I love Lucy and friends

Look what the stork dropped off

2012-01-29T06:24:00.000-08:00

Where's winter?

2012-01-28T04:22:00.000-08:00

After yet another 50 degree F day, the forecast for the next week calls for upper 40s and a few 50s. This is just weird. It is also extremely gross/muddy. I lay down some left over hay in the dirt floor in the barn, since it is squishy.

Today I awoke with a MONDO headache, I was actually dizzy from it. I think it may have to do with lugging the bales of hay so far- my neck/upper back is just not up to it- will get the wheelbarrow from the other field and start using that. Made fried eggs this morning, but they did not hit the spot. I think today should just be a day in bed, but it can't be.

Dan got no running yesterday, so he was a bit nuts last night at the house. I can't blame him. Today will be different.

My old cat has taken to yowling a lot- when she gets a drink, when she wants company, just about any time. It is extremely loud and annoying. She just did it now, and when I went to check her, there she is in her cat bed, kneading her claws, meaning she just wants loving. Oh well.. I guess when you are her age, you can do what you like.

So far only two guesses on the lamb count. That makes very good chances for those who entered :)

Well, better get to my day.

Unbelieveable!!!!!!!

2012-01-27T04:53:00.001-08:00

Going to have a pool...

2012-01-26T04:56:00.000-08:00

Since I have no idea who is bred. Seriously. ONE Cheviot girl is a blue butt, and all three Border Leicesters are, but one got re-bred in December, but the other three Cheviot yearlings- only have smidgens of blue on them, and one has none... One fly in the ointment is that I stopped putting marker on the ram after a while....

So, to this end, I am going to have a pool on how many lambs we will have. Folks, it may even be none!!! Think of this like counting the jelly beans in a jar. The person who comes closest without going over will win............

A gift certificate to Border Collies in Action! Or, if you prefer, Premier Sheep supplies- for the shepherds out there!

So, get your thinking caps on. I honestly have no clue who is bred and who is not.

This should be fun!

Just leave me a comment with the number you think....

2012-01-25T04:49:00.000-08:00

I found an old hanging scale in the barn yesterday, to use for weighing the sheep grain. I upped it a little yesterday, but even at that, they are only getting 4 lbs a day for all eleven. I spoke with my guru last night and was given a plan of what/when to increase their rations.

It was FIFTY degrees yesterday. It was SO slick out there. The ground had seriously softened and I almost wiped out several times just doing chores. I decided not to work Dan, as earlier in the day, I saw him slip and slide, and given that my friend has a dog who's got an Iliopsoas injury... I am just not interested in going down that road. Dan and I were coming back through the barn and skinny ewe came in, and Dan saw her and just at that moment she saw him and she did a 180 and left. After that I was filling the water trough and he decided to sit in the barn door and give her the stink eye. You ain't comin' in here!

Supposed to rain here on Friday. More wetness. I have to get some straw as the one dirt floored room in the barn is wet. Thankfully I have two rooms that are cement that I will bed down well if/when I have lambs.

Well, that's it for now....

Skidboot and David

2012-01-24T04:06:00.000-08:00

The best story I have seen about Skidboot and his side kick David. I defy you to not cry....

2012-01-24T03:48:00.000-08:00

So, yesterday the snow was sticky. It stuck to my boots, and I decided discretion was the better part of valor and did not walk the dogs on our usual 30 degree angle path. I knew I would fall. So, I did. But, not walking the dogs, just bringing out a bale of hay. Luckily it was one of those slow motion falls, where the only thing injured was my pride. Incidentally, it was a really nice bale of hay; a mix of grass and alfalfa. The sheep sure enjoyed it. Have slowly been upping the grain- and I mean slowly, as I don't want issues.

Have to get one of those slanted with several tines pitchforks as opposed to the old thing with only three tines, which does not work well with sheep droppings. Horse? Maybe, Cow? okay, but not sheep.

Dan needs to get back to regular work. I can see that in him. So, I guess I will separate out my lambs and get to it.

This morning I saw that all the snow had melted in the yard- that was fast. We didn't get much, but still... lots of fog this morning owing to all that wetness.

Rough night last night, old cat was ill, and I caused it by over feeding her. It's pretty sad when I am so keyed into her digestive function I can predict if a problem will arise... I did not sleep well, but I will take a nap later today.

So, that's about it. Not much exciting to report these days. But, I guess in some ways, no news is good news!

She stays

2012-01-22T04:52:00.000-08:00

Ha! Well, after speaking with my sheep guru, I have decided thin ewe can stay. Also, after not being able to tell her from the others at a distance, that also swayed me. So, that's good. I have also learned that I need to start upping the nutrition on my girls, even though they look good at this point. So, to that end, I am getting a scale so I can keep track of what they get. Who knows who is really pregnant... It's a mystery at this point!

Didn't feel well all day yesterday. Today I am a bit better. Will walk the dogs but then home and to relax, still not quite right.

The guy who wanted the Scottish Highland calves still wants them, so I have to see if John is feeding them- hope so.

It is so weird having two days off in a row. I almost don't know what to do with myself....

Winter stinks

2012-01-21T09:55:00.000-08:00

COLD today. Got some snow, not too much. Hazardous driving even with all wheel drive. Sheep don't seem bothered by the snow at all. Home early today, just staying warm. It's hovering at about 17 degrees now, and tonight it is supposed to be very cold. Good to know the sheep can get in the barn. I put up a barrier to the one door opening, so at their level, the sheep are not going to feel a draft. I guess my lean ewe would rather stay, maybe I will change my mind. Who knows. It's really hard to decide to move them on, or keep them.

She goes on Monday

2012-01-20T09:50:00.000-08:00

Skinny ewe will be going on Monday. I keep laying my hands on her and no matter how many times I do it, she is not heavy enough. Color is good, but backbone protrudes and her lateral wings are prominent- rounded but prominent. It stinks. I guess when you get old ewes to begin with, this is to be expected.

Think I have figured it out

2012-01-19T04:28:00.000-08:00

Why my one ewe is thin. I think it's her teeth- specifically her molars. When I saw her eating yesterday she kept yawning like she was trying to re-set her jaw. Not sure what I can do, but I will give her more grain to eat each day on her own. She looks good, but maybe I will have to cull her.. I don't really want to, because she is bright and alert. Do they have sheep dentists, like for horses? I have a vet friend who would come and check her for me, but he's in Florida for the winter. Bummer...

Not much going on this week; it's pretty quiet. I have been getting some cleaning done, and that sort of thing. But, no work for Dan, and I need to rectify that. He's going a bit stir crazy.

Oh, yesterday when I got home the front door apparently did not shut all the way. The dogs were going a bit nuts looking at something around the front yard, and I ignored it. Later when I came in, I could not find BK (boy kitty) and I went outside and called with the cat treats and had a mini panic attack. If anything happens to him...... He can go out in the back yard, but not the front- it's not fenced.

So, I then go to the back yard and call, and I hear his extremely sweet meow, and he ends up coming from the front yard, under the fence (like he knew where that hole was all along). He meowed all the way until he got in the house and I gave him a few treats. He is such a sweet kitty, he does not have the worldliness to be out there!

I am extremely attached to him....

TRUST

2012-01-18T07:57:00.000-08:00

During my time in the sheepdog world, I have always been amazed by the calmness exhibited by many handlers when they walk to the post with their dogs. They walk out like they have a job to do, and nothing else. No nerves, not really, other than maybe those born out of a desire to win… but not the low down scary nerves novice handlers get which emanate from a deep concern that things could really go wrong, and I mean in the disaster sense (sheep running through fences, dog running amok, that sort of thing).

It has taken me some time to learn why the dichotomy between those who are calm, and those who clearly could use help in the form of either deep breathing or something stronger. I think I have finally learned what that is. It’s trust. Trust between the dog and handler. Trust, as defined in The New Merriam-Webster Dictionary: A basis of reliance faith or hope. Yes, that is it. For purposes here, I have coined an acronym for this “trust”, which is as follows: TRUST: Through Respective Understanding comes Smooth Teamwork.

When you are working with your dog, you get a feel for when your dog needs some direction, and when to let off on the control, and allow the dog to figure it out, which most times, they do without much guidance needed. We generally find training at home, or with friends to be an enjoyable experience, and so do our dogs. Nothing really egregious goes wrong, and progress is made. But, when we get to the trial field, those who have a bit less trust in their dogs seem to falter.

Trust can only be achieved when you and your dog have been through all manner of scenarios; have been there, and done that, to quote an oft used saying. You have to, every day, expose you and your dog to something new. Not just train what you are both good at, but challenge yourselves.

Respective Understanding, that’s when you can both be presented with a challenge and be able to pull out from past experience, what will work best at that time. For instance, when a sheep stalls at the pen. Does your dog know how to handle that? Has he/she been down that road before? Do you and the dog have collective experience to be able to know how much pressure you can put on that ewe? If you have been down that road before, you do.

Respective Understanding leads to Smooth Teamwork. You will both be able to basically know what each one needs to do without uttering a word. There are two teams who have personified this concept to me. Emma Court and Maia, and Warren Mick and Glen.

Whenever I saw Warren and Glen work, Glen would just walk calmly into the field with Warren, and be so cool and collected. Warren too. It was as if they were heading out to get the newspaper. When they would set up for the shed, same thing. They had an unspoken understanding, a trust, that it did not matter what sheep, or what field, it was just another version of the same thing. After they finished their run, there was no fal der ral, it was just business as usual. Glen would get a pat on the head, and he would have that glint in his eye that all Border Collies do- that they did a good job, and really, that’s all they ever want to do.

Emma Court and Maia- the epitome of coolness under fire. At the Finality farm trial a couple of years ago, Emma and Maia were one of the only ones to get a pen. These sheep were pretty tough. They gave a lot of guff to many teams, and they just simply did not want to pen. I am not sure, but I think the number of successful pens was on the order of less than one percent? Well, I watched closely when Emma and Maia got their sheep to the pen. I happened to have my camera with me. Emma had the gate open and Maia had them at the opening. Emma stood there so calm, and 100% sure that the pen would happen. It was as if she was watching the microwave count down to her popcorn being done… And, they got the pen.

Trust, without it, what do you have? Fear. But, all is not lost. Trust is something that happens without you really knowing it has. It’s like a friendship. Slowly, gradually, you begin to count on each other. And eventually, you know they will be there when you need them. It is hard to define, but when you see it, you will know it.

2012-01-17T06:22:00.000-08:00

The cattle that had dispersed into the woods after the fiasco have all come home. I am going to leave the preparation (feeding) to John. They just need to be fed each day, near the barn and a few weeks of that ought to do the trick.

One of my Border Leicester girls is thinner than the rest- Favey and the Romney/BL girl are both good- and they should be with what they are getting for food. I brought them all in yesterday to check them out and this one ewe is definitely thin. Full belly, unlike the other girl I culled, but lots of light under that belly. I think I may send her to auction on Monday. She acts fine, and has good color, but again, I do not want ne'er do wells sticking around. Will see... Maybe John has one or two that can go as well.

We got just under an inch of snow last night, and now it's warming up. Danny has definitely benefited from less laps around the farm- he's ebullient again. I think I was wearing him out. I got some house cleaning done yesterday, and will continue today. One other really good thing is that I have cut way back on my online time. My computer has an issue with Internet explorer, and I am frustrated enough to just say to heck with it.

Some of John's sheep are looking decidedly pregnant. None of mine do. I basically fear this lambing as NONE of my sheep have ever had lambs before- maybe the BLs but I don't really know...

Well, that's it for now...

Good Sunday morning to you

2012-01-15T05:30:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, I was able to lure 4 bovines into the barn yard. The bull and three cows. Of course none that I wanted. We then tried to herd them down, and they went up toward the back field and then on the way back, one went through the fence (not hot) which was one strand. It was a failure.

I left a message with the buyer, but he had only given me his home #, and when he did call me back, he was en route, and he said he had confidence that he could get them in...

So, when he got there, He set up a strand of wire, and when we started to push them- up into woods (right over the hot fence) they went more than once. Then, they got them going and they stopped at a stone wall opening, and I was behind them on the mule. They all made an about face and stampeded around me. They did a lot of stampeding. There was no walking. UBER failure. John and I went out and bought some corn for them and he will begin feeding them near the barn yard. They are really just wild. It was really cold yesterday, and I found myself shivering.

I left John's around 1:00 raced up and fed my sheep, and came home.

I had hot dogs and potato salad for dinner, and chocolate chip cookies for dessert.

It's even colder today, so no going out until much later.

Hope everyone has a great Sunday!

Freaked out

2012-01-13T03:24:00.001-08:00

I am a bit freaked out. Have a buyer for John's bull calves. They are about 8-9 mos now, and they have never been handled- and basically, neither has the rest of the herd...

We need to get them out of the orchard pasture, down a horribly rutted road (no trucks, only a tractor and/or mule) and down the hill to the barn yard. They are 100% grass fed, so they do not even know what grain is. They are Scottish Highlanders, hearty as all get out and slow moving, generally.

John said he has no idea how we will get them down there. Me neither. I want to try the nice way first- bring buckets of grain on the mule BIG buckets, over FLOWING with grain; let them start in and try and lure them down. If that fails, then we need the bull whip, lots of noise, and panels at the ready to prevent retreat.

If they were heifers, they could stay, but being that they are not, they have to go. The guy is coming down from north west of Albany.

It's going to be an adventure, that is for sure. I haven't even gotten to the part where we separate out the calves! I may get a hot shot, just to have on hand...

I wish I knew some very good cattle person nearby....

2012-01-11T05:45:00.000-08:00

I spoke with the guy who I bought my ram lamb from last night. He has some lambs (last year's model) and some bred ewes for sale. I am interested in them, but I have concern about the bred ewes and handling them as they are not dog broke. I don't want to stress them, and I don't want to risk Dan having to deal with three angry momma ewes... I have to figure this one out. They all twinned last year, so it should be a good deal.

I need to up the food my girls are getting, as I noticed yesterday, when I scored the older girls, that all had lost a little weight, and that's not cool. So, I will up the grain a bit and perhaps feed a bit more hay. They seem to leave a little each day, so I thought that was fine. It really pays to check your sheep regularly.

I have been really tired lately, and not into doing stuff around the house. Maybe just winter funk. I don't know. Got my tax bill, and going to pay that today. Taxes stink. No one really OWNS a house.

Well, that's it for now.

2012-01-08T12:04:00.000-08:00

Didn't sleep well again last night. Oh well. I think maybe as you age, your sleeping mechanism starts to fail....
So, up really early this morning, and made breakfast again. Stayed home until around 10:00 and on way up to farm I stopped by John's to take some pics of the Scottish Highland bull calves he has for sale. They are very nice looking.

When I got to the farm, I walked only one lap and then worked Dan. Now, plan was to just mostly the older girls, and maybe one Cheviot, but when I got them out there, I see the ram stuck himself in that group. He just loves the Border Leicester girls and does not want to leave them.... I worked that group including the ram and the ram was no trouble, and Dan was fine. No tiredness that I could discern. I did note that he had a bit more serious face on when pushing the sheep; perhaps because the ram was in there. After I worked him, we took one more walk. I am going to keep the walking down to maybe three laps at most. I think the ground is killing my feet as it is so un-even and for Dan, I think the amount he runs is just too much.

When I got home, I made the BEST home recipe for Chili. It was SOOOO good. I will have leftovers now for a few days. MMMMM.

Rest of the day will be spent chilling, and watching football. Just glad that Dan is okay it seems.

