Yesterday morning I decided it was Babette's turn for a haircut – and threw in some lamby halter-training for free! Bernadette was not impressed, and had to have a little lie-down AND warm milk to recover. ;-)
Babette is aptly named:
Bernadette may look like her mommy, but thankfully doesn't sound like her – as long as she could be up ON the stand with Babette. Mommy's little brown shadow....
Afterwards I let them graze on the long grass around the chicken quarters for a bit.
I sat on the ground so I could scoop up Bernie and take a good look at her. No sign of fading anywhere; I do believe she's going to stay moorit.
When I noticed how interested Blake and his minions were in the grazing ladies, I had an idea. I usually can't get the boys to go down the chute into the Ram-ada Inn lot without help, and I can't catch them in their larger lot. Using Babette as bait, I easily haltered Blake. Once Babette and Bernadette were back in the fold with the other girls, I used Blake to lead the wethers into the Ram-ada Inn. Gotcha!
That's it for brown; the white and black and blue will have to wait for the next post!
I have another slew of sheep shots to share, but thought maybe I should alternate subjects for the sake of the less ovine-inclined. How about more flowers?
On Saturday the first of our bearded iris opened; I posted its portrait after shots of all the rhododendrons that were in bloom here. Well, every day since then a new iris has unfolded. It's been a veritable runway show with flamboyantly dressed, tall, beautiful models! Sunday:
Monday:
Tuesday:
Today:
Tina commented that our yard must look like a fairyland this time of year. Can you hear my laughter in Bellingham, Tina? ;-) Grass and weeds are trying to take over everywhere; I carefully frame my photos to minimize them. Our irises have dwindled from competition and neglect. :-( This photo is more realistic:
I did pull a lot of grass and weeds from the bed earlier this month when the soil was wet, but by no means got it cleaned out. Try as I might, I can't begin to keep up on all the weeding needed around here; I need a full-time gardener. Funny, though, how the old varieties in the pasture seem unperturbed by neglect and vigorous competition!
There are other flowers newly blooming, too. My species geranium, a most delightful shade of blue:
And one more rhody, which is mostly taking the year off:
It's taken more than half my life, but I've finally mostly learned that when I'm staggering under emotional burdens, it's best to keep my thoughts to myself. Sharing my dark mood comes back to bite me when the burdens ease – and they always do, sooner or later (hallelujah; praise the Lord!).
My sweetie brought me a "pick-me-up" bouquet
So after several heavy (and hot; did I mention how HOT it was?) days, my mood is up 30 degrees and the temperature is down 30 degrees over this time last night.
Click to biggify that beautiful, crimpy fleece!
That means tomorrow is time to buckle down and SHEAR SOME SHEEP! I got Blaise done on Sunday; one down and five to go (plus one to roo). Scissor-shearing takes me quite awhile, but I skirt as I go so when I'm done, the fleece should be ready to weigh and ship. That's why Blaise sported a huge 'cowl'; I removed her trashy neck fleece first (then her belly and britch wool), leaving the cleanest, coated part isolated for harvest.
Hunky Bogie
The Littles, not as little anymore; Bernadette, center, still looking moorit
Six wandering lambies...
and one climbing on me for attention – that would be Brigitte
The lambs spot a wolf on one side (Jackson),
then a wolf shows up on the other side!
"Mom! There are scary wolves out here!"
"Hmm; maybe not so scary," says Bardot
Sunday was also the last day the ewes and lambs got to enjoy pasture time, because I found a couple of foxtail awns when I sheared Blaise. Poor ewes and lambs; they didn't know that was their last meal. If they had, maybe the lambs would have spent more time eating and less time playing in the driveway! Nah; they probably would have played more. ;-)
I'm a homeschooling, horse training, animal loving, garden growing, part-time business running, spinning and knitting shepherd who loves the Great Shepherd.
