You know your a grandma when...
you catch yourself fixing breakfast of Froot Loops cereal and blackberries for grands #4 and #5 and you set out 3 bowls. One for #4, one for #5 and one for the pigs. You pick out the best, firmest blackberries for the grands, the mushy, icky berries for the pigs, and you look at the rest and think "Well, I guess, I get the okay-maybe sour berries. Shouldn't I be getting the juicy sweet berries? Pass the Raisin Bran." But then watching #4 and #5 eat their cereal and enjoy those berries made it all okay. #5's face and hands completely proved how much she enjoyed hers...She is one and looks like she has been stomping grapes or something. Aaahhh...they are done now so that means I am, too. Time for clean-up. Y'all have a great Sunday and stay safe out there. I hear that it's gonna be a hot one so plenty of water and sunscreen, y'all!
Sunday, July 27, 2014
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Hello there!
Well, I've taken the leap from random thoughts and stories on FaceBook to blogging and have moved as many of my Piggy Tales as I could find over to "Pigs Say What?" so now what do I do? I can't hold a candle to "The Bloggess" (my hero - or should I say heroine?) or to "One Fabulous Mama" but I reckon that's okay. I'm just me and they are just them and that's what makes life interesting. I'll learn how to work blogger as I go and eventually be able to post pictures so you can actually see my little porkers and meet my grands. And rather than introduce myself to new folks, well, you'll get to know me as we go along. For now, I'll just say "good night...sleep tight, y'all!"
Piggy Tales 7/18/2914
Follow-up to the 'Skin-So-Soft Pig'.
Rosie's owie is healing up great. It's only a tiny little spot behind her ear now. Ok, so I used the Mercurochrome method - the Skin So Soft stung like hell for a little bit but it did it's job. It wasn't like I enjoyed it. And thanks to all my wonderful fans, uh friends, I meant friends, next time I know to use spray on stuff that doesn't burn ...or sting. But Rosie's ear has healed, she isn't mad at me anymore (thanks to about a dozen peaches), and I've learned that my fans, er friends, will call me out and set me straight. Keep it up...as Hillary once said "It takes a village." LOL
Rosie's owie is healing up great. It's only a tiny little spot behind her ear now. Ok, so I used the Mercurochrome method - the Skin So Soft stung like hell for a little bit but it did it's job. It wasn't like I enjoyed it. And thanks to all my wonderful fans, uh friends, I meant friends, next time I know to use spray on stuff that doesn't burn ...or sting. But Rosie's ear has healed, she isn't mad at me anymore (thanks to about a dozen peaches), and I've learned that my fans, er friends, will call me out and set me straight. Keep it up...as Hillary once said "It takes a village." LOL
Piggy Tales 7/14/2014
Two things that might weird you out about pigs. Their skin is amazingly like human skin. And gee whiz, pigs sure can hold a grudge. Okay, maybe the part that weirds you out is that I can link those two things together. But warning, if gnats and oozy, scabby things gross you out, well...
HA! that's the worst of it. You're okay from here on out.
So anyhoo...Rosie has a nasty scratch behind her right ear and the gnats are driving her crazy on it. And not letting it heal properly. She won't let me put ointment on it. Since pig skin is truly so close to human skin (it gets sun-burnt and it can be used for tattoo artists to train on), I knew I could put any human skin-protectant on her boo-boo to help it heal...but how? I sneak attacked her while she was eating and poured Skin-So-Soft on her owie. Boy oh boy did that make her mad! I guess it probably stung a little, too. For 3 meals, she wouldn't come eat while I was at the fence. She showed me her "mad face" (her butt) and smashed the pool to let the water run out so I had to do more work. Finally this morning, she gave in a little bit and came to the fence while I was there. But her ear is looking a good bit better.
Silly pig. It was for her own good.
Piggy Tales 7/9/2014
Your mission today, should you choose to accept it...take 3 minutes out of your busy schedule to "pause, see, appreciate".
The past couple mornings as I have breakfasted with Rosie and Bean (after the bug-made-me-stab-myself-in-the
off in the woods! And I heard Mom feeding her kitties on her porch.
Hearing was followed quickly by SEEING. So I slowly strolled around
Huppertz Holler. The Mimosa tree that came from Aunt Nita's house many years ago is in full bloom. The powderpuffs are beautiful. I want to paint them. And next to that is a Pin Oak. At least that's what Mom tells me it is. It was a stick when she stuck it in the ground in our yard 20 years ago and now it's so large that I can't get my arms around the trunk. How did that happen? When? And I can no longer see onto my brother and sis-in-law's back porch because the Cedars have grown so much. And how long has it been since the Canna Lillies tried to take over the corner of the yard near the septic drain line? LOL They were beautiful but boy, did they multiply! Then suddenly...POOF! they died out. As the glow of the sunrise turned to full sunshine over the treetops, I realized my time for reflection was coming to an end and I had to return to the daily grind. But I didn't feel so heavy now. I no longer dreaded going to work. I found my Happy Place. Find yours and Share a Smile today. It's free and it's contagious.