2012-01-08T05:43:00.000-08:00

Dan was not good yesterday. I don't know what happened... We did some laps (my foot was a bit better), but on the last one, my sister joined me and Dan was just odd. He kept stopping in front of us, he was WALKING, and when we got home he stopped before going up the front steps (he usually leaps all three). I ended up bringing him to the vet. Vet checked him and said he was fine- no pain anywhere, save for maybe along his thoracic spine, but not bad... Okay.... So I bring him home and he acts totally normally. Who knows. Maybe a stomach ache? All I can say is I was a real wreck. I was consumed with being scared of losing him. You know, sometimes it takes time to really bond with a dog, and it took me some time with Dan, but now I am well and truly over the moon attached to him. I will see how he works the sheep today. He was so slow yesterday, like it took everything to do the work... And, of course I, as an idiot chose yesterday to put the ram out with the ewe lambs who he hates. The ram is bonded to the adults, and just did not want to stay with the ewe lambs. There were several tense moments, and Dan handled that ram very well. At one point in the video a fight ensues and it goes wonky (the video) because I was more focused on helping my dog with my voice. Dan, in true Dan form, all he needs is a GOOD BOY!! and he will go to.

Today I have another day off and plan to make some family recipe chili for dinner...

2012-01-07T05:15:00.000-08:00

I actually have two days off in a row. I am sort of at a loss.. But I am sure I will woman up and find something to do!

Foot still bothering me. Wearing my nice dearfoam slippers, and I can get around but I cannot go long distances (like walking in a mall DRAT- I need more clothes!). I have no idea what I did. E's dog is out of commission for working now too, so no dog work for us. Sucks, but if it were last winter we would be snowed out of working dogs anyway. I contacted the guy I got my ram lamb from to see if he had any sheep for sale, he has a few already promised to another long time customer, so if he doesn't want them, then I can have them. It would be great.

Today I am heading out to Tractor Supply to get some more probiotics for kitty, as they have been just a God send for her. Other than that, I am just going to do farm chores, maybe try and walk the dogs- I HAVE to try, and then home, and tonight are Pit bull and Parolees and Dog Whisperer shows, which I want to see the former more than the latter... But, in any case, I hope I can stay up to watch them.

Weather forecast calls for warm weather pretty much all week. It's amazing. So nice- everyone saving a bit on hay, which is good because inventories are down all across the northeast due to the hurricanes and generally wet season. John gets his hay delivered on Sunday. I will ask him if I run low, if I can buy some bales off him. I think I will be fine though.

Made a nice pancake breakfast this morning- and the coffee is superb. Nice way to start off a two day off of work deal! Maybe I will go see "We bought a Zoo"....

Well, that's it for now!

I've got a flat

2012-01-06T11:04:00.001-08:00

Did something to my foot yesterday. After four laps I was lame on my right foot. Bottom outside of it. Hoping it would be good today, it is not. Bought some ace bandaging and wrapped it but could only do one lap (my poor dogs). Going to keep off it best I can and see if it will resolve. I can feel the fat accumulating on me already. Maybe I will to sit ups tonight....

2012-01-05T04:25:00.001-08:00

Hmmm. Last year I had no problems with the sheep. So simple. Fed them, kept them watered, and everything easy peasy. This year... I found my sheep locked in the barn (I believe there is a ghost...) the dog door slammed shut, the panel untied in two places with two knots, and my sheep in the big lambing room... Perhaps I left some things un-tied, but that dog door thing... No way I did that. So, anyway, I get to the farm yesterday, and commence the start of the walk. I always do four laps first, before I go to sheep, but I think I have to change that.....

Anyway, I bring a bale of hay out and I see one sheep is limping. Great. I then see she has baling twine caught on her neck and right hind leg. I try to fake her out and not look at her, to catch her but OH NO, she had none of it. So, I have Dan bring them to the fence and I as gently a possible, wrestle her down. Got it off her right hind easily as it was loose, but the twine around her neck? It was not around her neck, it was tied in knots in her neck wool. I had to just pull/yank (did not want to let her up and have to tip again). Finally, I got it off. Jeez.

Then, I spy that the sheep had once again unplugged the water heater (I think there must be general melee when they go to drink, as in they all rush it...) So, I plug it back in and see that they need more water...

I had shut the dog door thing, as I decided it was just too small for my sheep to go through easily (and if they are pregnant, indeed it will be difficult to get through). But, in doing so, I forgot that that opening is where I put the hose through to fill the water....... Crap. So, I get another longer hose. Nope, no way, frozen. Double crap. Then, I concede my stupidity and decide to drill a hole through the wall for the hose to fit through. Did that, and it was funny- as I turned on the water, the hose just shot the water out, looked like one of those boy peeing fountains ;)

So, I got the water filled, the hose drained/hung up and shut the barn. They do not need to go in there, as the weather is wonderful. I have all three rooms bedded down. I added a piece of board insulation at the bottom of one of the open door areas to cut down on the wind. It's looking quite nice in there now.

I spent a long time at the farm yesterday, which I quite like. Had left over meatloaf and boiled potatoes for dinner. E and I were considering heading to a trial in Va over the weekend, but the travel would have just been too much. Way too much, and we would not have had a good time, not to mention, I don't want to be gone from my house and animals that long- especially old kitty Ginger. She's starting to get a little foggy and I like being there when she wakes up. Call me wimpy... Also, not to mention, with the way my sheep are behaving, I don't know WHAT my sister would have done if she found a sheep like that. She is *not* an animal person... She may have had to call a vet and darted the thing!

Today we are back to a bit more comfortable temperatures.. Yeah!

2012-01-04T03:51:00.000-08:00

Half way through the week. January doesn't seem to go very fast... It's only surpassed by February in terms of time of year we would like to not think about ;)

I saw an ad on craigslist for land near me for a free lease. It's only three miles away. The only hitch is that I as the lessee, would need to gross $10000 a year to get the owner his ag exemption. I just cannot see doing that without a TON of TIME, and of course a lot of capitol. I thought about it a lot, and I just don't see how I could do it on my own, and I do not want to go into business with someone else. But, all that thinking about it did get me thinking about what I want to do with my sheep.

I have decided to purchase at least 10 more ewes this spring- either NCC or Border Leicesters, and I would ultimately like to keep about 50 breeding ewes. But, I will need more graze. My friend has a field I can use, as long as I fence it in. It will be near his place and I can rotate sheep out there. The goal will be to over winter no more than 50 sheep. If hay were free, that would be another thing.

It is time to fish or cut bait as they say. I need to earn some $$ on these sheep. And, I need to do it ASAP.

It was so cold yesterday. We are up to six laps (three miles) around the field, and I feel a lot better in many ways. But, it was so cold I got really wind burned on parts of my legs, right through my jeans. Today I will have to wear long johns... Dogs are so fit. Dan has lost a lot of weight due to all this exercise. I have to up his food intake, and probably start him back on the yogurt again. They took off after deer yesterday, but were not gone long....

Well, that's it for now. Hope every one's having a great week!

2012-01-02T12:47:00.000-08:00

Yin and Yang

Just Dan....

2012-01-01T05:38:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year everyone!! I did end up going to a matinee yesterday with my sister- we watched "War Horse". It was pretty good, though NOTHING up to the quality of the documentary "Buck", which I know they are completely different genres, but still. War Horse needed more character development, but many scenes were very good.

It was nice in the theater, not many people there, and my sister's son took in Sherlock Homes II. Got home and ended up doing some cleaning. Got the kitchen cleaned up well. Had energy, so I made good use of it. Not sure what I watched last night; but I did get back to my book. A good night.

This morning I woke up with a headache again and my neck went BOING! Tightness. Stayed in bed watching Nat Geo for a while, then up to make breakfast and coffee. Double yoker egg! This surely must be a good omen for the year! Ate as many pancakes as I could, and the dogs got the rest. I never usually do that, but what the heck- boy kitty was left wondering what happened!?! He always get something ;) He's busying himself playing with some sort of something on the floor. I am going to take it easy today, until time to go to farm and enjoy another really warm day. Will work Dan a bit too. The dogs also need brushing BIG TIME.

We are so fortunate to have this warmer weather- I see people advertising hay for sale- which is great. If I had enough land, that I didn't screw up with the 24d last year, I would probably still be grazing myself still.... Lesson learned BIG TIME.

Well, not much else to report. I hope everyone has a relaxing day, doing whatever you like at whatever speed you like!

2011-12-31T04:40:00.000-08:00

So, the headache, I realized is from a very busy week at work and too much upper body work. It happens each time, I should know this by now.... I wanted to go see "War Horse" last night, but given the state of my neck and upper back, absolutely no way that was happening, so I took a hot shower and got to bed early. It was good. Such nice weather yesterday, I was able to leave the dogs outside for a long time.

If my neck is better, I may catch the movie this afternoon. Need some time out. But, I may not. I feel like I need a few days of rest. Holidays wear everyone out I guess.

Today just have to hit the feed store, etc., and do the normal stuff. I have to get rid of my big old tv.. .Best Buy will give you $10.00 for them, I am told.........

Supposed to get very cold next week (I saw the forecast for high of 23 degrees on Tues). I dread that. I will have to wear all my warm packs just to handle it. But, the four laps which I am now doing in one shot, tend to warm me up well, and I don't suffer from the cold so much. Feet? We will see about that. I think the exercise has improved my circulation too. It has certainly improved my demeanor and my attitude. That's very good.

I would like to get out other places to work Dan, but need to save my pennies for now. I have to get a delivery of oil... Joy. So, here we are, just about to 2012, and what have you planned for next year? I just plan to LIVE! Maybe a few goals here and there, but get in better shape, keep good care of my animals, and keep my family close!

Well, have a nice New Year's Eve everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Glen

2011-12-30T05:58:00.000-08:00

I got this picture, and all credit due to keep em going website. This is Dan's dad Glen who passed away a couple years ago. Glen is the dog who turned me on to Border Collies, and indeed if I did not see him work with Warren I probably would still not have one, so I do owe both Glen and Warren a big debt of gratitude. He was a wonderful dog, and I remember, one time I mentioned to Warren how much I liked him, and he replied "I'd take another" which from Warren is high praise indeed. I see lots of Glen in Dan. Just what I wanted.

2011-12-30T05:44:00.000-08:00

Back to waking up at 3:30 am. This stinks. Need more sleep. Maybe tonight...
I did get the new cable box hooked up and the sound and picture are better. That's nice.

Even though it was darn cold yesterday, I stuck with my 4 laps around the field. Danny will from now on be walking behind me like Lucy on my walks. I have had it with him getting in front of me, running ahead, running back to me and turning back ad nauseum. It's a stupid habit and just irritating! Lucy walks nicely behind me, so can he.

I did work Dan yesterday. I used two of the old girls and two yearlings. One of the old girls did not want to stay with the others, and and yearling hung back with her, do Dan got practice on dealing with keeping everyone together. He was not a bit mentally tired after that work though. Maybe I need to feed him poor food, maybe Beneful? Just kidding!

I have a mondo headache this morning- the residual from the start of a migraine when I got up this morning. Too much going on at work. I will be so happy when work calms down.

Today I will just do basic things, and try and just take a rest at some point....

That's it for now!

2011-12-29T04:06:00.000-08:00

Up and at em early again today. Need to drop the cable box off and trade for a high def box- as I got a new lcd tv for Christmas, and apparently, it's much better if you have high def signal coming in... So far, the image is not great, so let's hope it improves. I love that the new tvs are so much smaller.... All that bulk with the old ones, just leaves lots of space for dust to collect.... I have oft times considered not having a tv to save the expense, but I get so much out of the nature shows I watch, as well as others, like " The Closer" that I just don't want to give it up....

I am happy with how our weather is so far this winter. Not bad at all. Am feeding a small amount of grain and a bale of hay, which is less hay than I planned for. Still, I wonder if my hay supply will get me through... I wonder. There is just a smidgen of hay left each day, which is exactly how I want it to be. I don't want to leave them wanting.

One thing that is remarkable, is how much more water these girls are drinking this year, I think that is due to no snow on the ground. I use a hose to fill it up, but the girls seem to knock the hose down every time... I think they are hanging out in the little room or something. I know the Border Leicester ewes go in the barn looking for food.

On the news front, several people were killed in a Christmas day fire, caused by a man leaving embers from the fireplace too near the house. Killed three girls, and the two grandparents. The mother of the girls and her contractor (who left the embers there) survived. I can't stress enough to be CAREFUL with embers/fire. I am so cognizant of that. I found an old night light, that has been in the house since before I bought it, and I am afraid to use it for fear it will short out and cause a fire.

On the fire front, I know people find wood burning stoves romantic and "hearty" but you know, I have no interest in that. I have kept them going, I have cleaned them out and I know the work, plus the smell, and constant up keep associated with it. What I would much prefer would be an outside wood burning furnace, like John, and my friend Barbara has. Heats the house hot water/air and no mess inside, PLUS they take a LOT more wood and are self regulating. My house is so small, nothing like that would be sensible. My house would over heat with just about any small stove....

Hoses. Hoses are another thing. Hauling water in buckets S.U.C.K.S. I did it for years when working with horses, and it ruined my shoulder. If I had to haul water every day for the masses, I would starve so I could get a plumber in to "hook me up". I would rather use a hose, drain it every day, then bucket water.

Well, that's it for now. Another day on the horizon. I better work Danny, he has been itching to work lately.

2011-12-28T13:40:00.000-08:00

Here is a short video of Dan helping me. I shall, one of these days get video of doing this without his help. That should be very interesting. He's a useful dog, and the hungrier the sheep get the more he's needed.

Today I did my four laps again, cleaned out the barn a bit and also pulled some grass like weed that my sheep will not eat in the other field. Very short roots so it was easy.

I also hit the store and got some Fancy Feast cat food cheap on sale and a scratcher for boy kitty, and had a $10.00 coupon if I spent $50.00, and bill came to $50.49. Not bad eh? My sister and I met for lunch and used our Applebee's gift certificates. Had a nice steak with mashed potatoes and squash.... mmmmm. Tonight just some scrambled eggs.

I am sitting here in my new deer foam slippers that my sister gave me for Christmas. LOVE them; they keep my feet, and thusly ME warm.

Been a good day, I would say!

Four laps today!

2011-12-27T12:58:00.000-08:00

Did four laps around the field. After talking with my brother, I learned that one lap is close to half a mile, so that means... almost two miles! I did three and then took care of sheep and did one more. Dogs would go all day long with those. I am definitely feeling A LOT more energetic and just in general "better" and healthier. I am getting a lot done and tackling onerous tasks that I probably would never get to, if I didn't feel this energetic.

Sheep were so happy today, don't know what got into them, but all the Cheviots just galloped around the field today, and the ram stotted a long way as he ran by me. Then, when they stopped two Cheviots head butted each other just as an exclamation point I guess. Makes me happy to see them so happy.

The rest of this week- need to get some stuff at the feed store, and perhaps finally get that barn room raked out, and hay laid down in there.

So, that's it, just wanted to share my happy exercise news :)

Everyone have a good one??!!

2011-12-27T07:21:00.000-08:00

Well, another Christmas in the books. It was very nice- both Christmas eve, and Christmas day. Spent it with the family. Watched some football Christmas eve, and ate way too much food. The egg nog... That's what did me in. Christmas day half of it I spent in bed recovering from my over indulgence!

Christmas eve day was nice, as I did my laps and worked Dan. Christmas day, I got there late, but I did take a video of my tiny flock enjoying their hay- which got to them late (remember I was in bed for half the day!). I think they look good.

I think they are definitely better than last year. I am finally getting to the point where I know what I want them to look and feel like.

Oh, and my ear? All better, thanks to a good Dr, and a simple treatment. I can't believe how much louder everything sounds.

