Sheep, sandwiches and shoulders

Little piggies

Kimberwood Marta

WhitePine Sarai

The sheep have been MIA here for awhile, I know. They are all fine, never fear; eating, sleeping, chewing cud, growing wool. A bit of excitement niggles at me every once in awhile; breeding season approacheth! Not that breeding season is fun – it is more work to manage three groups of sheep instead of two (I plan to use an outside ram this year) – but breeding means . . . LAMBS! And what a Shepherd's Christmas next spring's lambing season could be. My three patterned ewes (white, black gulmoget, black katmoget) all carry solid AND brown, so I could get a veritable rainbow from crossing them with Franna's handsome polled moorit ram. Then again, I could get all blacks or all moorits, too . . . which would be fine, as long as they are fine-fleeced, well conformed, healthy – and girls. ;-)

I have to admit that not having lambs this year has been a good thing. With all the medical stuff that has been and is going on with our parents (my mom has eye surgery tomorrow, and Rick's mom has eye surgery a week from today, on top of the surgeries both dads have had), it has been nice having fewer numbers and simpler management, not to mention not having to market any for sale. Who knows what the future will bring? I may find that a fiber flock is all I can manage while I am "sandwich filling"!

My shoulders are another reason it was probably a good thing I didn't have lambs this year. I'm pretty sure I injured my right shoulder last fall/winter hand-walking a cooped-up young Lance before bringing him home at the first of the year. After more than seven months of discomfort, eventually joined by problems with my left shoulder and both elbows from compensating for my right, I went to see a physical therapist. I went again yesterday with Rick in tow to learn how to do the supportive taping, and came away with a list of exercises that will hopefully make me stronger than ever – or as strong as a middle-aged woman can be. That's essential when living in the country with animals and a very active 11-year-boy!

Speaking of that active boy, Rick is taking him on his very first backpacking trip this weekend. Yes, just a weekend; I think that's as much as either of them can handle at this point. ;-)  I'll hold down the fort here at home, as well as visiting a couple different people after church Sabbath and attending a neighborhood potluck Sunday. Hopefully there will also be time to ride my pony, spin some yarn, and enjoy the quiet!

Speaking of yarn, here is my second skein of Browning two-ply off the "wheel" (miniSpinner):

That's it for today from . . .