The past couple mornings as I have breakfasted with Rosie and Bean (after the bug-made-me-stab-myself-in-the
off in the woods! And I heard Mom feeding her kitties on her porch.
Hearing was followed quickly by SEEING. So I slowly strolled around
Huppertz Holler. The Mimosa tree that came from Aunt Nita's house many years ago is in full bloom. The powderpuffs are beautiful. I want to paint them. And next to that is a Pin Oak. At least that's what Mom tells me it is. It was a stick when she stuck it in the ground in our yard 20 years ago and now it's so large that I can't get my arms around the trunk. How did that happen? When? And I can no longer see onto my brother and sis-in-law's back porch because the Cedars have grown so much. And how long has it been since the Canna Lillies tried to take over the corner of the yard near the septic drain line? LOL They were beautiful but boy, did they multiply! Then suddenly...POOF! they died out. As the glow of the sunrise turned to full sunshine over the treetops, I realized my time for reflection was coming to an end and I had to return to the daily grind. But I didn't feel so heavy now. I no longer dreaded going to work. I found my Happy Place. Find yours and Share a Smile today. It's free and it's contagious.
Piggy Tales 7/7/2014
Me: Grrrr...I shouldn't have got outta bed. This day SUCKS!
Rosie: Are you just gonna stand there or are you gonna dump that breakfast down here?
Me: Fine. Here's your darn food.
Bean: OOOH! Thanks, Mama! <crunch grunt crunch>
...
Rosie: Whatever <grntsnrtcrunch>
Me: Ingrates. You know you have it so bad. I woke up with a headache. Then impaled my hand on a broken crock pot handle trying to kill a stupid bug and bled on the counter. What? No. Of course I didn't kill the bug. Stupid thing got away. Stop laughing. It's not funny. Okay. Maybe it's a little funny. Pigs shouldn't be able to look like they are laughing so stop it. You too are ridiculous. <shaking my head and walking away>
Rosie & Bean: snrt grunt snrt snrt snrt
Me: I can still hear you laughing!
(But by then...I could see the humor in my morning, too. SSSHHH!!! Just
don't tell Rosie and Bean!!!)
Rosie: Are you just gonna stand there or are you gonna dump that breakfast down here?
Me: Fine. Here's your darn food.
Bean: OOOH! Thanks, Mama! <crunch grunt crunch>
...
Rosie: Whatever <grntsnrtcrunch>
Me: Ingrates. You know you have it so bad. I woke up with a headache. Then impaled my hand on a broken crock pot handle trying to kill a stupid bug and bled on the counter. What? No. Of course I didn't kill the bug. Stupid thing got away. Stop laughing. It's not funny. Okay. Maybe it's a little funny. Pigs shouldn't be able to look like they are laughing so stop it. You too are ridiculous. <shaking my head and walking away>
Rosie & Bean: snrt grunt snrt snrt snrt
Me: I can still hear you laughing!
(But by then...I could see the humor in my morning, too. SSSHHH!!! Just
don't tell Rosie and Bean!!!)
Piggy Tales 6/20/2014
It's a beautiful SC morning! "I like Pig Butts and I cannot lie" LOL...now
that tune is stuck in your head, huh? I must be settling in to gramma-hood.
Or just getting old. Doesn't matter. By 7 am I had fed the piggies, watere...d
them, took their pictures (Rosie was a grumpy pig but you can see that in
her pic), took out the trash, changed over laundry, straightened up after the Emmster and Ames (who is walking now...OMG!). And if I had had 10 more minutes, I could have loaded the dishwasher and started a pot a soup beans for supper. And yep, I would've added BACON to my soup beans. Just don't tell my piggies. Oooh. I just remembered. I didn't water my garden. I will do it this evening with Naomi. She's today's BIRTHDAY GIRL! Happy 1st Birthday, Naomi! Naomi gets to help me water and weed the garden this
evening. Maybe Opa will fix us some soup beans, fried green tomatoes, corn bread, and steak. Oh Opa? Your girls love you.
Well. Getting older. Being a gramma. Life is good. Thank goodness I'm a
country girl.