This week will be a normal week, trying to get Dan worked a bit, and get out to E's place. Gotta do that.

Well, that's it for now, hopefully everyone had a great Christmas!

Almost done........

2011-12-23T03:34:00.000-08:00

Christmas shopping that is. Still have to get a few more things. Just could not decide what to get for a few people. I did enjoy the complete turmoil I saw in the guys buying for their girls- at Jewelry stores. I bet the Jewelry stores LOVE it right about now, when guys give up and just throw a lot of money at something shiny and expensive....... Gotta love Christmas ;)

I have another appt for my ear today, and I hope we can get this resolved. If the same thing happens in my other ear, I will need hearing aids...

Did my three laps yesterday. Didn't work Dan, but plan to later today.

Oh, one thing that happened the other day that I wanted to share- I sent Dan to get the sheep, blew into my whistle and NOTHING no noise at ALL. It was clogged with what I think was a piece of hay. I could not get it to work at all, until I washed it. So, word to the wise, make sure your whistle works before you step to the post!

Best laid plans

2011-12-22T04:40:00.000-08:00

No dog work for Dan at E's place to day, have to work. Extreme bummer. One other thing is that I have this ear thing. At first it was just a feeling of a muffled ear, like water in the ear. It has gotten worse and now my ear hurts. Went to ENT office, they cleaned my ears, which did not fix it. I then went back, had a hearing test and they found reduced hearing in my right ear. Great. I still think it's just an issue of an inflammation some where. But the test showed no pressure in Eustachian tube. Great again.

This morning lots of pressure in the ear and I cannot hear out of my right ear (the tv). This is not good. Have an appointment with my allergist tomorrow. He's a sage older guy who knows his stuff, let's hope this gets dealt with. I am also a little dizzy.

Today, since I am around I will get my Christmas shopping done. That will be good. Will work Dan a bit and exercise (did not do that yesterday).

So, the countdown until Christmas pretty much starts today for me. Looking forward to some good meals with my family, and then, next week getting back to usual. Can't wait to just be able to sleep in!

2011-12-21T04:55:00.000-08:00

Twas a good day yesterday. Although I was more tired than I thought I would be at the end of the day, that just meant earlier to bed. I do like living alone sometimes!

Did my three laps and even considered a fourth, but figured I would do a few more days of the three, before adding on. I definitely feel more toned, but I would not say I have lost weight, just yet.....

Worked Dan yesterday, spent a lot of time getting the sheep in the barn; they just don't want to go, but it's good practice for us in penning because I do all the jumping and gyrating I will do some day at a trial and he has to stay calm ;) I then worked him on the Cheviot yearlings- BOY do they work nice- not too light, and require forethought on his part. All the sheep are in good nick, and so far, just one bail of hay and half a scoop of grain. I think it's cheaper to feed hay plus a bit of grain than just hay, due to the exorbitant prices of hay. I think this hay is decent too, because that is not a lot of grain for 11 sheep....

Ram took a couple runs at Dan yesterday in the barn, but Dan does not seem worried at all about it. I will have to watch that ram. He may just be fearful, but I won't have a pita animal around.

Got a little more house work done yesterday, and then tomorrow I take off to work dogs and then on Friday, yes, Friday, go Christmas shopping. I know, so late. I just could not do it earlier because of the lack of money. It will be gift card palooza anyway, so it won't be tough to do.

Well, that's it for now!

I CLEANED, I CLEANED!!!!!!!

2011-12-20T03:50:00.000-08:00

That down time on Sunday did real wonders- I came home last night and started cleaning. I started in the spare room. I ended up pulling all the books off the book shelf, vacuuming the books, the shelf and moved it and vacuumed where it was. I put it in place of a dresser I had on the other wall. It looks much better there. Then I vacuumed some more- behind the computer, etc. I also dusted. Still not done, but a heck of a lot better.

I then went on to the bathroom. I went to town on that, and scrubbed everything (again, not quite done, but got areas that are missed a lot). Will continue on both rooms today. Thank goodness for that day of rest on Sunday!

Today it's nice and warm, and I think the rest of the week will not be cold. No white Christmas this year!

Sheep are good, may work Dan today, may not. I did do my three laps yesterday. I can't believe how much more energy I have. I stay up much later, and also sleep better.

Well, better get to it!

Down Time

2011-12-19T03:46:00.000-08:00

Boy did I need it. I spent yesterday not doing much, save for watching football and some great Big Cat programs on Nat Geo. Lots of very interesting behaviors, and I realize now that I should have been an animal behaviorist........ Oh well. Would have, should have, could have, and if, as my mom would say :)

Dogs were remarkably calm for a day just chilling out. Today it will be a bit warmer so back on to normal schedule. Three laps today! Have to to that. I would like to keep increasing as much as time allows.

This week will consist of working Dan, getting Christmas shopping done, and who knows what else. More down time would be nice :))

I think one thing I am going to do is to help my mother make Krum kakker, which is a Norwegian butter cookie that is well, OUTSTANDING. Pretty much all Norwegian cookies are butter based- I read last week that there is a butter shortage in Norway- THE HORROR! This is when they need it the most!!!!!!!!! The cookies I want to make take a special iron to make them and a wooden rolling tool. So, I need to get up to speed on this, and I can't learn any younger!

Find myself wanting to spend more time at my parents' lately. Maybe because I just realize we are all aging, and I really want to enjoy them while I have them.

I think this year, I may actually put out the bird feeder...... I haven't done that in a few years, but I miss the birds..... BUT, there is a big Red Tailed Hawk that seems to hunt just behind my back yard.... Maybe I ought to re-think that.........

Well, that's it for now, I hope everyone has a good pre- holiday week!!!!!!!!!

Egads it's cold

2011-12-18T09:56:00.000-08:00

Good Lord it's cold out. I went to the farm and even though I did do only one lap with the dogs, I had to go to the car to warm up before I fed the sheep. BRRRRR. I fed them, stopped at my parents' and then came home. I got up way to early today, and now I need some rest. I need a good long nap....

Big week ahead and I just want to put my head under the covers and wait for it to be over!!!

Pancakes and Coffee

2011-12-18T04:46:00.000-08:00

This pairing has come to signify my day off. I make regular pancakes, and then put a bit of butter on them, a little strawberry jam and then roll them up. Could not be better. Coffee is a must, and always makes this breakfast perfect. Today will be a down time day. I am desperate for one of these. Yesterday was another productive day at the farm. I pulled a still loaded with leaves/branches tarp that I folded up into the ramp part of the barn (that was exhausting) and also set up the heater, and blocked off the ramp of the barn with some particle board and plywood. I then did three laps around the field, which is great. I am starting to feel a difference in my energy level and I am sleeping better. My hips are still just as frumpy though....... Maybe they are a tiny bit smaller, I don't know....

I stopped at my parents and helped dad get the tree off the top of the car, then I headed home and made a steak dinner. Haven't had that very often because the market is only selling bad cuts of meat... Anyway, the steak turned out awesome, and all the dogs got some left over with their dinnners.

Dan turned three years old yesterday, I cannot believe how time flies.

Today will be cleaning day at the house as well as usual sheep stuff. I have not even started Christmas shopping yet............

Life is short

2011-12-17T04:16:00.001-08:00

More and more these days, I deeply feel that life is short, and family is so very precious. Yes, we may not all get along all the time, but in the end, family is really all you've got- and sometimes, good long standing friends fall into that category, but not always... In any case, if you have persons you love, you need to show it. You need to show it by putting them before yourself.

Every holiday now for almost 30 years, I have worked all the holidays- Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Thanksgiving, Easter, well, maybe not every day, but 99% of them. Working with animals, you don't get holidays. They need to eat/be cleaned on schedule. However, I ALWAYS make sure that I am with my family on the holidays, thankfully we eat at normal dinner time. Anyway, I am usually beat, but I make it there. This year, I really could just skip it, but as I sit in the recliner watching all that goes on- nephews chatting, opening presents, mom talking to sister, dad chatting about the various work he's been doing, I sort of revel in it, at first, it was contrived- this revelling, but now, I truly see that this will not be forever. My parents just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary and have been starting to show their age a bit, and things are going to wind down, I know it.

I made a post on FB on Thanksgiving that I was going to skip Thanksgiving (I was just venting, as it was an exhausting day at work) and my brother relayed that to my mother, who called me several times, very upset. I told her I wouldn't miss it, and I was just venting. She said "Thanksgiving wouldn't be Thanksgiving without you". See? Everyone in the family is cherished- even me, the sink (single no kids) person. Holidays are more than just us taking time away from our lives to celebrate a holiday, it's a chance to spend time with the ones you love, and realize just how important they are.

I know all about the difficulties of trying to take care of animals, and go away for holidays. I have always figured it out. If I had family that was say, 4-5 hours away, I would get to work early, get it done, stop home, get my stuff and head the heck out for the holidays - have a friend take care of my animals, and be home the next day. It's really not that hard. I cannot imagine what my family would think of me if I chose to stay home to take care of my animals. And I am ALL ABOUT animals, it's who I am, it's what I do; it's breathing to me. That said, my family comes first.

I am not here to judge anyone, but I do hope that people who read this take time this holiday season to remember that you going to holiday functions with family is more than about you, it's about the WHOLE family being together and SO MANY cannot do it, and wish every day they could.

When it all goes horribly wrong............

2011-12-15T04:37:00.001-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovI8ogH-fII

Progress

2011-12-15T03:59:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was a good day. When I got to the farm, first thing I did was a lap around the field. It's a little over a 1/4 mile per lap, I think. Anyway, I did that, then sorted sheep for Dan to work. Worked Dan just on driving; he did well, and then fed the sheep and then started on the projects I mentioned earlier. Got the water moved near the barn, found that my brother had turned the power back on- YES! Heat tape is plugged in and heater ready to be used. Just need another extension cord and we're set for water for winter. I also tackled a way to keep the door between two rooms open and at the same time closed to another room (lots of rooms for the sheep!). Finally settled on a nail and some baling twine. After many misplacements of the nail I finally got it right. Will be good, now I don't have to use gardening implements to keep door closed ;)

After I did that stuff, I did two more laps around the field. Was really feeling it after the third. This is good. Just what I need to do.

We then left and I stopped and picked up a few things I needed, and then home. It was a productive day- those I love.

Today it's raining. Hopefully not too hard later so I can do my walking.

Well, that's it for now!

2011-12-14T04:37:00.000-08:00

Time has been flying. I still have to clean my house- did a little, but by God, it's been really hard to get to it. I almost want to hire someone at this point. Everything is good, paid the hay guy, so that's done. I have to get the heaters set up still, as brother turned the power off to the outlet I used last year. I plan to get that done today, bring more extension cords, and move the water closer to the barn. I could leave it by the spigot outside the fence, but I am afraid it will freeze (it did last year). So, I will have to figure that out.

Dan and I went to my friends on the weekend again. Getting lots of good training in. Dan is such a good boy. I would say we are a little over half way on the shedding part. I want him to come in behind me, but he is adverse to it... I need to get my Alasdair shedding dvd back so I can watch it...... Anyway, I am happy with his progress thus far- happy to come in, which is the most important.

This week had nothing special, but now each day has a little something extra in it. Time just seems to fill up. Still no Christmas shopping done. I guess I am just being a bad procrastinator in general lately!

Christmas is next weekend, so I best be getting it done....

Well, that's my update for now, I hope everyone is having a nice pre-holiday season!

2011-12-14T04:19:00.000-08:00

Here is a video in which you miss the punch line..... We had left some sheep in the small pen and just wanted to work the loose group. I had a bear of a time getting Dan to leave those penned sheep. After I *finally* got him to leave them, the loose sheep ran back to the penned sheep and when Dan went to bring them to me, they busted down the front of the pen. You can hear me say at the end how I would now never get him to leave those pen sheep. Dan must have been very proud of his super powers!

PS: At the end we are working on shedding. Dan is still learning, and my LIE DOWN was to prevent him from circling the sheep back to me and the others! He's coming in nice now though.

2011-12-08T03:55:00.000-08:00

All day yesterday, I was worried. A small winter storm was due to come in, and I could not get to the farm until much later than I would like to have. As it was, I didn't even stop at the house on the way to the farm. I just hate when I break schedule for my animals. Anyway, I got there, and dropped down a bale of hay, and then got some grain. I had no dog, so getting the grain to the sheep consisted of me waving my arms frantically and running about crazy-like, to get the sheep to give me room.... Would have been funny, I bet if someone saw it ;)

Anyway, after that was done I opened up the small door for the sheep and as I came out with the hay, everyone was already in. Now, it had been raining ALL day and the previous night, so I wanted them to come in out of the rain if they chose... I got the bale divvied up and they dug in way faster than normal- an irritation at myself rose up. I just can't be doing that.... Anyway, I left them with their hay, and the barn available and they seemed quite content.

When I got home, the dogs were nuts. Everyone wanted to do something, well, not everyone- Danny and Lucy did, but it was raining so hard, it never happened. I fell asleep pretty early, wondering how much snow was actually going to come. As it turned out it was just a dusting. Thank goodness. I am going to move the water tank over and set up the extension cords for the heat tape and the water heater. It is supposed to get cold, but then I see next week, the highs will be in the upper 40s. That will be great!

Tomorrow I finally finish paying for the hay I bought and maybe just maybe get a little shopping done. Nephews are all getting gift cards, they are old enough that toys are not an option..... Oh, one cool thing, my oldest nephew appears to be in line for an internship at ESPN next summer. Is that cool or what? He's an excellent writer and has been writing for various newspapers for about a year now (he's 20). I hope he get something really great out of that experience, he is very talented.

How a Kelpie saved our Christmas

2011-12-07T09:22:00.000-08:00

How a Kelpie saved our Christmas
Copyright Julie Williams

Many years ago, I’d say about 1970, my family had a big farm. On that
farm we raised all sorts of animals- cows, sheep, goats, chickens,
ducks, you name it, at one time we had it. We got our eggs from the
chickens, meat from the cows, milk from the goats and cows, and my mom
spun sweaters from the wool we got from our sheep. We had a tv that
got one channel. We would play hide and seek in the barn, go on walks
in the woods, and sometimes stay up late telling ghost stories. Yep,
life for us kids was good then.

Mom would make us breakfast every morning before school- we always had
eggs and toast and cereal- this was the BEST breakfast, and we loved
it. Dad would always eat after he fed the animals, he always said
“animals get fed first, we eat after they are fed”. He got up real
early to feed the animals and clean their pens. He also milked the
cows and goats. Mom collected the eggs, and washed them, weighed them,
and put some in containers to sell, and kept some aside for us. When
we finished breakfast we high tailed it to school. We walked to the
bus stop, which really was a mile away. School was boring; we always
longed to get home and play our games. When we got home from school,
we had chores to do. Us kids had to feed the animals, which I loved. I
always loved taking care of animals. One time dad caught me walking on
the goat’s hay, and asked me if I would like him to walk on my food? I
said no, and never did that again. The goats were my favorite- they
all knew just when to come out of the pen to get milked, and they were
really cute babies. We had French Alpines. My brothers and sisters
and I had a ball playing with the babies. We even had big rocks
brought in so the goats could climb on them.

My parents always had dogs. I loved dogs since I could remember. I
used to play with them, teach them tricks, feed them, brush them. I
guess my love for them started when I grew up on that farm. Dad never
saw the need for a herding dog- like one of them Border Collies- he
didn’t understand why you would need one when a bucket of feed could
get the work done just as fast. Well, in time we all learned.

