The fate of Mrs. Dennises, and other farm lessons.

My drove of pigs met their ultimate fate this week, on Wednesday. The process was much as I expected it to be, but the things that I found most fascinating about the process were how quickly it went, and how it was neither gory, nor grisly, but seemed perfectly natural. I could, and this seems odd, see myself doing it(one pig, though, not eight) myself, if I had the proper tools, and a few friends or relatives to help. I'll not describe the process in detail, given that there are children who read this, but suffice it to say that it was efficient, relatively humane, and it didn't turn me into a vegetarian. If any of you want a more in depth description of the process, or just a discussion of my thoughts on animal husbandry, I'll be happy to yammer at you.

Christie asked me if it was sad, that the pigs were gone, and I told her that it was, a little, and it is, but only a little. I cared for them as best as I was able, and I believe that they led happy lives, and were treated with the dignity and respect that they deserved, and I was there with them right up until the end. I witnessed the transformation from pig into pork, and I emerged fvrom the process a little wiser, impressed with the abilities of the pair of men responsible for slaughtering, and cleaning the animals, and amazed that they did the job with a twenty two, a hacksaw, and a pair of five inch Forschner lamb skinning knives. Of course the ones they were using were so well worn the blades we only half that size, from being sharpened so many times.

Aside from slaughter day we've been doing the same farm chores, harvesting for market, and preparing the ground for the winter. I worked market on Saturday by myself again, and had a pretty successful day. It's quite satisfying to be able to see the farm work to it's inevitable conclusion, and to receive the acknowledgments we worked so hard to earn. It's always satisfying to be thanked for what you do, and when a perfect stranger, pleased with her baby beets says "Thanks for what you do. It's important." It's good to hear, because what we're doing on the farm IS important. Support your local farmers boys and girls. They're the future, and they need your help, and it may be more expensive or require more of an effort on your part, but trust me when I say it's worth it. Without them developing the alternatives to the petroleum based farming of the last hundred years, we'll find ourselves in serious trouble in future. Enough hippie-flavored soap-boxing. Sorry. Not what you come here for.

Here are the before and after shots of the market:


These are all photos I've been taking with my phone, so the quality isn't what it is with my camera, but they'll have to suffice for now.

I'm going to have the opportunity to kill a small flock of ducks in the not-too-distant future, hopefully. They're not making eggs the way the homesteaders who own them would like, and you can't afford to keep feeding unproductive livestock, so they're destined for...wait for it...confit party. I know Papa Miguel got that one right. I'm really meeting some incredibly cool and inspirational people out here, and sometimes still can't believe how lucky I am to be a part of this place, and the overlapping communities here. Last night, at a party for one of Maggie's friends and co-workers it was said, in reference to me, "he's not a science nerd", which is fantastic, because I've never had the opportunity to be part of a group, where I'm not the science nerd. The OPI staff are particularly ecologically nerdy, which is great for me, because they're constantly teaching even when they don't realize it. It's just in their natures.

I love it here.

Have I mentioned that lately?

Still working out a path for the future, and still enjoying every minute of the present, even the ones that are uncomfortable, or physically difficult, or forcing myself to do unpleasant introspection about my own short-comings.

Hope y'all are well. NanoWriMo starts tomorrow, and I'm flitting back and forth between the idea of starting a new story, and maybe re-writing my first novel, which story I like, but which prose if just atrocious. We'll see come Monday, I suppose.

November is here, and with it comes reduced farm hours. Starting this weekend, I'll have a five day work week, until the end of the season. How great is that? I'll let you know.

Much love to all of you. I have errands to run, books to read, yarn to knit and purl, and baking to do. Have a happy Hallowe'en.