Sometimes life just reaches out of the fog and says, 'How did you get this lucky?". I don't believe in luck really, but I do believe in relishing the many moments in life that make me think "How did I get all this? Wow, cool." As I type this at 5pm on a Friday, many of you are glad to see the work week end, and are partaking in your favorite things to do on a Friday after work - a toot at the pup, and walk with your dog, getting a movie, having a second date with a keeper, a hot bath and glass of wine...what ever it is, we all have them. And I spent time with my growing flock - two of whom are due in a week or so to lamb. I have been adding feed for Rosemary and Daisy who will lamb first. Rosemary already has the sunken hip look, which I learned last year as a total novice [now I am a second year novice] that sinking hips mean,get the baby booties knitted.I had been planning on Feb 10th as the first arrival, and Rosemary might be earlier. She's bagging out [a term I never knew until I had my first sheep rearing experience] very well, and each day this week her udder has been sweeling up. Daisy looks 2 weeks later, but last year, she deceptively looked smaller than Rosie, and lambed 3 days later with twins...
I think blogs are suppose to be honest, so I will say in writing, I love the looks of these sheep. I think they are the most beautiful sheep in the world, perhaps in the whole history of sheep. I am sure of it. I could have posted one or two pictures, but I like all these pictures. Selfish indulgence. But if you just could spend time with Rosemary, I think you would agree with me...Beauty like this comes once in awhile, like with Grace Kelly or Isabella Roselinni. So, gentle readers, be patient with me in the next two months of lambing. For shepherding the world's most beautiful sheep is a huge responsibility.
I did put myself through the torment of reading my sheep books again, brushing up on what to do if anything goes wrong, and of course, pretty much terrorized myself. I even added scalpals to my emergency lamb kit, but not sure what I'd do with them. If I need a scalpal, chances are I'll need a vet the first time around to use it. Last year, I lucked out, two sets of twins, healthy, didn't do a thing. Rosie had them safely in her stall at nite, and I got Daisy in her stall after her water broke around 4pm, only to come back in 20 minutes to find healthy twins at her side. I was so proud.
So, stay posted. In the meantime, my week ended like they all do, surrounded by animals, and art. Martyn will be coming home soon so we will sit with red wine by the fire and talk about the work ahead this weekend on our growing farm. This is where I belong. Sweet dreams.