Round about September, my parents and me were in town, we had just left
church, and dad was talking with a friend named Mr. Wilkerson. Mr.
Wilkerson had a farm not far away from us, and he had dogs. He had a
kind of dog I only saw once at his place, but I always remembered it.
It had big ears, and a short coat and was red and brown. Dog’s name
was Coot. Coot was what Mr. Wilkerson called a workin’ dog. Mr.
Wilkerson used Coot to bring in the cattle and sheep at night. I
remember my dad smiling when he heard this, and telling me he thought
it was “interesting” with a little snicker. On that day after church
though, Mr. Wilkerson asked my dad to come by after church and see his
dog work the cattle and sheep. My dad checked with mom, and off we
went on our adventure. Gosh it was fun. We even got to have lunch
there! Well, when it was time to see Coot work, Mr. Wilkerson showed
my dad where the cows were. These were beef cattle- Herefords, and
some Angus. All Mr. Wilkerson had to say to Coot was “Coot, bring
‘em”. We watched, my dad with a smile, thinking I guess that this was
going to end up bad. Well, Coot ran out, and brought those cows down
at a steady clip, and once they got to Mr. Wilkerson, Mr. Wilkerson
offered to show dad how Coot could single one off that needed foot
trimming. Mr. Wilkerson said “Coot, that one” and pointed at one of
the cows. Coot came up smooth as day and cut that cow off, and held
him off. Dad wasn’t smiling anymore. Dad asked to see Coot work the
sheep. Coot did a real nice job with the sheep too. Dad liked that he
could get the sheep and cows in without having to go out in the field,
and the dog was a willing partner. This got dad to thinking. When we
were ready to leave, my dad told Mr Wilkerson to let him know if he
might sell that dog to him.

Some weeks later, we saw Mr Wilkerson out in town again, and he told my
dad that he knew of a Kelpie not far from our place. This was a
purebred Kelpie who had experience on cattle and sheep. Dad and mom
talked a long time, and much to my delight, they decided to take a look
at this dog. We all went out to the farm. Out came this little red
and brown female Kelpie. She was small with ears way to big for her
body, and moved quick, real quick. Dad was not impressed- didn’t
believe she had the size to do the work. We kids begged that we be
allowed to try her- she had what Mr. Wilkerson called “good breeding”
and had already been working stock. Dad decided to buy her, on one
condition- she worked as well as Coot.

When we got her home, we had to name her- she came with the name “Amy”,
but we thought she should have a more fitting name. We decided to name
her Risk- my dad liked the name because that is what she was, and I
like the name because we could call her Risky, which rhymed with Nifty.
I thought she was really nifty. The first few days at our place dad
was the only one to spend time with her- Mr. Wilkerson told him that he
should get to know her, and so-call “bond” with her. So, dad took her
with him on chores, and tied her up, while he worked. She always laid
there calm as can be, and always watching dad’s every move. When the
day finally came to try Risk out on the sheep, it was a cold, rainy
day, and dad decided today was as good as any to try the dog, because
maybe he could stay dry, and let the dog do the work. So, dad brought
Risk to the pasture. He said “Go get ‘em Risk”. Risk looked up to
him, quizzically, and sat down. Dad repeated “Go get ‘em Risk”. Risk
stayed there, glued to my dad’s side. Dad started to lose his temper.
I said “Dad, maybe she doesn’t know what you mean” Dad replied “ she
should know what I want anyway. Dad called the guy he bought Risk from
and asked what commands he used with the dog. “Weeeelll, let’s see”
the guy said. When I want her to fetch the sheep I tell her “Sheep”,
when I want her to get the cattle, I tell her “Cows”. When I need her
to find whatever is in the field I just say “Go” “Okay, sounds easy
enough” dad said, and hung up the phone. Dad went back out with Risk.
Dad said “Sheep!” Risk shot out into the pasture, going real wide,
and met up with the sheep. These sheep had never been worked with a
dog before, so they got real upset. As one sheep tried to bolt off,
she brought it back to the flock. As another sheep tried to butt her,
she darted out of the way, and stood her ground. Soon, all the sheep
were together and calmly coming toward my dad. I will never forget
dad’s face that day. It was a mix of utter astonishment, and pride. I
think I may have even seen a tear in his eye.

Over the next few weeks dad and Risky as he called her did everything
together. Risky was always there, ready to help, even with the bull.
When dad went off the farm without Risky, she stayed on her rug in the
barn, waiting for his return.

Soon the holidays were coming, and we had lots to do. Every winter we
sold off a few head of cattle to pay winter feed bills, and I think,
though mom never admitted it, to try and get some Christmas presents
for us kids. Everything was going as planned, and Risky and dad had
separated off a few cows to go to market. These were our best Angus.
Angus meat dad told us was the best, and people paid the most for it.
We had four to go that year. Dad was guaranteed a good price when the
butcher came and took a look at them. Three days before the butcher
was coming to pick up the cows, we went out in the morning, and the
fence of the pen was down. The cows had some how either spooked, or
just wanted out. They were gone. Dad was beside himself. We had no
other Angus cows to sell (the others were pregnant, and we needed those
calves, and we couldn’t sell our prize bull). All of us kids went
looking. We saw tracks, but no cows. Dad looked all over and even
told Risky “Cows”, and she went all over the pastures looking. After
a full day of looking dad said “Kids, I think those cows are gone, and
maybe dead by now, I am not sure we can afford much of a Christmas this
year” To us kids that was a big blow- every Christmas we look forward
to opening few small presents, eating lots of food, and dad and mom
being so proud of their kids and their farm. It seemed this year, we
wouldn’t have that.

We all went to bed that night very very sad. The next morning it was
raining very hard, and dad went to the butcher and told him what
happened. The butcher told him he still had a couple of days, and that
maybe they are hiding somewhere close. We went home and looked, still
no luck.

The last day before the butcher was going to come it was snowing- HARD.
You could barely see ten feet in front of your face, and it was very
cold. All the animals were huddling together, and their breath was
small puffs of tiny icicles. Dad wasn’t able to get a hold of the
butcher to tell him not to come. That night, dad went down to the barn
with Risky and stood in front of the cows that we still had. He then
walked past them and said one last “Cows, Risky”. Risky looked up at
him with the same look she did when he first worked her, and said
“bring em”. Dad was about to give up hope, but then thought to do one
more thing. He said “Risky, GO COWS”. Risky jumped up, and ran out
into the pasture. Dad waited, and waited. Finally an hour went by and
no Risky. He came in the house, and told us that now Risky was gone
too. I remember being so upset. How could he do that- send her out in
such bad weather. She could freeze. Dad sat at the kitchen table that
night, looking out the window at the barn for any sign of Risky or the
cows. Finally, I guess, he went to bed. The next morning can only be
described as surreal. We all got up and did our chores, and washed up
for breakfast. Dad was still in bed. Mom was at the kitchen sink
looking out the window as she washed up eggs and got our breakfast
ready, when she saw it. A COW. Yes, a COW walking by the window.
Mom screamed- which I remember clearly, because she never yelled or
screamed. She yelled for me to get dad, which I did, even though I
wanted to see what was happening. I ran in the bedroom and told dad to
get up- a cow was walking by the kitchen. Dad told me I must be
kidding. I told him no- go and look. He got dressed, and walked into
the kitchen. Mom pointed to the cows, and dad told us kids to stay put
as he hurried outside.

Dad threw open the door, and there they were, all four cows. They were
standing under the big maple tree next to our bench in the front yard.
Dad couldn’t believe his eyes. He thought they were gone forever.
“But”, he said, “Where is Risky?” Quickly, looked around and no dog.
But why would they stay near the house? Why not head for the pasture
where they know there will be hay? Then he thought he saw it- just a
small tinge of red hair. There was Risky- laying to the other side of
the big tree, keeping those cows to where she knew dad would be. Dad
wanted to rush out to praise her, but he wanted to make sure that these
cattle wouldn’t get away. He walked down to the barn, and opened the
door to the inside corral, and told Risky “Cows”. Risky moved those
cows into the barn, dad closed the door, fed the cattle, called Risky
over to him, tears in his eyes, and told her that SHE was his Christmas
miracle. Later that day the butcher came over to pick up the cows,
and dad told him what had happened. The butcher said, “somehow, I knew
with that little Kelpie of yours, if anyone could find them, she would”.

To this day, every time I see a Kelpie, I thank God for creating such a
wonderful dog, and for letting me share my life with so noble a creature.

Based loosely on a true story.

2011-12-07T04:02:00.000-08:00

I have started doing an extra loop around the pasture. I have to. I am looking decidedly frumpy and I need to lose some poundage. What I do is walk around, then work Dan and do chores, and before we leave one more circuit. I can feel it, so it must be good, right? No real goals, just see where I end up...

Got the big room all cleaned out, pretty much yesterday. Still some small chocks of wood here and there, but mainly it just needs a good raking to look for any trash, etc., and then it's safe for sheep entry. I was keeping hay down there, but it got rained on, through the broken panes of window glass, so need to deal with that with plastic.

Got home last night and was a bit sore, and I felt like I had ticks on me so took a shower. I was pretty beat last night, and didn't get to watch NCIS, bummer. There is a 1 day clinic this weekend that I would like to take Dan to, but I am not sure I can go, it will depend. I have to get foot warmers, that I know, if I decide to stand out in the cold.

I couldn't believe how hard it was raining this morning. Instantly, I thought of the sheep. I have their entrance blocked off, but I keep thinking I should allow them in there, even if it isn't quite freezing rain.... I don't feed them in there, so they won't stay long....

I can't believe how different Ginger kitty is. Since being on the pro-biotics, she is normal with her gut, and more active. She even attempted to sharpen her claws on the carpet. It's just amazing. Fancy Feast, pro-biotics, and Hills ID as a filler seems to work for her. She's skinny as all get out, but I suspect that comes from her long duration of being ill.

I can't believe Christmas is around the corner. Have done no shopping. It's not really any big deal anyway, because it's all gift cards, but money has to be there to buy them :) It will get done, like it always does, some how....

Well, that's it for now, I hope everyone is well!

2011-12-06T03:53:00.001-08:00

Thanks everyone for entering the give away!!!!

Last nice day for a while yesterday. Nice and warm. When I got to the farm, did the usual walk with the dogs, and then worked Dan on the lambs. They are moving away from the side I send him, so that does not help with his over running on the away ;) The only way to solve this is to just do outruns with someone holding sheep, and manage him until he pays attention. Perhaps have the hold out person move them toward the right as he comes in, something like that.......

We did enough work, that he actually jumped in the water tub... See, it was nice out! After I worked him I put some of the wasted hay into piles to deal with- I want to see what they are/are not eating from this new delivery- I am not that happy with it, but I have decreased grain enough that in a couple days it will just be hay, and then I will truly see how they are doing with it.

Got a bit more cleaning done in the big room in the barn, but still have more to go, and I have to get the extension cords to for the heat tape and the de-icer. Supposed to start getting really cold this weekend. I hate working in freezing weather. So, will get this stuff done tonight.

When I got home last night, I cleaned the gutters. They were filled with those helicopter seed pods- billions of them. I have never seen so many. After that, I had to take my nephew to the orthodontist and we got to see lots of really nice Christmas lights. I would like to thank everyone who does that, puts a smile on my face.

Well, that's it for now...

No Hables Ingles

2011-12-05T05:08:00.000-08:00

That means "Don't speak English" in Spanish. Apparently, Dan lost either his hearing or his comprehension of my whistles, or both. I went to a friend's place to work him. First, we worked on shedding, he did well- once I remembered to look at the sheep I wanted to shed. I am really not good at remembering things....

Then, we went to another field with a small group of sheep and left the main flock next door, to my left as I stood at one end of the field. E held the sheep for me, and I sent Dan away. He was good on his outrun, but over ran, for some reason he does not pay attention on that away side like he should (working with the lambs is helping him, but my regular sheep ruin any form of lift). So, he over ran, and then came in at the over ran angle and moved the sheep way off line to the right side drive away panels. I whistled and I whistled, NO HABLES INGLES, Dan said. He ended up bringing them nicely through those drive panes. OY VEY.

I then went to the opposite side of the field, sent him come by and his lift was spot on, so freaking nice. He then got them going but had no pace, and just tailed them down on the fetch. I then decided to work on some flanks a bit closer on the fetch and he took them. Wow, nothing like going some where different and seeing what you weak spots are. Then, we worked on pulling the sheep off the fence, as they were just sticking there looking to be with the main flock. Dan starts his flanks nice, but zoomed through between them and fence, and I forgot I am supposed to lay him down on the fence once he gets them off. We repeated this action until he was tired, and then we got some good calm fence pulling.

We then worked on a Maltese cross and Dan didn't have much finesse at first (as in he lurched at them) but then we got it. Lots to work on. The pen stuff I can do with the barn. The fence I can do at home, but the appropriate lift/fetch flanks I have to work with someone who can hold sheep. We certainly have our work cut out for us.

So, that's that for now!

Doing the drawing right now

2011-12-05T03:56:00.000-08:00

Meant to do it last night, but got home too late. I have all your names in a scoop on folded paper (happen to have an extra feed scoop). Scoop is sitting on my lap. Will pull a name out now, not peaking........

And, the winner is........

Diane! Congrats Diane can you leave me your email in the comments section? I will then contact you and get your snail mail. Thanks everyone for playing :)

Give away drawing later today

2011-12-04T03:40:00.000-08:00

Am going to work dogs with a friend, will be back later today, and will then do the drawing- see you all then!

Today I baled some hay to feed the sheep the coyotes eat

2011-12-03T04:48:00.000-08:00

This is a good documentary, and worth watching. The book is next for me.

Today I Baled Some Hay to Feed the Sheep the Coyotes Eat from Will Zavala on Vimeo.

2011-12-02T04:24:00.000-08:00

I got my check for the ewe I dropped off at the auction. She was LIGHT. Only 115 lbs. I knew she was too thin. Now, she was the smallest of the group to start with, but that's way too light. Healthy looking except for her weight. That money will come in handy as I need to get some more sheep supplies. I think one of the ewes may be looking for her. You know, it didn't really bother me, sending her on. I think because I knew she wasn't right and if I can't fix it, I don't her languishing. I take a lot of pride in good care.

Dan had a right good time yesterday. No, I did not work him, I pulled up the hose. OH..MY..GOD!!!!! he says. Every time she pulls it I can bite at it. And it KEEPS moving!!!!!!!!!! YEEEHAW!!!!!!!!! After I did that, I cleaned up in the hay drop area of the barn and he and Lucy ran around having a gay old time.

I still have the sheep room (where I will put jugs if lambs are produced) I say that because I don't know if this ram is actually creating lambs or just having a good time... He's certainly giving his all but everyone looks blue all the time, except that is for a couple of the Cheviot yearlings, who I WANT pregnant more than the others. The ewe lambs have not been touched. I have been told that most times Cheviot ewe lambs do not breed the first year, so I am not surprised.

I have to start weaning off the grain. Though, it is tempting to keep them on, because with the grain they are on, they are not even eating one whole bale of hay, and believe it or not, grain is cheaper than hay. But, no grain for now frees me up to be away a bit, and I would surely like to get away for a bit of training with Dan. Life's been a bit way too boring lately.

I may try and get a group of yearling/lamb Cheviots at John's and bring them up to the back field to break them. They need to be away from the barn, because at the sight of a dog they run pell mell for the barn, and there is no fence to stop them. Plus, the horses are there, and one is a stallion and one is a witchy mare who will stomp a dog. I hate mares :) Lucy would be doing the breaking because if they get crabby, and take a run at her, she just returns the volley, and I don't know what Dan would do- he may be fine, but don't want him getting creamed- and these sheep have demonstrated that ability. Maybe this weekend. Just gotta get them up there- maybe John's truck and the pen. Wish some of you guys lived closer, as I could use a bit of help. Some of the good experienced take no crap dogs.

