Argyle Barn

  December 5, 2008 – I suppose I will never quite get over the impact the blog has on people, and the place this curious peace of earth has on the imagination of so many. I keep forgetting it, then get reminded of it. People have a very personal relationship with the farm and its animals. Sometimes, drawn into my own little world, I can forget it.
  I am being reminded of it today. Lots of reaction to notions of change on the farm. Mick, who says he would kill for a farm (he doesn’t have to kill for a farm, there are plenty on the market)  writes that I should take more pictures and shut up about myself. A pity plot, he calls the farm. Sarah says change is essential to growth, and JoAnn writes that nobody who is not taking care of a farm should have much to say about what happens on it. Lots of support and encouragement – do what you need, what you want, what is best.
  I do understand that in sharing the lives of animals with people, others will care about them, and that is only fair. I create the attachment to them, so ought not to be surprised that people care what happens to them. Still, I have to run the place and live on it, and the purpose of sharing this process is simply to be open about, which seems only fair.
  The process of openness is always a tradeoff. You get ideas, support and encouragment, and you get ideas, opinions and messages that are not so encouraging. Both are part of the process, and if you can’t take one with the other, don’t blog.
  I like this process. I learn from it every time, and hear stories and enjoy the dialogue. In the end, of course, I have to decide what goes on here, and explain it to the degree that is possible.
  I see that the farm has grown beyond me, and that I need to simplify it. There are all sorts of reasons to do that, and they are good. I’m going to think about it and write about it over the weekend. I appreciate the feeback, and am sorry I can’t respond to all of it.