Routine morning, kind of, with kids again doing a partial school day. With a more relaxed school timeline I inevitably find myself directing a basement cleanup (can’t quite figure out why they can’t get it done without a drill sergeant). Got snared by a couple of ping pong games while I was down there – great exercise and fun besides. I even win a few now and then. Levi was at Precision all day, and Jesse was here studying plus a few errands. He got the hogs from Uncle Randy, and ran over to Uncle Mark’s so Lucas could show him what to do for their chores while they’re gone. Cold weather returned; our formerly slushy muddy yard was solid ice which eliminated the mud issue but certainly isn’t as nice as snow. Hopefully we’ll get the few inches that’s being predicted for this weekend. With a brisk wind, I chickened out of a walk and opted instead to watch and photograph the butchering during Joshua’s nap. After that, chores and supper, Bibletime and a few games of ping pong for Dad and I. Levi went with some of the young group to Christmas carol at the Eureka Nursing Home; the rest of us here listened to an archived church sermon before heading littles to beds.
WARNING: This post is not for the faint of heart.
Pig #1 was shot and hung before Kate got the camera (I was putting Joshua to nap).
Skinning.
Fascinated observers.
Beheading.
Befeeting (??)
Learning about life.
Hog #2.
Inside audience.
Dragging it into the shed.
Jesse’s going up into the attic to operate the electric hoist.
Dad’s holding the winch cable and hook as it lowers; he will attach it to the gambrel, and the hoist will hoist up the hog…
…and Dad will then hook the gambrel onto the permanent chain hook.
Two up, one to go.
#3’s turn.
Rascal watched through a crack in the trailer.
Dean Kaisner and some of his children joined us for the third hog.
Since Levi was still working at Precision, Jesse cut the third one; he did a good job (not that I know, but that’s what Dad said).
Ben and Joseph watching…
…and Ann, Astrid, Sarah, and Jewel too.
Tearing down gates.
Judah helped Jacob put them away.
Better view from up here!
Demonstrating where to place the bullet for a quick quiet kill. Everyone remembers our first butchering where the bullet didn’t kill instantly (won’t mention any names as to who the gunman was, but all involved persons know!); that crazy hog squealed and squawled and thrashed around horrible, and they were challenged to get it stuck to bleed right away…not a pretty sight. Littlest children were terrified, and all involved weren’t too happy with how it went that time. Thankfully I don’t think it’s ever happened that way again – killing is now quick and quiet. But how else do you learn?
Inserting the gambrel for hanging.
Ready to hoist again…
…and then camera batteries were dead, so that’s it. Both remaining hogs were skinned, gutted, beheaded and befeeted just like the first (see beginning of post) before being left to hang in the shed overnight to chill good and proper. Some major cleanup, and then everyone was in for supper - - and lots of laundry.
Right before bed – Joshua was so cute collecting laundry. He’s been plenty fussy lately, but oh he’s so precious anyway!
And that’s it.
No comments:
Post a Comment