I am so glad it's Friday. This week seemed to roll on forever. Well, that's it for now, I see we have a few comments on the give away, I will give it another day or two, but then will pick a winner. It appears that I have a lot of shy visitors.

Give Away starts now

2011-12-01T04:17:00.000-08:00

I thought long and hard about the give away. It was hard to come up with something everyone might be interested in. Some may ask, why I am doing this? Well, simply put, because in the spirit of giving, and maybe that has a little bit to do with the Holiday coming, I wanted to share some thing with all my loyal readers. So, here's what's on offer, you pick either one. #1 Is a gift card for $25.00 to Tractor Supply or, #2 A $25.00 gift certificate to Border Collies in Action.

In order to be entered to win, you just need to comment in the comment section. Once I get at least 10 comments I will put your names in a hat, and will draw. Once the winner is selected, I will announce it on the blog and I will give you my email so you can give me your snail mail address. In your comment, please mention what is your fancy, # 1 or #2.

The comments are moderated because of spam, but all comments will be approved.

Of course more than 10 folks can comment, I just want to keep the minimum to 10.

Auctions and Give Aways

2011-11-30T04:57:00.000-08:00

On Monday, John and I brought the ewe to the auction. It was initially just supposed to be me going alone, but when I called John to tell him I would be there, he said he would drive me. So, as I get to John's place, I don't see him or the truck. Hmmm. I have like two minutes on my cell phone and I call him. He tells me he is stuck in the back field, and to get the chain and bring the trail blazer. Okie dokie. I hop in the TB and drive ahead toward the field near the road, and then stop and think- I have no idea WHAT field he is in. So I call again, this time with like one minute left and he says the back field by Kathy's. That's on a whole different road and the big field I videotaped. I have never been there from the other road before.......... So, I take the road I think is it, and I finally get there.

John's truck was stuck in the wet area outside of the field. Evidently, the bull got out and John used his truck to chase him back in, but then got stuck... The fence is not on. Of all the Bovines to get out... And this was the second time this week...

So, John hooked up the chain and I drove the pick up and he pulled it out. Then, we loaded the pen on the truck and I followed him to the farm. I had Dan bring them up, I put a dog leash on the ewe (I am going to buy a halter or two so I don't have to do it that way), and led her up the hill to the truck. She wasn't bad at all. I had a hay bale to get her started and John and I got her in. She really was no trouble.

We got to the auction and a guy was unloading adorable Holstein calves. We waited, and then they took my girl. She hopped right off the truck and walked in to the building, absolutely calm, and I really appreciated that. This sort of stuff is stressful to me, as I identify with my animals, maybe too much. We did not stick around for the auction, so I will see what I get for her. Prices are down, and she is old, so probably not much.

The next day, yesterday, my neck and back hurt so much I could barely function. John's truck STINKS for seating- the seat leans way back and no support. I have several levels in my neck fused and that means a lot of torque is put on the lower vertebral junctions and it means pain and spasms. I could not do much yesterday at all. When I stopped at my parents to try on a nice suede jacket I was given, I could not put my arm in it. My father actually had to put it on.

I got home, ate lunch and took a hot shower, I mean hot. And just got in bed. I am better today. Not riding in that truck again without some serious back support.

Plan today is to work Dan, clean out the barn, and clean my house. It really needs it!

So, that's it. Oh, and I am going to announce the give away tomorrow. I think it will be something you could all appreciate :)

2011-11-27T06:11:00.001-08:00

Sheep move, that is going to wait until Spring. I have decided that given my sheep's needs being different from John's, in addition to all the hay I have stacked, moving them now would be well, folly. So, that will wait, but I am very excited about this.

Thanksgiving, let's see. It was a very very busy day at work and I was spent afterward. Nevertheless after going home chilling for about an hour, I headed up to my parents and set forth helping get dinner ready. It was a great meal as always. The Turkey was stupendous. The rest was also amazing. But, I simply cannot eat like I used to... Evidenced by the....

Most horrible indigestion I had on Friday. I ate Tums like they were candy. Friday we were taking my parents out for their 50th anniversary, and I really needed to be better by then. Tums worked! Anyway, I could see as my parents were getting ready that they were both very happy to be going out with their whole family and both my parents were dressed to the nines. I followed them to the restaurant and when we got there almost everyone was there. The place was gorgeous- it sits atop a hill over looking the town, and the view was wonderful. We had the big dining room to ourselves, which was great. The food and service were both top shelf. AMAZING salads, followed by excellent appetizers (I skipped this, but the crab cakes and Calamari looked excellent, and got rave reviews). Then, dinner, I ordered a T-bone, and it was succulent. Everyone loved their food. Great conversation, everything. Then we brought in the cake I had ordered at the Pastry Garden, which had their wedding picture printed on it. It was a chocolate layer with raspberry mousse as the filling and butter cream frosting. Quite likely the best cake I have ever eaten. Not heavy, not too sweet, just absolutely perfect.

When we finished eating we all went and had our pictures taken. My parents had a great time- I don't think we could have done better if we tried.

Yesterday, after work, I went up to the farm, and see my ram lamb being extra attentive to one of the Border Leicester ewes. And, sure enough, he got busy. I wonder if his first markings were just trial runs. She was clearly in heat. So, I guess I will have later lambs, if and when I do!

Tomorrow, I take the old ewe to the auction. I think I have a good place to back the truck up to- if I can get it in there.

Today, well, I made an nice breakfast, and all animals are taking their morning siestas. I will begin to function in a little bit!

Big News

2011-11-23T11:38:00.000-08:00

Well, for me it is.... I am moving my flock over to John's place. TONS more grass and you have SEEN some of the fields. It's a win win- I will help John out and will have an excellent supply of new sheep to work with on a regular basis. I cannot wait. PLUS this place is half the distance from what I am driving now! Can't wait! May move them this weekend!

2011-11-23T05:56:00.001-08:00

It poured all night. Jeez. I am so glad I got the leaves done. I hate doing leaves. Wish there was some sort of animal that would just eat them....

Today it's pretty dreary out. I may or may not work Dan today, maybe tomorrow. He's doing well, I think, so no rush. He helps me with feeding every day. Ginger kitty, my old one, is doing well. For the first time in several months, she sleeps just about all night, has normal output and well, you can tell she feels better. Those pro-biotics are worth their weight in Gold to me.

Tomorrow, Thanksgiving, we will eat dinner at normal dinner time. My sister and her sons will go to my parents to help prepare today, and then stay over night. It will be a great meal, as usual.

Friday, we take my parents out for their 50th anniversary dinner. I ordered a cake from a great bakery in town, and will pick it up after work on Friday. It is a chocolate (dad loves chocolate) with raspberry mousse (mom loves raspberry) with a white butter cream frosting that will have their wedding picture some how, printed on it.

Taking one of my ewes to the auction on Monday. She's one of the older Border Leicester ewes who just does not appear as fat as the rest, and I think I need to sell her now. I will borrow John's truck and take her in.

Well, that's it for now.

2011-11-22T11:41:00.000-08:00

Here are a couple of shots of my sheep. They all appear to be doing well, and I am specifically pleased with the Cheviots.

Here is a video I took of Dan. His breeder wanted to see him work, so I just did this. He is so fun to work, I never have to lose my patience, and he's such a partner, and so keen.

2011-11-20T04:54:00.000-08:00

So, this year is quickly coming to a close. It's amazing how fast time goes these days. I feel like I am on a steep learning curve these days, and not terribly prone to quick learning... I plan to make next year, MY year. My year to do what I like- take a vacation, grow my sheep operation, and with that, get some help. I need help. I need someone close to the farm who can feed/health check for me, and give me some time off. I need someone who wants to learn how to raise livestock, and someone who will chose to go above and beyond, to ensure the animals are in good shape. I worry about that- a lot. It's in my blood. That one thin ewe again looks thin to me, although nothing is different from her, except for that, but I don't think I want to try to lamb her out. She was bred, according to her butt, but maybe she did not take. I thought last night I might have everyone checked for OPP, just in case. Of course, she may just be fine, but I think I will make the call. I may also give her away, even though she may be bred, to someone who will dote on her.

The rest of the sheep look great and are now looking longingly back at the other field. I believe that they just want access to both at the same time. This is something I plan to do, but I have to get the barnyard which will connect them, built. My brother knocked a big tree down so I can't do that right now. I may move them back soon, we will see. I also have to rebuild (and make bigger) the winter pen. Such fun.

I watched Dr. Pol and Pbs and Parolees last night. Both good shows. Wouldn't you know one of Dr. Pol's jobs was to test a flock of sheep for OPP! I stayed up late, and then didn't sleep that great.

Today is picking up leaves I put in a huge pile yesterday, and then I may be done with the laves. I also may mow the lawn one last time. Thank God. Mainly, I am doing that just to use up the gas.

Hunting season has begun (shotgun) and my brother has friends who come up to hunt. This means that the dogs and I stay away from our normal walking area. My brother got an 8 pointer yesterday. Needless to say, Dan and Lucy, especially Dan are just a bit hyped... Well, better safe than sorry.

I think there was one new sighting of Hattie the other day. I hope this next week brings good news. We are going into the third week of her missing.

Well, I think that's all for now, I hope everyone has had a good weekend, and you are getting prepared for the big feast on Thursday!

2011-11-17T12:31:00.001-08:00

Something here does not belong...

I feel like I am back. I am finally ready to take the blog to a new level. For a while there, I just sort of lost who I was, and what it was that made this thing tick. I love to share the good stuff, the weird stuff and the not so good stuff. I think my life is probably like a LOT of other folks out there, and for once I sort of feel in charge of my life. It's sort of a nice thing.

So, to that end, I am going to start some details to the blog. One will be a give away, probably going to end up being something a) dog related, b) sheep related, or c) farm related. To enter, all you will need to do is comment on the blog, and of course there will be lots of notice. I am an equal oppportunity chick, so no matter who you are, should you comment and get picked- which will by a multiply system- which means I don't pick and chose, you will get your package.

Now, I would like to do the first give away, but not sure as to what to start with?

Feel free to suggest.

Today no dog work, I simply went to the farm after work, fed the sheep and watched them eat- it's something I really like doing. Both to make sure everyone is fine and also just to well enjoy their company. Two lambs were head butting eachother for fun and at one point they were on opposite sides of a trail and I thought they were going to take a run at eachother, but they wimped out ;) One of the Cheviot yearlings is being quite hoggish over the food. The ram seems to enjoy the Border Leicesters more than the Cheviots. Let's hope he did his work on everyone. No favorites. He's a nice ram. So far. Hunting season starts on Sat (gun) and a friend of my brother's is going to be hunting, so we will stay off our normal lane way walk. Why he bothers hunting there when my dogs and I are there every day of the year is beyond me. Oh, just about 20 feet from the deer stand on the lane way that we walk on was Coyote scat- complete with some ground that was disturbed- like marking. Great. I hope the gun shots scare them away.

2011-11-17T04:11:00.000-08:00

I am so happy. The littlest things make me so. I mentioned my old kitty was not well. Well, last night, I believe she turned a corner. She did not get up at all- not until 4:30, which also means I slept all night, the first time in a long time!!!!!! And, when she did get up, she went and ate, the litter box was not on her plans. I can't tell you how elated I was about that. She seems brighter too.

Hattie was seen TWICE yesterday!!!!!!!!!! Once in the morning feeding on road kill and once last night around 8:00 pm, only about a half mile from the morning sighting. Plan now is to get some traps together- one gentleman does trapping and has offered his help. She is one wily canine.

My sheep are good, the thin older Border Leicester has gained weight and looks just like the others. When I scored her yesterday I was rather shocked. Now, all twelve sheep are just getting one 2 quart scoop of grain each day, along with hay.

I am glad this weekend is coming. AND, next week is a short week. Looking forward to a little bit of down time.

Well, that's it for now!

2011-11-16T08:44:00.001-08:00

I have a new t-shirt that I plan to sell in remembrance of the um, slobs who um, relieve themselves at the Occupiers in Zucotti Park:
"Zucotti Occupotty" A place where we can all go to force change and fertilize the earth.

2011-11-16T05:01:00.000-08:00

Hattie was sighted yesterday morning! She's not that far from where she started. Gives everyone renewed faith that she will eventually be found.

Every night my old kitty Ginger gets up, runs to the litter box, vomits and then has diarrhea, and NOT in her box. Of course this wakes me up and I clean everything up right away. It is getting old. I have some pro biotics and I started giving them to her and as of last night no vomiting, but yes on the other. I am crabby today, because I did not get much sleep. I am going to try some canned pumpkin in her food next.

Last night I watched Dirty Jobs, and one of the stories was Mike being trailed by Bloodhounds- talk about timely. Mike is so freaking funny. He meets my criteria in myriad ways.

Did not work Dan yesterday, but maybe tomorrow. Today it is supposed to rain a lot and I doubt I will get to it. I may move the sheep back to the other pasture closer to the barn as getting the hay to them is a royal pain in the butt. I have to cross running water/mud and I ruined my sneakers yesterday when I slid across it.

No plans really, probably for the rest of the year... Money is tight and I need to get Christmas presents and any extra money I have has to go to bills, and toward my parent's 50th anniversary gift.

Well, that's it for now.

Missing BC Hattie

2011-11-15T06:26:00.000-08:00

A friend of mine's Border Collie, newly imported from the UK has gone missing. She's been gone since the 6th of November. I truly believed she would be back by this Saturday and when she wasn't, I went into do something mode. I remember an ad I saw a few years back about this woman pet detective, but could not remember her name. I did a bit of web surfing and found her name- Karin Tarqin. She's a retired PO and did SAR while in that capacity. Anyway, after looking at her website and all the good information on it, I called her. Last night I got a call from Karin. I was almost asleep, but she got me wide awake. This woman does not fool around. Within a minute she was asking where previous sightings were, telling me things about this dog that I did not know, and pegging her roaming behavior based on her breed. It was well, incredible.

I called a friend of mine who has been searching along with Hattie's owner and for a time was talking on two phones. I then had bowed out since most of conversation was about locations the dog was seen and I don't know the area. Later, my friend called and told me that she was duly impressed with how this woman knew her stuff, and Karin told her that Border Collies are very savvy when it comes to going "roaming" as she calls it, and to not give up hope. I was so stoked after that phone call, it was hard to go to sleep. We believe based on the map of the sightings, and that dogs in the first few days circle, but then spiral, that she is moving eastward, and the sightings will become less frequent, but she will spiral back to her hub, which seemed to be near Rt 80. Other tips like driving around in cars is generally fruitless, but plastering predicted sighting areas with laminated signs is very helpful. Karin has tracking dogs at her disposal too. When we first talked, I asked her if she had heard of the author Virgina Lanier- this woman wrote mysteries based on a handler who trained Bloodhounds for man trailing. These were EXCELLENT books and really whetted my appetite for this kind of work. You know what Karin said? "Yes, I modeled my business after her". It was at this point I knew that Karin had her stuff together and I told her I would love to get involved in this work. I am going to follow up. Who knows, maybe a new sideline for me....

So, fingers crossed we can get somewhere in our search!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2011-11-13T05:28:00.000-08:00

Here are some shots of the field for the trial- and hopefully for my sheep to graze. It's just beautiful back here. Isn't it just beautiful?

