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”
Your blog reminds me of the farm on which I grew up. There was mud, manure, gardens and selling of eggs, meat, and milk. I missed out on the pigs. I enjoy your photos and commentary and wish I lived close enough to visit and help out. Are the haters all vegan/vegetarians? If a meat eater, do they not know how that meat got on their plate?
if this is the way to go with you if you go private, I’m forced to comment. I found you soon after you started to blog. I would miss you very much. I enjoy your words and pictures so much. I like to travel with you and see your comments on the places. It’s a pleasure to follow a faithful blogger. You are a great living book. Best wishes.
A bit dispiriting, isn’t it, when a farmer has to justify herself to a stranger. For me, popping by from time to time to catch up with you and the farmy continues to be a treat, after all these years. Always something interesting to think about – or just plain cute (like young Jude) To look at. Count me in.
I love your blog and hearing about your farm. Please don’t let a few haters get you down because you have more people that love you. I always look forward to your stories. God bless.
My dearest dearest Celi. Dreadful things are happening. This is am evil, vicious, disgusting attitude Stupid stupid people think they have been given permission to act in vile, horrible ways. Your blog is the light of my life. It starts my morning in the most wonderful manner. I am so very, very proud of you and the wonderful life your have created on The Farmy. You must do whatever is right for you. Negativity is strong and it takes terrible bites out of you. Best to eliminate it from your good life. Much love, Auntie.
Hatemail, including threats, to YOU?!?? I would not have thought anything like this possible. I agree with those who feel that these wretched haters cannot possibly have been reading your blog for any length of time. For if they had, they wouldn’t be capable of such uncalled-for negativity and aggression. It would be entirely understandable, I think, if you decided to go private. In fact, I would prefer this solution to imagining you going about your hard-working days with a heavy heart.
I don’t know, I can’t stop shaking my head about the absurdity of it all. Thank you for letting us know. You of all people should not have to deal with such idiocy alone.
So sorry you have to deal with the haters
People who disparage small farms just don’t understand where food comes from. They can’t see the profound devastation that goes into growing a 10,000 acre monoculture of soy that produces their vegan burgers or the damage done by millions of acres of corporately owned, gov’t subsidized corn. Such people, so blinded by their willful ignorance and fanatical self-righteousness, are the bane of true animal welfare. I can see why you would not want to face that down, real farms have enough to deal with without trying to defend against such malicious ignorance. Their voices may be loud and hurtful, but please remember that us quiet types who take the time to learn the truth can see the care and love you put into your farm and the welfare of all your animals.
I’ve been dealing with a lot of family issues over the past few months and haven’t been able to read or comment as much as I would like, nor post on my own blog at all. But I am distressed to hear about these hate comments. Sadly it’s more proof that this country is really in crisis and that hate breeds hate. I hope the day will come soon when those who give permission to hate are put where they belong. I’m so sorry you’ve had to deal with this and wouldn’t blame you a bit for going private.
I haven’t commented on any of your posts for oh such a long time! But I read every day. So after I read the next post I thought how much I would miss reading about the farm and its progress. So I have popped back to this day to make sure I would be included, should the pack force you to become private.
Honestly Celi (I hope you don’t mind me calling you that) I felt sick to my core to read that people have attacked you in that cowardly way. Physically sick.
So I am sending a big kiwi hug your way.
Thank you for your blog, thank you for being such an open and endearing person, and thank you for sharing it all with us.
I am so sorry you have to endure such abuse. I know I don’t comment much at all but I read every word and love your explanations of how and why certain decisions are made. If you do take the blog private, please keep me. Thank you.
Everyday reader here too. You do a wonderful job as a farmer in the land of Big Ag. As everyone else has said above, you also do a great job sharing the farmy with us all. You have my support as ever.
Oh, Celi, I am sorry you cant have peace because of nasty people who are never happy unless and until they turn every good thing into misery for the good people. Part of why I love to read your blog is that the love and care you have for your animals and land is apparent. Please keep me on a list of subscribers if you take the blog private! Your blog brings a kind of realistic peace to this crazy world for me and I would be so sad, though I would understand, if you decided to protect yourself! My thoughts and prayers are with you!
*picks up a shovel and works along side you*
I’m so sorry to hear about these ignorant vile people, you know you have my friendship and support xx