It's A Shame They Aren't Friendly

An interesting day today. Some folks from KET (Kentucky Educational Television) came out to get some sheep footage for an upcoming show.



Hank is agreeable to most anything, but tends not to be too chummy with strangers. And if a stranger were to get too close to me or his sheep with a big microphone or something, I'm not sure he wouldn't "give somebody the business". He's very protective of us all, so we of course ran everything past him first.



And he proceeded to bite the sound guy.



Just kidding. He loved Roger and was just playing with him in the picture above. In fact, they played quite a bit and Hank even did his tricks (sit and shake paws) for him too. Over and over. I love that dog.



Betsy, on the other hand, not so helpful akshully.

Betsy, Betsy, Betsy.



"Is that cat bothering you, ma'am?"



Sherman wasn't much better, but was WAY better than Graham Lamb.

We all know Graham's infatuation with anything that he thinks might be useful somewhere down the line. We weren't sure if he was more interested in the expensive tripod or the expensive camera, but there are now some permanent teeth marks on that tripod and the videographer thought that was "cute".

Right.



Miss Ewenice loved Roger as well and was happy to oversee production.



"Why yes, I am the queen of the farm."



"Huh? You're going to stop talking to me to talk to that goofy bug eyed sheep?"



"Oh, good grief. I'm leaving."




"Am I really going to be on tv?"

If you'll notice, there are no pictures of Graham. None. When we stopped to think about it, we were all stumped how that could have happened with as much "time" as he spent with us.

While the truth of the matter is probably that every time he came close, everyone was busy grabbing all the equipment so he couldn't get to it. The more popular theory is he just made sure there was no photographic evidence of any wrong doing. Much like Dracula I suppose.

It is getting close to Halloween...

Renny's *Better* Side

Renny found out I posted a picture of her backside, looking a bit, um, large, on the intertubes.



"That wasn't very nice."



"Wouldn't a picture of me and Willard (insert loud whisper - her boyfriend) been much better?"



Actually, I doubt that picture bothered Renny one bit. Nothing fazes Renny - Wonder Woman Sheep cape and all.

I'm not sure if B. Willard is her boyfriend or "just a good friend". They've been buddies since the first time they were out together. I wondered if it was their similar coloring. Yes, Renny is dark gray underneath all the brown, sunbleached wool. And there's a lot of it!

Sheep Shots

Who's this?



We know who this is ;-).



Crazy ole Anna Belly



Peepee



You may not recognize this big hairy butt. Yep, that's Renny. Just amazing.



Heidi, with Hank looking on.



Mia's nose. All that fits in the frame when she's trying to climb into your lap.



"Hay, who's coming out for Hug A Sheep Day next Saturday?"



Ford-0 likes to have his picture taken.



And the best for last, Ewen McTeagle.

A Place In The Sun

The reality is sinking in for poor ole Betsy. That exciting farm life is losing it's charm. She doesn't care about the cat condo soon to be returning to the porch. She just wants. in. the. house.



"It's freezing out here!"



"A bird!"



"Too cold. I'm going back to sleep."

She's obviously put on enough winter weight to help stay warm ;-).

Hug/Shear/Herd A Sheep Day

Shearing days are always a highlight when you are a crazy sheep lady. I love looking at all the sheep - different colors, sizes, shapes, personalities. I love picking up the freshly shorn fleeces and saving back something I especially like ;-). Bill and Don are always a hoot and the shepherds are always interesting.



Today Stella and I went over to Vergil and Annmarie Holland's farm, The Training Center, previous home to Ewen McTeagle and B. Willard :-).



Nothing prettier than handsome sheep in early morning sunlight.



"Something's happening to Brownie. Nobody look!"

I admire Annmarie's shepherding skills. I watch her grab a sheep, set it down to trim its feet or doctor on something all by herself and go home thinking I can surely learn to do it like that. I can't. It's an art.



We were interested to see what her new Scottish Blackface fleeces were going to be like. This lamb looks a little worried.

"They're going to do what to my hair?!?"



Stella, loading up the hopper.



20, quality control.



And taking a break to get a little off the top ;-).



And then out to visit some of the Border Collies. He was hoping to get to visit with another big Serta sheep, but apparently they didn't award those this year (!).



Because this dog sure would have earned one. This is Brooke and she is the 2011 Reserve National Champion Sheepdog.

As things frequently do over there, talk turned to dogs and herding during a shearing break. Stella had never seen a stockdog working so Vergil took her out with Brooke and demonstrated some of the things a good dog can do and how he is able to communicate with her... What a treat!








Of course there's always someone waiting in the wings.

"Me Me Me! My turn!!!"

Best. Shearing. Day. Ever.

Water Water Everywhere

We frequently get the opportunity to go fun places, but seldom enjoy being just tourists, in the strictest sense. Lori Skoog does such a great job describing her farm, her town, neighboring towns, heck, her grocery store, that I can't imagine anyone not wanting to go visit Brockport, New York.



The Erie Canal. When boats come through, the bridges are elevated to pass under. We just missed seeing one come through. There is a really nice welcome center where travelers can dock, grab a wagon to walk into town and bring back groceries and supplies, borrow a bike, take a shower, access the internet...



Even in the rain I was tempted to check out a bike.



Barges were originally pulled up and down the canal by teams of mules.



Neat art everywhere. Of course.



Holley Falls. The next day. In beautiful, bright sunlight. If I'm understanding correctly, the canal runs over the top of this spillway and all the creeks...along the way.



Pretty, pretty.

Thank you Lori and Gary for taking the time to share your beautiful, interesting, friendly, yummy and furry part of the world. You are wonderful ambassadors and gracious hosts. What a treat!

Pretty Sheep

20 got to visit a real sheep farm.



He'd heard stories about Nistock Farms and is pretty partial to Marcel (everyone is ;-) and couldn't wait to see all the fancy sheep.



"Look at all the different colors!"



"Why are you wearing a sweater?"



"Can I come live at your farm? I heard your sheep never have to go out in the rain. We don't care if it's a warm rain and our fleeces are all dirty. Only Sheepmom cares about stuff like that. We like to lay around and be messy."



But look how clean you are now.



"Well, I gueeesssss."



Pretty Miss Holly.