The gang's all here!

February 2, 2021

Everyone was hoping I would step out of the barn with Fruit Loops! However, I feed treats to them from the other side of the fence. Learned long long ago that the sheep are fine running into you like linebackers! The first time I got bumped over by a sheep was by our very first sheep Woolamina. She was a big Suffolk sheep and so sweet. Supper time was usually casual until the night I was walking her into the barn with her bucket of grain in my hand. She was behind me, as always, but took the corner short and down I went. She was trying to get her head in the bucket- she didn’t mean it but down I went. Right into muddy barnyard mess! I’m much more careful now because that was not the only time I got tumbled. Once in a while they DO give me a bump though. I think they have a right good laugh about it too!

Driveway Zoomies!

January 2021

We’ve had a much more ‘normal’ snowy winter here in Wisconsin so far! For recent years, it’s been more of an ice fest. Our little farm in the valley is at the bottom of the hill. We get such an accumulation of ICE. Snow makes me happy!

It also makes the sheep happy- they love to run zoomies in the snow. Cracks me up! I’m working on honing my video ‘skills’ so I can add episodes of them!

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Hello 2021!

January 2021

It’s winter in Wisconsin and so far, a regular old WI winter! Lots of snow and not as much ice. The sheep are still sleeping outside even though their barn is so nice and cozy. Around 20 degrees is perfect sheep weather. Their little legs like no wind too if possible. Otherwise they will have me knitting leg warmers for them! They really need to stop having snowball fights though. The boys get a little rowdy!

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Fall Cleaning!

November 2020: And not a moment too soon since the weather is really cooling down quickly! The sheep love the weather to stay between 20 and 30. It’s perfect for them when they are so woolie. They are halfway to shearing day so have a lot of fleece to keep them warm. I always think I should knit them some leg warmers. Those skinny little legs always make me cold even though the sheep are fine. They are quite wise about staying warm.

On that note, we have new pens built in the main parts of the old dairy barn. Whee! I am so easily amused right? We found a fellow with some really nice sheep panels he built of sturdy oak. He needed them gone and gave us a great price so home they came! Here is a photo of the big sheep’s new pen. They will be nice and warm with the windows covered. They need a nice dry place to get out of the wind and weather. I love our old buildings. So much history out there.

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Snow- October 26?

Really? And it is only 34 degrees out there this morning. Good grief! Have to admit though, if we have everything ready (which we don’t) I’m good as long as it stays about 20 degrees. Might have to put my shorts away for winter? ha! The dogs are thrilled. They are out looking for drifts. Pyrs love love snow- they are like little kids in it. Zoomies!

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Vote vote vote!!

We try to keep politics out of the sheep’s realm but they wanted to remind you to vote. It’s your super power!

I’ve been spinning more crazy quilt yarn- I even remembered to keep a list of our sheepie contributors!

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The sheep should be washing yarn....

But they haven’t shown up for work yet? I think they are sleeping in on this rainy day. I wish I could sleep it away. Such luxury! They are falling behind in their ‘work’ washing and dyeing yarn- usually I don’t get this far ahead of them. Stinkers!

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Have you tried East Friesian wool yet?

Over the past few years we have added some gorgeous East Friesian sheep to our little family. I had not worked with their wool before so decided to do a little write up about it. This is our Merlin, he donated his fleece for my project. He has two brothers, Wool-i-am and Wicker. read more…

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Merlin’s wool averaged 4 inch long locks that were soft soft soft. This was his very first shearing ever.

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There is not much lanolin in this wool so washing was easy. The wool turned out a beautiful white. Our washing tips can be found here.

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Since I only kept a little of his fleece for myself I decided to use my new wool combs. They haven’t seen much use! The wool is pretty. Carders would work fine or one could just spin it right from the locks/fleece. That is usually what I do-mainly because I am lazy.

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I spun up a single ply yarn. It is soft and reminds me very much of Corriedale wool. There is a little ‘bounce’ to it. Very easy to spin into any weight. It wanted to spin into a light weight yarn so I let it ‘take the wheel.’ ha!

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We’ll have a part two soon with Raven’s fleece. She is a black East Friesian sheep. In the meantime we hope you will try this beautiful wool! We have plenty here so if you don’t see it on our website please send us an email. We’ll get you set to go! Smooches from Merlin!

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Isaac can't reach....

His favorite Lilac leaves! He forgets about them for a while then remembers how delicious they are. Unfortunately for a little sheep, the branches that are closer to the ground have already been ‘pruned’ out of his reach by the big sheep! Poor cute little peanut!

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Stepping forward!

