Happy Pigs Play in the Mud
Oct 2nd 2008Ellen WilsonInspiration & Photography
Happy Pig copyright Ellen Wilson
Shed copyright Ellen Wilson
Humans tend to get mired in the mud. They let the past and the future hold them down and they can’t open to all that is.
Buddha said said that a lotus grows in mud. That the roots are deeply anchored in the mud and that this is what makes the flower grow.
Pigs understand this. They flop down in the mud. They snort and they grunt. They don’t have complicated theories of things.
Baby Pigs copyright Ellen Wilson
That is why I like pigs. And this is why I turn to pigs and other animals as teachers.
So when your tired and out of energy its good to get back to basics, back to pig mode, where you can be rooted in something simple.
Look forward to Monday when I will do a complete about face and highlight something special that is a bit more complicated.
But right now it’s good to rest for awhile and be uncomplicated. Like a pig.
Pizza anyone?
25 Comments »
Writer Dadon 02 Oct 2008 at 10:37 pm 1I love what you said about children’s books. It’s so true. They can take any subject, from life to death, and trim it to a dozen darling pages.
Writer Dads last blog post..Behind Their Eyes
Karen Swimon 02 Oct 2008 at 10:56 pm 2I like animals and you really can learn a lot from them. I don’t eat pigs so I really see them as big old waddly critters rather than bacon. LOL! I’m not too fond of mud though, except at the spa, waddling in mud at the spa totally rocks. Good post Ellen! I needed that break!
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Vered - MomGrindon 02 Oct 2008 at 11:24 pm 3Sigh.
I ADORE YOU.
You are brilliant.
Especially this bit: “They are entirely present.”
And also: “And it will help you get over writer’s block. Kid’s books are like that. Complex things made simple. ”
Looking forward to Monday.
Vered - MomGrinds last blog post..Beauty Standards Have Sure Changed
Lanceon 03 Oct 2008 at 6:29 am 4We have some pictures of our kids (we’ve called them pigs at the dinner table a time or two) - setup in the backyard on a hot summer day. Covered in mud! And loving life, and having no worries. I’d say that’s kind of like the “real” pigs…
I’m all for simple, thanks for the reminder…
Oink.
Lances last blog post..A Helping Hand
Urban Pantheron 03 Oct 2008 at 9:51 am 5I love children’s classics. I was unpacking the other day and found my daughter’s boxset of Little House on the Prairie, and I realized that I had actually never read them. I put them on the side table in the livingroom and they are my winter reading project.
I love pigs: Wilbur, Babe, Miss Piggy. Okay, maybe Miss Piggy is in a different category from the fist two, but ya gotta love her spunk. Hiiiiii-YAH!
Urban Panthers last blog post..The oh so virtuous Panther
I Heart Friday! | Words For Hireon 03 Oct 2008 at 1:00 pm 6[...] Wilson seems to agree and encourages us to roll in the mud like pigs. Well mud, does have therapeutic value, so it may not be such a bad idea. Robert Hruzek [...]
Ellen Wilsonon 03 Oct 2008 at 6:57 pm 7@Writer Dad - “A dozen darling pages.” Great words. And they go a long way. I haven’t tried my hand at juvenile fiction yet. Maybe someday.
@Karen - Oh how I long to plaster my face in mud like a pig Goddess! Haaa! Well, pigs are friendly unless you pull their tails, that makes them irritable.
@Vered - Hey! I love being called brilliant. It does wonders for my non-existent ego. Yes, those were the words that flowed from my finger tips onto the keyboard. That’s funny you keyed in on that. Actually, everyone did. That gives me (and everyone else) evidence that you shouldn’t edit while you write.
@Lance - I love the simple pigs along with the simple mud human kid pigs. Aren’t they funny?
@Urban - You are all lined up for a good experience with Laura Ingall’s Wilder. Those books will definitely take you back into another time and place. I love them! I should check the garage to make sure I didn’t get rid of them. They are probably still there.
Friaron 03 Oct 2008 at 9:54 pm 8“Pigs understand this. They flop down in the mud. They snort and they grunt. They don’t have complicated theories of things”.
Though, I would argue, if humans didn’t have to work for a living, we probalby wouldnt’ have to make up complicated theories either.
Have someone else take care of me. Give me all the food I can eat. All the mud I need to wallow in. Heck…I’d lead a pretty simple life too.
Friars last blog post..Vikings Invade the Playground
Marelisaon 03 Oct 2008 at 9:58 pm 9You just made me think of my Advanced Algebra teacher in the ninth grade, Mr. Scanlin. He loved pigs and he had a collection of pig knick knacks all over his office. Once I did really well on an exam everyone else pretty much bombed and he gave me a puzzle with a pig on it as a reward
Marelisas last blog post..Four Outstanding Thoughts on Innovation
Writer Dadon 03 Oct 2008 at 11:13 pm 10Writing children’s rhymes is how I started. I think it had a definite impact on my writing style. It seems I’m always searching for that zip that I put into the children’s work. I would totally recommend writing something for children (even if you’re the only one who reads it) as a great exercise.
Writer Dads last blog post..Pianoforte
Evelyn Limon 04 Oct 2008 at 1:25 am 11Ok…I have to confess that I’m not that much into pigs. But your post today sheds a new light on them. We sure can learn from them, huh? I like the idea of being rooted in something simple! Thanks for the lesson!
Evelyn Lims last blog post..How Would You Cross The River?
Harmonyon 04 Oct 2008 at 2:33 am 12Ellen! Charolettes Web was my MOST FAVORITE books of all time as a girl. I have not read it …well in some time.
