norseofcourse's journal - spring and show update

[NH homesteader]

My biggest issue with wool sheep is how the mud and gross stuff just gets caked on. I didn't know they had less lanolin than other breeds. Good to know! Does this also mean they have a less gamey taste than other breeds? Or do you not process yours?

 

[norseofcourse]

My biggest issue with wool sheep is how the mud and gross stuff just gets caked on. I didn't know they had less lanolin than other breeds. Good to know! Does this also mean they have a less gamey taste than other breeds? Or do you not process yours?

I have read, and been told, they have a more mild taste than other breeds. I have had mine processed, and the lambs have a very nice, mild taste. But I've never tasted any other sheep breeds, and I don't think I've ever had anything 'gamey', so I can't give you a firsthand comparison.

 

[NH homesteader]

Thanks! And thanks for allowing me to derail your thread!

 

[norseofcourse]

Thanks! And thanks for allowing me to derail your thread!

No derailing - always happy to talk about sheep!

 

[norseofcourse]

I ordered McMasters slides today!!!!!!!

 

[norseofcourse]

I have read, and been told, they have a more mild taste than other breeds. I have had mine processed, and the lambs have a very nice, mild taste. But I've never tasted any other sheep breeds, and I don't think I've ever had anything 'gamey', so I can't give you a firsthand comparison.

I have to correct this - I forgot, I've had lamb at two educational events with the Ohio Sheep Improvement Association. They were both nice and mild, but I don't know what breed they were.

 

[norseofcourse]

It was a busy February! Highlights:

A bad phone line inside due to mice chewing it (they chewed the computer wire too, but not as bad). In trying to get to the wiring, I discovered I could not open the garage door.

Rose was limping one day. I wasn't able to check her till the next morning. I got a rope around her neck and tied her so I could take a look. Note to self - bring a flashlight/headlamp next time, I could not see well enough. I didn't feel anything, so with the hoof trimmers I trimmed a bit of her hoof where it was a bit overgrown. I'm generally conservative in trimming, and I didn't think I trimmed too far, but she started bleeding. I could not pin down exactly where she was bleeding from. I let her back with the others, and she seemed to be limping less. The next time I was out, she wasn't limping at all. Maybe whatever was making her limp got dislodged while I was dealing with her, and that's what bled. I know next time I check a limping sheep I'll have a strong light with me.

A few days later the handle of the kitchen faucet snapped off in my hand. It already had some corrosion around the spigot end, so this gave me two reasons to replace it. In the same visit the plumber also replaced two old corroded shutoff valves and fixed a slow leak in the same pipe.

The bathtub drain decided to go slower than molasses (it's been getting slower for awhile). Plunging didn't help. There's a clean-out below it, but I can't get the lower cover off. I described the cleanout to a friend, and he said those are a major pain, cut it out and put in a regular p-trap. That is beyond what I feel comfortable doing, so I may need to get the plumber out again.

Then I go downstairs and I see water in the basement. I go closer and see dripping. I track it to a pinhole leak in a cold water line. Plumber moves up on the to-do list.

A couple days later I go down and the pipe is no longer leaking (a friend said it corroded shut?).

Then the well pump starts running too frequently. I'm losing pressure. I check for leaks, nothing. Pressure tank is ok. A few days go by, and outside it's finally drying up after a very wet January and February - but one area is not drying up. I think I've found the reason I'm losing pressure...

Found a 1941 wheat penny in the pasture

Ordered and got McMasters slides

A friend came and helped me get into the garage and get the door working again

Guy from the well company came and agreed there's a leak underground, the well line or the connection. They'll try and fit me in soon to work on locating the well (it's underground... somewhere...) and digging up and fixing the leak.

Working on getting wool from different breeds of sheep for a guild challenge - thanks to some BYH'ers and some local people so far, and if anyone else has raw sheep's wool I'm still looking for a couple more breeds.

Started smelling gasoline in the garage (where I store most of my hay). Tracked it to a drip coming from the riding mower's carburetor. Asked a friend who said something about a diaphram probably going bad? Great, another thing for the to-do list. Not sure I can work on that myself either, I could replace gas lines but no idea on carburetors.

And last night storms come through, with a tornado warning this morning (although no tornadoes were sighted, mostly they warned of straight-line winds, which weren't too bad here).

Whew - and February was a short month!!

The sheep are doing well. I think they are starting to shed, so I may be shearing them soon. I can get them up on the milkstand, so there will be less stress than the typical method of 'tipping' them. Gracie, Rose and Brosa all have a full year's growth of fleece. Gracie's is the longest, love hers:

 

[Bruce]

Geez, I sure hope March is better!

I assume by now you've paid the plumber to fix all the problems. BUT if not and the bathtub drain is still a problem you can bet your last $ it is a hair and soap scum plug. You'll get the same thing in the bathroom sink traps.

My guess is the bathtub trap is a drum trap based on your friend's comment. Not the easiest to clean out like a regular P trap but you can do a pretty decent job of clearing it with a bent coat hanger and pull the stuff back up. It will be pretty gross, black, gooey and stinky. However, if that whole mess has also gotten into the outlet side of the trap No real easy way to get a snake or anything to follow that path and removing the cover is maybe the only way. There is always chemical stuff like Liquid Plumber though I bet that isn't real good for the septic tank.

 

[NH homesteader]

Love her! See what I mean? They're clean! Haha, Hope you have a calmer March!

 

[norseofcourse]

I assume by now you've paid the plumber to fix all the problems. BUT if not and the bathtub drain is still a problem you can bet your last $ it is a hair and soap scum plug. You'll get the same thing in the bathroom sink traps.

My guess is the bathtub trap is a drum trap based on your friend's comment. Not the easiest to clean out like a regular P trap but you can do a pretty decent job of clearing it with a bent coat hanger and pull the stuff back up. It will be pretty gross, black, gooey and stinky. However, if that whole mess has also gotten into the outlet side of the trap No real easy way to get a snake or anything to follow that path and removing the cover is maybe the only way. There is always chemical stuff like Liquid Plumber though I bet that isn't real good for the septic tank.

You inspired me to give the bathtub one more try! Yes, from the shape of the thing I'd call it a drum trap, too. It actually drained well until I let a friend give a dog a bath in the tub I don't think she tried to keep hair from going down the drain... I've had to plunge it a few times since, which had only partial results.

So, I tried a coat hanger bent at the tip, but didn't get much of anything. Then I tried some thinner wire, some copper coated steel welding wire I have, and by twisting it a lot, I was able to get a small wad of hair/gunk/yuck twice, then no more even with several more tries. So I filled the tub with hot water and set to work with the plunger. It finally started draining a little, so I left it and came back an hour later. It had drained only a few inches. Topped it off with more hot water, plunged again. Stubborness paid off - I finally heard the gurgling sound of draining water!! It's draining very well now

Thanks @Bruce that's one thing off the list!