I see that the folks up at the “house” are telling everyone that they have been ever so busy, what with dyeing, shearing and the like. I guess that it is time for me to set things straight again. I will admit that for a day or so those shepherd folk were scurrying around the barn a lot, making sure that we got properly sheared. You would think with all the help they had that they would not have gotten so tired. Speaking at least for myself, Nanoo Nanoo, it was high time that we got rid of all that wool. The real business is at hand. After all, I am pregnant, as are most of my buddies and those babies are on the way! Now we will really get to see that old bearded shepherd guy and the nice lady hustle their buns off!

Spring (she is one of us) at least got the shepherds attention Wednesday night. She decided that she was not waiting for her due date. After a hearty helping of grain as part of dinner she decided to deliver her lamb. Everything went well and we now have the first new member of our group for the year, a strapping little 11 pound guy they are calling “Winter”.

That reminds me that I should explain what those shepherds do to come up with names for us. (We have our own names but it is in an alphabet and language too complex and difficult for a shepherd to understand.) Each year they use a different letter of their alphabet for all the lamb names. This year they are using “W”. Last year was “V”. As might be suspected, I was born in the “N” year. I am told it helps the shepherds keep track of how old we are. As you can see, they need all the help they can get, especially the old breaded guy! Then they do something dumb. A couple of years ago they purchased some sheep from another flock and they keep using the names with which those gals came. Lady Harriet Vane was not born in the “L” year nor was her mother, Lucy. I think that you get the picture….

Portia and Wadsworth

Before I could even finish writing this entry a bunch of the girls got into the act. This morning (Friday) Opal, Portia, Tess and Rubina all delivered lambs. The photo is of Portia and her boy, Wadsworth, taken when he was just a couple hours old. The day is hardly half over and I am already behind. Somehow I have to figure out how to type faster. With just two toes to a foot typing is a challenge. I have the sinking feeling that I am not going to be able to keep up with all the labor and deliveries!

One thing was settled during shearing that is relevant to my literary efforts. We now have a reliable source for pictures of what we are doing. One of the people who came to help with shearing was the old shepherd guy’s brother. He is actually a nice chap with a nice laugh. Among other things he is taller than the old shepherd guy and he is a photographer.  His wife also came to help. I remember her because she took really nice care of all of us a few years ago, when the shepherds took off to visit New Zealand and the ancestral homelands of all of our Corriedale tribe. One of our group, Queso, got to talking about cameras with this brother. She arranged with him to borrow a nice, ovine friendly digital camera.

Queso discussing digital photography with the old shepherd’s brother

Queso is known to many visitors to the Bed & Breakfast, as she is usually one of the official “greeters” when the shepherds bring the guests out to visit us. Since Queso has decided not to have lambs any longer she has volunteered to be our official photographer (appropriate for a sheep named “Cheese” in Spanish). Now I should have some good pictures to supplement my written efforts. The image of Portia is one of Queso’s first tries. Thanks Queso!

I must be off for the moment. Time to stock up on hay before everyone eats all of it. I am not due yet for a couple of weeks, so I will try to keep all of you up to date as the lambs begin to arrive.