Ginger woke me up with her stomach distresst this morning (I had to clean the carpet) at oh, I don't know, middle of the night some time. But, I was able to sleep in unti AFTER 6:00! That NEVER happens. It was so nice. I love that it was light out too. I made a nice pancake breakfast accompanied by wonderful coffee, and now the cats are sacked out in the cat bed on my bed, the dogs are either asleep or chewing their new bones, and I am just taking this morning slow. Plan today will be the usual, and since I didn't work Dan yesterday (I spent all my time doing chores around the farm) I will work him today- I better!

There is another blogger who seems to be bent on asserting that she IS a farmer. Well, I have yet to meet one farmer who says that. I real deal farmer doesn't give a rat's behind what people call them. My grandparents were farmers, I worked on farms most of my life and I never heard any of these people argue this fact. They were solid in their knowledge that they did what they did, and who cares about what anyone thinks. Maybe it's the young age, but if say, someone thinks I am podunk with my tiny flock of sheep, I smile and say to myself, well, they don't see the rest of my life. You are what you are, no excuses need to be made about it. I plan to grow my flock- not so I can reach some sort of benchmark to get some street cred, but simply because I want to get some money back on these sheep. Cripes, I could go and get all sorts of animals just to look really farmerish, but in the end, who takes care of them? Me. The moral to this story is, do what you want, and don't make and arguments about it.

Now that I am at the statistical half way point in my life, I feel like I had better do the things I want to now. There will be a time when I can't. So, spend a bit of money, enjoy my hobbies, and just seize the day! I would rather die in debt, then die with never having lived.

So, that's my Sunday sermon. Amen.

Trailing of the sheep, Oriole Hill style

2011-11-12T13:09:00.000-08:00

So, with seeing everyone doing their sheep trailing lately, I thought I would record for posterity, our sheep trailing. It got a bit hairy at times, and I wasn't sure I could finish, but we did. We made it. Here's the video evidence to prove it.

2011-11-12T04:19:00.000-08:00

So... yesterday when I got to the farm, I see that my sheep are near the barn grazing, which is not that unusual for them, but not that common either. I was late getting there, so I assumed they were getting itchy for their one scoop of grain. So, I didn't even run the dogs first, just set right out with Dan to get the hay and grain. When Dan and I walked into the barn, I right away noticed that it was a mess. The hay had been spread about (there were a few piles of old hay I had not removed), the almost empty mineral bag had been transported to near the hay stack and then, the smoking gun, the thing that ALWAYS rats on sheep- the droppings. The thing is, the door was shut! So, I fed them, and then went to work on cleaning up the mess. They hung out by the paddock gate, the whole time, and then when I was done they took off for the back wooded area of the field. The one Border Leicester ewe keeps looking up at the hill field every day, I know she wants to migrate up there.

So, today, I will grant her wish. I will work Dan a bit first, and then, move the girls up there. I walked that field yesterday, and there is a bit of grass in there. So, they can have at it. They won't be staying there once the snow flies, as I need them closer to the barn to feed them, but for now, they can go clean it up in there.

Slept pretty well again last night. Maybe this time change is actually good for me? Could it be?? I had pretty much given up on sleeping all night. But, this morning I actually over slept.

Boy Kitty is doing well, but Ginger has stomach issues now. She's lost so much muscle recently, that I don't think I will have my girl much longer. We spend a fair amount of time with me scratching, and petting her, whenever she asks for it.

Been thinking that I sure would love to move to the farm. Would make things so much easier.... I doubt that will happen unless one of us (my brother or I) win the lotto.
For now, it's okay, but once lambing starts, I will probably be staying over at my parents up the road some nights. We shall see.

I am so busy latey...........

2011-11-10T05:21:00.000-08:00

Kitty is almost completely better. He's still quiet, but coming along. Is eating and wants to cuddle. Last night he didn't get up much, which is normal, and this morning, he woke me up. That's normal too :) The Pancreatic enzyme levels were wnl (within normal limits) so that's negative. It appears to me that he had a whopping intestinal bug which cost me $547.00... Truth be told, I would pay twice that, or just about anything, as I am extremely attached to my boy.

I didn't get much done yesterday, but I did drop by the junk yard on the way home to return that part I got for Mark- they have him the wrong one. Today, I have to stop by there again on the way to the farm to get the right one. Last time I was there, fisticuffs almost broke out between two customers- apparently, some guy bad mouthed the other on Craigslist.... I have to run out and get sheep supplies today and grocery shop, that's one thing. Been really poor and am out of everything. That hay buying really just tanked me- and right after my school tax bill.

Didn't work Dan yesterday, but maybe today or tomorrow. May go down to my friend's place this weekend to work the dogs. IF I have enough money I will. Also want to get back up my friend's place to work on shedding more.

I got shots of the trial field, which I put up on facebook. The fields are awesome and quite like that which you would see across the pond. I am going to see if John will let me bring my flock out there for grazing in the summer, because it is such nice grass, it would prevent him having to mow, and my dogs could really stretch out their working scope, PLUS I would save my grass. The possibilities are endless, really.

Today will be working on cleaning out the barn some more. Ick. The steer manure is packed tighter than a .............. I don't have the words. But, I want that place cleaned out so I can use it if need be.

So, that's it for now. Here's a saying I recently read, and I love it:
"I am so busy lately, I don't know if I found a piece of rope, or lost my horse".

2011-11-09T06:02:00.001-08:00

So, boy kitty, officially named "Lad" was not well on Sunday. He had several trips to the litter box, and didn't eat much. On Monday he seemed a little better- ate a little. But, Sunday night he was much worse. He had vomiting and diarrhea, and by Monday morning was definitely punk. He was clearly sick. So, I called the vet and said to a member of the staff, that my cat was sick and he needed to be seen. Surprisingly enough she said to bring him in. Usually it's a rigmarole just to get an animal in without an appointment. I loaded him in the big cat carrier and along with Danny and Lucy we headed to the vet. Vet looked at him while my boy just purred. He was so good. Vet was concerned. He was dehydrated. Could be lots of things- Diabetes, Inflammatory Bowel disease, Pancreatitis, who knows, but in any case he wanted me to leave him there. So, I did that.

I then went to the farm, ran the dogs, and then worked in the hill pasture picking up downed limbs from the snow storm. I find that when I am stressed about something I just get to working on things. Then, I went to my parents who live near the farm. I hung out with my mom and dad, and killed time. The vet called, said Lad had gotten b-work drawn, an xray, and they wanted to do another xray with a barium swallow later in the day as 1) barium soothes the GI tract, and 2) there was something funky in his stomach. I was finally able to pick my boy up at 6:00. The last xray did not show anything wrong, and I was sent off with Metronidazole tablets and information about what vet thought it was. He believed it to be a combo of Pancreatitis and Inflammatory Bowel disease. He said try to get him to eat, if he would not, then to force feed him.

When we got home I fed the dogs, and momma kitty, and gave my boy some canned food- which he ate :) I did get the 1/2 tablet in him, but let me tell you, I really worried that he would bite down on my finger... We need another method.... So, anyway, he slept pretty well, got up once to use the litter box, and this morning he ate his breakfast. And he wanted the Pounce treats I have, but vet said ixnay on them, so he got just one.

I am so glad he is better, but will have to wait for the final blood work results to see if it was his Pancreas or what.

What a day it was yesterday. Today is just brighter for me.

Selfishness

2011-11-09T05:52:00.000-08:00

If there is one thing that gets my goat, it's selfishness. Everyone has it to some degree- it's part of how we humans survive, but then there are those who are bestowed, it appears, with an extra dose of "gimmee gimmee gimmee". I can tell you there are myriad of things I would like and many things I need, but I would not ask for people to give me money to do these things. The sheep thing, I love what I am doing, but it costs a boat load of money, and it is tough. Owning a house is tough. Owing money is part and parcel of living in the USA, and it really stinks.

Besides those who deign to solicit funds, there are those who cannot seem to wrap their heads around thinking about others, and maybe once a year, others who are in need come to their mind and maybe then, they may write about it, but that's really just a wee break from the "me me me me" disease.

Isn't what I do cool? Isn't my place cool? Isn't what I did cool? Do you think? If you give me money, I could do more and I could be cooler! Just hit this little button, and you can be part of my success. Not that you really are, of course, but you can feel like you are! Egads, it's like a bad scene of a tv evangelist preaching for money from you so you can get to the promised land. How people who do this solicitation for money and constantly go on and on about themselves, sleep at night is beyond me.

One thing you will not see from me is 1) a donate button 2) Speeches about how cool my life is and doncha want to be part of it- if so, go back to #1. I hope that what I write is a little more than that, a little less commercial and a bit more real. A romantic I am not. Once you hit the far side of 40, that happens.

Okay, rant done!

2011-11-06T04:54:00.000-08:00

We have been having just beautiful weather lately- just had to say that.. Yesterday, when I got up I knew I had things on my plate- first, work, and then grocery store, then to the farm and meet with Mark to go get hay. It was pretty late when we ended up meeting. When I called the hay folks, I characterized him, rather unfairly (maybe) as "lazy slow pants". I sort of chuckled when I said that, because it's cute, and not as offensive as other things I could say. In truth, I owe Mark a lot- because all he gets in return for using his truck, and he loads the hay and helps me unload, is a meal at the local diner- and he always gets a meat lovers omelet, and yesterday, I just got a burger.

We did not get as many bales as I wanted, as we ended up doing one less level and so I have to go back at least one more time with the Ranger, myself. I ended up being on the stack, rather high and even at that, throwing bales way up over my head to stack. Take THAT arm flab! After that, I fed the sheep, and then, on the way home stopped and saw John. This woman who gets sheep from John was picking up two old ewes to butcher today, for a party- this woman is just plain odd. Most times questions are answered by her with a silent smile. Anyway, her son and her get them in the back of her Explorer and left. These particular ewes had no teeth left, so it was time for them to go, but still.... She gives me the heeby jeebies.

My sheep are good- I am cutting back on the grain, Favey, my favorite ewe (original, I know), is fat. She's at a 4 and well, now that they are getting hay/grain they just don't need all that grain.

Today I woke up early, as the time change takes me 6 months to adjust to, and have made some pancakes and excellent coffee, and now I am just chilling, writing here and will be going to the livestock swap meet at the local Tractor Supply. I want to meet one guy in particular there, who I may get pigs from. After that, I head up to the farm, walk the dogs, and maybe work Dan. Will see.

Then, it will be home to relax (this is my one day off a week) and watch football.

What I Love

2011-11-04T05:48:00.000-07:00

What I Love

I love that my sister is always there for me, any time, any place

I love that when I come home at night, I feel at home and at peace

I love settling in at night surrounded by a couple of cats and a dog or two

I love that look in my old kitty's eyes when she wakes up from a deep slumber, sees I am there realizes all is well with her world

I love that look in my Lucy's eyes when I ask her to come over for a cuddle, and to, the look she gives me when she gets that cuddle

I love that look that Dan gives me when we have finished working and he is bursting with pride for having done his best for me

I love that look my sheep give me when they have finished eating and are sated and happy to be in a good place

I love red skies in the morning, even if they are a warning

I love that no matter what stress, or negative issue comes up during the day, that I can leave that issue in that day and awake to a new day the next day

I love that I have found my calling in life, and am happy not only with what I do, but how I live

There are a ton more things I love, but that's a good start

2011-11-01T03:42:00.000-07:00

I keep meaning to post more often, but......... Anyway, I am trying to remember what's been happening for the past week. Not too much. Been working the dogs, and handling stuff at the house. This Saturday night we got a big storm. We got about 12" at the farm. The day before I set up the barn room so that they could go in through the sheep door (it's basically a BIG dog door) if they so chose during the storm. Saturday night I was psyched, as the new show "The Amazing Dr. Pol" was on at 9:00. It's about an older large animal vet and his cases... Well, we lost power at about 4:00. Power did not come back on until 24 hours later. That night it was cold in the house, but survivable. I drove up to my parents in the morning to get coffee and a shower. After that, I headed to the farm just up the road, and I did not see the sheep. They were in the back 40 - Dan flushed them out- what a good boy. I checked the barn- yes, they had been in there. I fed everyone and we headed home.

On the way home, I stopped by John and the Scottish Highlanders had come down from their back field, just as he had predicted. So, we gave them a round bale, and I also fed the sheep another bale. Something about animals not having hay at all times in the winter or when no grass, bothers me.... So, anyway, that was done. I went home for a bit but could not relax. It was 46 degrees F in the house and I was just frozen. Went back to my parent's house for a nice roast chicken dinner (their power had been off, but they got it back) and as we watched football, my dad called my house and told me my machine came back on! I had to call myself to be SURE. So, I went home... On the way, my car antenna hit a branch and it flew off to God knows where. So, now I have to get a new antenna. Stopped by the junk yard the other day, and no Ford Escapes there, so will stop by a parts place today....

Sunday night when my house was warm, I slept like a baby. It was amazing. I worked Dan a bit yesterday, just to keep him fresh- for what I don't know- I don't think any surprise trials are coming up ;)

Last night I slept like a rock. The difference in my mood when I actually GET sleep, is incredible.

This week I head up to a friend's to work Danny on shedding and then, this weekend will get more hay. Time marches on, time marches on....

Here is video on Sunday morning on way to farm...

Here is video feeding the cattle - the last zoom in is of this year's first born bull calf.

2011-10-25T04:19:00.001-07:00

Wow, time is flying. I seem to be running around a lot and just trying to schedule things, along with basics of keep up.

I had moved the sheep into the hill field, but have moved them back to the big field, as the grass was gone fast (it's young grass in there and I don't want it destroyed). My brother took down 4 big trees and they lay right in the path from hill field to big field. I noticed this after we got the sheep out of hill field. They went to where a tree limb blocked their way, turned into their winter pen which has been taken partway down for a deck that was built and was filled with construction debris (read dangerous). Then, since someone left a barn door open they went into the barn (the bigger section where the steers were) and then pushed through the broken panel from when the steers were there, and then back out and then up into the yard near the driveway. Dan got them back for me and we got them into the big field. Then I had to get them in the barn and there was a worker on a ladder hammering on the left side of the half open doorway. Well, I suggested he should move because if the sheep hit the ladder, he would go flying. He responded by telling me he was not worried he had all his weight on the ladder it would go no where.... Luckily for him Dan is very good at his job and he did no get knocked off. Men, you can't live with them and... well you know the rest.

This week I have to get the rest of the barn cleaned out and this weekend another load of hay is coming. It's quickly cooling off outside and they said the end of this week will struggle to hit the low 50s. I hope it warms up again!!!!

No other news, except I pulled Dan from the trial we entered next month. Dan's been working very well and lately, our focus has been on off balance flanks on the fetch. We have been making some progress. Dan's so fun to work. He is so amenable to being directed, it's extremely nice....

Ticks are back out in force. In addition to the Preventic collars, I am having to spray them with bug spray to discourage the ticks. It's really bad.

Ginger needs to get a bath- she smells of urine- and I don't know why. Maybe her kidneys are just extremely shot. I think though, it's more that she has a hard time getting in and out of the box. So, I will get the dry bath stuff and clean her up. The stress of a real bath would be very hard on her.

I slept pretty well last night. It's a bit of a miracle...........

Well, that's it for now!

2011-10-19T04:30:00.000-07:00

Yesterday after work, checked/fed sheep, I see another Cheviot has been marked... This boy is smitten, however with the Border Leicester he bred. He lays right next to her and when she gets up and moves, so does he ;) I see markings on one of the lambs, which I really don't want to happen, because they are too young in my opinion, but it may just be from jostling to get out of the barn yesterday....

