Aztec and Rue

Lambing season was quick and relatively uneventful, and we now have two new lambs here at the farmette! It took a while to settle on names, but they're going to be called Aztec and Rue.

The first born was Rue, and she was Rita's first lamb. She came early in the morning, quietly and just minutes before I got down to the barn to let everyone out for the day. I have never seen another lamb like this one; she is incredibly friendly and has a tremendous amount of strength and energy already. Hercules is probably a huge part of this lovely little disposition...and, while she does not have any spots, her fleece is already fluffing up and feeling soft.

Maya's little ram lamb, Aztec, arrived in the middle of the night on April 12 - a week after the first lamb (shepherd's nirvana again!). And, unlike Rita's easy lambing, the painful sounds coming up from the barn, from Maya, woke me and kept me up for a good part of the night. She had a difficult time and the ram lamb has been slow to gain strength and energy, so the past several days have been somewhat challenging as we deal with record breaking heat in Maine - new lambs can become dehydrated quickly, and while the worst seems to be over and little Aztec seems to be gaining weight, it's good to be home from the day job this week to keep a close eye on him.

Hercules and the wether have joined the girls in the big field, and things are starting to green up quickly. We are in desperate need of rain, and the forecast finally has some predicted for this weekend. Before we know it, the hay will start coming in and gardens will be planted. Even though it was a quick and easy winter here, the feeling of Spring is still intoxicating. Cheers to the season!

Elusive Spring

The sun is out but we're not reaching forty degrees this weekend in Maine. Spring is as elusive as ever. Saw some crocus popping up yesterday on my way to get some hay, and the robins are back. Heard a lone goose the other night (wondered if his air controller had fallen asleep). There are baby animals everywhere and the days are getting longer - all signs of the season. But the air feels like winter.

The lambs soaking up spring sun

The lambs love soaking in the sun and sleeping outside together, either in pairs or all in a pile together...sometimes next to or on top of their moms. The small pen that was Bill's has made a perfect area for them to run around in and yet stay safe. They're growing quickly and will move out to the big field in late April. After Easter and Passover.

standing still...a rarity

And, an explanation on the "ready or not" post for anyone who wondered what prompted the post. This blogging is a creative outlet for me but also a constant balancing act around what's public and what's private. When I try to meld the two, it's not always successful. So, the post was my response to my experience of almost adopting a puppy. After crazy excitement and preparation for a pup I had bought from a rescue group came extreme sadness and disappointment. I never did pick her up; the pup died. I am waiting for a refund. Her name was Spring. 

Ready or Not

the sometimes salty shepherd

Life just knocks you for a loop sometimes. Things happen that take your breath away, make you steady yourself or sit down if you're fortunate enough to be left standing. I think the younger you are the more resilient in so many ways, mostly because of ignorance I suppose. What they say about ignorance being bliss is so true...
Taking those life hits time after time will definitely build resilience in us adults, but in other ways we become more deeply affected by them. We try to connect the dots of our lives and gain perspective; we actually connect a few of them when we're lucky and move forward with a more peaceful gait. Losing your balance and reeling from the unexpected blows is all a part of the game. Regaining the balance is the trick.
As the lambs begin to play with one another, backing up gently and putting their little heads down, trying the head-butting thing, it's impossible not to laugh and relax. Life has a rhythm that is its own, and we're just along for the proverbial ride. Seasons come and seasons go. Some seasons never get to be.
That's just the way it is.
So, the sometimes salty shepherd is working on embracing the new life on the farm and letting be what will be. Happy Spring.

Springing Forward

Mercy and Grace

Feels like yesterday (but long ago) that I wrote about Falling Back and daylight savings time. The loss of an hour on Sunday has made morning chores more chore-like since it's now still dark at 6:30 AM. As I write, the early morning sky is breaking open and shades of lighter blues and grays are appearing behind the dark rain clouds. Darker than usual. Watching the light slowly increase on these mornings is one of the best parts of the time change, and it also usually signals the return of the birds. Soon, there will be a chorus of chirping birds ushering in the sunrises here.

Yesterday the lambs and their moms were placed in a large pen together, and when left alone to work it out, they did. It makes me anxious when one of the ewes head checks a lamb that's not hers - sometimes up against the barn wall - and it's not always easy to stay back and let what's happening just happen. And yet that's what a good shepherd would do.

Lessons from lambing continue to surface. Since bringing lambs up to the house at night isn't an option, and my house is feeling too empty without Beate, it's time to bring a new beast home. Spring is coming.

Shepherd's Nirvana

Callie did indeed have her lambs on Thursday night. Two more ewe lambs, both black.

Shepherd's Nirvana is what I heard someone call it once - when your lambing season is short and easy with a majority of ewe lambs; Bella and Callie lambed within five days of one another and with the exception of one of Callie's lambs being huge and a little stuck, all has gone beautifully. Quite something having two sets of black ewes, too. I feel very blessed.

Bella with Mercy and Grace

Callie and still to be named twins

Nate came over yesterday and docked the tails for me - something I have still not been able to stomach doing on my own. They didn't make a peep and were bouncing around within minutes.

Soooooon

Thursday morning

  

Hoping today's the day

  

not her best side

  Still waiting, less patiently today than yesterday. Callie seemed more comfortable this morning than she has in days, so I hope that means she is getting closer. From the looks of her hind end, which pictures I do not dare post, she is going to have those lambs today.