Showing posts with label sheep 1a. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sheep 1a. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 23

Daily Farm Photo: 8/23/06


Big Chip Is A Big Pet

If you haven't met this handsome 10-year-old before, click
here to read his story--and to learn the proper way to hug a sheep. By the way, after all these years Big Chip still demands a hug every time he sees me. And who's going to say no to that face? This is one sweet fellow, but he's serious when it comes to getting hugged.

A year of Daily Photos ago:
Hardy Echinacea Blooms All Summer Long In The Garden

Sunday, August 6

Daily Farm Photo: 8/6/06


Baby Cary Is Three Months Old Today!

I was looking through some of her early baby photos, and I can't believe how much she has changed. She's even a totally different color. (To
Tree and anyone else who wondered if I'd sheared Cary because she looked lighter--no, the sun is bleaching her wool. Plus sometimes the camera makes her appear even lighter if the sun is hitting her--like on her back in this photo.)

At age three months, Cary is happy and healthy and doing just fine. She is 23 inches high, 35 inches from the tip of her nose to the base of her tail, and weighs 45 pounds (some of you were very close with your guesses!). We still spend much of the day together, as she has not been fully assimilated back into the flock yet (though she mingles with them in the afternoon and sleeps in the barn with them every night).

We have fallen into a comfortable daily routine which begins each morning when I greet her in the barn with a bottle of milk replacer, and she sucks it down in about two seconds flat. Then we push Dan outside, count the sheep, and set everyone free so they can graze in the fields. I prepare Dan and Leopold's treats while Cary nibbles on some oats. Then I feed Dan, and Cary runs over and starts inhaling his food (you'd think she would have learned her lesson). Fortunately Dan can be a very patient donkey. We take care of any barn chores that need doing (replenishing minerals and salt, filling water troughs), and then we follow Dan as he heads out to the front field in search of the flock.

If all is well, after a little while Cary and The Nanny Bear and I walk up to the house, where I work in the garden, Cary works on eating it, and The Nanny Bear keeps an eye on both of us. Breaks from the heat are taken indoors. These days Cary usually prefers to lounge on the living room floor with my dirty long-sleeved gardening shirt that is hanging on a chair draped over her head. (Lambs recognize their mothers by smell, not sight. Or, as Joe put it, "Honey, she loves your stink.") If it is very hot, she will join me in my air-conditioned little office and either quietly stand by my side chewing her cud or curl up at my feet while I sit at the computer--just as she's done from the start.

Every day with Cary continues to be a precious adventure. She keeps very busy growing up and learning new things.


Back when she was just three weeks old, she attempted to take her first drink of water--and then she tried to eat the bucket.



Joe Giving Cary Lunch On June 7th

And while she still loves her bottles of milk replacer more than anything else in the world (well, except me--I think). . .


She now sips water like a perfect little lady.

Thanks for all of your wonderful words of support over the past three months. I had no idea my tiny "bum" lamb would become this popular. I'm just thrilled that Cary has so many dear friends and fans around the world. I'm looking forward to sharing more of our lives together with you over the coming months (and hopefully years!).

A year of Daily Photos ago: New Cat On The Potting Bench

Monday, July 10

Daily Farm Photo: 7/10/06


BB (born in 2005) & Her Mother Tana Are Always Together
Click
here to see another recent photo of these two black beauties.

A year of Daily Photos ago:
Molly Doodlebug Makes Her First Appearance

Monday, May 15

Daily Farm Photo: 5/15/06


Sheep Crossing

Lamb Report: The wet weather creek is still running (hooray!), but late yesterday afternoon some of the sheep decided it was low enough to safely cross over to one of their favorite grazing spots, and so they took the plunge. (Well, I suppose 'the splash' would be more appropriate--there was no swimming involved.) Unfortunately many of those brave woolies were mothers whose kids did not think it was at all safe to cross the creek, so things got quite noisy for a while until Bear and I made everyone splash back through to the other side. My Mother's Day gift from the sheep? They all went into the barn for the night without a fight! And it only took me four tries to get the correct lamb count. Current Lamb Count: 22. Number of baby lambs curled up asleep at my feet as I type this: 1.

P.S. I'm just thrilled that so many of you enjoyed my little Mother's Day Lamb 'Tail.' Thanks, as always, for taking the time to write and let me know.

Sunday, May 14

A Tiny Tail For Mother's Day


Where's my mommy?

Once upon a time there was a beautiful lady sheep named Annette who gave birth to an itty bitty set of twins—one boy and one girl. Annette was not new to motherhood, but she was new to the idea of twins.

When she found herself in a Bonding Suite with two newborn lambs instead of just one, she became a little frantic. And in the ensuing confusion, she stepped on the little girl's tiny leg with her big strong hoof and hurt it very badly.

Annette eventually calmed down, and she allowed the twins to nurse. But the little girl could not stand up on her own, and she needed someone to hold her steady at the milk bar. To make sure she received enough milk, she was also given supplemental bottles.