(note: I can't figure out this picture upload thing yet, darnit, but Rosie only let me take a picture of her butt. Good thing I like pork butt. LOL)
that tune is stuck in your head, huh? I must be settling in to gramma-hood.
Or just getting old. Doesn't matter. By 7 am I had fed the piggies, watere...d
them, took their pictures (Rosie was a grumpy pig but you can see that in
her pic), took out the trash, changed over laundry, straightened up after the Emmster and Ames (who is walking now...OMG!). And if I had had 10 more minutes, I could have loaded the dishwasher and started a pot a soup beans for supper. And yep, I would've added BACON to my soup beans. Just don't tell my piggies. Oooh. I just remembered. I didn't water my garden. I will do it this evening with Naomi. She's today's BIRTHDAY GIRL! Happy 1st Birthday, Naomi! Naomi gets to help me water and weed the garden this
evening. Maybe Opa will fix us some soup beans, fried green tomatoes, corn bread, and steak. Oh Opa? Your girls love you.
Well. Getting older. Being a gramma. Life is good. Thank goodness I'm a
country girl.
(note: I can't figure out this picture upload thing yet, darnit, but Rosie only let me take a picture of her butt. Good thing I like pork butt. LOL)
Piggy Tales 6/13/2014
It's a pig's life. Rosie and Bean have their own kiddie pool now. It was
supposed to be a large pond of drinking water since they kept dumping their water buckets over. But noooooooo.... I clean it out, put fresh clear water in it, come home and it's full of crud and mud. And the side is smashed down. They have been swimmin'. Really? I told John I needed to get a bigger pool if Rosie... was going to swim in it all the time. He went all "Huh? Whaaa? UnUh. No Way." And I'm all like "Uh yes. Way. She's done smashed the side down and letting the water run out of this itty bitty one so they need a bigger pond." I'm pretty sure he rolled his eyes at me. Maybe he got some dust in his eyes or something. Anyway, I'm checking Dollar General tomorrow for a bigger pool. I think the girls will appreciate it
supposed to be a large pond of drinking water since they kept dumping their water buckets over. But noooooooo.... I clean it out, put fresh clear water in it, come home and it's full of crud and mud. And the side is smashed down. They have been swimmin'. Really? I told John I needed to get a bigger pool if Rosie... was going to swim in it all the time. He went all "Huh? Whaaa? UnUh. No Way." And I'm all like "Uh yes. Way. She's done smashed the side down and letting the water run out of this itty bitty one so they need a bigger pond." I'm pretty sure he rolled his eyes at me. Maybe he got some dust in his eyes or something. Anyway, I'm checking Dollar General tomorrow for a bigger pool. I think the girls will appreciate it
Piggy Tales 5/21/2014
My pork-babies are doing well, I just haven't had time to write lately. And thinking about them made me think of the two most common questions I get about them - 1) What kind of pigs are they? and 2) Can you eat pot-bellied pigs?
First, Rosie is around 2 years old now and she is either 1/2 or all pot-bellied pig. We aren't real sure since Danielle bought her for $25. That's cheap i...f she is full-blooded pot-belly but no papers so it's highly unlikely. Now Bean is 100% Yorkshire. We bought her from a pig farm. She has blue eyes. And she was Emmy's birthday present. Bean will be one year
old in June.
Second, Duh. Of course you "can" eat pot-bellied pigs. After all, they are just pigs. They just have more fat on them than other pigs. The real question is "Do you WANT to eat your pot-bellied pig???"
A little bit of other "I bet you didn't know this about pigs" trivia. Pigs generally reach their full maturity around 2 years of age - but can breed after turning one. Pot-bellied pigs have been known to get as large as 350-400 if they eat a lot of fatty, high protein foods. And to keep pot-bellies "pet-sized" (as in "in the house"), you actually need to measure their food and limit it to a certain portion of Pig Chow daily. Yeah, Rosie is so not "in the house" sized. Girlfriend is somewhere in the 180-190 lb. range and moving on up. Yorkshires (like Bean) generally top out as mature pigs around 200 lbs. And Bean wouldn't be considered
"desirable" for showing like at a county fair since she is white with black spots. Show Yorkshires should be solid white. But for a farm pig or breeder, she's a keeper. There is an old wives' tale that says that "blue eyed York gilts make good momma pigs". Oh yeah, haven't told you that yet, have I? A sow is a female pig AFTER she has her 2nd litter of babies but BEFORE then, she's called a "gilt". Males are boars, barrows, hogs and stags...all depending on age and if/when they have been castrated. It's very confusing so I'll leave them alone.
