The temps went up to 40 during the day, we had some sunshine along with a bout of high winds which were perfect for drying all the fleece I've been washing.
Speaking of fleece, its almost time to start shearing again. At right is a photo of Doug Rathke, internationally known shearer and instructor for the annual shearing school at Cornell. He makes the class fun, packs in tons of info and makes it all look ssooo easy - not.
Along with visions of fleeces dancing through my head these days, friends and fellow shepherds near and far are beginning to report the first of their 2014 lambs.
I love seeing all the pics, and the new babies, and live vicariously through the tales, stories and accountings of 4, 5, and more lambs. And of course I can begin to feel the previously dormant excitement quicken in my chest though I bid it to cease for just a bit longer. To no avail.
For the last few months there has been nothing to get excited about and so I forget the girls are due and life goes on quiet comfortably then suddenly, I'm aware that its only 6 weeks till the first lambs.
Slowly I start thinking about the late stage supplements, and who is due first, who should be moved to a smaller area where I can more easily feed and monitor them, and who is looking bigger and bigger.
Right now there are several girls out there who are looking very plump indeed though without a doubt some of that is wool, much of it is lambs.
First lambs are due mid-April and I'll likely begin going crazy about April 1- 7 or so. Depending on the weather and how much outside work I can get done to distract myself.
If you'd like to visit some of my friends farms and see their new lambs, here is a link for you to peruse:
http://sweetcloverfarm.weebly.com/
Regards,
Kathryn
