Tuesday, October 2th - they had a short, but happy life

Well, the biggest event at our house this week has consumed MANY days so far, and isn't quite finished yet, although the end is in sight.

Saturday was the day the pigs were being slaughtered. They were killed in the morning, cleaned and then hung up overnight. Sunday morning bright and early began the cutting and wrapping. What a job that was, and thank heavens for the help of several people, or we'd STILL be at it. (well, actually, some of us still are). A huge thanks to neighbour Frank for actually doing the killing, cleaning and butchering. Bernie was a big help to the guys, especially on Saturday,as well but I can't say a big enough THANK YOU to Brenda. She was there wrapping and portioning most of the day Sunday, before she and I had to leave to help at the Rec Centre spaghetti supper.Then she was back in the evening cutting up meat for sausages.  Monday she was back again, to help Lloyd stuff the sausages. He still had some left to do when I got home so after a very quick supper, it was back to stuffing and wrapping even more sausages.  When I went to bed last night, Lloyd was still up, monitoring sausages in the smoker. There is still a lot of bacon to be smoked as well as the hams. It's going to be ongoing for a few day yet.

All in all, it's been quite an experience. He's decided that maybe next year one pig will be enough. These two weighed 208 and 216 pounds when they were cleaned so that's a  lot of meat to process. It's a vast increase from the approximately 30 pounds they each weighed when we got them back in the spring.

 On reflecting back, they were pretty easy to care for. They are very clean and you never had to clean their little shelter. Just feed them twice a day and they were happy. They had a constant source of water so that was taken care of. And are they tasty! I haven't had any yet other than a small piece of sausage meat last night, but rumour has it they are delicious. I know some folks would have trouble eating something so cute that they've raised and watched grow and enjoyed spending time with. But that was always the purpose and I have no problem with it.

They may have had a short life, but it was a happy one, chasing each other around when they were little, rooting around in the dirt, rolling in the mud after a summer rain, lounging in the sunshine and burrowing together in the straw to keep warm when it was chilly. We'll think of them fondly and really appreciate the meat when we enjoy it over the coming months.

That's pretty much consumed our week. There was a little break last Wednesday evening when Brenda, Meghan, and Caitlin came over to help with the trivia questions for Friday night. Meghan is now living and working back here on the island and I know her family is pleased to have her back. An added bonus was Caitlin also here for a week. It was a very busy household for them as Brenda's brother Danny and his friend Scott had moved Meg back to the island so stayed for a few days as well. We had the great pleasure of meeting all of them for something to eat in town last Thursday afternoon after work. The boys were also there so the ten of us had a lovely time. Some of us had a better time than others, but we won't mention any names.  All we can say it, it's a good thing there were some designated drivers in the crowd!

And finally, on a much sadder note, our condolences to our dear friend Fran on the sudden passing of her sister, Susie. She was a retired school teacher in Rockwood and will be very sadly missed by her family and the whole commuity.

Meadows, Susanne Delila-- Passed away with her family by her side, at St. Joseph's Hospital in Hamilton on Thursday, October 22, 2015. Susanne Delila (Kelso) Meadows, age 75 years, was the beloved wife of Carl Meadows of Rockwood. She was the loving mother of Robert Meadows, and Carol and her husband David Nelles. Susanne was the proud grandmother of Kelly, Debbie, Madeline, Olivia, Hannah, and Sam, and great-grandmother of Seth, Sloane, and Andrea. She was the dear sister of Fran and her husband Walt Wilson, and was the special aunt of Jody and Julie. Private cremation has taken place. A family service is to be held at a later date. As expressions of sympathy, donations to the Rockwood Presbyterian Church would be appreciated by the funeral home. Cards available at the Gilbert MacIntyre & Son Funeral Home, Dublin Chapel, 519-822-4731 or send condolences at www.gilbertmacintyreandson.com