tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8884610467022224157.post5984363767232848307..comments2023-08-28T04:49:47.536-07:00Comments on Milkweed & Teasel: The Lows and...well, no, just the lowsJennifer Monterohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10003650742439806128noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8884610467022224157.post-17019315674696400832012-08-22T19:02:45.673-07:002012-08-22T19:02:45.673-07:00I have been traveling and just read of Nell's ...I have been traveling and just read of Nell's death and now Ewe Too. What a tough few weeks you've had. I'm so sorry.Cynthiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12609303563648969281noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8884610467022224157.post-15654710103106463292012-08-15T14:18:28.016-07:002012-08-15T14:18:28.016-07:00Jennifer, it sounds like you coped like a champ! ...Jennifer, it sounds like you coped like a champ! I've lost and cried too, doesn't make us unable...it just makes us amazing for having the ability to feel for our livestock:) Hope the rest of your flock stays well.Chantellehttp://chantelleknits.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8884610467022224157.post-53432817426169701082012-08-15T05:11:58.025-07:002012-08-15T05:11:58.025-07:00That sounds like a really bad day. I am very sorr...That sounds like a really bad day. I am very sorry about Ewe Two, and I think I absolutely understand crying over dead livestock.<br /><br />In a way, though, I don't think you and the farmer are that far off. If you thought you genuinely couldn't cope, you would give it up. But you are coping, and coping well -- it's just that crying over dead livestock is part of the way you cope. <br /><br />I will defend that way. I think it is better than the other way, in which the death of a sheep is not affecting. We all need to continue to be affected, and the world is a better place. If I were a sheep, I'd prefer to be your sheep than that farmer's sheep.<br /><br />Since I am not a sheep, I will offer condolences, and wish you an excellent replacement for Ewe Two. Tamar@StarvingofftheLandhttp://www.starvingofftheland.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8884610467022224157.post-62544105326502209272012-08-15T01:50:56.668-07:002012-08-15T01:50:56.668-07:00Wanda - So many folks have said to me how individu...Wanda - So many folks have said to me how individual animals, even from big flocks, have had a personal impact on their lives. Even the toughest oldest farmer types. I understand your choice. Our neighbor has a commercial suckler herd of beef, and there's one old dairy cow in his herd from their milking days. It was the wife's favorite and she couldn't bear to part with it.Jennifer Monterohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10003650742439806128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8884610467022224157.post-29679734002449869572012-08-15T01:47:33.648-07:002012-08-15T01:47:33.648-07:00Writing is cathartic, but what's most helpful ...Writing is cathartic, but what's most helpful are people's comments: ideas, thoughts, better ways of doing something. I belong to a great community of interesting, skilled people - it's just an online one. <br /><br />Jennifer Monterohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10003650742439806128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8884610467022224157.post-34351729479007752632012-08-15T01:45:42.202-07:002012-08-15T01:45:42.202-07:00I believe my actual words were "You can poke ...I believe my actual words were "You can poke that up your ass", but I think the sentiment is the same. <br /><br />Thanks for being part of the cheering squad - it helps me through the lows!Jennifer Monterohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10003650742439806128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8884610467022224157.post-54706633505176598662012-08-15T01:05:42.414-07:002012-08-15T01:05:42.414-07:00Hi Jen. Still thinking of Ewe Two and you too. I w...Hi Jen. Still thinking of Ewe Two and you too. I work for the Alaska State Fair and just happened to be on grounds this afternoon delivering whale jaw and rib bones. (I'll send my email privately for the story and photos.) We were directed to the Farm Exhibits building where there are, oh, farm animals. There is also signage I never noticed before depicting profiles of goats and sheep. I thought of you immediately. I hope you're finished sobbing on the couch, at least for now. Sending you some Alaskan sunshine, my dear.Janice Bendixennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8884610467022224157.post-91650602174248795552012-08-14T06:41:23.911-07:002012-08-14T06:41:23.911-07:00The reason you should NOT give up keeping sheep is...The reason you should NOT give up keeping sheep is because you care, because you cry, because you needed frozen peas and sunglasses.