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”
I am so sorry you are being harassed by ignorant people. There is no excuse for it, but anonymity makes some people brave and rude to the point of abuse. I see it on Facebook, Twitter, etc. I do respect and support you as do many others no matter what you decide to do. You have carved a niche in your community that is valuable in many ways and that is to be celebrated, not decried. Hugs!
To echo so many of the comments this morning, it is hard to believe that anybody would hate on you. And I’m here for the duration. If you need to take the blog private, that totally works for me. I just want to go along with you!
Oh my god celi…what are people like!..can they just choose not to read your blog, instead of being so damn nasty. You do a wonderful job, and always think of your animals welfare, and if they need to go, then you know in your heart that it has to be done, and they have had the best care while being on your farm!!…they need to look back, and see about wai and piglet..stupid buffoons….aaah it makes me so angry when people stick their nose in just to be nasty to others in this world.
I hope I can still follow you if you go private…all the best sue in the U.K x
Cecilia, there are hateful people out there that will complain no matter what you do or say. I pity those whose life is so unhappy they have to focus on the negative rather than the wonderfully conscientious care your animals receive. I’d like to say ignore them, but I’m sure it’s hurtful. So when you encounter one of those posts, harden your heart, just say “poof, bye bye”, and CLICK, they’re gone. To wherever they deserve. Not your problem. Don’t let them influence what you write, but if going private is easier on you, then do it. Yes, people are entitled to an opinion, but they do not have to always express it when it’s pointless negativity. Hang in there.
I get hate comments also, Celi. Sometimes they are downright funny. Sometimes scary. I always put them in spam. If you do go private let me know…I still wish to be a visitor to your farm.
So sorry you must endure such hate speech…do what you must….be true to yourself…i do so enjoy your blog and photography…with you, always!
Oh dear, I too am so very sorry to hear this. This blog has created such a great community that it’s a shame you are getting hate comments, but it doesn’t really surprise me. As so many have pointed out, the ground swell of people who feel that it is ok to hate in very public ways seems to be growing, and not just here in the US. I am saddened that you feel you may have to go private, but you certainly have my support in whatever decision you make. You should not have to deal with this ugliness day after day.
I rarely comment, but I read your blog every time you post. Your farm and you as the farmer reminds me of my grandfather who loved his land and his animals fiercely, but he raised animals for his family to eat and to make a little money. If you are reminding me of my grandfather, you are in wonderful company because he was a good man. If you must go private and invisible, do what you must. It is very important to feel safe and to BE safe. Thank goodness this group of haters is small and in no way representative of the United States as a whole.
Ignore the mentally unsound. I think you will find it’s just a tiny handful who terrorize or try to intimidate. They belong in a padded cell and this does not constitute free speech, it is attack. Don’t let a tiny minority of nut cases dictate to you when you are supported so soundly by a vast majority of silent but supportive and loving fans. Words are just empty arrows. Threats are empty arrows. There are always those who hate and try to negate anything positive, beautiful, or helpful. They sure don’t represent ME! Hey, friends of Celia, report in for your support. Show her we love her! Don’t be shy!
From my first-hand experience I know you above all have been the kindest, most generous, and most responsible caregiver and caretaker of all your creatures—not to mention thoughtful observant and intuitive.
Of course I say ditto to all of the above comments.
I’m so sorry to hear that you are being trolled by mean spirited people. 😦
You live on a farm, where do people think that they get their food from? I’m a vegetarian and I still enjoy reading about your farm and I’ve always found that you love your animals and you aim to do the very best for them. How sad that people can’t see that and appreciate your aims and objectives.
I rarely comment anywhere online these days, but when I do I try to stick to the “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.” way of thinking. The internet seems to give some people the idea that they can say anything they like, no matter how hurtful or untrue (and how many of us really know the truth about another’s situation anyway?). It has become the modern-day version of the poison-pen letter – at everyone’s fingertips. Most popular sites seem to suffer from idiots at some stage – which is a real shame, when generally, the internet can be such a good, informative and supportive place.
The first time I saw a misguided ‘hate’ blog, I was shocked and hurt! You don’t go into their ‘house’ and throw things at them! What I thought was those folks need to get out and see how the real world works! It’s easy to throw stuff when you don’t know what you’re talking about, but righteous indignity and slander? Doesn’t belong here! These people need to take a hard look at their own lives and attitudes! Please don’t go away all together, Ceci! Your kindness, cheerfulness, knowledge, wisdom, and playfulness are cherished and needed by the majority! Some people feel it is necessary to spoil the good things and take them down to their personal low level. Don’t let them! Our love and caring is with you and the farmy!
I am so sorry that you have been under attack for your way of life. Your devoted readers are grateful every day for your thoughtful words and photos,
I love your blog because it helps to keep me connected to real country life and how very hard farmers work, every day.
I have read many U.K. farmers are having the same problem on Twitter .Too much hate everywhere!
Please just know that your truly devoted readers will support any decision you make.
Let me add another voice of support. I have become strangely dependent on knowing what’s going every day on your little patch of ground. Do what you have to do to get away from your detractors, but please don’t stop.
Oh for crying out loud…Don’t these people eat anything? Don’t they wear or use leather? Don’t they have a life? Obviously not, they’re just sad trolls. Ignore them. But I know that’s easier said than done.’.