I worked Dan and Joe yesterday.   I used almost everyone, except for the ram, the baby and her mother.  Dan did great- the black ewe and her lamb always split off, but Dan totally covered that nicely (this is on the drive).  He was very nice to work.  Then I worked Joe, just started teaching him to come through a big wide open area between two groups of sheep to me.  He was happy to come to me.  I want absolute joy to come me, and then I we will work on pushing a group off.  He also, on the drive had the two black ones split off and with no direction, hung back flanked a little around them and got the group back together.  Was so happy with that.  Working these two boys is a real joy.

I have got to get more cleaning done at the house, and I have got to get rid of the carpeting in my bedroom.  So many things I want done in the house, but no money.  Very sad.  I may just pull the carpet and paint the floors, or put Pergo or wood looking Vinyl down.  I want something sanitizable.

I almost got a baby kitten yesterday, but the people who found the litter decided to keep the one I had hoped to get.  Oh well, bummer, but that's the way it goes.  They found and rescued it, so their choice.

Well, back to it!

Break in regular programming...

Yesterday I drove a long way.. again... wow, this is getting tired.. I drove down to watch some Border Collies work, and brought Dan and Joe.  It is so nice to go somewhere new to work dogs, and the weather was just beautiful.  Both Joe and Dan did well.  I felt like I got back on the horse a bit with Dan, and Joe just blew me away... Something about his fast response and fluid working, and he's getting a bit of style... He's just the bomb for me- Dan is too, but in different way..

It was a very nice day, and it was good to get away in a relaxing atmosphere.

Dan working

Worked Dan.  I wanted to focus on slowing him down, and stopping him, thus resulting in lifts.. Since our last trial showed me that Dan needs to slow down and approach correctly, we need to do this.  His work is why I like him so much.  He's such a good boy; willing to do what I ask, and the sheep do like him (well, these do).  I also noticed how nice my sheep are to work.. when not rushed.

Navigation

So, it's sort of amazing how my life has sort of evolved over time... There was a time when I had no sheep and no sheep dogs- dogs, but not sheep dogs.  Life was good then.  Then I had a sheepdog and no sheep.  Life was good too.  Now, I have sheepdogs and sheep, and life is continuing to be good.  But, the underlying story is changing too... I am not really enjoying trialing like I used to.  I still love to watch good runs, and have good runs, but being a bit of an introvert, I am not in love with the whole social scene which appears to be integral to the whole sheepdog trialing world.  Maybe it has to do with the issue of no real money to spend, maybe it's I get my enjoyment out of quiet time.. who knows.. Life is good, that is true, but I am trying to decide how I want to spend my time.

On one hand I believe I should trial to test my dogs, but honestly, for what reason?  They work for me, do as I ask and I am happy with them.  Maybe the answer is to only trial occasionally, as in maybe three trials a year?  I don't know.  The truth is, even when we do well, I don't really care.. is that horrible?  I hope not.. I am proud when we do well, but at the end of the day, no matter how we do, I still bring my boys home and go about life...

So, I am trying to navigate how I want to do things..  As that goes, I am also trying to keep up with the work at the farm and the house.

Yesterday I string trimmed at the house (boy did it need it) and then I showered and headed up to the fair.  It was nice to see some old friends and I did not stay long, but enjoyed the time I had there.

Today is more of the usual.  May go to Kohls department store and get new sneaks.  Other than that, check sheep work dogs, and then probably clean the house.  Like to get cleaning done during the week.

Bad scene

Had our trial yesterday, home already.  Not a good scene.  Extremely tough, wisened to the field mixed breed farm flock.  Dan was dq'd after he just could not get them moving on the drive, as they had had enough and so did Dan.  Definitely not our best work, but honestly, I can't say as I blame him one bit.

Another week.  Busy one at work.  I guess into each life a little work must fall... Rain today, heavy at times, which seems to be our M.O. this summer.  I think we are supposed to be dry, after today, and nice cool temperatures which will put a spring in every one's step.

