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We lost another hen, Penny, to death tonight. I am sad.
These hens have been our friends, day in, day out. They “got it”. Since this spring we have lost 5 out of our 6 hens. We have one left tonight. I can only surmise that the cross breeding stinks, Buff Sex Links. We have raised many flocks of hens and this flock has had issue after issue this year. Except for one, which was taken by a predator, the rest have just died across the summer/fall. Our coop is cleaner than you can imagine, the feed is clean and we change out the water daily. If I weren’t so bloody conscientious, I’d blame myself.
I knew Penny wasn’t well this past week, slowly seemed to be going down, just like the others did. Quietly, gracefully. We have had a nasty cold snap, like much of the nation, this week, so I have kept our last two hens in the coop this week. I checked on them this evening only to find Penny on death’s door. I picked her up and held her for the longest time. I put my face to hers and loved her. Knowing she was dying, I decided to bring her to the house for the night. Why? I guess she just deserved that extra measure of care. I got a box, filled it with straw, went back down to fetch her (all within 5 minutes) and she had passed away. Gone.
Death sucks. I’ve seen too much of it these past few years and I am tired of the training.
Tomorrow will come. Tonight I am sad.
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Today we are snowbound and I am loving it! We have about 10″ on the ground at 2PM and the wind has started to pick up. It’s still blowing out of the east and I am waiting for that to turn to the west. I kept the sheep in today as their way out faces east and it was way to snowy in the barn this morning. So they are hunkered down with plenty of room under cover, hay and some classical music on the radio. Actually it was Christmas carols when I departed this morning. Maybe they were having a sing-a-long, who knows. Looking into the barn from the west end…looking cozy.
I got a wonderful surprise for my combo birthday/Christmas gift from Jack…a lamcam! Shout out to Manise! I have wanted one for years but they are pricey. Well, Jack thought it up all on his own, no pretty pleases from me! There it is, up in the right corner, hooked up and ready to go. It is an audio/video camera with ultra-violet light for the nightime hours. It transmits to our bedroom television. So during the night hours in lambing season I can now turn it on anytime during the night to check on the ewes without disturbing them or us, unless it is actually “time”. Wahoo!!!
And lastly, we have been working on finding a new Sheltie to join us here at the farm. We lost Shelley last November and it is now totally time to have a new pup on the farm. So here she is! We don’t have her yet, she just went to foster care 2 days ago, but the foster mom says she is a love, no issues and is ready to come to us! Double wahoo! She is 2 years old, a sable with a bit of blue merle on her face and one blue eye! That blue eye that Shelley had also will melt your heart. I am soooo excited..she should be here for Christmas. I will post more when she arrives!
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I am 56 years old today. I don’t tend to talk about my birthday but my dear friends and family remind me each and every year just the same! I could write a book about my years so far, but who has time, so much to do still, so much to learn, so much to live! Here I was with my two older brothers, I was happy!
Here I am after high school graduation. I could write a number of chapters between age 3 and age 18. It wasn’t all good or easy. That is what builds a good life though. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. At this point in time I was on the way to adult life with solid footing under me, thanks to the love of my family and friends. I chose this little gravestone when we took the photos….little did I know I would ever have my own flock one day!
I am a happy, thankful woman today. With a beautiful family, a flockful of loving sheep, regular work and the love of friends and family. That’s what it is all about, that love. This me and Jack with our dear Faith and the love of her life.
And here I am not too long ago, photography by Marti Stone My life is still opening, evolving and challenging. One of my favorite quotes that came from the book Fortitude by Hugh Walpole is “It’s not life that really matters, it’s the courage you bring to it.”
And today, among other special gifts I received this pastel of me and Ashley, done by our dear friend and shepherdess, Katie. You can see the photo in the prior post. She is so talented, so special. What a special gift she gave me today!
Thanks for stopping by…I’ll raise a glass to you tonight!
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Ashley and me; thankfulness in a huge nutshell.
Marti Stone Photographer
As we celebrate Thanksgiving remember that in 1621 the Colonists and Wampanoag Indians shared an Autumn harvest feast which has come to be an American tradition evermore. May you enjoy the bounty and be thankful for the blessings in your lives.
And if you want to test your knowledge of the Thanksgiving tradition click
here
Cheers!
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Our November mornings have been simply beautiful this month. We get a hard frost overnight and come morning all is coated in a soft white yielding to the sun’s warming rays. My morning field walk with Sidney captures fall palettes so rich with color.
Bea and Neville rose up in the frosty morning. Yet another capture in the night. A lamb or two, for sure, come spring.
My beautiful Bea, the leader sheep, strong breed genetics. She is the queen of the flock for protecting and guarding. Nothing misses her wary eye.
Bea and Neville spent more than a day together moving about the field, grazing, resting and creating.
Second and third from the right, they spent the afternoon with the others, enjoying yet another lovely late fall day.
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Neville and Della found each other….and it was a beautiful sight. I walked out to the field to do morning chores and found them rising up together in the frosty field, separate from the flock, together. It was stunning to see them in the early sunshine, oblivious to routine. They tumbled down to join the rest of the breeding group for breakfast, together.
They had the most lovely mating…and I know I tend to be pretty personal about my sheep and their comings and goings. But this is also the beauty of watching over a small flock of sheep. I get the opportunity to be up close and personal with them.
Later in the morning, while the other sheep settled down for some digesting, well, Della and Neville danced.
And they spent the afternoon like this. It was truly the most lovely mating I have witnessed. I adore Della. We brought her to our farm last summer and I have not regreted one lovely moment of her presence.
This love affair is short lived…maybe until tomorrow morning. But even so, life is sweet.
