Comments on: The Dark Side of Farming http://www.fiberfarm.com/2010/01/the-dark-side-of-farming Mon, 13 Feb 2012 00:57:09 -0500 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: ROSE http://www.fiberfarm.com/2010/01/the-dark-side-of-farming/comment-page-2#comment-59165 ROSE Mon, 02 Aug 2010 18:12:25 +0000 http://www.fiberfarm.com/?p=4892#comment-59165 YOU are entitled to the life you want. You get to know this. It is true...now live it. YOU are entitled to the life you want. You get to know this. It is true…now live it.

]]> By: Beth at Mountain Hollow Farm http://www.fiberfarm.com/2010/01/the-dark-side-of-farming/comment-page-2#comment-38916 Beth at Mountain Hollow Farm Tue, 02 Feb 2010 16:50:26 +0000 http://www.fiberfarm.com/?p=4892#comment-38916 Susie, Thank you for writing this post. We started a cashmere goat farm 2 years ago and it's been a financial challenge. In spite of diligent financial planning, we have spent all our savings and are living paycheck to paycheck (my husband has a fulltime job). Our goal is for the farm to support us and I believe that will happen, but it is not easy. I love this life and wouldn't trade it for the world, but it is definitely not as romantic a lifestyle as many of my friends seem to believe. I've been planning to write a "Now, the Rest of the Story" post for my blog (http://bit.ly/MHFblog) about the chaos associated with starting a farm and living in a fixer-upper. It is good for our readers to realize that life on a farm is not all perfect, and it's good for me to know that other farmers face the same challenges that I do. I am glad that Lucy is doing better. Susie,
Thank you for writing this post. We started a cashmere goat farm 2 years ago and it’s been a financial challenge. In spite of diligent financial planning, we have spent all our savings and are living paycheck to paycheck (my husband has a fulltime job). Our goal is for the farm to support us and I believe that will happen, but it is not easy. I love this life and wouldn’t trade it for the world, but it is definitely not as romantic a lifestyle as many of my friends seem to believe. I’ve been planning to write a “Now, the Rest of the Story” post for my blog (http://bit.ly/MHFblog) about the chaos associated with starting a farm and living in a fixer-upper. It is good for our readers to realize that life on a farm is not all perfect, and it’s good for me to know that other farmers face the same challenges that I do.

I am glad that Lucy is doing better.

]]> By: writerbug http://www.fiberfarm.com/2010/01/the-dark-side-of-farming/comment-page-2#comment-38041 writerbug Thu, 21 Jan 2010 20:05:38 +0000 http://www.fiberfarm.com/?p=4892#comment-38041 I know how hard it can be to write these dark, honest posts. And while it may be true that people generally want to hear the good, I personally feel that it's a moral obligation to share problems, too. Otherwise readers are left their wondering, am I the only one who worries about XYZ? Everyone else's lives look so perfect. What's wrong with me? So I applaud the post, and am keeping you and little Lucy in my thoughts. I know how hard it can be to write these dark, honest posts. And while it may be true that people generally want to hear the good, I personally feel that it’s a moral obligation to share problems, too. Otherwise readers are left their wondering, am I the only one who worries about XYZ? Everyone else’s lives look so perfect. What’s wrong with me? So I applaud the post, and am keeping you and little Lucy in my thoughts.

]]> By: Karin (knitlessinseattle) http://www.fiberfarm.com/2010/01/the-dark-side-of-farming/comment-page-2#comment-37985 Karin (knitlessinseattle) Thu, 21 Jan 2010 04:54:37 +0000 http://www.fiberfarm.com/?p=4892#comment-37985 I only just found out about Lucy tonight. Selfishly I'm glad I didn't find out until today. I was in tears reading everything even though I got to read the updates before I read what had actually happened. Susan - I've said this before in comments, your strength and willingness to share in times of weakness are an inspiration to many who read your blog. Your beautiful photos of the animals paint a picture of what I, a tax accountant living in Seattle, envision life on a farm might be like. A little touch of nirvana in the country. Your words paint the picture of the difficulty of running a working farm. Your ability to blend the two is why I read your blog. It is why I wanted to own a little touch of the nirvana. And it is why I wanted to contribute to helping Lucy get better. In difficult times, lean on friends to help you through. You've built this network of friends because of you and your message. Let it help you in the difficult times as well as the good. I only just found out about Lucy tonight. Selfishly I’m glad I didn’t find out until today. I was in tears reading everything even though I got to read the updates before I read what had actually happened. Susan – I’ve said this before in comments, your strength and willingness to share in times of weakness are an inspiration to many who read your blog. Your beautiful photos of the animals paint a picture of what I, a tax accountant living in Seattle, envision life on a farm might be like. A little touch of nirvana in the country. Your words paint the picture of the difficulty of running a working farm. Your ability to blend the two is why I read your blog. It is why I wanted to own a little touch of the nirvana. And it is why I wanted to contribute to helping Lucy get better. In difficult times, lean on friends to help you through. You’ve built this network of friends because of you and your message. Let it help you in the difficult times as well as the good.

