The Rescue Piglets are still not thriving. In fact it has become more and more evident that at least two of them are carrying hidden injuries as a result of the attack by their mother. Both have back problems to go with the bites. So I don’t believe that these two will get through. The rest are still on the 50/50 list. Still needing to be woken up to feed and still only drinking a little and still wobbly on their feet.
I wear special shoes for their pen, and gloves when handling them, I suspect that they have some kind of invisible scours as they are always a bit damp in behind so the Vet gave me some medicine for that.
But we are on Day Five now and that is a point in their favour.
I said to John if these little piglets do not survive I quit. Farming is too hard – there is too much death and fighting to survive. And if I do not grow my own meat I can be a vegetarian which sounds perfectly lovely at the moment.
But most of that is the tired talking.
I have the Staggers too.
We had rain yesterday afternoon and the cows are knee deep in mud. You can imagine the clean up for milking.
Interestingly I am always more awake in the morning though – even when my alarm gently prods me awake every two hours right through the night and I am already walking down the garden path before my eyes are even fully open. At four in the morning I know I will not manage a day farming and by seven I am all business as usual. 
I hope you have a good day. Sorry to be so late but business as usual is a lot of busy-ness at the moment. Good busy though – nothing I can’t handle. In fact I could do it all with ease if I had someone who ran the kitchen, processed the food and managed the house for me. Then being a farmer would be pretty easy really!
Much love
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
59 responses to “Two Steps Back”
Hope your woofers arrive soon to help. Goodness knows how you manage.
You can do this. 🙂
Hang in there, miss c. I know this is a hard time, but we’re all here, supporting you in spirit. I’ll send some shamanic healing juju to the piggies.
That is pure exhaustion talking. Once the next Woofer arrives and is shown the ropes, things will improve. Mind you I am always amazed at how much work you get through each and every day. Wish I could send you a bundle of energy to see you through.
I agree, you are exhausted and more. You have to be. I have wondered from the very beginning how you manage to feed those babies every two hours. Yes, perhaps you can do it, but it does take its toll and now it’s showing. You do need your woofer and the sooner the better. And, as Kate suggests, what you really need is a good wife… lol We’re all here for you. Wish we could be there for you, but hang in, Ms. C. “this too shall pass away.” ~ Mame 🙂
You got this! Don’t give up. Put that beautiful smile on and know you have saved more than one life.
What has been happening recently on the farm is nothing short of brutal. The weather alone has been enough to make a grown woman–or man–cry!! Overwhelming. Laundry basket time! The heat, the humidity, the mud has been unrelenting–and I’m talking about all summer. We have not had any decent weather since perhaps May.
Coupled with this extreme rain, you have two pigs farrowing at the bloody same time–that’s 25 piglets 11+14 to deal with (dead or alive). Plus you have several cows, I can’t even count them any more, never mind name them. Plus the dogs and chickens, pea hens, and husband and family members coming in and out, plus the woofers to train, adjust to, feed, bed, etc.
This is all I have to say!!
Your summary is nearly exhausting just to read. No wonder the tired talks for Miss C now and then. But I’m betting it helps: having an outlet, a group of word-friends..
Her doggedness certainly inspires me. (But I should say it to you, Miss C. So I shall. You inspire. Even your honesty about being discouraged does that.)
My icon says it all!
You might try putting them on a trough feeder :-/.
If I could get them to stand up I surely will and soon, they do drink, it is just that they are so weak. I am searching out a small vessel that they will not push about.. c
I really don’t know how you manage to look after a farm and a home. I really hope your piglets survive, if they don’t, you and we all know you tried your best and hardest to help them.
Those piglets are already miracles, considering their start in life. The fact that they’ve come this far is a tribute to the energy and Celi-power you’ve pushed at them. Yes, farming is hard, but you’re bloody good at it. And you know what, someone to look after the house, process the food, run the kitchen? They use to be called farmer’s wives…. and it was a full time job. You do it all. So sit down for a second with a cup of coffee and give yourself several pats on the back. It might help you stay awake!
You stole the words right out of my mouth. That was the job description of a farmer’s wife – my sister was one for many years, 1950’ish to 1980’ish. Our family has been blessed with great genes, we tend to live long and look younger than we are. But dear sister June plumb near wore herself out – and she’s gone now to a garden in heaven where I hope she has wwoofers!
Perhaps Celi needs a farm-wife? I’m sure that’s not very politically correct, not sure how else to word it.
Get some rest and you’ll change your tune a least a bit.
Chris S in Canada
Maybe the piglets with damaged backs should be Put to sleep..do they do that for pigs..? I know you must keep going but please my dear C do not put your own health at risk. If i lived on the same cointry as you i would be on the greyhound bus and come to help I will pray for you..lots of love
All the best in fighting for the piggies. Dead on your feet can really be debilitating after so many days!
Equuslover said it best! And I thought you were getting a woofer in, that should help. See you soon.
Yes He comes Monday and with you coming next weekend to run the kitchen I can see light at the end of the tunnel. JOhn said he will have the AC on for you! c
Bless John.
Bless John’s little pea-pickin’ heart.
I’ll make him banana pudding if he’ll get the vanilla wafers!
I’ll tell him! c
Oh gosh Celi, hang in there if you can! You know the Fellowship has your back and if anything too awful happens we will rally together behind you!
Poor little pigs. It’s not farming that hard, it’s nature – in the wild those piglets would fare a lot worse. They are lucky to have you caring for them and trying to make things better 🙂