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Hello Friends~Big news first: we managed to have zero oopsy-babies! I’m incredibly relieved and only a little disappointed. I love the lambs. Still, having lambs that are a month older than the rest would complicate management a bit. Earlier this month I was reminded of the importance of Magic. I tend to be grinchy. Not on purpose. I just get focused and forget time. When the kids were little, we solved childcare by hiring Lizzie. Calling her a nanny feels odd-ducks. I’d met her a few years earlier through our downtown daycare and we just got along. In our house, she was Daytime Mommy, which I guess tells you something about how much I was not home at that time. Anyway, Lizzie has this super power of making magic out of every day. It’s been quite a few years now since she was part of our every day. She’s married and has kids of her own. But watching her–from afar–make magic for her own kids is a reminder of the beauty and value of creating that for little ones. And of the way that magic spirals out to those who witness it, too. Back to the farm…. The ewes’ bellies are getting so round! I’ve even see a few developing udders, which is a sure sign. Still, some of the older ewes tend to have saggy bellies and saggy udders most of the time. It can be hard to tell for certain. This year, I used marking harnesses on the rams so that I could at least make a note of who might have become pregnant and when. It’s not perfect. Grover and Roman were both very good at removing their harnesses. Thames may have been more enthusiastic than effective, marking nearly every ewe in his paddock (!) in the first 2 days. And Miles… I’m not sure. None of his ewes seemed to have been marked, but he also got uncoated, natural colored (shades of gray) ewes. Fingers crossed that it was a detection issue (me) and not a timid ram issue (him). Next up…Lambs drop anytime after January 8! The only thing better than lambs is sharing them with you. I’m offering insider access to all the lamb-y goodness through my online community, Adopt a Lamb. This is appropriate for adults and kids. Find out more here. Don’t forget to add yourself to the lamb waitlist if you’d like to be notified when I finally (!) nail down a butcher date for our remaining 2023 lambs. Details On the needles…I’m chomping at the bit to start on the Henbit Wrap by Fiona Munro, published in the Winter 2024 issue of Interweave Knits. I think it will show off my sport weight Romney beautifully. Pick some up for your next project! In the meantime, I’m working my way through the 40+ fleeces that were shorn last month. Some will go to shows this spring and summer. Some will go for processing into roving or yarn. Decisions need to be made in the next month or so. Love and magic.
Looking for something interesting to listen to? When I need a break from my own brain bubble, I listen to The Atlas Obscura Podcast. These are short (typically, around 15 minutes) explorations of out of the way spots. Host Dylan Thuras provides vivid descriptions folded into fascinating back-stories. What I love: This podcast brings all of the joy and curiosity and openness of traveling without the crowds or effort. I love being transported effortlessly to places I would never have discovered on my own. And I love hearing the stories of how the places came to be, or the people who cared for them. Endlessly fascinating!
I only started listening to podcasts during the COVID lock-downs. I’ve never been good at listening to words and doing analytic work at the same time, but with shepherding so much of my work is done with my hands. Podcasts keep my mind busy and let my curiosity run. If you have a favorite, let me know. I’d love to check it out, and I’d be happy to feature it here as well. |