And there ya have it. More useless trivia than you ever wanted to know about pigs. Until next time, love your pets!
First, Rosie is around 2 years old now and she is either 1/2 or all pot-bellied pig. We aren't real sure since Danielle bought her for $25. That's cheap i...f she is full-blooded pot-belly but no papers so it's highly unlikely. Now Bean is 100% Yorkshire. We bought her from a pig farm. She has blue eyes. And she was Emmy's birthday present. Bean will be one year
old in June.
Second, Duh. Of course you "can" eat pot-bellied pigs. After all, they are just pigs. They just have more fat on them than other pigs. The real question is "Do you WANT to eat your pot-bellied pig???"
A little bit of other "I bet you didn't know this about pigs" trivia. Pigs generally reach their full maturity around 2 years of age - but can breed after turning one. Pot-bellied pigs have been known to get as large as 350-400 if they eat a lot of fatty, high protein foods. And to keep pot-bellies "pet-sized" (as in "in the house"), you actually need to measure their food and limit it to a certain portion of Pig Chow daily. Yeah, Rosie is so not "in the house" sized. Girlfriend is somewhere in the 180-190 lb. range and moving on up. Yorkshires (like Bean) generally top out as mature pigs around 200 lbs. And Bean wouldn't be considered
"desirable" for showing like at a county fair since she is white with black spots. Show Yorkshires should be solid white. But for a farm pig or breeder, she's a keeper. There is an old wives' tale that says that "blue eyed York gilts make good momma pigs". Oh yeah, haven't told you that yet, have I? A sow is a female pig AFTER she has her 2nd litter of babies but BEFORE then, she's called a "gilt". Males are boars, barrows, hogs and stags...all depending on age and if/when they have been castrated. It's very confusing so I'll leave them alone.
And there ya have it. More useless trivia than you ever wanted to know about pigs. Until next time, love your pets!
Random Recollections OOOHH AAAHHH!!!! 4/21/2014
Just saw the most AMAZING meteor EVER!!! It looked like a movie UFO...we could hear it whistling as it burned and watched it whizz all the from the nw sky to the se horizon, getting smaller and dropping pieces all the way. It was such an experience! The initial sighting over the treeline was a burst of light...starburst, if you will. If almost looked like angel wings the way it fanned out. I've never seen a meteor so fantastic. Glad I was sharing it with my daughters!!!
Piggy Tales on the Road 4/12/2014
Well, we are camping in Chester, SC. Last night was an education. Kathy gave us a lesson in the mating habits of lightning bugs. Seriously. It was quite enlightening. No pun intended. We had bats flying overhead.... Then through the night, we thought the Owl Whisperer, Jerry Kirton, was sneaking up on us. We were surrounded by hoot owls. One was quite loud and territorial. It was all who-who-who are you? Today we've seen a very large, dark squirrel with a huge bushy tail. And the guys saw a hawk with fresh food in its claws. Then we all saw another hawk - a white-tail hawk to be precise. The dogs keep visiting, including a couple of the ugliest meanest hairless dogs ever. And rednecks...with and without teeth. And zombies. Lol But then again, we are at the Zombie Run. William Huppertz finished the run but the zombies got all his life flags. Adam had to be crowd-favorite zombie. He scored 30 life flags! Everyone wanted their picture made with him and the run coordinators took his pic for their website. Marvin and I have walked our legs off. We have eaten great meals, met great people, and are having a great time. Now it's time to sit by the campfire and chill...maybe tell some tall tales, have a beverage, and just enjoy life. Y'all do the same. Much love!
Piggy Tales 4/9/2014
Such a beautiful morning. Emmy and I took this week's leftovers out to Bean and Rosie. Kayla comes out, says to Em "come on, time to go." Em holds up that little hand and says "Wait! I not done yet!" She was tossing leftover biscuits to the piggies one at a time and just giggling each time the pigs would grab one. How can you rush that? It was precious. And Amy has started enjoying watching us feed the piggles now. A future pig lover maybe? Life is good, life is good
Piggy Tales 2/21/2014
During all this crazy SC winter - snow, ice, earthquakes, tornado watches, all within about 4 weeks - me, Emmy, Rosie, and Bean have been kinda quiet. Just hunkered down, watching the sky (and now the ground!), and hoping Spring will be here any day. And then....it happens.......
I have a cold. Emmy has a cold. Bleeeck. Sleep, cough, sniff, cough, try to sleep some more. On the cou...ch, sitting up. AHHH. Finally. Some ZZZZZZZ's. Through my cold-medicine fogged brain, I hear "ggggrrrnnnttt click click."