]]> By: Georgia N. http://www.fiberfarm.com/2010/01/the-dark-side-of-farming/comment-page-2#comment-37974 Georgia N. Thu, 21 Jan 2010 03:42:06 +0000 http://www.fiberfarm.com/?p=4892#comment-37974 Hi Susan - I want to say that my thoughts and prayers are with you and Lucy. I really hope that she makes it through. I completely understand your situation financially. I too am in the same boat... The past couple of years and saved up a bunch of money to begin a business and was so excited when that day came. This past summer my dog developed pneumonia and ended up he had a hiatal hernia...all in all the bills racked up to over $25k. More than I could ever imagine. I sat down and would look at the numbers and had no idea how I was going to make it through. But, as you said today, you have to watch every penny and take it day by day. All of this I say to you because I wanted you to know a couple of things, since I have just experienced all of this. 1. Ask for itemized estimates that are printed out. 2. Ask what is necessary and what is not - it will help cut costs. 3. If Lucy is prescribed medications - ask if there is a comparable drug that you can buy at Walmart or something. I mention this because we had explained to our vet that we were at our end financially and couldn't afford any more $400 medications. Come to find that a $220 medication my dog needed was replaced with a comparable drug from Walmart for ONLY $4. Last but not least, don't be afraid to explain to your vet and the doctors you deal with about your financial struggle. Ask if they have a plan and if they can keep the costs to a minimum. Tell them you need to keep the costs as low as possible. It may sound horrible at moments (the look in my vets eyes sometimes were telling me she thought I had no care for my dog!) but believe me it is worth it in the end. If you let them do whatever they want, the costs you can incur will grow exponentially. I hope this helps somewhat. I wish I could help more. Let me know if you have any questions. Take care of yourself and know that you are surrounded by people that love you and care about you. -Georgia Hi Susan – I want to say that my thoughts and prayers are with you and Lucy. I really hope that she makes it through. I completely understand your situation financially. I too am in the same boat… The past couple of years and saved up a bunch of money to begin a business and was so excited when that day came. This past summer my dog developed pneumonia and ended up he had a hiatal hernia…all in all the bills racked up to over $25k. More than I could ever imagine. I sat down and would look at the numbers and had no idea how I was going to make it through. But, as you said today, you have to watch every penny and take it day by day.
All of this I say to you because I wanted you to know a couple of things, since I have just experienced all of this.
1. Ask for itemized estimates that are printed out.
2. Ask what is necessary and what is not – it will help cut costs.
3. If Lucy is prescribed medications – ask if there is a comparable drug that you can buy at Walmart or something. I mention this because we had explained to our vet that we were at our end financially and couldn’t afford any more $400 medications. Come to find that a $220 medication my dog needed was replaced with a comparable drug from Walmart for ONLY $4.

Last but not least, don’t be afraid to explain to your vet and the doctors you deal with about your financial struggle. Ask if they have a plan and if they can keep the costs to a minimum. Tell them you need to keep the costs as low as possible. It may sound horrible at moments (the look in my vets eyes sometimes were telling me she thought I had no care for my dog!) but believe me it is worth it in the end. If you let them do whatever they want, the costs you can incur will grow exponentially.

I hope this helps somewhat. I wish I could help more. Let me know if you have any questions. Take care of yourself and know that you are surrounded by people that love you and care about you.
-Georgia

]]> By: Linda M Keefe http://www.fiberfarm.com/2010/01/the-dark-side-of-farming/comment-page-2#comment-37968 Linda M Keefe Thu, 21 Jan 2010 03:05:17 +0000 http://www.fiberfarm.com/?p=4892#comment-37968 Hardest thing I have read. Susan your courage inspires me . I pray for you and Lucy Hardest thing I have read. Susan your courage inspires me . I pray for you and Lucy

