Though the wind made it feel cooler, yesterday we were above freezing and everyone had a lovely day. 
This may sound inane and ordinary but on a farm it is always a relief when we encounter ordinary especially when it is above freezing!
Above freezing temperatures mean I can get the hoses out and fill all the waters. And get the tractor out and scoop the poop around the cows feeders.
Very satisfying days.
I am also shifting the large rain barrel close to an outside electrical outlet beside the house so I can fill this with water on warm days and put a submersible heater in it. This will give me a water reservoir for refilling my bucket on days when the faucet outside is frozen shut. Tramping in and out to fill buckets from the kitchen sink is getting ‘old’.
Though giving the pigs warm water does encourage them to drink more. there are always more than one way to look at a solution.
Manu the boar is doing OK and when I entered the barn yesterday it smelled like he had been breeding Molly. I will give her six weeks then take her to the vet for an ultrasound. To make sure he is still viable.
I hope his injury is not permanent- if it is we would have to make some hard decisions. I prefer to avoid those decisions for as long as I can. But my breeding animals are getting older. And this is a farm not a zoo.
(Now, I hope this paragraph does not scare up more hate comments. I am getting these kinds of comments more and more lately. I am being attacked for my farming practices – generally I just delete these hate comments but if it gets too much you and I might talk about the blog going private. This would feel like a weak move but maybe it would be easier on my beleaguered immigrants heart. Being told I am a murderer, to go back where I came from, that I will be hunted down and wiped out… these kinds of things. All from Americans. They are easy to trace. And the fear of being abused is disabling my ability to be honest. I know this is a capitulation, to take the blog private, but the public arena is changing. There is a pack mentality developing. There is an old saying ‘if you can’t take the heat – get out of the kitchen.’ Do you see – do you understand?
We have to roll with the punches, they say. So, I will roll. If this continues I will do some research on how to disappear. They can have the stage. We all believe in free speech. I know that. It is in your constitution but I am getting tired of being on the arse end of it.)
Anyway – I will do some research into bringing you with me into a private kitchens garden. Sad aye. But maybe better?
C
The Kitchen's Garden 
118 responses to “A WARM SPOT”
Sorry you have to deal with the haters. Dont they realize it’s a farm and you have to make a profit. I think you’re doing a great job and I love your blog. Stay strong.
You always have my support. Free speech is all well and good, but people should respect each other too – live and let live! I’m inclined to believe that there would be no farm animals if people stopped eating meat.
I am happy to hear that the news on Manu is cautiously optimistic. I am so saddened and disgusted that you are getting the awful, nasty comments. There is no call and no excise for that sort of thing. Please know that you are always a bright spot in my day and that for every awful comment, there are so many, many more of us here that love you, your farm, and your blog.
And I meant excuse, not excise…sometimes my auto-correct gets the better of me. 🙂
Here, here!
Miss C, I’m with you, whether you keep it public or go private. This blog is your space and you’re under no obligation to hold still for threats and abuse in your home space. We are all entitled to a point of view, and mine is that I admire your compassionate farming, that the Farmy is, duh, a farm, not a petting zoo, and that if someone doesn’t like what they see here, they can turn around, go away and not come back, but leave our Celi in peace. We are all guests here, and only the very stupidest and rudest people visit someone else’s place and abuse their hostess.
Nicely said. Totally agree!
I agree too. Celi, your work–on the blog and on the farm– helps adds a lot to our world. When I visit I feel that I am in a more healthy, life-supporting, balanced, respectful, enjoyable place.
Hate is such a strong presence in this society today and those who don’t play the game always seem to get the worst of it. Ignoring for a time is one thing, taking the high road by not giving in works…sometimes. The emotional toll is what haters strive for. We are with you all the way, in whatever decision keeps you sane and functioning and able to share your words as our friend.
I didn’t think I could be astonished by anything online, but you receiving that kind of comment does astonish me. On the other hand, there are blogs I don’t read any longer because of the ranting that goes on, and I never, ever read the comments appended to online news articles because it’s worse than wading through cow poop. Much worse. The stupidity and nastiness have contributed to my refusal of social media, too, although there are other, more important reasons for me to stay away from those sites.
I have two friends who took their blogs private for personal reasons. It’s worked all right for them, although I know there were some issues in the beginning, and they did lose some followers. I’d hate to see you do it, but on the other hand, ‘private’ is better than ‘permanently closed’!
The internet creates a lot of “brave” people. How can anyone find fault with what you are doing. Stay strong!!
WTF????? Hating on my buddy Miss c? What has this world/country turned into? Oh wait… I have a few ideas. This just ticks me off to no end. As long as you can delete (and possibly block, I dunno) these haters then that’s good but don’t go away; don’t let the bullies win. If you must/want to go private then do let me know. I’m so used to the morning farmie 🙂
You do what makes you feel safe and calm. This blog is your space. There is no free speech right in your space. There is only speech you can tolerate. And if you are being abused in your own space – that is not acceptable.
Is there a way to block or ban on wordpress? Still, that’s probably more work than a one time deal of making the place private? Or maybe not. I’ve not gone private, but it does seem like you would have look at each person who knocks on the door to come in. That seems annoying too.
Sigh. I’m sorry you are being forced to deal with idiots.
Blogland is changing and not necessarily for the better due to that increasing “troll” mentality. This is why I cannot ever have my own blog…I’m much too thin skinned to deal with such despicable creatures. I admire your tenaciously and compassionate care to all around you, be they human or farm animals. If your blog must go private…so be it. We who love you Miss C will still be on board.
I look forward to your writing and photography everyday! For me, your calm and inspiring and welcome voice stands out from the deafening chorus around us. I hope for every one of them, there are ten (or more!) of us who appreciate and enjoy your blog.
Yes, we have Freedom of Speech but there are limits and those limits should include hate speech and threats. If you do go private, I will follow you. You are the direct and daily contact I have with home. I can’t express how much I appreciate that.
I’m always astounded at how hateful and cruel human beings can be in their remarks to someone who is working as hard and diligently as you are to care for your animals, maintain a farm, and keep us who are quietly cheering you on in the know. My grandparents taught me that “if you don’t have anything nice to say, keep your mouth shut”. That’s hard to do sometimes but it sure saves a lot of hurt feelings. I applaud you for all the work you do and hope you find a way to shut up the naysayers.
I am sorry to hear about the horrible comments. They are not paying your tax, feed, utility etc bills … you can’t afford to keep non-productive animals as well as pay for the upkeep of the replacements. This is a farm BUSINESS not a hobby. Try to ignore the haters and if you can’t, do the best for you. Good luck.
Sad about your final comments. Shaking my head.