Everything got very busy yesterday. It was overcast and cool as expected but there was no wind so it was a perfect temperature for gardening.
I did not get in to reply to your comments but I did read them, I so enjoy the Lounge of Commments and saw Juliana ask how big Sheila is. Well, here she is with Lady Astor and TonTon only a little in front of her. So a dog and a cow as comparisons might help you gauge her actual size.
Everyone who meets Sheila says “Oh wow, I know you said she was big but I did not think she was THAT big.”.
Now I need to get someone to stand next to Lady for you to see her size. Maybe on Monday when everyone is back on deck.
I am still confused by Lady. Sometimes she looks pregnant sometimes not, sometimes it looks like her udder is filling, sometimes it looks floppy. She drops strands every now and then I cannot quite lose the feeling that something is going on though I cannot feel a calf in there. I will get the vet out again this week to palpate her. It is possible the calf died. Something is keeping me checking her. I am very well aware of the influence of affirmation bias but still – I am feeling a little anxious for her.
But I don’t think Alex or Aunty Anna are pregnant either. Alex is always that round. So with any luck we will get a very quiet year and I will have the freedom to move about. Though there will be animals sold.
Molly’s piglets are still doing well, they all seem to be eating their real food as well as drinking mothers milk and thriving except for that one little one – you can probably pick him out – he is very dark brown, almost metallic looking, shiny but thin, not fattening up like the others. I am watching him.
Sheila with a peacock for company. Another size comparison.
The meat chickens are growing fast. They will go out into the chicken tractor in a week or so when the weather settles.
Cold enough that we are still wearing jackets.
This weekend it is meant to rain on and off and blow the whole weekend. There is no rain at the moment so I am going to get going and get the chores done before it begins. Hopefully!!
I hope you have a good day.
celi
Saturday 04/29 100% / 0.72 in
Rain showers early then thundershowers for the afternoon. High around 50F. Winds NE at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 100%.
Saturday Night 04/29 90% / 1.33 in
Thunderstorms this evening will give way to steady rain overnight. Low 48F. Winds ENE at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 90%. 1 to 2 inches of rain expected.
The Kitchen's Garden 
50 responses to “Sizes”
We are starting to ready the vegetable garden this weekend. No planting until mid May here due to morning frosts.
Most of the real work is in preparing the garden anyway – popping the plants in is the most satisfying though.. c
I soo agree with you about that. Planting the plants is fun… all the work before that is…. work !! ; o )
Sheila is one big pig!
She sure is!! c
I would love to see the whole farmy lined up from big to small, but I can appreciate, that will never happen 😉
I can imagine it though!! c
So can I – that would be some portrait!
I would trust your instincts about Lady A over any so called expert. You know that cow, and if she’s off-colour you’re the one who’d know. Love the line up photo of Ton, Sheila and Lady A. She really is a stupendous personage, that Sheila.
Good morning Kate – hope all is well in your neck of the woods.. c
All is very well; we’re going on leave today for 2 weeks, and I’m really looking forward to it!
BiG is beautiful and lovely and wonderful and Sheila
Perfectly said .. c
I have been watching that little piglet as well. Shiny and finds the milk but small. All the animals look great.
Yes, he has always been small hasn’t he – we will see how he is doing at weaning time – he may be weaned into the special needs class..
Haha, education speak….~25 days to go!
So curious about what is being planted in the garden shot? Are they separating root crops? Or relocating tubers? So exciting that the garden is going in!!! xo
That is the horse radish. You want some? . c
It would be very sad if Lady A’s calf has died, but why would her udder be filling if so? The little piggy is noticeably smaller. Laura
It is her udder I don’t understand, from the side it looks like it is filling up but from the back it is crinkly and long and empty looking.. c
Sheila is almost the size of a large calf. Always trust your instincts. But I’m hoping for the best anyway. Looks like the littlest piglet needs an extra boost of something. Anything but wind can be handled easily. Not fond of wind at all. Have a wonderfilled day too.
The little piglet is still in anti person mode so I will not terrorise him with potions – I will get some goats milk though and start giving it to all of them to lap – see what happens.. c
I’ll keep good thoughts for them.
They are doing well – though today is pretty cold and miserable..
There is always a runt of the litter right? Wasn’t that the case with Poppy and look at her now! 🙂 Of course not the queenly size of Sheila but definitely robust and healthy. We’ll be pulling for the little guy to catch up! What is that in Ton’s mouth? He seems never to be without something to carry around….How is Boo doing? Haven’t seen him lately. Happy Week-end C.
Boo is doing OK. he is with me on the leash as much as possible at the moment to keep him from running on his bad leg.
Happy week end to all – especially to the little rent-a-Family. Still love to enjoy everyone of your photographs and posts daily!
Hope you are having a lovely weekend too, irmi.. c
Thanks for the line-up, which does show how big and LONG Sheila is. I don’t remember my grandparents having an affectionate relationship with their pigs, but Papa loved his few cows and they seemed to have some attachment to him. Hope all turns out well with your current animal concerns.
You are very welcome!
Chicago is supposed to get stormy weather Sunday. I hope you don’t catch any storms!
We are having a horrible day today – rainy and blowing a gale – nor’east – awful
He is a wee little piggie- hope he is ok.
He is ok – just slower growing I think – not getting the big teats – I am watching more closely today.
Aye, thus comes the expression “sucking the hind teat”, hey?
Farming seems to be about sizes constantly changing, doesn’t it, both with the animals and with the gardening. Up down, in out. An accordion making its music. Weird metaphor I know, but I use it with my kids all the time. The grow out then shoot up. It’s so funny.
What an excellent image – an accordian – lifes ups and downs – ins and outs – never stopping but making music all the time.