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”
So many people are completely separated from the land and their food that they really have no grasp on reality. Industrial food producers don’t blog…
It’s interesting to read this. My daughter so wants to move to New Zealand to get away from the negative energy that has come to the surface in the country lately. Of course, that’s not an option right now but she’s keeping it up front in her brain. The hostility has become palpable from the undereducated. I’m so sorry you are a target. Do what you need to do to protect yourself. You can always change back later if the energy shifts back to kindness. I’ll keep good thoughts for you. Are you leaving soon for your Christmas travels?
I have seen a few of those rude comments recently on here. You are a lady farmer and your gentle stewardship of the animals is far above and beyond. A short life is still a good life as we say here. Wherever you lead, I will follow………. Hugs.
Those hateful threatening comments you’re getting are appalling–especially when you show such deep respect for your animals. Do what you have to do to protect your spirit from attack. But bring us along when you leave. This is a very dark period in American history. One can only hope some great light will emerge from it. Your ESL work is inspirational. We can’t forget how many good people in this country are working hard and in a million different ways to change lives for the better. Keep to your path.
I can understand why that would be upsetting to you. I enjoy your posts and understand the circle of farm life. I can also see you care about your animals, not just about getting them to the table.
While they are entitled to free speech, you should be entitled to feel safe from harassment and threats. I wish people would learn to be open minded, that this is a way of life that is going back to our roots. It isn’t that difficult to understand that we can live alongside each other while not agreeing 100% with the way the other person lives. I hope I will continue seeing your posts, even if you decide to do them privately somehow.
Haters really make me mad😠
I love this blog because of your candid discourses and beautiful photographs. it would be such a pity that you may have to shut it down because of a few irrational, narrow minded individuals. But it does appear that more and more bloggers have comments moderation which would take up too much precious time in your busy working schedule. How sad. Laura
I don’t comment often but I read your blog every single day, have been for years. Your blog and your farm is amazing, and getting your certificate to teach english is amazing as well. You are contributing. You are making the world better.
I’m sorry people are responding to your posts that way. I so enjoy your photography and commentary every day.
This world gets uglier everyday. I am embarrassed to be an American in this hate filled climate and I’m so sorry you are being harassed. Your blog is the first thing I read each day, and even when sad things happen or hard decisions are reached, I feel that kindness and love might somehow trump the hatred. You bring me hope. Thank you.
Negativity has no place here … Private must be the way to go. Not sure what we’d all do if there was no farmy at all!
Much love to you, try and ignore the haters until you reach a decision. The rest of us love you ❤
Ditto to all the comments above! And also to Soph n’ Stuff above too! Makes me so, so sad to read this and know you have to deal with those sorts of negative comments. And I can’t even bring myself to think about the mentality of the people who make them! So depressing! The Fellowship of the Farmy is behind you, and we are a big, positive group! Do what is best for you. No one should have to deal with abusive, hate comments! xoxoxo
I’m sorry you have to deal with these people.I don’t comment often but read you every day.The current climate in America and social media has enabled people to say things they would never dream of doing to someones face.I hope you continue with the blog.
I too have seen some of the hate comments and they hurt! If they think what you do is murder they should go see a slaughter house. Your animals are truly loved and well taken care of. Even the ones that don’t get a name. We all should be as well loved. If you go private, please take me with you!
I endorse all of the above. Certainly, the anonymity of the Internet makes people bold, true, but as my mother always said: “when people show you who they are, believe them”. Anonymous these folks may be, but if they are spouting hatred as opposed to politely disagreeing with the concept of raising animals for food however humanely it’s done, then you have to believe the face they show you. I’m apalled that we are – everywhere it seems – sliding back into base, gross, behaiviour towards our fellows. Do what you have to do to protect yourself.
I am so sorry that you are on the receiving end of hate. If they are the same people, you can block them through your settings or have Akismet filter them to spam so that you never see them. If there are particular words that they have in common, like “murderer,” you can filter those comments through spam, too. You won’t ever see them.
I occasionally get zoo-hate comments on my main blog, and it is ridiculous. Sometimes people will do things under the cloak of anonymity that they would never do in the light of day. You do good work, and you farm the right way. There is nothing scarier than a militant animal “rights” group.