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”
My word! I am saddened and shocked that you get any hateful comments, your integrity and love for your animals shines out. If only there were more of you! You do what makes you feel safe and well. I would follow you on a private blog if that’s what it takes.
I have been reading your blog for years now and have absolutely nothing but respect for you and all that you do. It’s always interesting how cruel and hateful people can be when they can hide behind the anonymity the internet provides. Most likely none of them would have the courage to voice their comments in public. Shame on them! Count me in as one of your loyal followers if you go private!
Thoroughly agree with all the supportive comments here — I rarely comment but make sure to read your posts every time. And as a vegetarian for nigh on 40 years I have to say that the “meat means murder” slogan is lazy BS. Some people just don’t realize that the privilege of being able to feed yourself a non-meat diet is just that — a privilege, born of living in a particular place and time where there are alternatives. I love how you show us your world, Ceci, and anyone narrow-minded enough not to be able to learn from it is a poor excuse for a human being. IF you end up going private, please add me as a supportive follower! XO
How awful re hate responses; i have nothing but love and admiration for you; your blog is a way to light my way; i bet the love from all the people in the world you know outweighs the hate; people who do this are merely projecting; still it ain’t easy! go girl
So sorry the haters are out. One must be realistic about what farming entails. I learned this on my grandfathers farm at a vet early age. Just up the road in Elmwood
Don’t leave us! Your blog is the first one I read every Day! Always read, first comment.
I am so shocked. Reading your blog each day is always such an uplifting experience. Your words and photographsn
are so compassionate and moving. Thank you SO much.
As you know, you and the farmy start my days with a smile. Hate comments?! Because you’re from New Zealand??? What in the world?? As for slaughtering animals, you are humane in every respect. There is no arguing with zealots. all that being said, part of my Irish self wants you to let us at them and the less confrontational part of me understands and respects your wishes to have the loving, peaceful community you have built here to remain that way. Love to you super Celi!
Since a lot of the hate is spread by mechanical trolls, try the “I’m not a Robot” box for comments or the one where we have to click on a symbol before leaving a comment. That being said, would you believe even Knitting Blogs are being hit by the Hate Trolls who accuse us of ‘torturing & killing innocent animals’ to make hats & sweaters . . . . Keep up the good work Kid, the morning isn’t the same without you & the pigs!!
There is no question—never was—that the true Fellowship members here know and understand that we all have our own lives to live, thoughts and feelings and beliefs, but when it comes to interaction, it must always be filled with civility and honesty and respect. Those three don’t allow any room for hate- and fear-mongering. Would that we could all rise up with you on our shoulders and protect you from mindless trolls, but since no one can promise safety, let alone peace of mind, I would far rather that you do whatever makes you feel comfortable and safe. But like all of my compatriots writing similar things above, my admiration and care for you means I hope I will always be able to visit with you, even if it has to be in a more fenced-in community or, as is often the case in this linked-in yet separated-by-space world, sometimes in spirit only. Just know that we who respect and love you and our fellow Farmy followers want the best for you and will honor your choices.
Wouldn’t it be nice if you could identify those trolls and post their names and locales for everyone to see? It seems the supposed anonymity makes these fools ‘brave’. I’m afraid the lack of decency and blatant rudeness gets worse by the day. Oh that every food producer treated their stock with the care and compassion that you do. I admire you greatly, it’s something I don’t think I could do – I would be drowning in animals that have outlived their purpose! That in itself would not be a good thing, I’m afraid it is my greatest weakness.
Wow. I have been following your blog for years, and have never seen anything controversial going on. I can hardly believe that there is anyone more caring than you are with your animals. Look at the situation poor Jude came from. Why are those people not being attacked. These people who are saying these bad things to you are not healthy functioning members of society. I hope they don’t deflate you wonderful spirit. I for one, LOVE reading your blog and NEVER miss a day! It is how I start my day!
I read, but seldom have time to comment. Lordy girl, take this thing private and be rid of the haters. People are so emboldened by the animaty of a computer screen. Really, they are just cowards. They can’t be content to be vegetarians/vegans, they have to threaten you as??? Good riddance!
I’m a lurker but have followed you, your successes, highs and lows for some years – I love the farmy and get great delight, pleasure and support from it – and cry at the sad times – a positive place in the strange world of the internet. Ditto to all the lovely supportive comments above. But you must do whatever’s required to keep you safe and what’s doable and practical with the constraints on your time, especially with the extra time required from TEFL. If you go private, I hope I’ll be able to follow. No farmy or lounge of comments would leave a big hole!
I moderate all my comments, kick anything ignorant out and report it as spam. There’s a work around for it – but yes – as a ‘public’ blog you’re open to all the jack asses out there that have nothing better to do with their time. Just remember – for every jerk who feels it their place to terrorize you – there are many more dozens and dozens of us that feel it our place to defend you and support you! 😊