 |
| The moment he realized he had been duped. |
Linden left for his new home last Tuesday morning. My shearer, Joe, came with his gooseneck trailer and loaded up the remaining hay and my boy. Linden, sweet as he is, does not cooperate. So, I had a big pan of "Waldorf" salad (chopped apple with some romaine lettuce) to lead him down the right path. He would plant his butt, then I would waggle the bowl under his nose, we would go a few more yards. Rinse, repeat. We finally got him loaded, all cozy with the 80 bales of hay, and off he went. I stood by the barn and bawled for twenty minutes. Everything seems so quiet and empty now. I realized that this is the first time in almost 14 years that there has not been a sheep on this place. I am consoled by the vision of Linden tucked in a barn, cozied up with his new flock.
It's a good thing, too. We have had Arctic temps both day and night. I can't believe I feel like celebrating when the thermometer shows double digits above zero. There is ice everywhere and I finally cleared out the carport so that I can tuck my car under cover. We've had high winds, rain, sleet, freezing rain, and snow. I have brought out all my seeds and am in the process of sorting through them. Now that I have over an acre and a half of fenced in ground, I might attempt winter squash this year.
I've finished a pair of socks, knitted a few more catnip mice, and have started on a glorious alpaca yarn cowl for my sister.
I'm trying to emulate my friend, Sam, and get myself whipped into gear to finish a few of the hundreds of projects in various stages of completion (or not). Then there is the stack of books that I need to crack open.
With this gloomy winter weather so far, it's nice to know there are bright spots waiting in the wings.
16 comments:
oh linden. i hope he likes his new family. it's tough but i hope it is for the best. hugs!
It must have been tough to let Linden go but lucky him to have you make the kind and wise decision for his future happiness. I hadn't paid enough attention to his glorious fleece. What breed is he? I'm not sure if you are ready to read a book about sheep but I recommend this one,
Three Bags Full: A Sheep Detective Story by Leonie Swann. I haven't finished it yet by I am enjoying it.
The end of an era, but at the same time the beginning of a new one for you, my friend! We, too, have been suffering (oh, the pain and agony!) through extreme frigid temperatures but today it's up to a balmy 12° above. And scheduled to drop that far below zero by tonight. Sigh. We'll enjoy it out there today . . . and appreciate it. I applaud you for making the changes you have in your livestock population. Think of it as the start of a new stage in life for you!
I can only imagine how hard it must be to be 'livestockless.' I NEED a dog, but would be lost without the chores and interactions that come from my horses and sheep. I know there may come a time, but I hope it is decades hence. Linden, at least, should be happier, flock animal that he is. Hugs!
Just you and the chickens now or did you get rid of them too. I'm having winter doldrums but at least we're well into double digits above freezing most the time. Another month of this and it will be spring maybe, probably, even sooner. Every year I tell myself I should start food gardening again. Maybe this year. haha.
Farewell, Linden -- be happy in your new home! Sleet and ice are the worst -- give me snow and cold weather ANY day compared to that.
This winter is getting longer and colder.
Crying with you. I am not good at parting from animals that are part of my “family.” Hugs.
You seem to be having our winter on top of your usual!!
We are almost in double C⁰ figures!!
I must get round to socks too. But mitts and hat are a priority.
I love the cowl! That's beautiful yarn. As sad as it's been to see Linden go, at least you can take comfort in the fact that he's now at home with more of his kind.
Those are some very nifty socks. I'm sorry about Linden.
It sounds as if you've got enough crafting and books to get you through this dreary part of the year. Dreaming about gardens is a big help!
I'm sorry you had to say goodbye to Linden. :(
Oh you still have your lemon tree, very nice! Mine died years ago!
Dear Linden, I felt so sad, but I’m sure he will be very happy with his new family. And you, it will take time getting used to not having any sheep, be kind to yourself. I have Advanced Age Obsessive activities too :-) That's a very nice lemon tree.
Having to say good-bye to Linden makes me feel sad too! They become so much of our lives. Our goats, chickens, and ducks are family. I know it wasn't an easy decision, even if it's best for Linden.
And I have to say I love that sock! Beautiful colorway.
I am crying with you. When my horses were gone I would still go out to the barn just to try and smell them. The older I get the easier it is to cry for some reason. All those great memories that will be no more....lots of "last times". Okay, big lump in my throat now...I have to stop.
Please do not hold me up as an example....if you only saw my house and what a mess it is! I work every day but it doesn't seem to make a difference but I keep plugging away.
I'm planning on making a monthly trip to Salvation Army (1 1/2 hours away)to continue to try and get rid of stuff.
The socks are gorgeous and are those real lemons in your house? Could I do that? I thought you needed a greenhouse or do you have one. That's amazing! I hope your heart heals and I know your pups will comfort you. Take care!
Hugs ~ Sam
Oh I bet he will never love his new flock and home! So it sounds like you're going to have a pasture that will be open for planting? I'm kind of going through my seeds to will start some maybe next month when are indoor seed starting rack. It's always hard to rehome animals for sure I had a little rooster that I loved! He was really sweet and affectionate but when he started mounting the hens that was it. He was supposed to have been a pullet so I had to rehome him cried all the way home. That we can't have chickens that are roosters in the city because the noise. And since I didn't want more checks just eggs it worked out okay. I got cave into a nice guy who was starting a flock and had a really nice poop and home. Glad it's finally melting a little bit there! Supposed to be 50 this week and next week spring is around the corner
Post a Comment