At times like these, time seems to stretch out

Mornings are peaceful, first you prepare breakfast, and there’s time to savour the aroma before eating it. The little details take on new significance: the sound of the corn falling onto the ground and the heart-shaped pattern it makes.
There’s no patience left for long nights out, and thank goodness for that, because it means there’s time to enjoy the peaceful mornings. 
Going out is no longer a rush but has become a pastime, watching life unfold:
Heihei and Natacho are having their usual morning squabbles, whilst Dwight comes rushing in, utterly panicked, shouting to break them up – and on the way he trips over everything and everyone, waking up anyone who was still asleep. Serafina and Teodora are already having mud baths, and one of them has already found a state-of-the-art spot to lay a stray egg. The pigeons are already engaged in their breakfast chatter, which the tortoises listen to from downstairs, their necks stretched out in rows. All the cats have now carried out their respective missions; Mocas caused unnecessary chaos, Boneca lost her patience and told Vira-Latas off, simply because he was closest by – though he didn’t really mind all that much, as they’ve all gone out into the street now and he can sleep a little longer in peace. Rebeca is already weaving her way through Cigano’s legs, because she’s the one in charge now, leaving Cesaltina space to enjoy her retirement and time to watch over the garden she’s looked after for the past few years. 
Cesaltina arrived at Quintal da Albertina before anyone else, even before the humans who are there now. She arrived with her characteristic energy and nurturing spirit. She was a mother to practically everyone who has passed through there and even incubated some of them when they were just little eggs. Her matriarchal presence extends even to the human residents of Casa da Albertina, who not only respect her as an iconic figure of this place, but also seek her out for comfort on the toughest of days.
Cesaltina’s days have always been busy: managing the flock of hens, hatching the eggs that were left behind and looking after all those she has taken in as her own children. Now, at the age of 8, with her children all grown up and Rebeca in charge, she can finally sit back in the shade and enjoy her leisurely mornings, watching with pride as her garden continues to flourish.