Positive developments

This week, Brian had a trial lesson with a new violin teacher. This one also teaches "fiddle," and can commit to a much more regular schedule. Brian likes his old teacher and didn't think he would like a new one, but he changed his mind after meeting her and getting assigned two fiddle tunes along with his scales, etude and hymns. This morning he woke up early so he could play those two new tunes for his daddy (Rick has been getting home late this week). It is so cool when a youngster gets excited about music! Rick had to pull out his guitar and play bluegrass with his boy; I had to capture it on camera. No, neither of them bothered getting dressed first. :-)
Another positive development around here regards Brian's horse Oliver. Ollie was professionally started, but neither Rick nor I have put the "wet saddle blanket" time in on him that he needs to make him a solid mount. As a result, Brian doesn't want to ride much, and has had his confidence shaken when he does ride. A new friend of ours has offered to put some training time in on Oliver when he's here (his wife just moved here to teach at our church school but he still lives in Tonasket, WA for now and comes down once a month). Oliver has been making dramatic progress this week, so today Rob gave Brian a lesson on his horse, showing him what he's been doing and expecting so Brian can start riding his horse correctly and with confidence.(Oreo thought it all rather boring.)
Remember the "sheep wheelings and dealings" I referred to in an earlier post? Well, there are positive developments there as well. It means giving up my "Shetland Ambassador" Valentine, something I never could have imagined doing before focusing my breeding goals on polled Shetland sheep, but Tammy has agreed to take her so I know she is going to one of the best homes possible. (Yes, this means Tammy will have TWO mother/daughter pairs from me!) Taking Valentine's place at Boulderneigh is a lovely, likely poll-carrier ewe lamb. Meet Owl Hill Buffy (registration pending): The "sheep shuffle" will take place this weekend around the Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival.

Lastly, we have proof that both of our newest hens are "carrying their weight" around here. Ebony's green eggs are an easy "tell," but I wasn't sure if Tawny's eggs would be distinguishable from the Rhodies'. Then yesterday Brian saw her in a nest box, and guarded the doorway to the henhouse until she laid her egg, which is a slightly lighter brown than the Rhodie eggs. The last hen to join our little flock, a Welsummer, is coming down to OFFF with Tammy; her eggs will be a distinctive dark reddish brown. How fun!

That's it for now at . . .