We are a few days out from losing Timber so my focus is helping Isaac grieve. Sheep are so devoted to each other. They really are amazing. Isaac has been working on moving outside for almost a week now. He will bunk with Millie, Sweets, Raven and Ticco goatie. Raven has finally stopped running from him in terror thank goodness! He’s so fast and she’s only used to her older sheep friends. They live life at a much slower pace. Today she is not running- phew! Weaning sheep is not my strong suit. I love having them in the office with me. They are so happy and cheerful hopping about. Tromping around and around the dining room table creating noise enough to think an elephant might be running around instead? They are precious.

Millie and Sweets adore lambs so they take good care of him. Today I closed the front door so Isaac has to stay outside all day. He’s had free run in and out so it will be a big adjustment for us both. Ugh. So far he’s been back for a drink and bite of grain. I left it out on the porch for him. They get attached to their stuff like bowls and blankets. I went outside twice to visit with him but the third time I pretended I didn’t hear him. I will cry myself into a migraine I think! He can come inside to sleep tonight if he wants to though. Having to stay out 24 hours the first ‘lock out’ is asking way too much of him. (And me) WIsh us luck!

Sometimes rescue is way too heart breaking.

 

It’s hard for me to post this but sometimes rescue feels impossibly sad. We have to take the good with the bad no matter what. You honestly never know if what you try will help or work. My motto is as long as they try, so shall I. Last week Timber started having severe breathing issues. At first the vets thought it might be something allergy/asthma-like related. As the week progressed, Timber was worse and worse. No matter what medicine we gave to help him. In the middle of the night Thursday we had the vet out to send my little Lambie back to heaven. He could not breathe and his little heart was beating out of control. He was in pain and letting me know it by pressing his head against my shin. When that happens, they are telling you they need the kindness we are able to give- relief from suffering that cannot be fixed. It is a terrible thing but it is all a part of me. This place is not the same without him at my feet or looking up at me. They truly leave a little hole in my soul every time I lose a sheep. I am sorry to have such sad news for all of you but I know you loved Timber too. I will miss him terribly. But I am also glad he had some fun while he was on earth and now he is in no pain, not crooked and running really fast with lamb hops included way up high off the ground! Godspeed my little Timber lamb. There will never be another like you… and I would take you again, same as you were, in a heartbeat.
(Isaac is doing ok, I’ll post more about him tomorrow!)

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Timber's Good News!

No, make that GREAT news! If you haven’t met Timber already, he is a bottle lamb we adopted from our friend Deb’s flock this Spring. He was born with some twisty bones and his mama sheep could not care for him. His twin is still with mom so she did not lose both her babies. It’s the last thing I like to see is a lamb taken if mom can take care of them. They honestly do mourn for their babies.

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SO, Timber never gave up, neither did Deb. He has determination of a champ and was walking and trying so hard. He could have stayed with his mom but he could have been hurt by his twin or mom if they stepped on him. I am so lucky Deb asked me to adopt him. I’m sure you ALL know how much I love my bottle lambs!

Of course it was love at first site for me. He is an East Friesian sheep and family of several of our other sheep. He’s been bunking in my office with me, romping on the front porch when the door can be open and having walks outside every day.

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He has some challenges to be sure but our motto is if they try, we try too. Until they tell us they can’t go on. This little lamb has no idea he is challenged- I’m quite sure his issues bother me much more than they ever will him! (Remember though, I am a sissy farmer!)

Today we had our vet visit to have a look at Timber. He’s almost 6 weeks old now (?) and I was worried so much. I figured he had a heart murmur but he wheezes and sounds like a steam train when he is stressed or running too much? His crooked bones are the way he grew inside of mom with his twin. The got a little less room it seems? Smooshed! His neck is a little tilted and he is just a little bit twisty. The breathing issues are what had me most worried.

Our vet had a good look at Timber and found he has a grade 5 (worst is 6) heart murmur. It is not one that will heal itself closed as he grows. Phooey. THAT said, his trachea is not twisted, his bones are not going to twist any more as he grows and his lungs are fine. The wheezing comes from his sinuses being crooked. Timber already self-limits his activities and that is what he should continue to do. He’s not suffering or in pain. Hooray!!!

Best news? Despite all those challenges, our vet said Timber should live for 5 to 7 years! I’m so so happy!

Stay tuned for more about Timber- he’s got a new friend to keep him company named Isaac. Much more to come!

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Always check the shoes!

The shoes the shoes the shoes!

Isaac and Timber are growing like weeds! We’ve been spending more time outside so I can get them used to being real sheep. (I cry a lot thinking of them outside without me. I prefer them in the house!) Don’t tell Jim. ha!

We were heading outside and I was in a hurry. Always keep shoes in the office- my old comfy slip on tennies were here. On the run to catch up Timber before he tripped down the porch stairs. Happened by some chance to look at my shoe??? Yep, one of the lambs pooh-ed in my shoe? THAT was a close one! Good heavens. Always check the shoes!

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