I got a fair amount of cleaning done at the house yesterday, and am slowly feeling like I can function again. It's amazing what sleep does for a person. My mother made her signature apple crisp yesterday, and made a pan for me, so I have to head up there to get it tonight :) I love apple crisp/pie/fritters, you name it.

Dan has been so extremely wired lately- he has so much energy working the sheep, and running between the fields when I am either walking or moving feed pans, or you name it. He's incredibly fit. Dan is not a dog who could ever be just a pet. No way no how.

Got an email asking about the Cheviot ewe lambs I posted for sale on craigslist, they want them in the spring, not now (I assume like me, they don't want to feed them over the winter). I already have whatever I have extra spoken for.... My plan is to increase my flock by 2 x each year, so I can actually get them to pay for themselves- at least pay for their hay.

It's raining today, so I doubt I will get any dog work in. Tomorrow is another day!

2011-10-18T05:05:00.001-07:00

Well, it all came to a head yesterday. I was so over wrought worrying about money, that I was not sleeping (maybe 4 hours a night) not hungry, and my blood pressure was way up. I am finding that I am going to need to take more time to relax, and maybe do some yoga.......

So, anyway, I got up early yesterday, had an extremely busy day at work, and then home. I got the dogs, headed up to the farm, and checked the sheep. Favey, the Border Leicester ewe was blue ;) I wish I had a nice Border Leicester ram to breed her to, because she's a stunning girl, but these mules will be nice anyway...

I decided to move the flock to the other field, after I worked Dan. I find that if I want precise work, and also, for Dan to remember flanks, etc., I need to work him regularly. So, I am making that effort. I then went and marked the girls with a sort of ID with crayon, so I can tell who was bred and when, and wrote it down. Of course they may not actually settle, but at least I have some idea...

When I put them in the new field, they were extremely happy, and all just got to the business of eating. Sheep just LOVE new fields. It's like moving to a nice new house, for people....

When I got home yesterday, I was so tweaked, that I decided I needed a hot bath. So, I took one and then got in bed and relaxed, and later, I read my book and I slept all night. I have not slept all night in it seems like MONTHS. I woke up when the paper delivery came.... I was so happy.

I think we are due to get rain on Weds/Thurs this week, so my plans to go work dogs may be dashed. Oh well, this time of year you can't count on the weather........... This year, you can't count on the weather at all!

Oh, got my passport yesterday. That was quick!

2011-10-16T10:53:00.000-07:00

This morning I took it easy. I fell yesterday while walking through the barn carrying a bale of one of the 70 that I stacked. Landed right on my shin, and left a goose egg there. Anyway, this morning I made some pancakes and coffee and just chilled out. I was so tired. After my morning relaxation (which I so badly needed), I headed up to the farm, marked Mr. Ram and released he and his ewe pal out to the rest of the flock, which they were more than happy to be back with. After I let them out, I brought a bag of feed into the lower level of the barn, went back with a scoop of grain and one girl already had blue on her. I kid you not. Not sure if it was the one he was with or what, but he was certainly testing every girl he saw. I worked Dan before I let the ram out and he was pretty good, but doing some odd things in terms of directional commands I need to sort out.

I just finished an early dinner and am just going to relax the rest of the day.

A close up of "Favey" my favorite Border Leicester ewe. She is still good to work with the dogs, but she likes my company...

A very rare close up of a Cheviot, with ram looking on in the background

A happy couple...

This girl really likes the new boy... If you look close, she already has matching blue..

2011-10-14T03:56:00.000-07:00

I was talking with my sister the other night, we chatted about my blog and how I am on the fence about keeping it going, or changing it, or what... My sister wants me to develop it, and keep going. I think I have gotten into a bit of a sad sack role lately- even though I am happy, and funny, happy things to happen! So, I think I will roll back my fb time and spend more here.

Let's see, so I put a ewe in with my ram lamb to keep him company. The next day I come back and see that the other sheep pushed the doors open, the ram/ewe pushed the pen open and they all exited stage left. It would not be a big deal, except it took going through five closed doors to do this. I kid you not.

I got the ram and a ewe to put with him and fortified the pen area. Next day, they were still in there... I have ordered raddle powder (behind on all this) and some good marking crayons (have had it with chalk) and am going to mark my sheep, since many lack/have lost ear tags. As soon as I get the raddle powder I will mark the boy and put him out with my ewes, but keep out the three ewe lambs. I don't want him breeding them- especially one who is really small.

I brought everyone in yesterday and wormed them. I had them come in through the small guillotine door. Danny helped me with that. Dan is very good at this, if a bit too exuberant to push them at times- but he has great cover if they break off.

Been graining everyone now, and will continue until ram is done. I brought some hay out and some were interested, but clearly, no one is starving.

Have to go get hay tomorrow, which puts a crink in my plans to go to the sheep and wool festival. I may go, but I may not, I detest the huge crowds. Sunday, is another day I could go, but then, I do like to have one day where I don't have to do anything.

I got some extra "stuff" done yesterday- a/c out of window and cleaned some mildew that was up near my attic door, been meaning to get to that for ages... I also washed a ton of laundry. It was very good to get that done.

Well, that's it for now. I hope that everyone has a great weekend. Will be back to update soon :)

2011-10-09T10:55:00.000-07:00

Well, I finally have some down time. It's not coming around much lately. Been working a lot, and then working the dogs, and well, lots of other things.

John and I took ride up to the Cooperstown trial and I scribed for a couple of hours before I headed out to go look at ram lambs about 25 mins northwest of the trial. Why oh why are sheep farms so spread out! I really don't like being away from home for so long. Thankfully, my sister let the dogs out mid-day for me, or I could not have gone.

I thought I might be interested in a North Country Cheviot ram, but when I saw the father of the ram lambs for sale I almost passed out- well, maybe not passed out, but let me tell you.... his head was as tall as my chest, he was as wide as a table and he was just absolutely GIANT. No WAY I want something like that, ever. So, we looked at the Border Cheviot ram lambs, and John and I each bought one. They made the trip home easily, and we left them both at John's for the evening.

This morning, I got up early (again!) and went to the farm as I had a couple of lessons coming. Two different dogs, the bitch is sired by Kevin Evan's Mirk, and an Irish bitch, and the male dog was bred in Michigan. The bitch had been on sheep once, and we weren't sure how it would go, but she immediately hooked on and we got some inklings of her. She's super keen, likes to go away more and when one split off, she really worked hard to find it (it ran into the brush). I like her a lot- she's going to be good. The male was good too- he had never been on sheep before, and after a minute or two of ignoring them, there he was, locked on- he started circling right away, but kept kicking out when I tried to stop him, so I will have to have running shoes on to work him too :)

During the lesson, John arrived with the ram lamb and I put him in the pen I had ready. That's him, above in the picture- he's registered, and I hope he and the girls will hit it off.

Now, I am just going to chill for the rest of the day, I am needing some serious down time.

2011-10-03T06:45:00.000-07:00

So, I decided to work Lucy a bit in between working Dan. I have gotten so frustrated with her, that I stopped working her. She has so much cover, stopping on the fetch is just impossible, and also, she just loses her cool sometimes. But, all that said, she is incredible in all do it or die situations- fetching sheep from woods, ledges, pushing sheep where they will not go... Dog breaking sheep, holding sheep, basically, she has so many virtues, that it is hard for me to accept her weaknesses, and after my friend said some things that really stuck, I have decided to go back to working her, and getting a better relationship with her. Some how, I want us back where we were. I damaged our relationship by coming down very hard on her, so I need to get that trust back, and I need to allow her to work, with just a few must do rules, and not get upset when she blows me off, which I know she will. She is going to teach me a lot.

Working Dan has been so nice, he is so willing and biddable, I lost for a moment the fact that Lucy is every bit as talented, just say, a bit less needing micro management. I can't tell you all how many people ask where Lucy is, and relate how sad it is I am not running her. I still may not run her, but I will work her, and if all we can do is help out at trials, at least she will be doing what she lives for.

I guess it's true, we get the dogs we need, not the ones we want.

2011-10-03T04:06:00.000-07:00

Wow, didn't realize it was so long between posts. Been busy. Let's see, John and I went to the Big E and saw some runs at the sheepdog trial there. It was neat to go, but I have to say, fairs tire me- regular fairs, not sheep and wools ;)

On the way home from the Big E, we picked up a ram for John to use. Nice ram, but John thinks he is too tall/big to use with his ewes, so I have no idea what is in store for them. Won't really matter, because John has never pulled his other ram........ Either way, the girls will be bred.

I finally got my tax bill paid and now can breathe a little. Worked Dan with a trainer the other day, we worked on shedding and also I saw some holes in some of his work. But the good part is that he is starting to get shedding. Still a few more sessions with the right sheep, but he will get it. He's so darn wanting to please.

This week is busy at the tail end of it, and then I am going to go help out with a sheepdog trial, and go with John to look at a ram lamb. Then, the next weekend is the sheep/wool festival and I plan to go at least one day and shop for sheep items and maybe more art work.

I love fall, and everything about it. I think the sun should be coming out later this week too!

2011-09-22T04:30:00.000-07:00

Got a call last night from another hay guy that I had met, who needed to get his 2nd cutting in, that he had some mixed grass/alfalfa that I might like. It's not second cutting, but I will check it out. He's a LOT closer than the other guy, so getting like 60 bales from him would save me a lot of gas. No idea if the sheep will like it, but we will see. We are fore casted to have even more rain in the next few days. I am sick of it.

I plan to go back up to the 24d field and work there, pulling some more of that horrid snake root, and basically, as of Monday, I will put the sheep back there. Lots of good grass and the chemical has had time to dilute. Supposedly very safe, but still, I screwed up and wanted lots and lots of dilution- dilution is the solution!

Still craving those mashed potatoes! Maybe today. I would like to take Dan somewhere to work other sheep, but I have to save money. He's bored lately. I can't work on shedding with my sheep, so I will have to just do normal trial training with him for now.

Life is pretty quiet otherwise, which is good. Well, that's it for now!

ICK - FB

2011-09-21T07:50:00.000-07:00

Facebook has made big changes. It's now basically one big running tweet, and to tell the truth, it just makes it much more clear to me how big a time waster it is, and how I just don't really care what most people are doing at that exact moment in time. I bet I am not in the minority either. I don't even want to go to FB anymore- it's like that one last fast food meal where you just say "ENOUGH!!!!!!"

Been a busy week. Got some hay this week, it's second cutting, not as nice as last year, but it's leafy. Used the Ranger and the hay folks stacked and tied it down for me which was great. It's at the low floor of the barn, as the usual hay storage area is blocked off with construction materials.

Sheep are okay, I may actually, once we get all this rain they are calling for, put them back in the field I sprayed. The grass is doing great and the snakeroot has mostly died, although there are still clumps where it survived.....

Everything else is kosher- got the car serviced, and now, for the next few weeks big time saving money for my bills. So, no going anywhere not absolutely needed for now.

May go with John to get the ram later this week. Will be good to get that done. He will drive his p/u and we have a pen in the back.

I am craving mashed potatoes big time today..............

Well, that's enough for now!

2011-09-19T03:32:00.000-07:00

John Lennon said "Life is what happens when you are making other plans". I think for my life, that's basically true. After my light breakfast I headed up to the farm, and fed the sheep, checked one who's limping- feet are fine, maybe she twisted something? And then, I decided to clean out the room I had hay in last year, as it will house the sheep this year. I had made a good dent in it with my nephew's help a month or two ago, but there was still more junk to get rid of; lots of broken jars that the steers stepped on, all mixed with their manure. Four large bags of detritus and still not totally done. The field stone wall where it meets the frame of the barn at ground level has giant spaces in it, from when the barn was jacked up to level, so I have to address that as well. On the whole, it will be a much bigger area for the sheep, and I will make yet another pen for them, since the other pen was taken down for some work on the barn (yes, it pains me to say that a lot of my work went bye bye.) Such is the way it is when you don't own your sheep land....

So, after the barn was done, I left and stopped by John's to chat, and then home. Then, I forced myself to mow the lawn. I had not done it since before Hurricane Irene as it was so wet. As it was, as I made my circuits my mower slipped and slid in certain areas. I was SO glad to get that done. I really detest mowing for some reason these days.

After that was done, I generally chilled, as the day had wore on faster than I thought it would. As I was making dinner, I looked at Dan and his whole face was swelling up- stung by a bee I guess. Gave him a Benadryl, and he returned to normal.

So, that's what happened on the day I wasn't going to do much of anything. Congrats to Alasdair and Star- she sure lived up to her name.

2011-09-18T05:29:00.000-07:00

Her it is Sunday morning and I am just sort of contemplating things- the way I will pay my taxes, and for the hay, and when. I know it will happen, it's just the next few weeks will be hairy. I am psyched to be able to get second cutting hay, which is really all I wanted to start with. I will start picking it up this week, in small loads. That means today I have to clean out the barn. It seems NOTHING I EVER do at the farm is without four tons of work to be done before I get it done.

I drove out to help someone out with their dog on sheep yesterday. It was a beautiful drive, and un-eventful. I made some progress with the young dog, and when he gets thinking- he does beautifully, but, as it appears with most male Border Collies, he has some settling to do- I certainly know about that. I love working dogs, and being around sheep, so this was certainly a fun thing for me to do. Dan and Lucy came with, and didn't get to do anything, but it was a day out.

On the way home I stopped by a mom/pop bakery and picked up an apple crumb pie to have for desert- all that driving by apple farms got me really in the mood.. So, I made a steak dinner, and then had this LUSCIOUS apple pie for desert. I fell asleep hard, in fact, so hard that someone called at eight something and I never heard the phone ring right next to me!

Today shall consist of a bit of cleaning, and taking care of the sheep, running the dogs, and just not doing too much of anything...

2011-09-15T05:06:00.001-07:00

Busy next few days ahead of me. I may not be getting hay this weekend, but that works for me. I have decided on a plan to get my bills paid without resorting to pan-handling ;) I am getting too old to do that ;0)

After long discussion, I have decided to leave my sheep out of the field I over-dosed with herbicide for the rest of the year. This means I have to feed hay every day, even if they don't clean it up, so I know they aren't pushed into eating the bad stuff in that field, and also, I will grain, though I don't want to, I just feel it is best for the older girls, and the younger lambs. Of course the yearlings believe they need food too....

I have found a home for the Parakeet babies, so life shall return to normal soon in that room- they are fun to watch them explore and test everything in the cage, but good Lord are they noisy.

I have a busy next few days, and weather is supposed to cool down, so I am downright giddy about that. We need to have these flies go bye bye, and this rain will help the field grow.

Am watching the finals and world trial on twitter, and loving that we are being kept up to date. Danny's sister put up a score on her nursery run, which although not a great one, still, it's a score, and those sheep were described as "big enough to saddle", and she's maybe 30 lbs soaking wet, and not very tall.

Well, that's it for now, got to get going with my day.

2011-09-13T04:22:00.000-07:00

So, my big bill came in the mail and it means beans and rice for the rest of the month- oh, except for the animals, they will still get their grain free, and for the birds top shelf seed ;)

I may sell some of my Cheviot lambs, depending on offers. I don't want to, but $$ is an issue. Have to call the hay guy and see if he can deliver in October. Need to get this school tax bill paid, and move on. Always feels good to get that done, even if I am a bit short this year, I will figure it out. Not doing the demos was a bad thing money-wise, but honestly, other than that, I don't miss having done it at all.

Supposed to be warm today, and possibly rain tomorrow. I may take part of tomorrow off and head up to the farm progress days in central NY with John. We shall see. I have a delivery coming in at work, and it will all depend on when it gets here.

