Personal
I don’t like beginning with the word “I”…ever. This life is not about me. Usually. Humor me this one day.
I am not a tracker of followers or people who read my blog. Good grief…where is there time for that work? So for all I know you haven’t missed my posts. I am sorry I haven’t followed more closely my favorite bloggers…abject apologies to each of you.
Paralysis set in a year ago. Being one to pour my guts out is not my style.
Typically, I share the things that go on at the farm, my excursions, workshops, the sheep, farm and pups, sometimes even a personal milestone. At this time, for me to move forward and post meaningfully means dumping a bad memory.
I suffered the strangest and most heart-wrenching experience in that spring season. Something
I never wish to duplicate, ever again. I followed my instincts which blew up and apart as no one could imagine. I know this is fodder for “Tell me more” but suffice to say I won’t, in kindness to myself and those affected. What I will say is I fell apart. My intuition and I had a falling out (briefly). I seconded guessed and imagined it was all my inner workings. The work has been incredibly slow and painful. And laughably, at 59 years old, this shouldn’t still occur. Yet it does for us all.
On a walk this late spring, I stood and looked at this oak leaf in an icy puddle on my morning walk understanding it’s place. Sinking, floating, frozen, yet looking to the bright sky of a new season, transforming. That is me. On dry land now.
Fleece, Sheep
This is Charlotte. Once a lamb, now 7 years old.
This is Memphis, Charlotte’s dam. Memphis won me a quite a few
fleece ribbons and Memphis’ dam, Athena, took Grand Champion fleece
at Black Sheep Gathering in Eugene, OR.
Just this spring this photo of Memphis was a winner
in a photo contest for a breed specific CVM/Romeldale.
I got an email this morning
that Charlotte’s fleece took 1st place in the
breed specific CVM/Romeldale division
I can’t be more proud. Something as simple as this
makes me higher than a kite.
Sheep
Neville, a most handsome CVM/Romeldale ram, lived across the river on Betsy’s farm. He vacationed on our farm and spent time with our pretty ladies.
A romancer caught in early morning.
He chose his women one by one and gave them a whole
day, complete with breakfast the day after.
and quiet time alone.
Pretty sweet offspring were created.
Sadly this love bear’s time had come.
I was thankful to be there with Betsy when he died.
It was big and sad.
He left behind a good crop of lambs on both sides of the river.
He’ll be missed.
Plants and Gardens
If you love winter blooms inside,
I suggest you don’t discard your spent Amaryllis
bulbs after the holidays. Christmas 2011
a good friend gave me a lovely bulb which
bloomed in February. I didn’t have the heart to throw it out
so instead waited until late spring and
planted it down in a protected area.
One day in late August the Amaryllis, once again,
spewed forth it’s beauty. Surprise!
I thought best to read up and found that the bulb
will continue to renew seasonally. In the late fall I dug it up,
planted it in light soil and put it in the cellar until November.
[dark and cool being needed ~ a closet will do]
In December I brought it up and set it out of the sun in a cool room.
Just this week it began sending new buds.
It was suggested to feed it once a week
during this stage.
I am using a liquid 10-15-10 fertilizer.
We have been doing the same with five Cyclamen for
many years and they just keep working their magic;
same pot, same soil, year in, year out.
The blooms begin in October and run through June each year.
This is a north facing window.
The difference with the Cyclamen is to just “dry them off”
in the June and put in the dark until September.
Positivity
Notice hearts as you walk the path, smile to them, pass them on to others
