Timatanga Moana, who rode home from the KuneKune farm on my lap. Cuddled into the crook of my arm. For two hours. This image was taken from the back seat of the jeep by The Matriarch. It is way too gorgeous to look at only once. Who ever thought a wee piggie would sit on my knee that long.
She is small, small enough to lay in my lap with plenty of room left over. She is chubby and smiley, has short legs and tiny tiny hooves and plods about the floor making a sound that is a cross between a purr and a small tank engine chuff. When I scratch her belly she slides to the ground and makes a whistly song. Her long soft hair is a tortoiseshell mixture. Red, black and white. She is set up in the Snug with a bed of hay, a bucket to hide in (Poppy now reverses into her barrel and sleeps with her snout poking out.. so cute) and her food and water and a heater. Each time she comes out for a walk we go a little further. I don’t want her senses to overload. She will become anxious. I love her calm friendliness.
Her family lives out in the fields in North-West Illinois. Here is her father. The one on the left.
Here is her mother. 
And this is her Aunty.
The whole lot were very tame and very sweet. Living out in pastures with little shelters. These are tough pigs. They have a very.. um.. distinctive look!
This is Tima (pronounced just like Tina). When we finally went into the nursery to see the little ones, the litter hid in the corner under their warm light. I slowly sunk down onto my heels to take a picture and one little piggie disengaged herself from the others and very slowly sniffed her way across the room to me. She reached up and touched my knee with her nose, regarded me for a moment with a clear brown eyed gaze, then continued on to have a drink of water. The others cowered in silence against the wall watching. “Which one is ours?” said John softly from the door. “This one,” said the breeder and I at the same time,the camera forgotton, watching her have a drink before leaving home. I had chosen her from a photo weeks ago and she had chosen me yesterday morning. Magic.
Timatanga loosely means beginnings and Moana means the sea or the water, they are not meant to mean anything when put together, just a first name and a second name, like Cecilia Mary. I love the sound of the words too. We will call her Tima.
She will stay inside until the weather is warmer, she comes to her name when called and Boo has got over his excitement. He is way too excited about this little pig and spent all last night lying in front of her closed door.
And now I had better get busy. My days are filling up but I have planned every new event to have a consolidation break in between. Next will be the plonkers (Their milk is ready!!) and Queenie’s calf. I wonder who will be first! I hope you have a lovely day.
Your friend on the farmy
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
72 responses to “Tima”
I am without words. She is so dear. I would love to have seen Boo Nanny at her approach. Your life is so rich Celi. I am very happy for you. And how beautiful to have that creature that reminds you of home right there, well, in your new home. Perfect.
Awwwww just too cute. We will be reeling with cuteness overload from now on. Across the globe the fellowship is smiling and ooooing and ahhhhing at little Tima. Well done, Celi!
Reblogged this on Sorrygnat, World Citizen and commented:
This blog is an enchanting, well written, and fascinating view of farm life and the writer is fabulous!
The cutest little pig ever. She was meant to be yours! 🙂
Tima is adorable and such beautiful colorings! Nanny Boo will be very busy keeping track of all of his babies….sweet dog 🙂
Celi, you have a wonderful connection with all animals, notably pigs. Curious, I looked up animal spirits and got this
“Pig— (Domestic) They are highly intelligent and know intuitively how to respond to a situation. Pig spirits demand punctuality and dependability, especially at feeding times. Having a need to be in charge of their personal space as any alteration in their routine will upset them. They have a love of companionship with a need to trust. The pig is a universal symbol of wealth and prosperity and a warning to avoid the illusive trappings of the material plane. Among the ancient people of Britain pigs were important and powerful, providing sustenance and knowledge to people. Since pigs were incredibly fertile, people thought that they were from the Gods. In addition, ancient people told stories of how Pigs guided people to hidden knowledge such as the healing waters of Bath, England. Pigs know how to have fun. In the mornings, they root around snorting and grunting to each other while the little piglets run around and play. Later in the day, all the pigs pile next to each other and nap, stretching out in their cool wallow, and snoring in the warm sun. Pigs enjoy themselves and the day. You should learn how to do the same. When the pig appears in your life pay attention to its movement. If it is charging towards you, its time to stop procrastinating and take action in some area of your life. If a pig waddles slowly towards you its time to stop, reflect and listen to the sound of your inner knowing.
Sow— Symbol of the Crone Goddess, (see: “Earth Mother”), keeper of Earth magick, the wisdom of ancestral mythology, totem of the Sacred Mother”
So much of it resonates…
http://www.spiritwalkministry.com/spirit_guides/land_animal_spirits
As if Tima isn’t cute enough, she brought Spring-like temps with her, as well. That’s quite an accomplishment for such a little piglet. I wonder what would have happened if you’d brought back 3 or 4 of TIma’s brothers and sisters. 🙂
I was just reading that kunekune is the Maori word for fat and round. mmmmmm Is Sheila part KuneKune? hahaha
Awww!!! What a story and pictures!! What a wonderful beginning to my week, selfishly speaking!!! A fairytale all around! Elladee and Littlesundog are so right about energy fields and natural comfort zones. After all the hard days and horrid winter just past it must have felt blessed sitting for two hours with a pig so comfortable in your lap . . . All of a sudden the farmy seems to be springing to life with big changes in the days to come!! Yes, my favourite pup of all time also chose me when I was least thinking of another one . . . and it was to be a magic relationship for many years . . . I remember!! But hmm, as someone mentioned, I also hope Tima takes after her father in looks 😀 !!! [Sorry, am certain it was just an unflattering pic 😉 !]
Now why on eartn am I holding my breath ?!!! Are there going to be some more news on the farmy when I wake come next morning . . . ?
Oh.My.Gosh. I can hardly wait now to get Cecil! How can anybody who ever met one not like a pig? Truth to tell her mama reminds me of a couple of my Polish great aunties, one in particular had that look on her face with her arms folded under her bosom uttering ‘hmmmph’.
I love this post and your world of animals and baby Tima…sigh…I would have loved to hold her for the ride. 🙂
I just love her already!!! xo
What an extremely cool little pig…top
Oh, sweet Tima. And that shot of you holding the babe is absolutely endearing. Good work, dear Matriarch.
Hello Tima. You are just too adorable for words. So glad you and Miss C chose each other.
Have a beautiful day C.
🙂 Mandy xo