{"id":330,"date":"2018-11-11T18:09:12","date_gmt":"2018-11-11T23:09:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jaywarmke.com\/?p=330"},"modified":"2018-12-11T18:11:05","modified_gmt":"2018-12-11T23:11:05","slug":"goodbye-to-helen-and-lily","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bluerockstation.com\/goodbye-to-helen-and-lily\/","title":{"rendered":"Goodbye to Helen and Lily"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

November News from Blue Rock Station:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Charlotte<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Pigs. They are a surprising joy in my life here at Blue Rock Station. Over the past decade we\u2019ve had the company, assistance and friendship of 10 intelligent hard working pigs that brought laughter \u2013 and taught me many things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with an animal \u2013 eventually a very large animal \u2013 that has the intelligence of a five-year-old human, has given me many opportunities to use my counseling degree.  I\u2019ve taught them their names, how to respond to different calls, and to gently work with me as I walk with them.  They also learned to let me know when something was wrong, directing me to the problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did you know that pigs can sing?  They sing a song that tells me to hurry up with the feed.  They have another higher pitch song when I\u2019m taking too long. When I call them, they answer with a special grunt to let me know they\u2019re on their way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"20170113_103451.jpg\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

They also know how to cuss. The other day Lily rolled her morning pumpkin straight down the hill.  She tried to stop it before it rolled under the electric fence wire and into the forest \u2013 but no such luck.  I knew exactly when it passed under the fence because she squealed out several clear sounds that sounded more like a trucker in bumper-to-bumper traffic than gentle Lily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Helen and Lily have been with me for a year now.  During that time I saved Helen\u2019s life, learned how to make suppositories for pigs and insert them (don\u2019t ask), plus what a pig looks and acts like when they\u2019re in pain.  With them I developed a certain courage to try new solutions to health issues, and to take matters into my own hands.  In the past I would have turned things over to a veterinarian, usually with limited (or bad) results.   I shared every day with them in some form or fashion, and even when it was miserably cold,  I found myself happy to have them call back to me when I announced feeding time with a high pitched \u201cbon jour\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In exchange for daily feed and health care, they have rooted out the parasite egg table in some of the pastures, cleaned up more of the pond, and cleared the forest floor in front of the Earthship.  But more importantly, they have given me pleasure with their singing, arguing and beauty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tomorrow they will go to pig heaven. This is a sad reality on a farm.  While I love and adore them \u2013 they are not pets.   They are large, lumbering livestock and they have reached their maximum healthy weight.  Without intending to, they could cause me or someone else physical harm.  They will have no job over the long winter months, and in the spring we must make room for new piglets.  This is the way of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This part of farm life makes me question myself constantly.   I am sorry to admit to myself that these are animals that were born to be butchered.  They came to us from another farm where I am sure they would have been treated kindly, but not loved nearly so well.  I do not eat meat.  But meat is eaten.  Life and death are very real on a farm.  Helen and Lily were bred and born so that one day they would find their way to someone\u2019s table.  I have tried to make the time in between comfortable, happy, healthy and safe.  I know that is never enough but it is the way it is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can learn more about the pigs at Blue Rock Station and view photos by visiting the Blue Rock Station blog at https:\/\/bluerockstation.wordpress.com\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where you can find us for solar training:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are still a couple of slots for the November class at Rural Action in Athens OH  OR at Zane State College in January in Zanesville OH.   You can register at www.bluerockstation.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Upcoming Workshops at Blue Rock Station:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check out some of our other upcoming classes.  Please register early because all of our events have limited space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

November<\/p>\n\n\n\n