The Pendulum of Hard Work

"Spring Break Fiber Camp" is over, whew.  The sheep were sheared and connections made at our annual shearing event,  AND Easter was shared with family.  Now a new year is resurrected, as was Jesus.

Rosemary and I had our own sunrise service up on top of Charlie's pasture, which is higher than any here.  You can see miles and miles of the Blue Ridge Mountains to the east, the beginning of the Allegheny to the west, and of course Short Hill and House Mountains.  An amazing view and a SPECIAL place.

Now, I am ready to slow down and enjoy life's quieter moments.  There is a lot to get done but no rush to get it done.  There is so much quietude surrounding me today.

 The sheep are rid of a year's worth of wool containing a fair amount of hay and other vegetation and, I am sure, a decent amount of weight and warmth.  They seem to be happy and peaceful as well. They have new pasture (the highest and favorite) to eat, which was saved in a rotation.  The pasture below the driveway is getting long and thick and still a good place to spend some time when I can be on watch.  Today, Rosemary and I sat on the cabin deck and drew, at the picnic table.

Our time to relax and draw was well earned after some heavy lifting earlier in the day.  First, some quite large stumps that were hanging around, were moved to Boxerwood to be used in the "Fairy Forest".  Then we began moving my collection of heavy, large stones to the new steps area that I having been planning for over a year.  Pictures tomorrow.  Sweet.

It's That Time of Year

We went away for 6 days.  We were on holiday, as John puts it.  We went to see Beverly and her new house in Charleston.  It was great to see my good friend and we had a lot of fun and got refreshed.

I got so refreshed that our first night back, I forgot I was a farmer and didn't remember to close in the birds and give the sheep some hay until 9 P.M.  At least I remembered before I went to bed.  The next day, I was back into my farming routine and everyone was glad, except Prince.  Prince is testy these days so I had to put my big wings out and remind him I was the Queen Farmer.  Since he had to retreat, he went after the sheep, nipping at their legs.

My first day back was also the day that Sal finally decided to sit on the eggs she has been moving around in her big beautiful nest.  Now we wait and see what happens.

Meanwhile, the sheep are really wooly.  I haven't told them yet but they are all getting sheared the 15th.  I always struggle with when to have them sheared; the weather is so changeable.  Today they are probably glad they have the fleece; it is cool with strong gusts of chilly wind.  The problem is they get buzz cuts. 

Charlotte gets so much hay in her fleece when she eats.  It is her place at the hay feeder.

Today I spent the day in the fiber shed taking an inventory of the fleece left from last year.  Next week is Spring Break Fiber Camp, maybe we should make some big pillows stuffed with fleece and lavender.