELL, BE HAPPY, BE CAREFUL!
Hello, Celi ! So glad to gear from you ! Kate so, so correctly calls us Down Under ‘disobedient, independent larrikins’ who, at the moment, are toeing the line whilst shouting out ‘We are one and we are many . . . .I am, you are, we are Australians’ . . . people forget we had not even begun getting over six months of disastrous bushfires ere the virus hit us . . . since I live in the Sydney Basin, a wee bit more dangerous than in other parts of Australia . . . we have to be just a tad more careful for the common good . . . if Sophie has not suggested already click on The Seekers singing ‘I am, you are. we are Australians’ . . . it will come out alright in the end – how? Well, at least somewhat, that is up to each one of us . . .
Wonderful to hear from you, and that Janie’s Mill is prospering. I hope when we go back to more normal it will continue at least somewhat. Amazing to here everyone else’s accounts. We are all in the together… but apart… has been a silver lining. From my perspective here in Australia most people are onboard with iso. A notable few who “don’t like being told what to do” and a few others who quiety and probably quite safely circumvent the restrictions. But if more did it, that would be a whole different matter. We’re fortunate our broader area has minimal cases, important especially because of the high population of disavantaged and vulnerable ie aged and indigenous. Out here in the village life has sort of time travelled back 50 years. The hotel operations are restricted but it’s allowed to operate as a general store. There are a lot less cars going into town. Our lives have changed very little, we downshifted 4 or so years ago, I continue to study from home. The G.O. goes to town each week to do his mum’s shopping, at 86 she hates going out anyway would rather be in her garden. I go to town for grocery top up every 3 or so weeks. Fortunately we have local growers we can buy some sort of fresh veg from most weeks and a small edibles garden ourselves. The GO.’s knee surgery is on the backburner but he keeps busy with manageable projects and day-to-day has always seen us with more than enough to keep us occupied. The things we miss are going to local markets -there are some but not many happening, short drives exploring our local area… and most of all the beach…. which I think Deez-dog misses more. It’s Autumn… my favourite beach weather. Locals are allowed to exercise at a safe distance on the beaches but we’re not close enough to be considered local. So we play dog tennis in the churchyard, walk to the river and around the reserve, all in the village environs. It’s not a bad life, we’re grateful to be where and how we are. Like you, it feels like without knowing exactly what the future holds we’ve been preparing for such a thing long before it happened.
Today I made a loaf of bread – my first since my disastrous attempt in junior high school. It came out fair – perhaps as I had old flour (stuff found in the back, it was all I had). I was pleased at my first attempt. It is the only flour I had and none is available in the stores. I hope someday to try this again when flour is available and I can practice some. It was fun to do .
I read this early this morning and just getting back here to let you know I appreciate you spending what little time you have keeping us posted as to how you are doing. This isolation from family is the hardest thing I’m sure. I’m fortunate that my daughter has been living with me for the last year and is now working from home. That’s a mixed blessing to be sure. 🙂 I don’t understand the hoarding of flour. I guess because I don’t bake much anymore. It’s one of those staple items preppers hoard for whatever catastrophic scenario plays out in their minds. That stuff has a shelf life and needs to be stored cool so I keep very little at a time. I’m glad your friends company is doing well because of this but I sure hate to see it wear you all out. I am learning a lot from all of this. Hang in there. Hopefully it will be gone before winter sets in south of us. I keep in touch with family in Australia and friends in NZ too. Keeping fingers crossed for everyone.
Nothing much different from the last several years. Neither of us really go anywhere except grocery shopping. My spouse’s oldest daughter bought us groceries that he’ll have to go and pick up this coming week, but that’s the first time for something like that. I walk what little I can anyway around the driveway (I stay off the hill, my knees just won’t handle that) or sit on the patio or porch when it’s warm enough. It’s been cold here on the far southwest side of Chicago but the porch and patio face south which helps during the day. So far the step-kids and their families are all okay even tho they’re all over the country. We’re doing okay as far as his pension income so that isn’t a worry. Do take care of yourself, 12 hour days are wearing. Our best to everyone in the Fellowship!
Hi C, look who corona virus has bought out of the woodwork! I finished study in January and graduated one week before lockdown…..and now have time to catch up on everyone’s posts. Lovely to see all the same folks posting.
I’m working 12hr shifts, too. And I’m still not getting it all done. We have divided into two teams, and never the two shall meet. That way we’re more likely to have a healthy team to work. The opposite team works 4 10hr days. This, too, shall pass.
I am so excited for the mill! To be that busy is fantastic! I hope their business continues to boom after the shutdown is over. Though maybe a tad less trouble with suppliers!
It’s odd. Here in Northern Virginia, there is a LOT less traffic. It’s not as easy to go for a walk on the street as it used to be, but I try to get out into the loveliness of spring. I have baked bread with flour from the mill and have given the email address to a number of friends, so if you get orders from DC and Virginia, I did it. I loved the taste of this flour and I’m glad to have it to keep my baking going. It sounds pretty wild and stressful. Still, I hope it expands the customer base. I’ll be ordering again!
We’re well here in Milwaukee…simple amusements like road work machinery working on our street, watching neighbors’ new puppies, 3 family’s worth! We too are retired, but kids are working-albeit from home mostly. Stay well, glad of your posts!
You my dear are always busy! No matter what you do in life! We are doing well and nearly at week 5 of lockdown. Jacinda has done an amazing job! So very lucky to live here! Stay well dear Celi
I so miss your blog, but know that you are an essential worker, helping to feed those of us in isolation. Wishing you the best, Miss C!
Celi, it has been nearly a month since you’ve posted. I am anxious to know if you are OK. I don’t want to add any pressure to your incredibly busy life, but I know there are many of us who would like to know you and all your family and the farm are OK. x
I am ok. A little overwhelmed- a lot anxious, underwater and deeply tired but ok! Thank you so much for asking- I feel like soon I will come back up for air.
I was about to ask the same question – are you ok or lost in the mill? Glad to hear the answer. Remember that wearing yourself thin can cause its own problems.
Stay healthy
Chris S