Rhonda,Ellen,Sue

Rhonda,Ellen,Sue, originally uploaded by lamb lady.

Rhonda, Sue and I went to Pittsburgh Sunday and spent the day visiting and sightseeing with Ellen. Ellen arrived in Pittsbugh last September and has made a home for herself there quickly. It was good to see her smiling face and spend the day in her company. She took us to look over the city, pointing out items of interest, took us on the Incline and down to the waterfront. She saw that we had plenty of good food to eat. Sightseeing, good food, good company and fair weather, who could ask for anything more?

Gus on the Prowl

chasing the elusive box elder bug, originally uploaded by lamb lady.

Gus's (and Merlin's) video debut. Gus will chase anything. Here he's after the box elder bugs, so populous in the river rocks between the driveway and the barn. Merlin want his mug on view, too. You can hear Merlin breathing through the great bug chase. There's a tiny cat sound in the final few seconds of the clip.

Garden Time

I planted peas in an early warm spell - March 8 - just before it got cold again. Today, June 9, I picked about 9 quarts of peas. Then I showered and dashed off for a fun day with friends from work. The peas are waiting in the fridge but they will meet with me here on the swing first thing tomorrow morning for shelling. I found these onions growing in the garden. Interesting how they're stuck to each other like kissing faces. As I shell peas tomorrow I can enjoy the clematis blooming on the arbor.
P.S. Seven bags of peas in the freezer. Not bad for the first picking.

Madison's Dance Recital

Madison is my great-niece. She had her second dance recital Friday night. It was a fun evening. Her first recital was my opening blog post. I'm including a small clip from her routine "I Enjoy Being a Girl." She's under the "III" on the clock.

"'Bye, Dave, we'll miss your bright smile and shining eyes."

BR's Friend and Co-Worker, Dave, passed away quite unexpectedly last week. Dave was a good guy and fun to be around. Dave and his friend, Mick, played a round of golf Monday night and Dave never arrived at work Tuesday morning. If you've gotta leave this life, he went out the way we'd all like to go, quickly and quietly and on top of his game.
BR was pleased to see so many co-workers at his viewing and glad to meet Dave's mom, brother, sister-in-law and nephew as well as Dave's other friends.
He will be sorely missed.

2009 Youth Conservation Project at the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival

2009 Youth Conservation Project at the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival, originally uploaded by lamb lady.

Katie Burroughs was this year's recipient of the YCP Navajo-Churro ewe, Journey. The YCP is a mentoring program to help interested youth get started raising heritage breed sheep. There were about 20 sheep of various heritage breeds donated this year. This was my fourth year participating. I have met some great kids and generous shepherds through this program.
Katie is an amazing youngster. I selected her because her essay was astounding. I anticipated meeting her. She is well versed in agriculture. She was (again this year) the first place winner in the Sheep and Wool Skill-a-thon in her age group. You can read about that here: www.sheepandgoat.com/programs/skillathon/skillathon.html Katie raises sheep, goats, pigs and chickens. She just got a miniature zebu. (if you don't know zebus, you can read about them here: www.miniature-zebu-cattle.com/ )
Katie has a great future in store. The world needs more Katies.
I wish her the best with Journey. She is keeping in touch with me by email and sent a thank you by mail yesterday.

Marsha was kind enough to go with me again this year to MDSW Festival. We had a fun time but were cold and soaked to the bone until we left. Maybe the weather will be better next year.

Leaping Lamb Video

watching you, watch me, originally uploaded by lamb lady.

We've had a cold spring. Finally, a pretty day for sheep and lambs to graze. Jensen looks at me, walks away, turns back toward me and leaps away with her friend, ZENN. By the end of the clip, all the ewes and lambs have gathered by the fence row to graze.