Baymule
Herd Master
That does sound like a nice afternoon except for the gas. Hope you get a good price on the sheep.
Feelin' a bit sheepish...
thistlebloom
Herd Master
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Sounds wonderful all around. Isn't it nice to have some semblance of normality and sanity out there? Except for the fool that stole your gas. 
James 1:2
Hope your profits are good from your sheep sales.
James 1:2
Hope your profits are good from your sheep sales.
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- #503
Beekissed
Herd Master
Sounds wonderful all around. Isn't it nice to have some semblance of normality and sanity out there? Except for the fool that stole your gas.
James 1:2
Hope your profits are good from your sheep sales.
Yes, it was! I was gushing over it and the waitress acted like she had heard that frequently. It would be interesting if they did a study on how many of the Amish have taken sick or died of Covid, wouldn't it? They aren't taking part in all this restrictions nonsense and living their lives as per normal. Eli and I were contemplating how nice it would be to live in whole communities that were not giving up their freedom to be what they want to be and live normally....bliss!
Even the gas getting stolen seemed to remind me of times past....it has been since the 80s since I had gas siphoned out of a car and didn't know people were even still doing such a thing, especially where they could so easily get caught. Though it was annoying, it seemed like it was supposed to happen and God didn't let us get stranded over it, and that too was a blessing!
I too hope profits are good....they can't be worse than what we get locally, where sheep are hardly ever sold at the sales and when they are, they go for bupkiss. Mt. Hope has the best pricing around, which is why so many people are willing to travel so far to take their livestock there. We've decided next time we go we'll make a little trip of it and stay overnight in a hotel, relax and partake of the wonderful free atmosphere and homemade foods. That restaurant had made everything from scratch and off the farm~even the salad dressings were homemade, the cheese was made locally and hand grated, and everything was perfectly seasoned...didn't have to touch a salt shaker once. Tender, flavorful, juicy and at a good price with good service.....heavenly!
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- #504
Beekissed
Herd Master
I didn't have a working camera to record today's joyful entry into the big field, but Eli took a few pics on his phone....I'll try to move a few here. It was glorious!!!! Big dark clouds moved in this evening, making skies very dramatic and showers and sun in turns as we opened gates, called the sheep and dogs and the joyful exit from the old paddock like the Israelites leaving Egypt!
Eli drove the ATV and sheep wagon down in front while I walked the stock down with my staff and container of dog biscuits. Rose and Shine led the procession, walking beside me all the way, while the younger girls and little Rocket ran alongside, up front, then back behind, trying to get a feel for where we were headed. When they saw the gate open into the big field they knew and the pace picked up. We all entered the field with gladness and the sheep immediately spread out, noses to the grass and calling one another as they ate.
The dogs' tails were curled and riding high as they trotted like kings surveying their domain, sniffing for animal sign, looking things over and stopping to play now and again. Pinky Pie is nearly as big as Blue and you don't realize it until you see them trotting side by side down a wide open space....just beautiful to behold! Rocket stotting about, kicking up his heels and exploring all the dips and mounds...just beautiful!
Fresh water, refilled minerals, fresh hay, fresh soils and wide open spaces, wooded areas for shelter, browse aplenty and short grasses....but still, it's greenery! Electric fence functioning, dog fencing working, collar set and on the dog, so all is secure.
All that hard work came to fruition today as we watched them grazing across the field and the dogs running through wide spaces and over the soft grass, while the wind whipped the warm rain around our heads. Deep blue skies behind the whole scene and my heart leaping with joy over it all....I praise God for it all!!!!
There was a partial bale, just teetering on the pallet, so I pushed it over and it exposed some lovely green hay. It also will be a nice place for the sheep and dogs to bed down if they wish.
Not the best of pics but still gives one the space available. We won't start doing rotational grazing there until the lambs are born and all is well with them, then I'll move the flock clear to the other end of the field and put up temp fencing to keep them on each section for around 10 days. Later on we'll cross fence so I have more control over the spaces.
And one last pic of a log we sawed this past winter that expresses how I feel today......my heart is overflowing with joy!!!
Eli drove the ATV and sheep wagon down in front while I walked the stock down with my staff and container of dog biscuits. Rose and Shine led the procession, walking beside me all the way, while the younger girls and little Rocket ran alongside, up front, then back behind, trying to get a feel for where we were headed. When they saw the gate open into the big field they knew and the pace picked up. We all entered the field with gladness and the sheep immediately spread out, noses to the grass and calling one another as they ate.
The dogs' tails were curled and riding high as they trotted like kings surveying their domain, sniffing for animal sign, looking things over and stopping to play now and again. Pinky Pie is nearly as big as Blue and you don't realize it until you see them trotting side by side down a wide open space....just beautiful to behold! Rocket stotting about, kicking up his heels and exploring all the dips and mounds...just beautiful!
Fresh water, refilled minerals, fresh hay, fresh soils and wide open spaces, wooded areas for shelter, browse aplenty and short grasses....but still, it's greenery! Electric fence functioning, dog fencing working, collar set and on the dog, so all is secure.
All that hard work came to fruition today as we watched them grazing across the field and the dogs running through wide spaces and over the soft grass, while the wind whipped the warm rain around our heads. Deep blue skies behind the whole scene and my heart leaping with joy over it all....I praise God for it all!!!!
There was a partial bale, just teetering on the pallet, so I pushed it over and it exposed some lovely green hay. It also will be a nice place for the sheep and dogs to bed down if they wish.
