Weekend... Ya

[madshutterbug]

Installation of TurboTax took 1 hour 30 minutes. Most of which was the search for, downloading, and intallation of the "updates" since the CD was made and shipped. And that on a high-speed Internet connection. Oh, I just lerves me some software bloat, I does. Software bloat: the Microshaft Virus.

Herself is off to a local SCA horse-related event. Those as attend, with horses, will be qualifying to partake in medieval re-creation equestrian events at the upcoming Gulf Wars. Possibly I will be driving over and photographing some things, as a day trip. Then again, possibly not. I've the Ranch Critters watch, and there are things I really, really want to see done around the house. They are hiking up on my annoyance value list as something which, when done, will help make life more pleasant.

We'll see. One reason for going to the event is could I partake of Roast Hogge, one of the two which we ... hmm, didn't mention that here. OK, brief aside, for those of my LJ readers/friends who may be vegetarian/vegan or simply feel strongly about animal rights. I am a rancher. We raise livestock, and I've been known to say these animals are not pets, they are shares in the "live stock" market. I, too, believe in animal rights; my animals have a right to a healthy environment, to be protected from predators (wild and domestic), to not be abused. We raise our animals essentially "organically", meaning we know what they are being fed, there are no pharmaceutical supplements in the feed (steroids or antibiotics), there are no animal by-products in the feed, and much of what they eat is natural range which grows on our ranch. They do receive pharmaceutical supplements if and when they need them because of their health, and only so long as they need them for that reason.

And as I said, they are not pets. I believe in taking care of them well, because, well, "Gglückliche Schweine sind geschmackvolle Schweine." And on Monday two of them became "geschmackvolle Schweine." Past this date, if there's any discussion about such more... earthy ... aspects of our owning the Ranch, I will put up a notice and a cut. If this aspect of my life is distasteful to you, I understand and accept that.

It will not change the fact, though, that one of the reasons for me going to this event will be to partake of some "geschmackvolle Schweine" prepared by a cook who prides herself on her ability to do true medieval period recipes and have them be very tasty. In this case, very tasty pig. Meanwhile, it's time to go take care of those critters.

Comments

[singingnettle.livejournal.com]

I'm not a big meat eater, but one of these days I do hope to partake of one of your piggies.

We were talking about this sort of thing on a tiny scale the other day. We feed goldfish to our turtles; they are predators and they just can't get everything they need from pelleted food. And I really like the goldfish, which are pretty, smart, curious fish capable of recognizing individuals and bonding with them. Because I'm a wimp, we set up a tank today and pulled out some of our favorites to keep as pets. But the majority of them are food. Until they get eaten, they're ecstatic: coming from the horrible overfilled feeder tank at the pet store where they are starving and attacking each other, they have a 110-gallon pond with ultraviolet radiation and lots of places to explore and plenty of food (and the turtles to tease...until you doesn't jump fast enough. It's all fun and games 'till someone loses a tail.)

Some animals are at the lower end of the food chain, but that's no reason at all, ever, to mistreat them, up until the moment they become food.

[ihgreenman.livejournal.com]

Incidently, this is how we also ended up with a tank of guppies. :)

[singingnettle.livejournal.com]

And why we're never going to have an animal that eats mice, rats, or rabbits.

[madshutterbug.livejournal.com]

See, despite the fact that this seems a contradiction (cats, after all, are preditors with each of those species on their "shopping" list), I understand that. It is possible to keep such conflicts of interest as it were under control. Dogs, for example, are another preditor, and we keep them because they are very helpful on the Ranch and also fun to have around. But we can not tolerate a dog that starts killing livestock. If we've got time and control, we'll find another home for the dog. Otherwise, there's a very difficult choice to be made.

[kalilove.livejournal.com]

You know, really I'm a card carrying member of save the cute things.

I eat meat, only when body calls for it, otherwise I'm strongly tofu-centric. Pat and I discuss this quite frequently actually due to my love of the critters big and little.

Especially as a former Anthropology major I understand how eating meat has shaped us as a species, and I understand how it helps our body function due to this adaptation. However it is something I have never been comfortable with.

Most of my meat aversion has been caused mostly by the inhumane ways the animals are "cared" for. Factory farming and additives will be the end of us I'm convinced.

