Thing One on the walk, ruffed by the wind.
Tulips.
Mia and two Murphys. It is going to be a short year for pasture, we are still recovering from two dry years. And to be truly sustainable I can only run a very small flock of sheep. After that the land suffers. So the lambs will be leaving the farm after a few weeks on the good pasture. I am sorry to say that I have decided that Mia will leave too. This was a hard decision. But the right one.
She was my first hand reared sheep but the agony she goes through every year, when I have to go in and pull out all those dead lambs one after the other is just beyond cruel. Awful. This has happened twice now and she has only just survived each time. And she is still lacking vigor. I have only a few paddocks and it is impossible to keep her away from the ram in the fall. It would be evil of me to allow her to get pregnant and then lose all her lambs in the most terrible way year after year. She cannot breed. Sad, but one of the things we have to deal with as organic/sustainable farmers is taking out the ones who get infections or cannot breed. I am sorry.
Lets think about something else for a minute. The walls have been clad, and the men come back today to tape and mud the cracks. Suddenly the room looks small and echoey. However we are moving forward at a rapid rate now.
Apple blossom. This is where we stand under the apple trees and inhale…
then exhale. There are some beautiful moments on the little farm that allow us breathing space to deal with the difficult ones. There breathe in…
then breathe out. Cherry blossom.
The grapes are leafing out..
And the peaches are setting.
New trees in the daily view. Mr M’s on the far right (North), by the yellow fire hydrant, once the leaves come out you will see the trees better.
And a roof for the Coupe. A great accomplishment. The black on the side of the old house is builders paper, once the roof is finished they will start that side.
Good morning my darling friends. I hope you do not feel too bad about Mia. But my promise at the beginning of this blog is that I will tell you the truth of things. You all know about life and its ups and downs. No need to go into it. Every life is like this. We just see it more clearly and simply on a farm.
Author was collected into a cage last night in case she needs an operation today. I will take her in to the vet shortly. She has become more and more lethargic in the last 24 hours. For two days she has slept in the empty indoor pig pen. Both her kittens were lost. She was too young being only a kitten herself.
This is not a happy clappy post is it. Let’s go back to the apple blossom and stand under there for a while, listen to the bees and breathe in that heady scent. It will be better soon.
Have a lovely day.
your quiet friend, celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
64 responses to “The scents of spring help soften the hard decisions.”
I’m sad about Mia. I’m not sure I could do what you do, Celi. Such hard decisions. But as someone said, your animals are much loved while they’re with you! Lovely blossoms this morning. Take heart.
Breathe in the scent of spring, c, and try to relax. Hugs. M xx
Sorry to read that you’ve had to come to this decision, Celi, but what could be done? It’s not like Mia is a sickly goldfish that needs her own bowl on a countertop. No, you guys know what’s best for the farmy and as difficult a decision as it was to reach, it is the right one.
I must say, your fruit trees look beautiful, Celi. Spend a little more time beneath them today. 🙂
You’re absolutely right about Mia. Sad as it is, in this kind of life no beastie can be given a free ride as much as we come to love them. I do hope that things go well for Author as she’s such a wee puss yet and has plenty of mice still to catch I’ sure! Chin up Cecilia.
Christine
I respect your decision with Mia. I understand how hard it must be, but sustainable farms can’t overburden themselves with pets.
Good thoughts for Author today. I hope she is well.
It is sad about Mia and the murphys but that is why you are such a good farmer..because you do make decisions that you do not like..but the ones that must be made for the sake of the animal.
If I was ever a farmer I’d have to grow corn ‘n stuff like that, even that has to have it head chopped off…I would be useless with animals,,,couldn’t make choices like that..even though you got no choice and what you are doing is right….such a brave soul that you are! Bless you C
So hard some days C.
Big hugs.
🙂 Mandy xo
Sorry to hear about Mia. Any chance that she could have surgery and become a pet, so she doesn’t breed anymore? I enjoy your blog and have nominated you for the Liebster blog award. Read more about it in today’s post.
Further proof that farming isn’t for the faint of heart, no, more like the strongest and most compassionate of hearts, I would say. I hope that dear Mia can go and live with the blogger who offered to take her. I know regardless that your decision for her future was and will be carefully weighed. Also sorry about the kittens. Tough day…yes, breathe.
Aah the juxtaposition of life …. sad and sorry about Mia but thrilled with the promise of new coupe and bountiful crops and spring. Laura
Today it is my turn to give you a hug, my dearest friend. I shall stand under those trees and breathe in the sweet scents of blossoms. I shall, knowing you are doing the same.
We all have hard choices to make when we welcome animals into our lives, be they farm animals or pets. Just know that, even though the head says it is the right choice, the fact that your heart gives a little tremble says that your are a caring, loving person, and have made an unselfish decision! My heart trembles with yours and I am send big apple blossom smelling hug your way my dear friend!
Sorry to hear it, but that’s the way of farming. Not always easy, but we know that all of our beasties are appreciated for everything they share with us :*(
It is the way of it. That is for sure.. c
Sorry about Mia, I know how difficult a decision that must have been.
The blossoms are just gorgeous; my aunt in Budapest already has fruit on their grit trees!
Farmers and ranchers have to be completely objective. I could never be one. First of all, I’d have to be vegetarian! I hope the offer for Mia works out and that Author will be well soon.