My brain tells me without opening my eyes that...OMG! Someone is in the kitchen. Do I move? Do I call 9-1-1? What would normal people do?
I guess I'm not normal because...I Wait. Is that the pig/dog food bag
rattling? "gggrrntt. snort. chomp chomp chomp." Are you kidding me??? Mannnn...we forgot to deadbolt the kitchen door last night. That pig puts some rump roast into it and leans on the door just right and POP! in she
comes if it isn't deadbolted. (BTW, this was an eyeopener to the security of our kitchen door a while back. It stays locked and deadbolted now. Well, except for last night.) Anywho. I listen some more to see what fatty-fatty-two-by-four is going to do. The door swings shut, Rosie munches
and checks out the kitchen and I do what any normal, sane woman would do after hearing strange noises in the kitchen. I go back to sleep. And leave the 180 lb. porker in the kitchen for a half hour. Then I pet her, get food and water, and we walk together to the back yard for Rosie and Bean to have
breakfast together.
It's another interesting day at Huppertz Holler
I have a cold. Emmy has a cold. Bleeeck. Sleep, cough, sniff, cough, try to sleep some more. On the cou...ch, sitting up. AHHH. Finally. Some ZZZZZZZ's. Through my cold-medicine fogged brain, I hear "ggggrrrnnnttt click click."
My brain tells me without opening my eyes that...OMG! Someone is in the kitchen. Do I move? Do I call 9-1-1? What would normal people do?
I guess I'm not normal because...I Wait. Is that the pig/dog food bag
rattling? "gggrrntt. snort. chomp chomp chomp." Are you kidding me??? Mannnn...we forgot to deadbolt the kitchen door last night. That pig puts some rump roast into it and leans on the door just right and POP! in she
comes if it isn't deadbolted. (BTW, this was an eyeopener to the security of our kitchen door a while back. It stays locked and deadbolted now. Well, except for last night.) Anywho. I listen some more to see what fatty-fatty-two-by-four is going to do. The door swings shut, Rosie munches
and checks out the kitchen and I do what any normal, sane woman would do after hearing strange noises in the kitchen. I go back to sleep. And leave the 180 lb. porker in the kitchen for a half hour. Then I pet her, get food and water, and we walk together to the back yard for Rosie and Bean to have
breakfast together.
It's another interesting day at Huppertz Holler
Piggy Tales 1/21/2014
No misadventures with Bean, Rosie, and Cat-With-No-Name. Just Emmy and Oma, out in the dark, feeding the critters, listening to the noises they make, admiring the clear sky. And Emmy telling Oma "Look! Moon!" Yep...sure is. "...It's white." That's right, the moon is white this morning, you are doing very well with your colors!
So it's 6:45 am, 35 degrees, Emmy has on her "chore boots" and we are just hanging with the pigs and chatting. I love girl time!
So it's 6:45 am, 35 degrees, Emmy has on her "chore boots" and we are just hanging with the pigs and chatting. I love girl time!
Piggy Tales 1/16/2014
Who would have thought it? Emmy woke herself up at 6:30 am, came to my bathroom while I was getting ready for work, said "Oma, feed piggies now?" I said "it sure is". She rubbed her little eyes and yawned real big and said "Otay". We got ready, fed the piggies, looked at the clouds blowing in, talked about them and the chance of snow flurries today (she was puzzled) and headed back ...in the house for a fruit cup and some Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. This is what being a grandparent is all about. Thank goodness for grandparents because looking back...I sure didn't have the time, patience or wisdom to do these things with my own children before work and school every morning. I love you, my daughters, and hope you understand and forgive me.
Piggy Tales 1/14/2014
My miniature sidekick (Emmy) and I went to the kitchen to gather water and food for the piggles. Suddenly Emmy hollers "PIG!!!" Oma, in all her widsom, says "I know, Emmy, we are getting the pigs' food." Emmy yells loudly "NO, OMA!!! PIG!!!" and stomps her itty bitty foot. I still don't turn from the sink. Omas know everything, right? HA! HAHA! Nooooo... Emmy
hollers "RO-RO IS AT DO...OR!!!" Now THAT gets my attention. All 180-ish pounds of Rosie is at the blasted kitchen door.
So the water jug is filled and as I gather the food, I unlock the door.
