Yes, its been awhile. Months. Years. but we're still here.

Busy doesn't cover it.

Yesterday I looked up a post on the 'other' page - directions for making a triangle loom - to share with a facebook page, and this one popped up. I was a bit distressed when i saw how long it has been since I posted.

Truth is, I now post all the current news on the farm Facebook page. But I have intentions of doing more writing in general in the near future, so maybe I should include this blog. It would help to know that someone actually reads it. So if you do, let me know - by commenting here or otherwise.

News for the day - Most of the market lambs and ewe lambs have been sold. The locker lambs go next week. 15 ewe lambs are covered and will be kept in the flock.

In the next couple weeks, the breeding pens will be sorted and the rams turned out. After the terrible year for weather, maybe we are finally catching up - that is, if the manure actually gets spread.

Meanwhile, here's looking at ewe.

Sorting and 'turn out' day, Oct 24, 2014

Well, after a hectic summer of constant activity, fall came. And here it is, that eventful day in October.

It started out with a lovely sunrise.

But its Oct 24. A nice round number, and marked on the calendar as 'Turn the Bucks out' day.

So Don set up the sorting  chute - for the first time. It has been here awhile, but being not sure where to set it up, it remained leaving against the shed. This year, he decided there had to be a better way to sort all those ewes than catching them all by hand.

So it got a trial run in a temporary location. And it worked. The girls even walked right through to the gate. 

Here it is in use. The metal structure just beyond the black ewe is the actual sorting gate. The panels on each side swing to the center, leaving a path for the sheep to go straight forward, to the left, or to the right. The addition of the wood panel just past adds a fourth destination. Which means by simply adjusting the gate positions, each ewe is directed to one of four pens.

 Ewe numbers were already sorted into breeding pens, thank heavens. The girls filed in without much fuss.

And after lunch, each pen got moved to more comfortable accommodations.

And the boys came out.

 Grandpa got his group in the lambing shed.

Sonny and his girls.  (well, this is with the 3 that were interested in him today. There are many more.)

Jean Claude was assigned to the group in the East lot.

And 140 has a group too.

So it all worked well. And all the rams are already at work. A total of 90 ewes will begin having lambs come next March. (usually the first is born on March 19th, regardless of the day the rams go out).

And I managed to get a blog post done. Finally.

I have so many subjects, and so little time. Maybe the colder weather will help settle me in at the computer. Maybe.

# makin' lambies.  Go Rams.   Thanks to Alex for the 'trade'.

Iowa Sheep and Wool Festival, 2014

Well, its past time for a post, but we have been busy as usual. Its farming time, and the rains and strange weather have complicated and changed our plans many days. But when its Festival time, we pack up and head east regardless.

This year was one of many 'firsts'.  Having outgrown the past location, this year the Festival was in a new location - Colfax, IA, which made it a 30 minute longer drive, but the additional space was a plus.

Just for fun (and a little 'progress'), we added in a few 'new' things ourselves.

                    We added a 'new' truck to take us all, and all our things to the Festival this year.

                                           The sheep got to ride in the 'new' little show trailer.

The 'new' setup was comfortable for all, and economical too. More room, and we didn't have to drive the big 'Bertha'.  Of course, nothing about it was really new, but only new to 'Us'.

The new barn was pretty open, so we had to improvise some with the set up, but we managed to contain it all, even during the gusty winds.

We even had a 'new' sign

And some new merchandise - Hand dyed roving braids, and some hand spun yarn. Both were well received

                                                     Of course we took lots of fleeces. Which was a good thing.

We entered some in the fleece show .......

                                                     And won Champion Fleece.....

                                                      And Reserve Champion Fleece.

                                                          We were very pleased.

Another 'new' thing was the Lamb pot luck on Saturday night. The Association furnished lamb lasagna, Swedish meatballs, and fajitas, and guests all brought dishes. Of course we had to promote lamb too, so we took lamb desert -

                                               White and natural colored sheep cupcakes.

                                             Needless to say, we had no left overs to take home.

I taught 2 classes of needle felting too. Not large numbers this year, but we had fun. A skein of handspun 'Grandpa's fleece won its class, so it now sports a blue ribbon also.

We shared duties with our booth neighbors, Seelow Sheep Farm, of wool knowledge with the public.

A little cooperation among producers is a benefit for all.

So, after an exhausting but enjoyable and successful weekend, we packed up our woolies and headed west for home.

We were really glad we sold some of those fleeces. We were packed just as tight for the trip home. Christian from C&M Acres Mill brought our finished roving, bats, and needle felted sheets. I resisted the urge to pull them out while there, and was glad I did. This is the pile they made on the shop floor at home.

More than 40 lbs of fleecy fun experimenting to do.  Yes, I have plans. Now to find the time.

