Tuesday, April 19, 2022

Of weather and wool

A current screen shot of my weather app wouldn't look much different than the one leading off my last post, but there has been a lot of water under the bridge, sunshine over the bridge, and snow ON the bridge in the last nine days! Those of you who follow me on Instagram saw our sticking snow three mornings in a row last week; it didn't last long here but set records throughout the area for latest snowfall. As with my farm and family life, there is no point in asking "What next?" because I clearly don't have enough imagination for all the possibilities. 😳




Snow on lilac buds


Time for a flock update. The sheep have been out on pasture several more times, and on Easter I even managed to slip away from Bling instead of having to babysit. (But she much prefers it when I stay.)

Bonded lambs and dams
Estranged mother and daughter



Got a lot of nasty tansy pulled while lamb-sitting

A 'bluebird day'







Bling still thinks us two-leggeds are her 'flock'

The day I slipped out Bling stuck tight to Bernadette and Broadway

Now they holler to be let out ALL the time, but it's turned very wet again and I'm trying to keep fleeces dry so I can harvest when there's opportunity.

On Sunday I rooed Bette, whose fleece was starting to fall off on its own. (Available for purchase.)





Now Bette doesn't look much bigger than Boop – or maybe I should say that big Boop doesn't look much smaller than her dam now!

Also on Sunday, Rick preg-checked Bridget with ultrasound and confirmed she is carrying at least one vigorous lambie, so I put her in with the other ewes and put wether Bing out in the Ram-ada Inn to keep Spot company.
Ewe's not just fat and fluffy!

Ewe's interested in those lambies? Just wait!

Yesterday yearling Berlin persisted in being a butthead to Bridget, chasing her round and round and bashing her in the butt and side. The little brat got put in with Bing; I don't need her to precipitate another lambing crisis. I suspect she might also be mean to Bernadette, Broadway, and Bling when they have to trade spaces with Bridget.

Another thing that will help prevent problems is getting Bridget's huge fleece sheared; we'll be able to keep a closer eye on her progress and her udder (when and if it ever develops) will be more accessible. I was going to shear her today, but it's been too wet and cold for that several-hour process. Maybe later today....

Please let Bridget lamb before I leave for Texas again  – or wait until I return!

That's it for now from . . .

12 comments:

thecrazysheeplady said...

Them's some mighty cute lambies :-D

Michelle said...

Thanks, Sara; I think so, too (but I'm surely prejudiced)

Jeanne said...

It's so much fun, watching the sheep and gazing at the pictures! I'm surprised that Berlin started being a bit ornery! I hope she'll get that out of her system soon.

Bette looks so beautiful since you rooed her. She surely does have lovely fleece!

The lamb races are such fun to watch!

Jeanne said...

By the way - the last video in this blog post doesn't open. Instead, it says that it's private. I don't know if you are aware of that...

Michelle said...

Thanks for letting me know about the video, Jeanne; it's fixed now.

Mokihana said...

What wonderful photos!! And yeah, hasn't the weather been wild? I actually loved seeing the snow and all the rain; after such a dry couple of previous years, I'll take it all.

There's just nothing like adorable lambs!

Retired Knitter said...

Oh to be young again like your little lambs and run free with no worries in the world. the pics and the movies were adorable. Made me yearn for Maryland Sheep and Wool festival which that are actually holding this year and which I plan to attend. Got my second booster shot and my mask supply is ready.

A :-) said...

The lambies are growing so fast!! :-)

Leigh said...

I just love seeing your lambs. They grow so fast! They don't seem to mind your crazy weather. It's hard to tell when to plant!

FullyFleeced said...

the lambies are gorgeous!

wyomingheart said...

Prett6 precious little lambs! Don’t know if I could leave them alone! Lol !

Michelle said...

Oh yes, I am very thankful for all the moisture in whatever form it falls, Mokihana!

Yay for in-person fiber festivals, Elaine! Black Sheep Gathering and Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival are both on for this year, too, and I hope to make brief excursions to both.

They do that, A!

Leigh, we usually have to wait quite awhile for our ground to dry out enough to till.

Thanks, Denise; I'm very happy with these three.

As you can tell from all the photos and videos, wyomingheart, I spend a lot of time with them. ;-)