Because Oma still knows what's best, right? Noooooo..... We are trying to get out. And Rosie is trying to get in. Twenty-six pound Emmy is holding the door shut. And Fatso-Rosie is shoving the door to get in. Talk about a
battle of wills? It was crazy! I'm laughing as I type this, it was so
bizarre. Emmy, well, "her force is strong" I tell you. She held Darth-Rosie off and kept her out of the house as we exited the Mother Ship, steadily yelling "RO-RO! NO! GIT! DOWN! NOW!" And bless it. Rosie did what Emmy told
her to. We took the food to the back yard, opened the gate, Rosie followed us in and we fed Rosie, Bean and the Cat-with-no-Name with no further incident. Yep, Young Jedi-Emmy, the Force is definitely strong in this one.
She's a born pig-wrangler
hollers "RO-RO IS AT DO...OR!!!" Now THAT gets my attention. All 180-ish pounds of Rosie is at the blasted kitchen door.
So the water jug is filled and as I gather the food, I unlock the door.
Because Oma still knows what's best, right? Noooooo..... We are trying to get out. And Rosie is trying to get in. Twenty-six pound Emmy is holding the door shut. And Fatso-Rosie is shoving the door to get in. Talk about a
battle of wills? It was crazy! I'm laughing as I type this, it was so
bizarre. Emmy, well, "her force is strong" I tell you. She held Darth-Rosie off and kept her out of the house as we exited the Mother Ship, steadily yelling "RO-RO! NO! GIT! DOWN! NOW!" And bless it. Rosie did what Emmy told
her to. We took the food to the back yard, opened the gate, Rosie followed us in and we fed Rosie, Bean and the Cat-with-no-Name with no further incident. Yep, Young Jedi-Emmy, the Force is definitely strong in this one.
She's a born pig-wrangler
Piggy Tales 12/20/2013
Want to live forever? Make a memory.
I doubt Emmy is old enough to remember this morning as she grows up but maybe something will linger within her. She is Oma's right hand with our pets. Cold, before sunrise, and this 2 ye...ar old is by my side, calling our piggies out to eat. It can be windy and rainy, and she is right there with me, bossing those pigs around, asking me "Why?" And a hundred other questions. And always making Oma smile and laugh...and remember what is important in life. Maybe one day when she has a grandchild of her own, she will remember seeing this picture and hearing this story told with love and pass it on...and I will live and love on... forever!
I doubt Emmy is old enough to remember this morning as she grows up but maybe something will linger within her. She is Oma's right hand with our pets. Cold, before sunrise, and this 2 ye...ar old is by my side, calling our piggies out to eat. It can be windy and rainy, and she is right there with me, bossing those pigs around, asking me "Why?" And a hundred other questions. And always making Oma smile and laugh...and remember what is important in life. Maybe one day when she has a grandchild of her own, she will remember seeing this picture and hearing this story told with love and pass it on...and I will live and love on... forever!
Piggy Tales 12/5/2013
Pig withdrawals. Yep, that's what I've been having. I don't know if that's what a doctor would label it but that's what it is. Figured it out this morning as the sky was turning pink over the trees and I was feeding the piggies and doggy breakfast. But it's been crazy lately, with Thanksgiving and all. And especially with Bean becoming a grown up. I guess that makes her a, well, I'l...l have to look it up. She hasn't had babies so I don't think she is a "sow" yet. Hmmmm. But I do know that she misbehaved terribly
during her first heat cycle right before Thanksgiving and she became a...
Da Da Daaaaahhhh.... a Yard Pig. That's right. She now shares residence in
the back yard with Rosie. They don't get along at meal time unless I feed
them separately. And at first, Rosie didn't like Bean at all, period. It was Rosie's Kingdom. Bean was an intruder and must DIE! But it got cold and they worked it out quick. Now I have two single, female pigs cohabiting under my big, back deck. They have a nice, dry sandy bed covered in cedar chips with a heat lamp. They keep it bug- and weed-free. It's quite cozy in there. So cozy and warm that John knows if I disappear, he will most likely find me there with my piggies, a six-pack and my Nook, reading away, lost in another realm. I love my pigs and my books. Books can take me anywhere I'm in the mood to go...the 1800's Wild West, to a Scottish castle where a handsome laird will whisk the beautiful lass off her feet with a single kiss or on a wild time-travel adventure to save a blind elfin prince from greedy werewolf shapeshifter. And my piggies never mind if I laugh out loud or read parts of the story to them. Of course, neither does My Emmy. For a 2 year old, she's so smart. Emmy and I watch Zombie movies together and then play "Zombie Barbies" then go feed and scratch our piggies which freaks Kayla out. I know, I'm a strange grandma. Emmy is so much fun though. Well, that's today's "pig therapy" for me. I hope you each find your therapy!
during her first heat cycle right before Thanksgiving and she became a...