Time!  Right. In the meantime, the weeds in the garden are doing as well as the chosen plants. The rabbits are enjoying the broccoli, and the beets must have been good, because they're gone too. Most of the corn survived the wash outs, if we can sort it out from the crab grass. Its going to be an interesting summer, vegetable wise. At least the zucchini are trying.

The 'hayin neighbor' managed to get the first patch of hay up between rains, so we now have 7 bales tucked away for the winter. Much more is standing, and ready to mow if the weather forecast ever looked promising. Can't put up hay in 2 days with 80% humidity and showers.

So we made it through another festival. All well at home, and Dolly was glad to see us return. She tried digging a basement to her dog house in her free time while we were gone. The aged cat Stalky was well but not happy after being left alone in the house. She promptly ate, and went out for the night.

Now to work.  The garage is full of fleeces to be listed for sale. 

Flock to the Farm, 2014

Last weekend was the 2nd Annual Flock to the Farm. We called. They came. They Flocked. Fiber and fun.

Spinners came, and shopped for fleece in the shop.

Charts and samples of wool grades and breeds helped sort out facts.

 Longer is not always better they learned.


And, the question of the day, "what does blood have to do with it?"

There was some seious 'spind'lin' going on.

Those girls were good at spinning a yarn.

Then Don the Shepherd got on (the) board.

Some serious shearing for the spectators.

Followed by skirting.


outside up -

Then inside up.  And explaining why.










Meanwhile - what do the small ones do while Mom is talking fleece?

You have fun with sticks in the dirt.

    And then its time for 'all hands on lamb'.

"So have some fleece for sale?"

I think so.

How do you choose from so many?

It's easier when you buy 2 fleeces, and split them 3 ways.


Yup - you get Three bags full.




So a good time was had by all.  On Saturday at least.

Sunday was windy, wet, and cold. Not a great day for the family fun day we had planned.  But a few came out anyway. and we had some fun in the barn.

The last ewe lamb got sheared, so now Don is done.

And the 'Ad Rams' did their job again this year.

We'll call it successful again this year.


Now the load of extra wool has been delivered to the mill.  And several of us can hardly wait till the bats and roving and felt come home, all clean and white - and black - and ready for the next step.  Meanwhile, I'm processing some by hand.  There is yarn and felt to be made.

Its that time....

Lots of things happening out here on the farm. I had a big birthday, but it took two weeks for the party to happen. Good to know I'm not the only slow person in the family. Or not really slow, just too much going on. Anyway, I got dinner and a cake, and this collective picture with the Grandkids just for turning 60 years old!

It's now March 23rd.   Spring is officially here, according to both calendar and barnyard.

With the art side barely under control, some farmy things have gotten done too.  Don found and borrowed a neighbors skidsteer, and the barns got cleaned out. Then the sheep-poo-poo mountains got spread onto the temporary pasture. Then the rest of the pasture got fertilized with nitrogen from the Co-op.

And the shearing got done. - see associated 'eweandus-practically' blog post for details.

And the invitation for 'Flock to the Farm' has been drawn up and emailed to most.

Seeds are sprouting (hopefully) under the light in the sun room.

Newest shawl is half done on the loom. And with 2 weeks before deadline - the Spirit Art Auction and Gala in Kearney.  Looking forward to seeing the Crane Brothers one more time, and saying farewell when they hand me the check. (I've been told it's coming).

Now the Lambs are here. Well, at least the first of them. Head count for the hour is 23.

This little one may only be a day old, but she already is on her mothers back. "Get off Momma's wool", her sister says.

Ruby (in the back pen) was our first born colored lamb. This year she had a nice ewe lamb to add to the next generation of fleece producers.

The first born lambs are getting their first day in the sun.

But its still cold.

She's a little one, but she's special. Looks like she will be gray, and a Merino-Corriedale-crossbred mix.

Here is a half blood Merino that looks like one. All those wrinkles should make lots of wool.

Sorry little ones, but I don't think you're ready for hay yet.

So - there's the lamb report for now.

More lambs and maybe some snow tomorrow. Sure glad we didn't start lambing any sooner.

No more excuses. Look for the light.

Excuses are just words.  But when they just run through your head, they are only thoughts. Wish I had managed to get at least some of them spelled out in the last 6 months. But here we are. Groundhog Day, 2014. Maybe it wouldn't be a bad thing to run it through a few times before moving on. Would it give me some time to catch up?

Seriously though, we have been busy. Ewes and Us. County fairs to judge, a daughters Masters Degree, offspring selling and buying and building houses. Miles (the grandson) along the path of life. Life unpredictable, unplanned, unexplained sometimes, but never unappreciated. Just sometimes a little late in documentation.

I truly have had a blog post in mind. Intended for Thanksgiving. Then Christmas. Then to herald the New Year. Will settle for Ground Hog Day. For although the bright sunny day gives predictions of shadows seen, and 6 more weeks of winter, my subject is quite fitting.