Tomorrow I hope to get everyone in the barn for a good look see to make sure worms are not an issue.  From now, until about October is a scary time for lambs especially.  The sheep have had a lot of grass, so they should be okay, but one never knows unless you get a hand on them.

Nothing scheduled for rest of week, and a trial this weekend.  Have to tune up Dan a bit.  Joe's not running at this trial; it's notoriously very difficult for young dogs and Joe does not need to be set up to fail at this point.  I have to remind myself of how young he still is...

Well, that's it for now, back to the grindstone..

 I referenced having a bad day, and going up to see my sheep always puts me in better frame of mind.  They are doing well, and now with cooler weather, are happier too.

Joe and I ran in our first trial yesterday.  He did not know why we were out there on the field at first, but then I told him to look, set him up, and I sent him.  He did very well, and listened well and I was just so happy with him.

I was entered today, but just could not make the three hour drive each way, again.  I am so beat right now.. have to get some breakfast made and then start cleaning..

Later, up to the farm and walk the dogs and get some fresh air :)

Didn't get it all done exactly when I planned, but I got it done!  I did get the lawn mowed yesterday, but hit a wall afterward and basically chilled rest of the day.  After work today, I got up to the farm and rolled up all the electro net, and put it away.  Dogs got a very nice long walk today.  Gave more minerals to the sheep.  I give them minerals every three days, as rain ruins it, and I find it is very popular that way.  They go through a lot of minerals in the summer; I think because they eat so much water containing grass.  After all that I went home and I cleaned out my car!  Finally!!!  So, now that's all done.  

Tomorrow looks to be string trimming and shrub trimming.  Busy week at work too.  So glad I got that car cleaned out!!!

The old gray mare just ain't what she used to be..

As has been said... I got up this morning with my lower back in serious complaint over our heavy duty moving yesterday.  Good Lord.  That stuff was heavy..  So, I am a bit slow.  As I stood at the sink doing dishes this morning (from last night; too tired to do them), and thanked goodness I have a riding mower. Have to get it done.  I had left it go longer than I usually do, because during that major heat wave, the grass was majorly stressed by the heat and dryness, and I see grubs have been damaging it.  So, I did not want to stress it more by chopping it lower.  It is looking better now, so I will get out there this morning and get the mowing done, in a little while anyway..First, breakfast, coffee...

I may also just do the car this morning too.  It is beyond atrocious.. Good cleaning will make me feel better too.  THEN, later, will head up to farm, and pull up that e-net, and I should get some neatening up done.. this cooler weather is just wonderful.

This week will be busy, both at work and off of work.  My sister told me that she was going to work at the fair this year, more power to her.. I will probably go one day, just for my favorite foods :)  No rodeo this year, which is a bummer.

Meow (the cat) is being super affectionate this morning, makes it hard to type!  Well, the fresh brewed coffee beckons... later..........

Tote them bales

Well, what did I do today?  You see it.  First though, I had to clean out the barn, which had gotten dis-organized in the spring (not my doing!) and that took some brute strength by my sister and I to move these 4 window bay type window casements.  It took every bit of my sister and I to do this.  As we were doing the barn I went to move a tarp and it had a yellow jacket nest.. ACK!!! I went through something like three cans of wasp killer.  It was right in the door way...

After we did the barn, I worked the dogs a bit and was stoked with both of them.  Joe's got driving now, and his whistles, and it was a great session.  Dan was awesome as well.  I moved the sheep into the hill field yesterday, and tomorrow the plan is to pull up the e-net and put it away for now.  May get a little more time with it, but not sure.  Lots to eat in that hill field- as in so high, the grass is, that it has fallen over.

The hay guys showed up around 3:00, and there were three guys and I un-loading about 200 bales. Still need more, and that will come later this week with the straw.  Figured I would plan ahead for the straw this time and not have to schlep it in my car.  It's a LOT of money, but it is what it is.. no way to avoid it.  It's a false economy to buy cheap hay, because they waste it.  So, pay a little more and they eat it :)

I am extremely tired after the day, but tomorrow is busy too.  Have to mow my lawn, clean out my car and get that e-net pulled up.  It's busy, but it's good.  It's all good.