Comments on: Pig Farmer Kin Sayings

By: Cynthia

Cynthia — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 11:49:56 +0000

This is the year we celebrate our 2nd's. Mom just turned 82. I'll be 52 in Nov and Elizabeth will be 22 Aug 6th. Aunt Ruth was included in our trend because she's 10 yrs older than Mom (92).

By: Arletta

Arletta — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 06:07:53 +0000

Dear Erwin and Janet,
This may be more than this city girl wants to know about giving enemas to horses! I'm sure my cousins have similar tales from their farm days as would my husband have had...no one thought to bring me up to date until your impassioned shift from language origins to the real thing! Thanks, I think.
Arletta
PS...warn me if you schedule such activity when I come to visit, please!

By: Erwin A. Thompson

Erwin A. Thompson — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 01:46:22 +0000

You were maybe 15. The pig had her piglets and she ruptured and her uterus came out. It was a Sunday afternoon and we couldn't get a vet out. All of them were dog and cat vets, anyways, they didn't know what a pig even looked like! She would have died, of course. And then all the little pigs would have died, because they wouldn't have had a mother. You held the light. There was no electricity in that part of the basement. You held the light while I wrestled with the pig. It wasn't a calm situation. The pig wasn't happy. I tackled the pig. It would have been nice if there'd been one of these football stars to show me how to do it. I tied her feet so she couldn't get back up. There was an old druggist I knew in Alton. He told me to have everything clean and to use nylon thread. I had the blessing of a man who I thought knew what he was doing and did it. She recovered. You stood the pressure very well. The light was where it needed to be anyway. You brought the light over to where I was working. I figured you'd come through with whatever needed to happen, and you did. Ruth brought in the hot water and the bandages. I'd say, "I need....." and she'd go get it. We played hospital...do you remember the time we gave the horse an enema? Santas was miserable and laid there and groaned. The vet was booked up and couldn't come. I said the horse would be dead in 3 days. Ronnie Wendt got Santas on his feet and the girl talked to him and gave him the sympathy he needed...and Ruth kept the water coming from the house...pretty soon the stuff started coming out and...he survived it. Pop

By: Hal Manogue

Hal Manogue — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 21:26:19 +0000

Wow Janet! Now I'm thinking about of all the pig talk I've learned over the years. "I'll be hogged tied," "Happier than a pig in S---," "This little piggy" and "Does that pig swim." "Piggy bank," Oink, Oink... Thanks for that taste of "Hog Heaven." Hal

By: Susan Gallacher-Turner

Susan Gallacher-Turner — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 19:34:23 +0000

Janet,
The fact that you helped in spite of your fear, shows a deep reverence for life. I love the fact, too, that this animal's life was so important to you and your father.
Susan