Not the best of pics but still gives one the space available. We won't start doing rotational grazing there until the lambs are born and all is well with them, then I'll move the flock clear to the other end of the field and put up temp fencing to keep them on each section for around 10 days. Later on we'll cross fence so I have more control over the spaces.
And one last pic of a log we sawed this past winter that expresses how I feel today......my heart is overflowing with joy!!!
Baymule
Herd Master
For going out to eat, you sure picked the best place in the state. How wonderful! When you eat out, you want it to be as good or better than what you cook at home, better yet, something you don’t make. Sounds like the Amish restaurant fit the bill!
What space! And grass! And browse! The Blessings just keep coming. All your hard work is paying off.
What space! And grass! And browse! The Blessings just keep coming. All your hard work is paying off.
thistlebloom
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I think I'm as happy as you ! Reading your description put me right there in the field with you and your sheep. Beautiful day!
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- #507
Beekissed
Herd Master
Took Dooley down when I went to feed the dogs this morning in the big field. Dooley and Blue played so hard and long that both were soaking wet, slobbered down and panting with muscles all atremble. I'm so glad they like one another. Pinky preferred to get lots of lovin' in the hay while we both enjoyed the sunshine and watching the sheep mowing the field. The sheep are VERY happy, the dogs seem VERY happy and Blue learned his new containment system overnight, so all are secure and at ease in the big field.
Dooley hasn't been worked with all winter and has been on a zip line, obsessing over the chickens that pass by, so I was pleasantly surprised that he retained all the commands I already taught him and he performed all but "sit" perfectly....he's still too jittery to sit perfectly still if I bend over to give him a pat, he has to squirm a lot each time. I've learned to just give him verbal praise, as he just can't handle physical affection without spazzing out. He did perfect and lasting downs, walk ups, come through, walked perfectly on the leash, sat when I stopped, etc. I was impressed, as he has had pretty minimal training on all of that. I'm hoping teaching him the rest of the stuff comes as easily and lasts as long.
I'll be throwing up a small round pen in the field so I can work Dooley as often as I get time to do so and also will be scheduling him for a neutering, now that his balls have finally dropped. He was real interested in riding little Pinky Pie, so getting those gone will free his mind for more important things.
I'm loving the move to the big field and intend to get some chairs down there so I can sit and watch the bucolic peacefulness of it whenever I want. Once all the lambs are born, we'll start putting up temp lines down there to put the sheep through rotations on that field.
Dooley hasn't been worked with all winter and has been on a zip line, obsessing over the chickens that pass by, so I was pleasantly surprised that he retained all the commands I already taught him and he performed all but "sit" perfectly....he's still too jittery to sit perfectly still if I bend over to give him a pat, he has to squirm a lot each time. I've learned to just give him verbal praise, as he just can't handle physical affection without spazzing out. He did perfect and lasting downs, walk ups, come through, walked perfectly on the leash, sat when I stopped, etc. I was impressed, as he has had pretty minimal training on all of that. I'm hoping teaching him the rest of the stuff comes as easily and lasts as long.
I'll be throwing up a small round pen in the field so I can work Dooley as often as I get time to do so and also will be scheduling him for a neutering, now that his balls have finally dropped. He was real interested in riding little Pinky Pie, so getting those gone will free his mind for more important things.
I'm loving the move to the big field and intend to get some chairs down there so I can sit and watch the bucolic peacefulness of it whenever I want. Once all the lambs are born, we'll start putting up temp lines down there to put the sheep through rotations on that field.
Baymule
Herd Master
That is great about Dooley. He is going to be one heck of a dog as he matures. He will definitely be a wonderful asset to you.
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- #509
Beekissed
Herd Master
I was thinking that the sheep and dogs would be a little nervous in that big strange place and it would take some adjustment time for them to get used to being that distance from the house and us. Nope....in fact, they all seem much more relaxed in their new setting. I haven't heard the dogs barking once, when I know there is much more game movement around and through that field than in our paddocks....that's the coyote pack's favorite place to hunt.
When we drive by the sheep are spread out, grazing, and the dogs are either meandering about sniffing or just lying up on a high spot, sleeping or watching. They no longer bark at vehicles driving by the land, nor run along the fence line....they'll get up and see if it's a familiar car, then sit down and watch it go by.
The sheep no longer crowd me at the gate nor try to get the dog's food...too busy grazing.
Maybe because this field has no obstructions to their sight or movement, maybe because the sheep seem more relaxed, but I'm thanking God for the good transition for both parties.
Tomorrow I place warning signs on the gates into that field, stating LGDs on duty, only enter with an escort. The neighbors who own the field are animal lovers and I'm hoping they don't try to feed or befriend the dogs.
When we drive by the sheep are spread out, grazing, and the dogs are either meandering about sniffing or just lying up on a high spot, sleeping or watching. They no longer bark at vehicles driving by the land, nor run along the fence line....they'll get up and see if it's a familiar car, then sit down and watch it go by.
The sheep no longer crowd me at the gate nor try to get the dog's food...too busy grazing.
Maybe because this field has no obstructions to their sight or movement, maybe because the sheep seem more relaxed, but I'm thanking God for the good transition for both parties.
Tomorrow I place warning signs on the gates into that field, stating LGDs on duty, only enter with an escort. The neighbors who own the field are animal lovers and I'm hoping they don't try to feed or befriend the dogs.
thistlebloom
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That's great to hear. What a perfect addition to your other grazing land.
Does this mean Blue isn't chasing cars now?
Does this mean Blue isn't chasing cars now?
