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Day Five. No water.
From the Things Can Always Get Worse files:
Temperatures are expected to dip into the teens this week. The water has now been turned off at the old farmhouse to prevent the pipes from freezing.
Dinner: None.
Mood: VERY DRAMATIC.
Yesterday, we went to an absolutely fascinating luncheon and seminar in Charleston put on by the Farm Service Agency and hosted by the Islamic Center. The event was an effort to put together local small farmers with the area ethnic markets for goat and sheep. (If you’re interested, look up the Farm Service Agency near you to find out more.) Of course, I don’t even have any sheep at all yet, nor do I have any goats I would put on the market, so it was more of an exploratory outing. Our goats and chickens are pretty much like pets at this point, and I certainly wouldn’t ever change that status for any of my existing animals. But, as a small farmer, it’s something to consider in the future as we have to make money somehow….. If we ever keep any animals with that in mind, they won’t be named. Unless they’re named Dinner….
But what was so great to me about this event was simply learning about the ethnic communities and about their food. There was a lot of food there! The luncheon was provided by the Islamic Center and the food included things I can’t remember how to spell other than hummus, and there was also goat and sheep meat. Of course I’ve had lamb many times before. My mother cooked lamb every Easter. But it was the first time I’ve ever tasted goat meat. I don’t know what to say it tasted like other than it tasted like goat. (It doesn’t taste like chicken!) I liked it. I tried not to think about Clover.
I had three children with me because we’d just come from an orthodontist appointment–two of mine (15 and the Princess) and my cousin’s son. I take the three of them to the orthodontist in Charleston once a month. (Let me say a big hello here to the nice ladies at Dr. Christopher Taylor’s office who read my blog!) My two surprised me by digging in at the luncheon and eating everything they could get their hands on, with full knowledge that they were eating goat meat!
And then, Princess was Princess…. We had been fortunate enough to unknowingly sit down at a table across from a rabbi and a Muslim religious leader. (I don’t know what you call Muslim religious leaders, so bear with me.) Considering the world today and the politics and wars…. It was fascinating to watch these two men, a rabbi and a Muslim, clearly friends, discussing religion and comparing their food practices (being the topic of the day, they were discussing Kosher practices vs. Muslim rules). We sat there listening, since we were across the table, and, well, because their conversation was fascinating and just the two of them together was fascinating, and finally the Princess said to the rabbi, “Are you Jewish?” (She was wondering about his hat.)
The rabbi told her, “Yes.”
Princess: “I’ve never met a Jewish person before!”
The rabbi asked her where she was from. (Mars???) I explained we were from a very small town, and then she realized the other man was a Muslim. She’s never met a Muslim before! More excitement!
Children are so open and curious, and they seemed quite entertained by her in return. The rabbi said, “Well, if I’m the only Jewish person you’ve ever met, you’re going to think they are all wonderful!”
I told him he’d better behave if he was going to represent millions of Jews, and the same to the Muslim leader beside him. Of course, they were both very gracious people (and they totally behaved). It was a really lovely day and a neat experience for my little Martians.
And that’s what the world needs–more Muslims, Jews, and Christians sitting down at the same table together, sharing food and talking about ways to benefit each other, don’t you think?
You may have noticed that I’ve enabled gravatars on my blog comments. It’s a way to add a little more of your own personality to your comments. There’s a little chicken in place of your own gravatar now. You can upload your own photo for your personal gravatar here then it will appear automatically with your comments (and will also work on the forum). You can use any photo in your computer’s files and there is no need to resize the photo–the gravatar site will do it for you. It’s free, easy, and fun, so go for it!
I have no water. Did I tell you that already?
Clover: “You may call me Your Majesty. You may call me Mistress of the Universe. You may even call me She Who Eats Cookies. But you may not call me Dinner!”
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Oh you have new emoticons! I must say I miss the whip LOL.
<— is that Spartacus? lol (aww the rofl one is gone too!) 
Ok, I’m done playing. 
3:13
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I bet the kids ate because they know meals without water are not easy, so dig in where you can!
I feel for you, hope the problem is fixed soon.