Da Da Daaaaahhhh.... a Yard Pig. That's right. She now shares residence in
the back yard with Rosie. They don't get along at meal time unless I feed
them separately. And at first, Rosie didn't like Bean at all, period. It was Rosie's Kingdom. Bean was an intruder and must DIE! But it got cold and they worked it out quick. Now I have two single, female pigs cohabiting under my big, back deck. They have a nice, dry sandy bed covered in cedar chips with a heat lamp. They keep it bug- and weed-free. It's quite cozy in there. So cozy and warm that John knows if I disappear, he will most likely find me there with my piggies, a six-pack and my Nook, reading away, lost in another realm. I love my pigs and my books. Books can take me anywhere I'm in the mood to go...the 1800's Wild West, to a Scottish castle where a handsome laird will whisk the beautiful lass off her feet with a single kiss or on a wild time-travel adventure to save a blind elfin prince from greedy werewolf shapeshifter. And my piggies never mind if I laugh out loud or read parts of the story to them. Of course, neither does My Emmy. For a 2 year old, she's so smart. Emmy and I watch Zombie movies together and then play "Zombie Barbies" then go feed and scratch our piggies which freaks Kayla out. I know, I'm a strange grandma. Emmy is so much fun though. Well, that's today's "pig therapy" for me. I hope you each find your therapy!
Piggy Tales 10/16/2013
Top ten thoughts on the Bean walk before sunrise today:
10) need MuckMuck boots. This grass is cold and wet and I might be stepping in yesterday's pooh.
9) Rosie is grumpier than I am at this time of the a.m.
8) coulda swore Rosie said "Feed me and nobody gets hurt"
7) Remember to hang an all weather jacket by the door
6) I can hear interstate traffic from here.
5) ugh...spider web
...4) Smells like fall is here.
3) what will I dress as for Halloween?
2) is it weird that I have something in common with pigs? Show us food and we will follow you home. Huh.
And my number one thought of the morning was...
1) its a little brisk out. Guess I should have put my pants on after all.
10) need MuckMuck boots. This grass is cold and wet and I might be stepping in yesterday's pooh.
9) Rosie is grumpier than I am at this time of the a.m.
8) coulda swore Rosie said "Feed me and nobody gets hurt"
7) Remember to hang an all weather jacket by the door
6) I can hear interstate traffic from here.
5) ugh...spider web
...4) Smells like fall is here.
3) what will I dress as for Halloween?
2) is it weird that I have something in common with pigs? Show us food and we will follow you home. Huh.
And my number one thought of the morning was...
1) its a little brisk out. Guess I should have put my pants on after all.
Piggy Tales 10/13/2013
"Piggy Tales" (trying out a new name again...lol)
Bean and I had an amazing walk this morning just as the sun was barely tinting the very edge of the sky. It seemed most of the world was waking while some of the creatures in the woods were bedding down for quiet time. We fed a very hungry, pushy, grumpy Rosie who is still pulling her Houdini tricks. Can't wait for her "cycle" to run it's course a...nd her to go back to being her usual lazy, laid back self. Bean was in a good mood. Being around 3 months old now, I need to do some research on female pig anatomy because she was rather rambunctious, too. Anyway, Bean and I made 3 laps around the backyard. She's good for me...I think that's like...dare I say it? - exercise? Me? Wow. Gotta start somewhere, right? Anyway, while NOT exercising (LOL), I get to empty my mind, talk to Bean and just look and listen to what is going on around me. This morning was beautiful! The temperature was perfect. A slight breeze with the first hints of autumn in the air. I heard a hoot owl! That's not something folks get to hear very often anymore. I heard some coyotes yipping back a good ways in the woods... probably chasing a rabbit or some small creature trying to get to it's hidey-hole. Then the train. I can hear that whistle from miles away then closer and closer until I can actually hear the clacketty-clack of the wheels on the track crossing Calks Ferry then gradually that whistle fades away. On the last lap around the yard, my alarm sounds, reminding me that it's time to go in and return to the real world...gotta head to work and make a buck. I hear that wise ol' hoot owl one more time as I return to reality.
To paraphrase Hank Jr: Thank God I'm A Country Girl!!!
