The Home of Beautiful Bluefaced Leicesters and Shetland Sheep

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Friday, March 4, 2011

Time Away

Poor Tim is shepherd in charge while I travel to North Carolina with Molly for Grad school interviews. All the BFL ewes were supposed to be lambed by now (except the AI girls)... they're NOT. Tim not only has to feed but is on lamb patrol.

Since the Shetlands are sheared they are digging their individual craters in the bedding at night to keep warm. I warned Tim about walking through these holes (some quite deep) while feeding since I have taken a few falls only to be trampled by the starving masses, too impatient to wait for me to get up! Tim fed this AM very early and in the dark. He couldn't find the light switch in the second pen so he thought he'd just carefully walk through the sleeping flock. Wellll...these are Shetlands remember so with each step another panicked ewe shot into the air until he felt like he was in the midst of whack a mole with ewes popping up all around him. He likened it to walking through exploding land mines. He called to say thanks for the warning while laughing. Tim likes my Shetlands so they can do no wrong.

Down here in North Carolina it's so much warmer than home and I have seen some flowering shrubs. Spring really is coming and it feels oh so good.

5 comments:

malamalama said...

Farm kids, no matter how big are a treasure! Around here , "Mom, you owe me big time!" and murmers about combat pay get quieted by treats from the road trip and a favorite supper. Hang in there Tim.

Potosi Sheep Farm said...

Combat pay for sure when feeding sheep! It's funny how when they were little Tim and Molly resented MY sheep a little but as they get older I can see that the flock has become a part of who they are. I am thankful for every moment they give me for help.

Michelle said...

Oh, I laughed out loud at the visual image I got; "Whack A Mole" - ha ha ha! Glad you've got a good helper AND time with your girl!

Ebonwald Cardigans said...

I cannot WAIT to see your Shetland lambs this year!! I hope Ruben does good for you.

I can't believe you have green grass.

My Shetlands dig holes in their bedding and they still have their fleeces on....but its only in the teens/twenties for highs here and we have FEET of the white stuff yet.

Safe travels friend!

Becky Utecht said...

Kathy I love your writing style. Like Michelle I was laughing out loud with the mental image you painted. I'm anxious to see your AI BFL lambs!