I took this picture weeks ago.

Yeah, its a plant. But look closer, and think about it.

Its just a plant in my living room. Sadly, badly neglected. It started out with two stems. I gave it a new pot long ago. It gets watered - maybe once a month or so. It has a way of calling out for help when it gets really dry.  REALLY dry. Its poor leaves sag as it closes its pores in a desperate state of conservation of moisture. And then I notice it. The experiencing and recovering from drought has left a scar not soon forgotten, and I can share its pain. But then I noticed one day this simple Croton had much more to tell than its personal wish for water. I noticed it was reaching for the light.

I knew enough I should move it to the sun room, to join the other plants on the table flooded with sun every sun-lit day. But I didn't. I waited, and watched, and tried a little harder to remember to water. And this is what I heard it say.

It started out as not one, but two. Blocked from the meager fall light by a curtain, one stem withered and died. The other thrived. Why? Same plant.Same soil. Same water.

After watching the colorful chlorophyll life and death drama  for weeks, the universal truth took root in me. It was about choice. The choice we all make.

Both stems experienced the same suffering. Deprived of life giving water and light, I had watched as one slowly wilted, withered, and died. There is nothing enlightening in that. The inspiration came from the other stem. I noticed it bend. I felt the strain as it literally reached for the light. Over the course of the weeks of fall, it grew. It reached around the darkness until it reached the full light. And so can we.

We are presented with the choices, both great and small, every day. Many aspects of our lives are constrained  by the circumstances of our rooting, and we may be justified in our resentment of being dependent on the care and keeping by forces beyond our influence. But we have a choice. To choose to live. For a plant, that means to reach for the light. And so it is for Us.

Every day now, the light lengthens. The New Year has begun, and the activity of a new season awaits. Here at the farm, the box of garden seed potting soil are ready. The wool shelves are being cleared, and weather forecasts are watched for a break in the cold. There is shearing to be done. By the time the extended winter ends, it will be lambs that are forecast.

The light of Ground Hog Day is clearly casting long shadows as I write. It does not trouble me. Because I rest in the darkness of night. And, like winter, the darkness is dispelled by the light.

Whatever you perceive to be your light, I hope you reach for it. It's your choice. Your life.

Give Thanks. Merry Christmas. Happy New Year.  Happy Groundhog's Day.  Oh - and Whatever Super bowl Sunday for those who may care.

Do check back in the weeks to come. I really plan to do better. Ewe's depending on me.

Last year.... gone

I recently looked back over past posts, and paused to read over "An Oasis of Green" that was posted one year ago.  I intended to post again on the anniversary date, but am a few days late.

What struck me was picture. None of  'Us' has forgotten the long dry spell of 2012. It is often referenced in thought and speech, even now, and not just by us. But I had forgotten the sight of that golden ground. Not sorry I did.

Its interesting how much color affects us. The colors that surround us are both influencing and telling. The many years spent as a painter made it obvious that you can tell a good deal about someones attitudes and outlook by the colors they choose for their living-in spaces. Likewise, the geographic location influences and is painted with appropriate colors fitting and shaping the environment which we habituate. For Us here in eastern Nebraska, summer is thought to be dominated by green. (No, red is for fall, and football) Green grass, green beans ,green fields. But last year, not so. The spring green quickly paled to an unwelcome gold.












I wanted to repost that picture here. But the demise of my computer earlier this year left the transferred  files of pictures scrambled. It is not to be found.  You will have to go back to the original post - July 18, 2012



Or maybe its not all that bad. Many things in life are best forgotten, or at least the memories dimmed. It was a tough year for everyone, but everything looks a whole lot greener this year.

Now thats better. The roses have been blooming almost continuously since May. The sheep are grazing the front patch for the second time. The garden is a few weeks behind due to the clod wet spring, and the market customers are growing impatient for tomatoes, but I don't mind. It's all green.

Yes, its getting dry.  The grass matured and begin to fade.  We  held off  planting the oats for pasture, the failure of last years planting still fresh in our minds. The cracks in the ground widened, and dust clouds trailing the few passing cars on the road became familiar once more. We watered the garden and waited. And then it rained. Only 3/4 of an inch, but enough to regain a farmers faith. And the oats were planted.

With the hay bales lined up on the edge of the field, and the pasture rotation making a second round, just a few showers will get us by. There are ewes to sell that didn't make the grade. (Wool grade, that is) The Keeper lambs are enjoying 'pasture school', being turned out to the back lot for some grazing on the playground. The Feeder lambs spend their days munching and dozing under the trees.All is pastoral here on the farm. And as for Us?  The first tomatoes and corn and green beans are official under our belts.

Here's wishing you all good Mid-summer night dream.