The twins curled up together when they slept, and the little girl quickly became strong enough to stand up and balance on her three good legs. Things were looking up.

Wednesday, April 12

Hearts & Rocks & Numbers & Thoughts


Sometimes I think I need a heart of stone to live here.

One advantage to living on a farm in the middle of nowhere is that you can sit on the edge of a bunk feeder in the barnyard at sunrise and cry as loud as you like. Nobody is going to bother you.

I had planned to put this photo and its story up this morning, along with some thoughts that have been randomly connecting in my mind. About Lucky 13, who we lost a week ago today. About my brother, who we lost over 100 days ago and who was here on the farm when the first lambs were born last year. About the fact that Snugglebunny (whose eartag is #13) gave birth to the 13th lamb this year and should I give her a name that includes "Lucky" or "13" or would that feel wrong.

About the usual things—love, loss, life.

More below. . .

Wednesday, April 5

A Sweeter Sheep You Will Not Meet



Lucky 13
5/28/04 - 4/5/06

She was never without a hint of a smile,
and she was always first through the gate each morning.


That's what happens on a farm--animals inevitably die. But, at least for this farmgirl, even after 12 years it hasn't gotten any easier. Some people would no doubt say I let myself get too close to my critters, but I don't feel that way. They are my constant companions, my dear friends, my family. The joy that knowing them brings me is immeasurable, and that, unfortunately, means losing one hurts so much more. And while I try not to play favorites, some of them just work their way deeper into your heart than others. Lucky 13 was in there pretty deep.

Yesterday morning I thought Lucky 13 was in the early stages of labor. As the day went on, it became increasingly clear that she was not about to give birth, and that something was very wrong. I poured through my books, comforted her the best I could, and administered to her around the clock. When I went to check on her a little while ago, she was gone. I'll never know for certain what the problem was. But I know without a doubt that it will be quite some time before I stop looking for her smiling face making its way toward the barn gate each morning. The photo above was taken on July 14, 2005 but never posted. Please click here if you'd like to see one of my other favorite photos of Lucky 13.

Farewell, sweet girl. You will be missed.

Friday, March 31

Wednesday, March 29

Daily Farm Photo: 3/29/06


They Certainly Do Learn Early


Pssst! Do you know about my new gardening blog?

Tuesday, March 28

Daily Farm Photo: 3/28/06


It Seems Like They Never Stop Moving

Sunday, March 26

Saturday, March 25

Daily Farm Photo: 3/25/07


Well Somebody Has To Eat It

Friday, March 24

Daily Farm Photo: 3/24/06


Uncle Dan Is Back On The Job!

More details in a few days. (No really, this time I mean it.)

Thursday, March 23

Thursday, March 16

Friday, March 10

Life When You're 12 Hours Old


Hang With Mom



Check Stuff Out



Get Plenty Of Rest (So You Can Grow Into Your Ears)

© 2006 FarmgirlFare.com, the award-winning blog where Farmgirl Susan shares stories & photos of her crazy country life on 240 remote acres.

Thursday, March 9

Daily Farm Photo: 3/9/06


I Think They're Born Addicted To Treats

Wednesday, March 8

Counting Sheep, Not Getting Much Sleep

A Little Update


Lambing Season Can Be Awfully Tiring. . .



. . . For Everyone


So here is what has been happening on the farm.

On Sunday, ten-year-old Mary (pictured above) had itty bitty twins.
On Monday, Frederica had a humongous baby boy.
On Tuesday, first time mother Annie (and my other 2004 orphan bottle baby along with Teddy) had a little baby boy.

Things have been crazy but wonderful. Who needs sleep? I'm running on adrenaline and lamb kisses. So, for those of you who are keeping track of this stuff, here is the current tally:

Six ewes have given birth to 8 live lambs--five boys and three girls. There are still 20 (or so) rapidly widening, pregnant ladies out there.

And for those of you who are tired of wool and are wondering where the food is on this food blog (and if lambing season is ever going to end), please believe me when I say that I had every intention of writing about a sweet new recipe yesterday, but babies always win out over biscotti (even if it is Toasted Almond & Chocolate Chip). Soon.

In the meantime, if all of this sweetness is giving anyone sugar cravings (besides me), I invite you to peruse the Farmgirl Fare archives and perhaps discover (or re-discover) a new favorite. All of the recipes are listed in the sidebar under 'Previous Posts.' Might I suggest Mexican Monkey Cake, Emergency Chocolate Cake, or a batch of Crazy Cookies?

As for me, it's back down to the barn. Lamb kisses are on the menu for dessert tonight.

Sunday, March 5

Daily Farm Photo: 3/5/06


Lounging Lambies

Saturday, March 4

Daily Farm Photo: 3/4/06


Next?


Trivia Tidbit (carried around since grammar school):
This is the only day of the year that gives a command.