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We had a lovely first snow this morning. I took Sidney for a walk in the woods and fields and he is sooo happy. He loves the snow and so do we. And so do the sheep actually. So how about the chickens,do they?
Here they are this morning. I kept them in yesterday as it never got above 15 degrees and the wind was bitter. So this morning they are feeling cooped up.
I decided to give them the benefit of the doubt and try the snowy ground out. These two hens stepped out immediately.
Then another joined them and do what chickens do….crossed the road to get to the other side. See they have rounds here every day. They have the bird feeder down at the big barn where they eat the seeds that drop, then they come by the shed door because I toss them some chicken feed every day, then they go around the house and check all the foundations and stone walls for bugs and then back across the road to do the rest of the stone walls. Very busy day (to a chicken).
Sidney is getting testy….since we lost Shelley he has no one to pester….so he asked Francine to play but she would have nothing to do with him. Poor Sid!
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For the next three weeks I invite you to visit our studio/store….come to shop for a loved one, for yourself or just to visit and enjoy holiday refreshments! The shop will be filled with color, texture and inspiration. The entire line of Earthues products will be showcased plus specialty gifts to satisfy your natural dyeing desires!
The shop will be open:
Sunday 12/7 10-4 PM
Saturday 12/13 10-4 PM
Sunday 12/21 from 10-4PM.
We are located at 116 Paine Rd, Westmoreland, NH. Park along the road and enter in the building with the Long Ridge Farm sign on the front!
I look forward to your company in the coming weeks!
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Today we brought the flock to the big barn for a few hours of love and attention.
Some needed coats changed. I like to keep the coats loose enough for them to be comfortable in them, but snug enough to keep the hay out during feedings. Sheep have a lovely characteristic of grabbing a mouthful of hay and then turning to their neighbor and eating it on their back!
All of the sheep needed a fall de-wormer as part of their internal health plan. And all needed a hoof check. We trim hooves 3 times a year on the average. Some sheep have softer hooves which tend to grow faster. Today for the most part all the hooves were in good shape. Jack has become the master of hoof trimming. He rather enjoys it. I am the counselor, holding the sheep’s head and whispering sweet nothings in their ears to keep them calm and patient! Here is a hen who slipped into the barn with a couple others while we were working. We work on a small group in the front area while the rest wait to be brought forward. The hen appears to be in charge and feeling quite proud of herself!
Below is Georgia, Daisy and Daphne in the midst of coat changes. It is rewarding to see the fleeces underneath for one brief moment before a fresh coat goes on. Love those spots on Georgia!
Here is the best angle I could get of Lucy getting here first coat since she arrived in July. I thought she’d protest more but she took to it like a second skin! Della, the other white ewe that we bought with Lucy, also took to the coat instantly. Sometimes the first time they wear a coat the leg straps underneath tickle them and they hop around for while. But now perhaps Della and Lucy feel truly like the rest of the flock, visually for sure.
And moments after their dismissal from the barn they were back to the winter pasture without missing a beat. Life moves on rather simply for sheep!
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Today we wish you enough to eat
That you are surrounded by loved ones
And that you rest, relax and enjoy the day!
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The past few days we have been readjusting to life without Shelley. This was Webster, the cat and Sidney, the lab, the morning after Shelley passed away. They were waiting for her to come for breakfast. Webster paced the house and in and out of the shed that whole day, looking to all her regular sleeping spaces. Sidney just slept in his bed, chin in his paws, despondent. Animals know about loss, in their own way they show the distress.
This is a picture of Daisy after Jessie died a few years ago. Daisy and Jessie were best friends. I bought them from another farm and they came together as lambs. That whole summer they lived together apart from the rest of the flock until they were old enough to fend for themselves. The day Jessie died and the days that followed had Daisy looking and waiting for Jessie’s return.She baaaed and paced and kept to herself. It was heart wrentching.
I mentioned to the vet that I wished I had saved Shelley’s fur over the years so I could spin and knit something warm for me. Something to keep close. I learned yesterday that they trimmed Shelley and saved me the fur to pick up. I have never worked with dog hair before and would love any comments or ideas on how to work with it. Her staple length is 3″ overall. I was at a fiber show a few weeks ago and a vendor was spinning and then knitting hair from her dog and had already knit a fabulous pair of glovelettes. I thought perhaps I could blend some of our fleece with Shelley’s hair if there is not enough to work with. Ideas please!
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My dear little Shelly just passed away minutes ago. It wasn’t a good weekend for her and I knew she was losing the fight but I had hope just the same. This morning though she threw up again and then got up on her bench to rest but looked really awful. Just minutes later she passed away. I am glad I was here with her.
At least she died in the one place she loved the most doing the regular routine of her day.
But this is a small consolation for the loss of such a dear friend and companion to me these past ten years.
Travel safely, Shelley. God speed.