We will be picking the ram on Monday, I believe, next week. I may have a buyer for our current ram; hope so. He's a nice one. Sheep are good, wish I could put them in that other pasture, but not for a while yet. Yesterday I brought out some grain and also a flake of hay, just to ensure everyone is getting all they need. They like that hay, though it is not 100% dust free, it's pretty clean and it's soft, and soft is what they want, hands, or should I say hoof down!

I put momma bird cage near the other cage yesterday, and the babies were a bit freaked out, wondering if mommy dearest was coming back... I have to get the babies homes. It's getting a bit crowded in terms of birds!

Danny is finally looking/feeling good. He has put weight one and is no longer emaciated. Thank goodness. All are doing well. Don't feed Healthwise Chicken and Oatmeal, unless you want sick dogs.

So, that's it for now. Hopefully next week I can go work dogs with a friend of mine....

2011-09-12T14:27:00.000-07:00

Here's a pic of some of the girls. That's a Cheviot yearling straight ahead, and a very cute Cheviot lamb off to the left looking very cute.

Here's some of that White Snakeroot (with white flowers) that grew from nothing to this in 1 month. Remember, it is extremely poisonous to all who eat it.

This stuff I sprayed on Saturday, doesn't look affected yet.

Here is some that I sprayed on Thursday.

This has taken a week to deal with and it is still not dead, and I don't know how dead it will get before the end of the grazing season. It all ends up disintegrating on it's own, and comes back strong the next year since it's a perennial. I won't put the sheep back in this field until the stuff is pretty much dead and the 24d has been diluted a LOT. So, I may end up feeding hay early this year. Oh well, that's just how my year has been.

Remember that big bill I have? Just came in the mail. School tax, will have to pull a rabbit out of the hat. Life for me is geared around big bills. Not much else. Hay will have to wait.

So, that's it. Finally some pics. Even if they are boring!

2011-09-09T05:48:00.000-07:00

Now that I have identified that horrid weed, I have been working all week on eradicating it. I have been pulling it and have begun spraying it with 2,4,D, a growth hormone interrupter that makes a weed go crazy over growing and dies quickly, I hope. This weed is super tough and this particular herbicide is just not the greatest, but let's hope it works. I would like my sheep to go back to that field soon.

The sheep look good, and I worked Dan a little on pushing the sheep off the feeders, just for something for him to do. I need to start to teach him to shed, so I think this weekend I will do that.

Birds are good, all's quiet with mother out of the cage. Babies are about ready to move on to their new homes.

Well, that's it! Maybe I shall put some pics up one of these days!!!!

2011-09-06T04:43:00.000-07:00

So, here it is, Tuesday and it's raining. Again. Not a hard rain mind you, but still. My el cheapo boots from TS have been un-ceremoniously thrown into the dumpster and now I need a new pair. Drenched feet over the weekend, and large slits at the soles mean these boots are useless. So, now to find something more decent.

Sheep were good yesterday when I got to the farm. I gave a bit of grain to everyone, although I after checking them out, I see they really don't need it. Even older girl is looking better. That field has such a nice variety of grass/shrubs, that they are well fed. Don't think I will move them until the weekend. I may head out to a friend's place to work Dan this weekend, or I may not. I have a couple of huge bills to pay, so I need to save $$.

I moved mommy dearest into her own cage yesterday, and things are MUCH better for the babies and dad. Mother seems absolutely fine not being with them, and the injured baby seems to be putting his foot down more, and is more relaxed. He sits next to his dad a lot and is starting to eat food on his own. The main thing is that everyone is just quieter and happier. Not sure what I will do with that female.

I never did mention this about our trial, but the best part of all of it, is when a well respected open handler came up to me and told me that we should be very competitive in ranch and open next year. To have our hard work pay off, and me believing in him even when things were a bit left of center, it means a lot. Another open handler, when we walked out of the field after our last run said "you've come a LONG way". Yet another open handler came up and looked at me like "you bloomin' idiot, after I directed Dan's sheep outside the drive away panels" and he said "I thought maybe you were dyslexic"- he felt bad for us, since the run went so well.

As I think about how things went this weekend, I have to thank my Lucy for teaching me so much. We were never this successful, even though we did have some success, but she taught me that hard work pretty much gets you where you need to be, even if your score doesn't always show it. She lit my fire for this sport and she taught me to try and be better each time you are out there. For that, I owe her a great debt of gratitude.

2011-09-05T06:32:00.001-07:00

Well, the last trial for the year is in the books. The last trial for us, I think anyway! I was very happy how it went for us, though our consistency, for the most part did us in. There were three runs, and they drop the lowest, and average the two highest. It makes sense in a way, because the sheep really are a variable and you can just get a bad draw...

Our first run was our lowest score, and honestly, I don't remember everything that went wrong, but it didn't feel bad, and we ended up with a mediocre 60. The second run on the same day was better, but I think we missed the fetch panels and that banged us hard, so we got a 62. The third run which was yesterday, we got the fetch panels, and then, as he drove them so nicely to the drive away panels, I quite simply directed him to move the sheep AROUND the panels. WHAT A FREAKING DOLT I AM. He had quite a nice run, and I have to say, the prettiest moment, was when I had them almost totally in the pen and one ewe who was like a DOUBLE wide trailer with so much wool, she turned and looked at Dan, with a snotty look, and Dan, just walked up with a look of, if you try it, you have me to deal with- and in she went. For that run, we got a 70.

I was very happy with Dan's work. Now, on to a relaxing fall, and learning to shed a bit and do longer courses. He's such a good boy. I have to move the sheep, as my brother needs to work on the barn in that field. My Parakeets- first baby out has hurt leg and mom had to be taken out because she was attacking the fledgelings. Still one in box, but ready to come out- dad has to feed all of them. I need to find homes for the babies, and possibly the mother. She's not to have babies again, not after this. I can see if the babies were older, but they are still so young. The injured leg boy had around his eye pecked too. I think the stress of being with her would have killed him. Of course she is not happy, but that's what happens when you are a witch!

Supposed to rain through Thursday. We do not need more rain. So glad I have good drainage in my fields. Given that I am moving them to the smaller field I may start graining them, because I don't want the older girls losing weight.

2011-08-31T04:45:00.001-07:00

Hurricane Irene was, unlike some news sources NOT a dud. There are so many losses everywhere, and so much flooding. We were lucky at my place. Farm lost power, which just came back on last night. I almost dumped the water to give fresh, but thought to ask if there was power, as a tree blocked my way to the farm... Sure enough it took power lines down with it. Power is back on at the farm, so that is great.

Brother is working on another project at the farm, so that means I have to move some fencing, etc. Last thing I want to deal with. We chatted about him getting more steers, but really, another field has to be fenced before we do this. In my area of the USA, we only get 6 months, if we are lucky of grazing. The rest is all hay. For steers, this means a boat load of corn/hay to over winter. Speaking of hay, I finally found some good 2nd cutting timothy. Not cheap, but I know what good hay is when I see it. Have to wait until it is brought in, so that sort of scares me- weather is fickle...

Sheep are good. All have gained a nice amount of weight, and even my thin girl is finally getting better- I wonder if the heat just nailed her bad, along with the flies? The grain may have gotten her system back on track too. Her rumen looks to have something in it now, which for a while it did not.

Dogs are good, ever since they have been on Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream. I am adding pro biotics to their food in the am, and yogurt at night. The difference in their coats, especially Dan and Lucy is amazing.

The baby Parakeets are getting big, and one in particular is hanging out the opening of the box, but has not gathered the courage up to come out. Soon, I hope!

That's it for now!

2011-08-27T06:06:00.000-07:00

Well, demos were a complete fail to launch. First, we got the sheep loaded into the trailer so easy! It was just great. Then, as my friend tried to pull out, the truck just could not get traction- it was then that we saw the trailer had a flat- right off the rim. Just great. So, we make a makeshift pen out of a combo panel and lattice, and tied it all together with baling twine- and another friend lifted those huge Border Leicester ewes into it- they are about 180 lbs. By the time he finished putting all four of them into the pick up bed pen, well, he was done. So, we then get to the fair, see that the fence has not been shored up as was repeatedly requested, and that several ponds of water where in the arena, and it's all clay, so you literally get sucked in. They did not set up an easy up to be under and no PA system. After discussing it with my friend, and realizing that our dogs could get hurt in this clay pond, as well as the extreme potential for sheep to get out, and also after conversing with management, it was decided to just bag it. But, we had to wait for the trailer tire to be repaired, and get there. As soon as it go there, we loaded up the sheep (Dan did a great job) and headed home.

After we dropped the sheep back at the farm, we went for lunch where I had horrible pork chops- so tough I could barely cut through them.

I then went home and passed out.

Working today, and then wait for the storm. Lots more rain. Thank goodness there is good drainage at the farm.

Well, that's it folks.

2011-08-20T04:25:00.000-07:00

This week has been pretty good. I worked Dan the other day, first time after a couple days off. He worked so nice, that I mentioned the word perfect to him as I joyfully called him over. We started with a fetch, and I flanked him around to drive them across in front of me (to keep his fetch flanks free) and then we drove all over the field- he did, I stood still at what would be the post. It was not a lot of work, but boy was it wonderful.

He had diarrhea again, and now Kylie too, but I think Kylie's pica is rearing it's head and she's eating lots of inedible things. But, liquid diarrhea means no food. So tonight, along with pumpkin I will give her some food. I switched all over to taste of the wild pacific stream and it appears to be a great thing- everyone has less output, and no illness (except for Kylie).

Baby Parakeets are over 3 weeks now and extremely loud. Parents are fighting a bit, not sure why, but maybe it's the time where dad starts feeding them, and mom gets her nose out of joint.

Got some T posts for the new fence line and they are planned to go in tomorrow. I also sprayed my hill field for those HORRID plants that came up. Tried pulling, but my God, just spraying took 2 hours!!!!!! Can't wait for them all to shrivel up and DIE!!!!!!!! That field took too much work and money to have it over run by a noxious weed- that the sheep will not eat!!!!

Got some work done in the house last night, need to keep that up all week. Been feeling better (antibiotics do that to you), so life is back on the almost normal slant!

Well, that's about it for now............

2011-08-15T05:41:00.001-07:00

Vet says that the thin ewe looks okay, just probably not getting what she used to out of the forage out in the field. Gave them some grain again, and will continue. She looks absolutely normal, except thin, and vet says, not egregiously so. All sheep got a once over for their travels to the fair, so we are set with that.

Headache AGAIN today. It is getting quite annoying. Hung out watching tv yesterday. Just needed a day to chill. I am so glad it isn't obliteratingly hot lately. I know the sheep and the dogs really appreciate the relief from the bugs and the heat.

This week really nothing going on. I would like to get one of the barn areas cleaned out (clutter) and get my nephew to clean out the steer manure in the other part of the barn, but really, that's it. I do have to clean my house too, at some point.

That's it for now!

2011-08-14T04:26:00.000-07:00

Was just thinking, my blog has changed over the past year. I think part of it is the past few months not being well, being busy, working hard and just trying to keep above water, like everyone else. Life is not as romantic as it used to be. Not that that is bad, per se, but it basically means, I don't really have the take on things like I used to...

My one thin ewe remains so- her gums are just the same color as the rest, she is chewing her cud, she does have all her teeth, but man, she's thin. I don't like seeing it. I may have my vet friend come out and give her a once over. I know I said I wouldn't, but I have grown attached to my older girls, plus, they are not THAT ancient yet. I wormed her and gave the old girls just a little grain yesterday, and the skinny girl ate very well.

Have a headache for three days now. Isn't that fun?! Not. Parakeet babies are so hungry. Mom keeps feeding them, but I am truly amazed at the work it is taking and the volume of food they are going through to feed these babies. I had better start looking for homes for them...

Dogs seem to be back to normal with their digestive systems, though I am not real happy with their output- I think the food I feed may have changed their formula or something.

The other day I thought my kitty was out in the back yard when I let my dogs out and so just let the dogs out as usual. Then, I saw that the kitty was still in the house. Two days ago I realized, it was not a cat, it was a woodchuck, and is it not a bit pitiful that my cat is as fat looking as a woodchuck?

Well, vet is coming (just got a call) and have to hop in shower and head up to meet him.

2011-08-12T05:26:00.000-07:00

So, one of my elder Border Leicesters is looking decidedly thin. When I score her, she isn't too bad, but she is very hollow behind her ribs. I am going to check her carefully today, and if she is off, I will see if John can take me up to the market on Monday. I can't keep sheep that can't keep good weight on in summer... Especially not with intentions to breed them...

Today is absolutely gorgeous. No humidity. First we have had that in months. Got my lawn mowed yesterday, so that's done.

Took a peak at the Parakeet babies yesterday. The parents CACK CACK CACKED!!!!!!! at me as I did so, so no pics... They are extremely protective. I think there are four, though I am not sure.

2011-08-11T04:03:00.000-07:00

Weather's getting cooler, and I am getting happier :) I am also feeling better after months of downright exhaustion and being sick. It's a wonderful wonderful thing. I actually weeded my flower bed the other day... It's a MIRACLE!

Worked Dan yesterday and I would say we are about 85% back to normal on our driving work. He is just not mature enough to nail down so hard, and he may never be. Lots of grass for the sheep to eat, and I am again, so gratified that I fenced in the second pasture. Next year, a third, and then one more after that. Just need more $$!

Last night my friend and I went to see the movie "Buck", about Buck Brannaman, a horse whisperer of sorts. I was in tears pretty much the first few minutes. The compelling part of this film for me was how he believes that most times it's horses with people problems, not people with horse problems. He handles horses respectfully, and clearly, and benevolently and does not fool with getting emotional, and has that "way" with horses, that clearly, is not born into everyone. He is going to be in New Jersey next month for a clinic and I want to just go and be an observer. Yes, I have no horses, but by God, what he said can be applied quite liberally to sheepdog training. I am a believer! Made me think of how when things go funky with training my dogs, how I let my temper, or my emotions take over and lose so much ground. With Lucy, specifically, I got too hard on her and she lost some trust with me, and I will never forgive myself for it.

I think I am beginning to see my niche in this sheepdog game, and I have already seen a change in me- none are more converted than those who see why they are...........

So, anyway, that was an excellent movie, and I will be buying his books.

2011-08-09T04:42:00.000-07:00

So, the ram lambs are gone. When we got there, another trailer pulled up and I wondered out loud what was in it. Sheep? Well, when I heard a loud BOOM! I knew it wasn't sheep- then I heard the squeel.... We unloaded my two lambs first, and the butcher said they were REALLY small, so be it. At least they can't breed my ewes! I am just glad that job is done.

I moved my sheep to the other pasture last night and they were very happy. I also worked Dan. We have a new issue with me working hard on pace with him- he's lost some confidence, so I am sort of pissed at myself, so now, for the rest of our time, I will ask for pace when needed, but not over do it. He's a handler sensitive dog, and I must remember that. Going to try and start to teach him to shed this week. Lambs are nice and light and we need to learn something new.

2011-08-08T06:08:00.000-07:00

Just a small update. I was contacted by the fair to do demos this year, sort of a last minute request, but I have agreed to do it with a good friend of mine. They also asked me to do the sheep/wool festival later this year. Work yes, but fun too (I LOVE the sheep and wool festival!)

The two ram lambs are heading off to freezer camp today, and it will be a load off my mind when they go, as they are not wethered, and I just don't want chitlins off them.

The sheep will be moved back to the other pasture this week, either today or tomorrow. Weather is absolutely gross today (really high humidity/hot) but it is supposed to cool down as the week progresses.

Dogs are finally better from their intestinal issues, and the Parakeet parents are quite busy with their babies.

Life is pretty good !