I should do that! Thanks for the pic! And the reminder of how playful we can be with life.
Harmonys last blog post..7 TOP TIPS ON HOW TO LET GO (pt 3 of series)
Amy Derbyon 04 Oct 2008 at 4:31 pm 13Love your baby pigs photo, Ellen.
I never heard that Buddha said a lotus grows in mud.
That’s something very interesting for me to contemplate on this simple Saturday.
Thanks for the reminder.
Amy Derbys last blog post..Fiction Friday: Thirteen Ways of Looking at Fat, and other stories (plus markets)
Ellen Wilsonon 04 Oct 2008 at 6:46 pm 14@Friar - Pigs do have to make a living. They have tricked us into feeding them.
Seriously, pigs need to do what they have to do. They seem not to do to much or to little. From a pig standpoint.
@Mare - That’s funny! My algebra teacher liked lettuce. He had a tie with heads of lettuce on it.
@Writer Dad - If you can distill it to the kid essence then you’re golden.
@Evelyn - Hey, you didn’t tell me what animal you like! I believe we can learn from anything that presents itself in this lifetime. I have learned a lot from worms on the sidewalk. I also like worms.
@Harmony - Charlotte’s Web is classic. I should do a post on favorite kids books.
@Amy - I wish I would have taken more baby pig pics.
There’s a story that Buddha ate pork before he died. Apparently it was rotten.
Melissa Donovanon 05 Oct 2008 at 3:58 am 15I love Wilbur! This post is wonderful and I love it just like I love the pigs. I’m like Karen in not eating pork and Charlotte’s Web (one of my absolute favorite books) is part of the reason for that. Pigs are super smart and are as trainable as dogs!
Cath Lawsonon 05 Oct 2008 at 9:52 am 16Hi Ellen - I love Charlotte’s Web. And I believe there’s more skill in making complex things seem simple, than making simple things seem complicated.
I will have a slice of that pizza - but don’t put any bacon on the top. These pics and Vered’s ones the other day have put me right off eating any pig meat.
screenwritingforhollywoodon 05 Oct 2008 at 3:11 pm 17I had a pet pig when I was a small child. What happened is a traumatic experience I won’t go into here. I can only advise adults not to let small children play alone with animals.
Great photos and post sentiment. I do love to get dirty and play in the mud.
screenwritingforhollywoods last blog post..Calling All Actors, Directors, Storytellers, and Filmmakers to Massify: Music Video Competition
Barbara Swaffordon 06 Oct 2008 at 3:57 am 18Hi Ellen - I love the analogy. Pigs do have the right idea, don’t they? Who needs complicated theories? Your photos reminded me of my grandparents farm, they too had pigs and as kids we loved to watch them grunt and wallow in the mud.
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Ellen Wilsonon 06 Oct 2008 at 9:57 am 19@Melissa - Wilbur was such a nice pig. All he wanted was some friends. And then when he found out the trajedy of being a pig Charlotte came to his rescue. Yes, pigs have an intelligence humans can relate to. I have thought of getting a pig as a pet, but then I have wood floors in my house and I don’t know if I want to hear the click clack of hooves throughout.
@Cath - I agree with you. The best teachers can simplify complex subjects.
Ha! Oh for sure! That cartoon pig picture that Vered posted was disturbing.
@Jaden - I’m sorry to hear about your pet pig trauma. I know what you mean, I have seen little kids become very rough with baby animals, specifically kittens. Sometimes children need to learn respect for living things because apparently some children are not born with this trait. Unfortunately.
@Barbara - Pigs are fascinating animals. They aren’t real cuddly, but they are very curious. Along with the pigs, these people had fresh eggs for sale.
screenwritingforhollywoodon 06 Oct 2008 at 7:48 pm 20Just to be clear, I wasn’t cruel to the pig. I loved my pig.
screenwritingforhollywoods last blog post..Sunday Picture Post 31 / Dying Words
Ellen Wilsonon 07 Oct 2008 at 12:48 pm 21Hey Jaden,
I got the feeling it wasn’t you, but some other person who was cruel to the pig. That’s awful. But your story reminded me of when my ex and I were renting an apartment on top of this farm house and the little girl who lived below would play very roughly with the baby kittens that the barn cats had. Her mother even said she killed a few. Of course it was a mistake, but I think they had a different view of animals that I didn’t have. More utililitarian.
Jennyon 10 Oct 2008 at 10:33 am 22You are so right, we tend to forget how to be less complex and just let things go. How much fun do those people have who find a mud puddle in a big rainstorm and go sliding through it on their stomach? Most people stand around saying, “that’s gross” or “I’d never do that!” Those people don’t know how to let go and don’t see that it’s ok to act like a kid sometimes and get DIRTY!! I think I need to go find a mud puddle!
Jennys last blog post..Moments
Ellen Wilsonon 13 Oct 2008 at 8:50 pm 23@Jenny - I remember jumping through mud puddles. I liked a good rain. You know, you reminded me of something that was a long time ago and I should do again. Thanks.
Darren Daz Coxon 13 Dec 2008 at 5:26 am 24awww what great pics!!1
Darren Daz Coxs last blog post..My Franks Box Moment
Helenon 12 Jun 2009 at 6:21 pm 25Very nice blog… Really like your writing style. Gonna add you to my googlereader now..
Keep up the good work and I’ll come back in a few days.
I don’t eat any meat at all.. And I really hope that more people will eat organic in the future
Helens last blog post..My Solution to Get Rid of Stomach Fat