Parallels

This evening as I snapped a couple photos of the sunset, it reminded me of a parallel I am facing. When someone gets old, they are said to be in their "sunset years." Dear old Inky is definitely in hers. Truth be told, I thought we'd need to put her down before this winter got underway, but for the most part she has remained mobile, eating, and interested in flock life.

Yesterday morning I found her flat out on her side in her protected corner of the fold. I tried to help her get up, but she couldn't even maintain a sternal position on her own. I propped her up against my leg and administered sheep drench and Banamine, then busied myself with other tasks to give the stuff time to work. When I came back, she was on her other side. Assuming she had tried to get up on her own, I went it and helped her again, this time successfully. Although none too steady on her feet, she tottered right over to her hay feeder and started to eat.

This morning I turned the sheep out to graze. Inky didn't look very comfortable from the start; she often appears to have a neck problem or neurological issue, standing with her head held oddly. So I gave her another dose of Banamine this evening, which always seems to help. But Rick thinks the time is approaching to put her down, maybe before lambs arrive and the need for jugs would necessitate her being jostled in the shared fold space at night. Perhaps this is why lambing isn't generating the usual anticipation in me. It's hard to get excited about new additions when you are facing farewells.

That's it for now from . . .

Happy Valentine's Day to me!

(click to biggify)

How cool is this??? Sara did such a great job on capturing the characters of the critters here, you'd think she jetted out here to meet them herself! I just love what she created for me, and am busy thinking up all kinds of ways to utilize it.

That's it for now from . . .

Stats

It was a five-egg day, our first in months.

We're also a four-horse family again, although the newest addition is leased. I am tickled to have a "dancing partner" again, a horse with which to enjoy dressage.

And soon, Boulderneigh will be immortalized in original artwork! Sara sent me a draft of what she's designed, and I love it! But then, I knew I would. :-)

That's it for today from . . .

Spring tastes wet and grey

While I was gone, the weather here was mild, sunny, beautiful. When I arrived at the Portland airport, it was raining. It was been grey and raining off and on ever since, with more in the forecast. But spring is coming; I see it in the burgeoning bulbs of the island bed
and the occasional robin redbreast.

I also see it in the swelling bellies of Annabelle and Marta, who are due to lamb in two weeks. I missed my chance to have them sheared pre-lambing while I was in Texas (my shearer/farrier came while I was gone), so I need to get them crutched soon - and snip mid-side/last rib samples from everyone for micron testing. I got a good look at Bart's fleece last night, and it's still exquisite in its color, crimp and handle.

That's it for now from . . .