So bravo for the care you give your critters. Happy animals make happy food. I just know I couldn't do what you do, as Pat says I'm too squeamish.

[madshutterbug.livejournal.com]

Again, this is a position I understand. Choosing not to eat meat is a philosophical position. Simply (as also mentioned later in this thread), I don't impose my views on others, don't be imposing on me. Omnivorism is a genetic survival trait. On the other hand, we as a species have also achieved a level of civilisation that provides options as desired. Choice is good.

[marjai.livejournal.com]

Pig.
Feh.

...except for bacon...

...ok, and pepperoni...

Otherwise, yuk.

:)

[kalilove.livejournal.com]

I second this. Pig is not good unless served with sauce and cheese or breakfast food.

[madshutterbug.livejournal.com]

Mmmmmm, Cheesy Piggie. (Ask fatfred)

mmmm....

[wedschilde.livejournal.com]

piggie.

i'm totally fine with it. we grew up with quite a few rural aspects in our lives.

roast piggie. mmmm...

just don't eat the houdini

Re: mmmm....

[madshutterbug.livejournal.com]

*heh* Teh Horses were complaining one day because the Cows had big rolls of hay and teh Horses were receiving segment flats from square bales, and nowhere near as much. So I whispered into each of teh Horses ears, "Yes, the Cows have more hay than you. We eat Cows, we don't eat Horses." Likewise, we don't eat Houdinis.

Though, once upon a time in Scenic Southeast Asia, I did eat... well, I chose to be polite to my hosts. It's not something I'd repeat voluntarily. I sometimes wonder if I've repeated it involuntarily. Ever notice how there are no stray dogs or cats in Chinatown?

Being rural helps. However, it's possible to shop around as necessary to find such as us to provide. They are, as I mentioned, shares in the Live Stock market.

Re: mmmm....

[wedschilde.livejournal.com]

:::nods::: i've been polite in those circumstances as well. so i've understood that. wasn't too long ago when my ancestors ate dog. actually probably only three generations really.

heh... tell teh horses that they can have sugar cubes... something the cows never get.

[starcat-jewel.livejournal.com]

Translation for the German-impaired among us, please?

Humans are omnivores; we're designed to eat meat as well as vegetables. Our nearest relatives among the primates will eat meat when the opportunity is offered. I don't have a problem with anyone's personal decision not to eat meat... unless they refuse to extend me the same courtesy. I wear and use leather products, which are a byproduct of the beef industry; I use bone beads in my jewelry, which are probably from the same source. I personally prefer fake fur, but I have no objection to ranched furs; wild fur I consider unethical because of the high likelihood of its being poached.

*g* Can you tell I've done a fair amount of thinking about this, and have reached an equilibrium with which I'm comfortable?

[madshutterbug.livejournal.com]

Yes, I can tell you've thought about it. *G* I guess it's obvious, so have I.

There's a close translation above, more general in content. Specifically, it's Happy Pigs are tasty Pigs.

[songius.livejournal.com]

lol. Monica referenced it earlier, but I'm one of those weirdos that thinks that you ought not to eat meat unless you're willing to kill an animal. I know a lot of folks that profess a deep love of meat but wouldn't dare hold the knife themselves.

My reasoning is that I DO want to be mindful of the animal's life and integrity, as well as thankful for the sacrifice. When you start divorcing death and suffering from the things you get from it, you're in dangerous turf.

Your way of doing things keeps a powerful and intimate connection between the lives of other beings and your own.

In short: more power to ya.

[madshutterbug.livejournal.com]

All Life feeds on Life. This in itself is neither good nor bad, simply Is. Thus, my acceptance of the philosophical position that someone may not want to eat the flesh of another animal. But I resent being lectured to that vegan or vegetarian is better because it does not involve killing. Those plants were alive at one point.

Loosing that understanding that Life comes from Life, as you mention, moves into dangerous turf. There is a reason for that Blessing Before Meals.

[tassie-gal.livejournal.com]

PORK! OINK! (sorry lack of sleep has stewed my brain).

[madshutterbug.livejournal.com]

Sure it wasn't those purple potatoes? *G*

[tassie-gal.livejournal.com]

Sure!