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”
You should feel no guilt in taking your blog private. I’d do the same under your circumstances. I think of a personal (non-commercial) blog such as yours is being a life journal. One can choose to share the contents of that journal with everyone OR place the journal in a drawer and give those whom you wish a key. Good luck in your conversion and if allowed I’d certainly want a key.
if you do go private, please take me with you … I only rarely comment but I do read your posts every day and appreciate the window into a world so very different from mine here in London (England)
I am sorry that you have to deal with that. It is unnecessary and people that make such comments should put their energy into something more positive. They obviously don’t actually follow and read your blog. If they are so concerned about animals they have the ability to get off the computer and go volunteer at a shelter or with a rescue organization, work hard to make more money and donate to rescue organizations that are desperate for donations to cover vet costs and food. There are so many that need help. But it is easier for them to sit at a computer and waste valuable time spewing hate. Do what you must and we will follow. I don’t understand this ‘go home’ bit either. Unless you are a First Nations then we all would have to go home because we all came from somewhere else no matter if it was 200 years ago or 10 years ago.
Don’t hesitate to go private. Give yourself some room to breathe. Take care, c, and happy Christmas to you.
I echo all of the above! I don’t comment often but I do read your posts every morning. I would think someone who posts a hate comment here must only skim by and see critters and then go on auto pilot with their ranting. You are so caring with your animals. And you have done so much to educate us about the hard decisions one has to make on a farm. It shouldn’t matter whether one is a vegetarian or not – to see how your farm works is a peek into what we should be aiming for in the coming centuries. Big mass farming likely won’t be sustainable and smaller home or community based operations might be necessary once again. The carbon footprint of some vegetarian diets is astounding. Living in a winter climate like I do up here in Canada and trying to live the 100 mile diet is an eye opener once the snow falls! I love starting my days by visiting the farmy. Your photography and your openess are appreciated by this little reader far to the north of you. You need to do what keeps you safe. You certainly would have a ton of us following into the private blogosphere if that is needed. Sending you gentle hugs.
I get some miserable comments occasionally, one recently. I was both hurt and angry. I responded in a private message, but the woman was deranged. Perhaps you could report the miserable wretches? Going private seems like giving in, but I do understand why you would feel this way. I have felt like giving up my blog, but I have decided to just get on and do what I want.
I can’t believe you’re getting hateful comments! One thing haters and pasture farmers can agree on is the horrible factory farming machine. I wish they would focus their energy on those assholes. We all love you and your blog! I support you keeping the blog public. People need to know how to properly run a farm. Keep strong, lady and always wear your lippy!
I am so sorry you are experiencing hatred. I have had to deal with some of that too over the years, Like you, I delete the comments, but that doesn’t mean the hurt and upset doesn’t stay with me for a very long time, if not forever. I feel a lot of it comes from ignorance – people who do not wish to educate themselves nor feel open to consideration of anything other than their own thoughts. I have had to get over myself for having expectations of how people should treat each other and behave. I have never in my life seen such disrespect, violence and hatred in this country. I am no longer connected with any social media and I limit my time watching news. Weather is my favorite thing to follow on television.
I think it’s important to remember that you educate so many of us, and you are teaching young people (who are open for the experience) how to live a self-sustaining life – even if it is in a small way. You are a wonderful steward of the land and your animal husbandry is of caring and responsibility. There is nothing wrong with going private… even in nature, wild things retreat to heal and lick their wounds. It is how they survive.
Oh, I am absolutely DISGUSTED by your final thoughts. How dare strangers criticize you!
Do what you have to do to protect yourself.
{{Miss C}}
I really enjoy your blog and would miss reading it very much. I seldom if ever take the time to put down my comments, but if you do go private I would love to be included in your group. I grew up on a working mixed farm in Southern Ontario, Canada and am blessed to live on a plot of land in the same general area. You are living the life that I wish I had the energy, and most of all dedication, to live. I do grow a garden most years, and we raise our own chickens and pork. But that is on a seasonal basis. I would dearly love to have a milk cow and a beast for beef, but don’t want to be saddled with chores year round when there is travel to be done! I am troubled by all of the unrest and negativity that you and your country is experiencing. Our leadership here in Ontario seems to be heading down the same path and it is worrisome. Sending you light and love. XO
Oh my goodness. Is there no corner of the planet that is safe from people who can’t disagree civilly and express themselves with respect and an open mind to the fact that someone else’s life and choices might be different to theirs? We have become as radicalized and intolerant and close-minded as the very cultures we have fought so hard for so long to open up and to MODERATE. The internet, unfortunately creates silos and black and white thought processes. (With me or against me stuff). It doesn’t bode well for civilization, for reflecting…for LEARNING. I fear for my children. Is there anything we can all do as a community to protect THIS BLOG from that sort of response? Can we join hands around you? Can we stand up to these bullies? I am so sorry.
Ci. You are right about how bogland has change – no for the better. There is so much anger and viciousness – for no reason. And organized hate attacks are the new form of bullying…justified by those righteous social warriors who know they are right, and you are not only incorrect but evil and must be punished. It’s been one reason I’ve been around less, too. (So are they winning by driving people into silence?)
This place and this country used to be pretty much live and let live, agree to disagree but still be friends. Respect others (not just glorify and reel in your own worth and ideas) Manners and a get-along attitude, social customs were observed to avoid public disagreements and violence. (and women never hit – not that they couldn’t, but that women were smart than lowering themselves into base and animal behavior. Women were the hope of civilization and progress upward.. Seems like gloves are off now.
I cannot believe you are getting attacked like this.
Readers – if you don’t like what is said anyplace – turn it off and walk away or go visit what reinforces your beliefs. One size does not fit all. (Maybe go outside and get into the real world: travel with a backpack and on foot and see what life elsewhere is like. Talk with people face to face. Volunteer. Most important go out into nature far away from people and their noise)
People used to be sensible, strong, and adult enough to do that. Or else you’re just what you call others: narrow-minded and a bully.
Do what you need to do Ci. You are what the world needs more of. While hard to do after encountering such bullies, do not let them eat at your soul.
miss C if you go private bring me with you please.. I am sorry to say that I TRULY understand, I also moderate my comments and the increase in threats including death threats in some vile ways because we raise livestock and we share our worlds in a public way have gotten far worse in the past while, the last year has seen more then other years combined. I am sorry to read this but know you are not alone in getting these messages. they are very hard to read, blocking and deleting does not get them back out of our heads after reading them.. Hugs from far.. FG
Wow! What a shame that haters feel so empowered! Do whatever you have to do, but keep me on, please. I have been out of touch and didn’t know what was going on. We are with you!
I don’t comment often, but if you go private, I would like to be invited. I love being taken along on your daily farm journey. I appreciate the truths you tell and am inspired by the work you do.
Oh my God Celi, I am beyond disgusted to hear that these trolls are threatening you. Sometimes it feels as though the world has gone mad with all the hate. Trolls are particularly cowardly nasty humans who would probably never, ever dare to say to your face what they say to you behind the anonymous protection of their computer screen. You do whatever you need to do to feel safe and secure. This is your space. But if you do decide go private, please take me with you! Sending love and hugs!