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.

New Barnyard

BR built a new barnyard and new gates recently. He's so talented and I'm so appreciative. We purchased the rough sawn 1x6 oak boards from a local sawmill for a very resonable price. We had gotten the original boards from the same sawmill and they were in place for 15 years.

The new layout provides increased security for lambs and no chickenwire mess between the boards. I guess painting will be in my future but not before Open Barn (April 11.)

Mesa's Miata (or why weren't you born when I was on vacation?)

Just like last year, someone had to wait until I returned to work to give birth. I'm so grateful Mom and Dad agreed to go on standby while I was at work. When I put hay in the racks Monday morning, I noticed that Mesa wasn't eating. It's a classic "I'm in labor" sign. She gave birth to Miata around noon. I named him Miata as in "Me oughtta been born while the shepherd was on vacation." He's pretty cute and our only single. The final tally is one single, six sets of twins and 2 sets of triplets. That's eleven boys and eight girls if you were wondering.

Aurora's Amigo, Aries and Avalon

Aurora's Amigo, Aries and Avalon, originally uploaded by lamb lady.

Aurora finally delivered her babies Friday, March 27. All are doing well but it was a tough couple days for her prior to delivery. I may come back and write more later but not just yet. I'm tired.

I'm still recovering from the lambing blitz. Eight ewes have had babies in nine days. Daddy Blue did a great job. And then there's Mesa. I thought she was expecting but now I'm just not sure. Keep posted.