]]> By: Sarah knitcrazybooknut http://www.fiberfarm.com/2010/01/the-dark-side-of-farming/comment-page-2#comment-37967 Sarah knitcrazybooknut Thu, 21 Jan 2010 02:58:48 +0000 http://www.fiberfarm.com/?p=4892#comment-37967 Susie, I've reposted on my facebook status, and have already seen one ravelry member destashing for you. I have often wanted to join your CSA, and hope that our financial situation clears up to where that dream becomes a reality. (We just bought our 2.7 acres in the country and are trying to build our own farm. Thank you for being an inspiration!) As I said on fb, I become more and more convinced that the world is made up of two different kinds of people: those who understand and know in their bones what it's like to truly live and die with the land, and those who have never experienced the joy, heartache, love, stress and tears of raising animals and food as their life's work. My best to you and your wonderful animals, especially Lucy. Don't forget to take care of yourself during this tough time. Best wishes from my husband and five kitties, too. Susie, I’ve reposted on my facebook status, and have already seen one ravelry member destashing for you. I have often wanted to join your CSA, and hope that our financial situation clears up to where that dream becomes a reality. (We just bought our 2.7 acres in the country and are trying to build our own farm. Thank you for being an inspiration!)

As I said on fb, I become more and more convinced that the world is made up of two different kinds of people: those who understand and know in their bones what it’s like to truly live and die with the land, and those who have never experienced the joy, heartache, love, stress and tears of raising animals and food as their life’s work.

My best to you and your wonderful animals, especially Lucy. Don’t forget to take care of yourself during this tough time. Best wishes from my husband and five kitties, too.

]]> By: Leslie in California http://www.fiberfarm.com/2010/01/the-dark-side-of-farming/comment-page-2#comment-37960 Leslie in California Thu, 21 Jan 2010 01:57:40 +0000 http://www.fiberfarm.com/?p=4892#comment-37960 Susan, I too have Lucy and you in my thoughts and prayers. God speed. While we all in one way or another envy your farm and your life, I don't think that anyone of us thinks it's at all an easy life. What I love, admire and envy is your guts to do what you love. I do love the photos, I love how cheerful you write about worming the lambs, almost making it seem like fun, when in reality it's hard work. I love your writing style, how you tell of the daily events on the farm, how you decide on color ways, how you decide what wools to blend into the next farm share of yarn. The fact that you live the life you want! I'm so impressed, and awed by you. I hope that you keep on plugging away at your dream and continue to share it with us, who stand by and like me wish I had the courage in my youth to also follow my dream. I will follow my dream, but first I have a commitment to care for my mom and ensure that all her remaining days are happy and she feels loved. Thank you Susan for all your hard work and for allowing us to peek in and watch the wonder that is Jupiter Farms. Susan, I too have Lucy and you in my thoughts and prayers. God speed.

While we all in one way or another envy your farm and your life, I don’t think that anyone of us thinks it’s at all an easy life. What I love, admire and envy is your guts to do what you love. I do love the photos, I love how cheerful you write about worming the lambs, almost making it seem like fun, when in reality it’s hard work. I love your writing style, how you tell of the daily events on the farm, how you decide on color ways, how you decide what wools to blend into the next farm share of yarn. The fact that you live the life you want! I’m so impressed, and awed by you. I hope that you keep on plugging away at your dream and continue to share it with us, who stand by and like me wish I had the courage in my youth to also follow my dream. I will follow my dream, but first I have a commitment to care for my mom and ensure that all her remaining days are happy and she feels loved.

Thank you Susan for all your hard work and for allowing us to peek in and watch the wonder that is Jupiter Farms.

]]> By: Mujercita http://www.fiberfarm.com/2010/01/the-dark-side-of-farming/comment-page-2#comment-37958 Mujercita Thu, 21 Jan 2010 01:22:20 +0000 http://www.fiberfarm.com/?p=4892#comment-37958 I just saw this today. I am so, so sorry about what happened to Lucy. My thoughts are with you and your farm family. I just saw this today.

I am so, so sorry about what happened to Lucy. My thoughts are with you and your farm family.

]]> By: Sharon http://www.fiberfarm.com/2010/01/the-dark-side-of-farming/comment-page-2#comment-37957 Sharon Thu, 21 Jan 2010 01:20:29 +0000 http://www.fiberfarm.com/?p=4892#comment-37957 Oh, Susan, it hurts me to hear this. This must be such a hard time for you as you wait. My thoughts are with you and Lucy! Oh, Susan, it hurts me to hear this. This must be such a hard time for you as you wait. My thoughts are with you and Lucy!

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