Anticipating harvest

As a vegetarian shepherd, I have two 'crops' – fleeces and breeding stock/fiber pets. Breeding stock has had supply chain issues for a number of years now, but this spring looks to break that trend. 😉

Last Sunday I prioritized breeding group maintenance. Round and waddling Bernadette looked like she would be more comfortable in a bigger coat, and Bridget's extremely woolly, wet and messy backside needed trimming. I figured while I was in there, I could evaluate all four of Spot's ladies, so I tied him up (he's a sucker for chin rubs so easy to catch and halter) and went to work. In addition to attending to Bernadette's and Bridget's needs, everyone got their toes trimmed and a photo session. (All fleece shots taken at last rib, mid-side.)

Bernadette

Bernadette in a bigger coat

Bridget

Bridget's backside trimmed

Blaise, head in bright sunlight

Bette

I also bumped bellies and felt for udders. All lambies must have been napping because I could feel or see no movement. Only Bette has the barest beginnings of a bag and a slightly puffy vulva so she may well be the first to lamb, possibly in early March. Bernadette and Bridget look convincingly plump, but Blaise does not. 😕 Nothing to do, though, but wait and see! (Well, I could ask Rick to ultrasound them, or at least Blaise, but the less I say about the burgeoning of my flock, the better.)

I posted the four ewes' fleece shots to Instagram/Facebook, and someone asked if one of them was my ram. Oops, no; I hadn't thought to take a photo of his! So this morning I caught him and remedied that:

Spot's fleece

He was sheared late the year I got him and his rise hit early last spring so his 2021 fleece was too short to sell. It sure is looking good this spring!

The harvest is promising at . . .

Look up

Continuing my 'thematic blogposts,' here are the sky shots I've taken so far this year, at various times of day and all from home but for the mid-day cloudscape. Each scene was a gift, arresting my attention, blessing me with beauty, and giving me momentary respite from the current burdens of heart and mind.

Sunrise and sunset colors from the same day, looking ESE and ENE respectively. Love the reflected color in the arena puddle!

One of those sunrises that kept getting more spectacular, holding me spellbound despite a certain persistent cat's demands for attention. I stepped off our deck to catch Mt. Hood's sideshow.

Dramatic sky over Brooks Winery and vineyards very close to home:

Evening colors to the west:

Just another stunning sunrise:

On a different day, with sun already risen, shading valley fog pastel pretty (that last photo has lots of interesting detail if you double-click to biggify):

That's it for now from . . .

A primarily Poppy post

Focusing on a one thing at a time is essential for accomplishing anything these days. I seem to have lost my ability to multi-task: is it stress, age, cumulative effects of mild concussion? Ha; probably all of the above! Anyway, today my "one thing" to help me blog is Poppy, my good pup. We started agility classes again last night, after a holiday break, and she did great; the teacher commented on her growing maturity and skills. I am going to ask one of my fellow class members to video us sometime.

Me and my dog on the first day of 2022. May we spend many more together!

Brian didn't want a "little dog," but has acknowledged that Poppy is pretty cool. She thinks he's pretty cool, too.

While Poppy waited for the guys to come home, I had fun with iPhone filters.

Sometimes a girl's just gotta zoom!

That's it for now on  the terrier at . . .

Date nights, big and little

Last Tuesday, Rick took me to a concert. Rick plays guitar, so when he learned that Tommy Emmanuel was coming to Portland he got tickets. With masks and proof of vaccination required, we had no concerns about being in the packed Aladdin Theater in Portland, where we sat in the balcony:

I recorded some snippets of various pieces to share and return to, but didn't capture any of the really fast and furious or percussive pieces that you see in a couple of the photos.

It was REALLY GOOD. Brit Mike Dawes opened for Tommy and played with him, too; both of them are so talented and clearly had fun. Whoever did the lights definitely enhanced the experience. (Saturday night it was Brian's turn; Rick took him to a gospel quartet concert while I enjoyed a quiet night at home.)

Then last night, Brian brought Chuckie in for a little date night of his own. I think they needed a room; notice all the drool on Chuckie's foreleg and Brian's sleeve. 🙄🤣

Have you enjoyed any date nights yet in 2022?

That's it from . . .