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Hope your water is fixed soon. And, thank Goodness, Clover will never be dinner!
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It is such a simple act. That’s probably why we don’t do it so much anymore…because it’s too simple, there must be a catch. Ugh.
The kids will probably remember that meal their whole lives.
I’m closing my eyes and wishing, wishing, wishing water your way.
Kris7
Working hard at http://www.sccworlds.com
7:17
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Your dinner experience — I always find it a fascination when in company of people that practice other cultures (I’ve never had a bad experience). All you hear in the news is the bad of these cultures…..yes I do wish we could have more discussions of how each culture could help each other, rather than be the demise of each other. I am glad your children had a very positive experience.
We know Clover will never be dinner, she still has a name, right?!?! (nah)
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yes I know what fruitless implies, but you might feel better.
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The luncheon sounds like fun. With the mess between Gaza and Israel right now, I can imagine the conversation could have been very interesting. I wonder when the world will figure out that war doesn’t solve anything, it just creates more problems. It probably won’t happen in our lifetimes, sadly.
I remember when my youngest son was with me in Charleston in a restaurant ful of black men. He was in awe. Until that moment I hadn’t realized how sheltered he was in Jackson County. When I told a black friend about it she said, you’ve got to get that boy out more! She was right.
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It sounds like you had a lovely experience yesterday – hope you soon have water!
9:09
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The luncheon sounded fascinating-even though I have no animals and no intent of raising them, it sounded interesting and what a bonus to break bread with such interesting people.
The water situation…..I’ll keep praying, since that’s about all I can offer. Thank goodness you have family and friends in the area.
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I read your blog every morning and I enjoy it immensely.I really hate that you have no water.I’m puzzled as to why the water was shut off in the old farmhouse because the weather here in WV is rather mild right now.
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I’m sorry to hear about it being day 5 with no water! When I was in my early teens, our well was struck by lightning and we had no water for three days which is nothing in comparison. Our neighbors ran a garden hose from their house to ours so we didn’t have to lug water. (We had rain-barrels so we used that for flushing the toilets.) We didn’t live in a very rural area, so it was pretty easy to do so.
I’m thinking of you! I hope your water woes clear up soon!
9:32
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Our daughter met our town’s rabbi several years ago. It was nearly Hanukkah, and he gave her a small bag of chocolate coins (she was about 9). She thought this was cool(hey, it was chocolate!) She then read about Judaism, and discovered that Saturday was their sabbath, and combining meat and cheese was something they didn’t do.
Imagine her surprise a few weeks ago when we ran into him at Home Depot. Our explanation to her is, that after the Hurricane God understands that EVERYONE goes to HD on Saturdays.
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At the moment in Iowa it is 5 below zero, but no wind and lots of sun. Tonight through Thursday will be a different story though. My cows are getting extra rations and the horses and calves and bulls all can get inside.
Thinking of your water and pipes…….
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Blessings from Ohio…
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How are the animals doing with the water shortage?
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I’m afraid I’d become a vegetarian before I could eat something I knew. Both my sister and nephew are vegetarians but I’m too lazy to come up with enough things to cook!
6:54
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NO!NO! These men want to eat Clover and her babies! LOL!
Gee, I sure do hope you get the water situation fixed soon. I know you are stressed out. I’d be climbing the walls. On the flip side you do have heat. It could be worse. You could have water, but no heat. Go to GEORGIA”S and get some comfort food…how’s about cracker candy for starters?
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Oh, and don’t Clover, but I like goat meat. Haven’t had any in ages. We were just careful not to name and make pets out of critters who were destined for the freezer … other than meat rabbits … they were always called “Stewball” or something food-related … as kids got too upset. Do you think that’s why my youngest is a vegetarian???
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Shame on you for not inviting me, as I live within a mile or two from there.
12:08
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I liked your Princess and food and Jewish and Muslim story. Being a teacher, I totally get the out of the mouth of babes syndrome.
I have never eaten lamb…well, maybe once, in some greek food. I don’t think I could try goat. I am not a big meat eater anyway, and something about it just doesn’t appeal to me. Maybe because my sister has 4 pet goats, I don’t know?!
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