Two weeks ago we sent our three pigs off to the processor. Sort of.
Loading them proved to be harder than anticipated. Our neighbors showed up at 6am to help us load the pigs into their horse trailer, which they were kind enough to let us borrow. We had locked the pigs in a barn stall the night before and had constructed a chute to the trailer out of movable livestock panels.
It didn’t take long for the pigs to bust out of the chute, but 40 minutes later, we had 2 pigs in the trailer. An hour and a half later, the third pig, whom my 5 year old had named “Loudy Pants” had out-smarted and out-muscled all four of us! Our appointment time was rapidly approaching, so we were forced to leave Loudy Pants the pig at home.
**Aside: Eric is referred to as either “King Kong” or “The Beast” at karate. It’s no small feat to out-muscle him!
So she has a new appointment for freezer camp for late August. In the mean time, we are allowing her to free-range in the pasture, as she is generally a friendly pig.
If you are a fan of the Outlander Books, and you’ve read the later books in the series, you will recall the character of the White Sow. (No, not Laoghaire, the other one!)
Well, I’m here to tell you that the white sow has taken up residence here at Green Eggs & Goats!
She ignores the children. She runs up to Eric like a 300 pound puppy who is glad to see him. Me? Well, she chases me!
She wants me to feed her whenever she hears my voice. Milk is her favorite food, and without the competition of the other pigs, she is turning up her snout at anything other than kitchen scraps and milk.
Trouble, thy name is Loudy Pants.
Of course, Eric thinks it’s hilarious when the white sow chases me. Traitor.
When I yell things like “DO SOMETHING ABOUT YOUR PIG” while running through the pasture, he just laughs louder!
Anyway, that’s the state of affairs. If you don’t know Outlander and the white sow, may I HIGHLY recommend you drop what you are doing and read Diana Gabaldon’s spectacular series? It is finally being turned into a television show, which is premiering August 9th, 2014 on Starz. (But, you can catch a sneak preview on August 2nd online!!)
P.S. If you need me on August 9, I’ll be parked in front of the TV. I can hardly wait! This series is the whole reason I got satellite TV in the first place!
For this and all the other hilarity, be sure to sign up for Beulah’s Mooooooosletter!
***This post contains affiliate links. A small percentage of the purchase price goes toward keeping this blog up and running and food in Beulah’s bucket, so thanks!***
Looooooove the Outlander series and just ordered Starz so that I can watch it! I have Drums of Autumn sitting next to me right now. Omg, I love the pig shenanigans! Silly, Loudy Pants!
I will be right there with you for that first episode, except, you know, at MY house! Have you heard Jamie speak on the previews? SWOON!
By the way, I love how you call it “freezer camp”.
Swoon indeed! I’ve been watching the clips they release over and over and… 🙂
Sure you weren’t hiding in the woods watching us load up our pigs for freezer camp earlier this summer? We had an almost identical scenario, only it was Kevin who was left behind for a later appointment. Our gilt, Daisy, is due to deliver her first litter any day now. I stumbled across your blog while on Pinterest, but looking over it, we have a lot in common, other than evasive pigs. I live in central AL in the middle of nowhere, actually grew-up not far from Remlap, have dairy goats (Nigerians), bees, and l. o. v. e. and a. d. o. r. e. Outlander, only my hubs put his stubborn foot down about including Starz just so I can see my favorite novels brought to life. (sigh) I look forward to keeping up with you and your homestead shenanigans, Heather!
Pingback: No, My Cow Isn't Too Thin, But Thanks For Your Concern - Green Eggs & Goats
Pingback: The Shocking Truth About Raising Pigs - Green Eggs & Goats