Bean and I had an amazing walk this morning just as the sun was barely tinting the very edge of the sky. It seemed most of the world was waking while some of the creatures in the woods were bedding down for quiet time. We fed a very hungry, pushy, grumpy Rosie who is still pulling her Houdini tricks. Can't wait for her "cycle" to run it's course a...nd her to go back to being her usual lazy, laid back self. Bean was in a good mood. Being around 3 months old now, I need to do some research on female pig anatomy because she was rather rambunctious, too. Anyway, Bean and I made 3 laps around the backyard. She's good for me...I think that's like...dare I say it? - exercise? Me? Wow. Gotta start somewhere, right? Anyway, while NOT exercising (LOL), I get to empty my mind, talk to Bean and just look and listen to what is going on around me. This morning was beautiful! The temperature was perfect. A slight breeze with the first hints of autumn in the air. I heard a hoot owl! That's not something folks get to hear very often anymore. I heard some coyotes yipping back a good ways in the woods... probably chasing a rabbit or some small creature trying to get to it's hidey-hole. Then the train. I can hear that whistle from miles away then closer and closer until I can actually hear the clacketty-clack of the wheels on the track crossing Calks Ferry then gradually that whistle fades away. On the last lap around the yard, my alarm sounds, reminding me that it's time to go in and return to the real world...gotta head to work and make a buck. I hear that wise ol' hoot owl one more time as I return to reality.
To paraphrase Hank Jr: Thank God I'm A Country Girl!!!
Spill The Beans 10/8/2013
"Spilling the Beans"
It has been a busy piggy time at Huppertz Holler. As I drowsily prepared for work in the quiet darkness this morning, I knew Bean was desperate for her morning constitutional. I also feed Rosie at the same time. I'm in the house, alone except for Bean and Jazzy the cat when I here a strange scratching at my kitchen door. I rarely turn on many lights, inside or out so I get a ...little nervous. Scratch. Scratch, scratch. What the??? As I cautiously approach the door, I hear "grunt, snort, grunt." Seriously??? Rosie Houdini is scratching at the door begging for breakfast. I round up her food, put Bean on the leash and we all head for the fence gate. While I fight to open the gate in the dark. Bean tries to knock Rosie's food out of my hand and Rosie is tackling Bean. I'm looking for Alan Funt and Candid Camera by now! Eventually, Rosie is in, Bean and I are out, and we take our morning stroll. But every time the wind blows, Bean jumps like 3 feet straight in the air and tries to run in circles...eventually around a tree. After I chew my way loose from the tree, I'm done. "IN" I tell Bean and to the kennel we go so I can try to make myself work presentable. Shooo...still gonna make it to work on time.
It has been a busy piggy time at Huppertz Holler. As I drowsily prepared for work in the quiet darkness this morning, I knew Bean was desperate for her morning constitutional. I also feed Rosie at the same time. I'm in the house, alone except for Bean and Jazzy the cat when I here a strange scratching at my kitchen door. I rarely turn on many lights, inside or out so I get a ...little nervous. Scratch. Scratch, scratch. What the??? As I cautiously approach the door, I hear "grunt, snort, grunt." Seriously??? Rosie Houdini is scratching at the door begging for breakfast. I round up her food, put Bean on the leash and we all head for the fence gate. While I fight to open the gate in the dark. Bean tries to knock Rosie's food out of my hand and Rosie is tackling Bean. I'm looking for Alan Funt and Candid Camera by now! Eventually, Rosie is in, Bean and I are out, and we take our morning stroll. But every time the wind blows, Bean jumps like 3 feet straight in the air and tries to run in circles...eventually around a tree. After I chew my way loose from the tree, I'm done. "IN" I tell Bean and to the kennel we go so I can try to make myself work presentable. Shooo...still gonna make it to work on time.
Spill The Beans 10/7/2013
Last night, I put on John's rain jacket and a ball cap, grabbed the leash and really dreaded dragging Bean out into the rain. I guess being conditioned to training puppies, I expected a "awwww hell no...I am NOT going out there, in the rain to piddle" but I resigned myself to the upcoming struggle, the inevitable soaking and the frustration. I snap the leash into Bean's harne...ss (which she is growing accustomed to) and we head to the door. Imagine my surprise when she doesn't hesitate to head right on off the steps into the pouring rain! Well now! But...gosh darn it...that means I have to go with her. Fine. Potty break #1. Then we walk a few feet, she shakes the water off like she's Bo Derek coming outta the ocean and walks a few more feet. Stop #2 then a few more feet, shake off, root around in the wet grass, then she starts playing in the rain! It didn't take Mr long to lose my grump and start enjoying watching her having a good time. Who knew Bean and Rosie would turn into my therapists in this crazy world? I mean, really, who'd a thunk I'd be singing in the rain with Bean last night? But she started it.
"I love a rainy night...
Such a beautiful sight
to feel the rain on my face, taste the rain on my lips....ohhh, it makes me feel good"
"I love a rainy night...
Such a beautiful sight
to feel the rain on my face, taste the rain on my lips....ohhh, it makes me feel good"
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