<br /><br />Our capacity to love the animals who will break our hearts is what sets us apart.<br /><br />And as someone else said, writing can be very cathartic, so please don't stop. BilboWagginshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06913801147278606148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8884610467022224157.post-81921036390737844462012-08-13T05:59:59.416-07:002012-08-13T05:59:59.416-07:00Tell that well-meaning farmer to go suck it. You a...Tell that well-meaning farmer to go suck it. You are my new hero. Keep writing - it is therapeutic for you. Remember the next time you feel this way, we are right there with you in spirit - willing you the strength that you need. Empathy, strength, support - always with a side of humor. You go, girl!Perubyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17948233191244821909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8884610467022224157.post-10836685347911362802012-08-12T05:41:51.758-07:002012-08-12T05:41:51.758-07:00I’m very sorry for both of your losses and I certa...I’m very sorry for both of your losses and I certainly understand how you can get attached to farm animals. I don’t eat beef today because I became so attached to the cattle on my mom’s farm. I had a vegetable garden next to the pasture and a few would always come up to the fence for a treat. I would sing to them and talk to them just like they were human! All of them had names and when they saw me they came running. I applaud your compassion. After all, they are God’s creatures too and should be treated with love and respect! <br /><br />WandaGalestormhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09561727439124466050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8884610467022224157.post-10787883870921872142012-08-12T00:07:14.476-07:002012-08-12T00:07:14.476-07:00Marthaeliza & Seester - I think you're bot...Marthaeliza & Seester - I think you're both right, but in the farmers' defence I think they can't understand why I would want to take on any kind of farming with all its hardships and disappointments, not to mention financial insecurities. I like to assume that their heart is in the right place when they advise me to quit now, while I still have a strong back and money in the bank.Jennifer Monterohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10003650742439806128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8884610467022224157.post-52248755545694032752012-08-11T20:29:11.135-07:002012-08-11T20:29:11.135-07:00This made me cry, too. But I have to agree with Me...This made me cry, too. But I have to agree with Megan- It is far stronger to feel pain and loss and soldier on than to simply go about your day feeling nothing at all. Those wizened old farmers aren't tougher than you for not caring about their livestock beyond the bottom line; they're just lacking emotion.Seesterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02305276086619415086noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8884610467022224157.post-43183354386407812732012-08-11T13:18:08.638-07:002012-08-11T13:18:08.638-07:00It takes loads of courage to attempt a daunting ne...It takes loads of courage to attempt a daunting new task. The old buggers probably grew up with sheep -- no big deal for them. I applaud your bravery.marthaelizanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8884610467022224157.post-14597630335367636912012-08-11T13:03:11.410-07:002012-08-11T13:03:11.410-07:00I can see her smile. And bossing from her home on...I can see her smile. And bossing from her home on the hill. Good.Janice Bendixennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8884610467022224157.post-9394738462687130592012-08-11T12:56:50.906-07:002012-08-11T12:56:50.906-07:00What a good idea, Janice. Of course I will. All th...What a good idea, Janice. Of course I will. All the shoot dogs - Mike's and the underkeepers' - are buried on the hill, together, with a view of the estate. Nellie will have company.Jennifer Monterohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10003650742439806128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8884610467022224157.post-90692889669981311332012-08-11T12:49:23.132-07:002012-08-11T12:49:23.132-07:00Hmmm... Good on you. I just happen to have some fr...Hmmm... Good on you. I just happen to have some fresh mint in my bedraggled garden. I'll try it. Pls share photos of Nellie's final resting place so I can wish her a happy crossing over the Rainbow BridgeJanice Bendixennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8884610467022224157.post-28522454289244315252012-08-11T12:35:10.431-07:002012-08-11T12:35:10.431-07:00sunglasses - necessary equipment around these part...sunglasses - necessary equipment around these parts. And those old farmers have just hardened into bits. To me, being able to Both feel and carry on = way far stronger.meganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10064483599165161879noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8884610467022224157.post-34275280158918932982012-08-11T11:56:40.631-07:002012-08-11T11:56:40.631-07:00Dinner was a takeout chinese at 11pm, dessert was ...Dinner was a takeout chinese at 11pm, dessert was a sleeping pill :). I was up at 5am doing therapy baking and now I have a muffin mountain, but I'm ok to face new challenges again. Thanks for the kind words of support.Jennifer Monterohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10003650742439806128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8884610467022224157.post-36647736440172909942012-08-11T11:53:33.537-07:002012-08-11T11:53:33.537-07:00Damn. Had I been thinking straight I might have th...Damn. Had I been thinking straight I might have thought to try your number. Between us two strong'uns we could have lifted that ewe straight in. Next time I'm paying the extra for collection instead of delivery.<br /><br />You've taught me the jeyes fluid trick, and I second the 'no rice after maggots' rule. I can't eat pine nuts during tick season either.Jennifer Monterohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10003650742439806128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8884610467022224157.post-56059030911049865512012-08-11T11:45:39.353-07:002012-08-11T11:45:39.353-07:00This post almost had me crying, too.
I think wha...This post almost had me crying, too. <br /><br />I think what you did sounds really brave, and really hard. I think it's amazing that you can keep going and even find the strength to write about something like this. And Thanks for writing this, it's such a valuable antidote to Lifestyle Magazines: Telling It Like It Is.<br /><br />I hope you had a big ass brandy and an early night after all that.Felixhttp://www.thedomesticsoundscape.com/wordpressnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8884610467022224157.post-60405007313749012722012-08-11T11:19:05.798-07:002012-08-11T11:19:05.798-07:00When I moved to Quar, Mike went sailing for 6 wee...When I moved to Quar, Mike went sailing for 6 weeks (you have to understand that this wasn't a holiday!! - no kids, flat blue sea, sun shine, no phone, no I had to remember it was a hardship for him)<br /><br />Back home I lost a sheep, I sobbed, I cried, I didn't know who to ask for help, I dug a hole with two toddlers trying 'to help'. I then discovered what blow fly was with two bottle lambs, tiny, sweet, little lambs.<br /><br />I cried, I found that Jeyes fluid is wonderful with the back of a pair of scissors, I didn't eat rice for a month!!<br /><br />So no, don't listen to your well meaning farmers advice,carry on with your flock.<br /><br />But PLEASE promise me something, pick up the phone next time, I am what 10 minutes away and would have come straight over, brought tissues, RING ME!!!<br /><br />xxColettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05918092647201479349noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8884610467022224157.post-59876628169858161862012-08-11T09:50:17.764-07:002012-08-11T09:50:17.764-07:00Good chicken stock, frozen peas, and mint. cook, w...Good chicken stock, frozen peas, and mint. cook, whizz up, et voila: pea and mint soup. It's pretty good. Also sprained knees, crying eyes, cold compresses...Jennifer Monterohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10003650742439806128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8884610467022224157.post-45503232738990098152012-08-11T09:44:58.041-07:002012-08-11T09:44:58.041-07:00But I shudder to think what you do w those frozen ...But I shudder to think what you do w those frozen peas. I have them in my freezer also but I hate those things.Janice Bendixennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8884610467022224157.post-15012437308419763992012-08-11T09:43:32.039-07:002012-08-11T09:43:32.039-07:00Oh Jen. How sad. Now I'm crying. I can relate ...Oh Jen. How sad. Now I'm crying. I can relate to the "not physically strong enough" annoying aspect of life. But she was the only ewe who wagged her tail for you! I'm so sorry but I would feel the same. And the feelings of aloneness and isolation? Got them too. Thank God for sunglasses, I sayJanice Bendixennoreply@blogger.com