Winter got a slow start here in western Massachusetts but now it just won't leave. We had another couple of inches of snow yesterday and there is more predicted for Sunday. The Farmer was counting his remaining bales of hay and he's getting seriously low in his supply. He hays all summer and fall so he can feed the sheep. Some winters we run out, some we have lots leftover. It's the perils of farming. If we do run out, we'll have to purchase hay from a local farmer who has some to spare.
Most years by mid-April, the sheep are beginning to graze the fields of freshly grown grass. It looks like it will be awhile until they'll be able to do that this year.
The other night, Julia and I stopped by to see the new crop of baby lambs and to visit Cora, our now, rather huge bottle lamb. No matter how many times I see this sight, it always makes me laugh - one and sometimes two of the fully grown sheep will be perched atop a bale munching away. I think it must make them feel like they're on top of a mountain - and we all know how great that makes anyone feel!
We've had the strangest spring in Kentucky. A few weeks ago it was in the 70's. The trees were leafing out, flowers blooming and so much green grass the sheep weren't even interested in hay anymore. This past week we had lows in the 20's and highs in the 30's and 40's and it snowed last Friday. All the new growth on everything is now dead. The fruit crop is basically ruined for this year. Mother Nature is full of surprises!
Another person from Kentucky--our weather this year is crazy! A sure sign that something isn't working quite right, according to the farmer's market folks.
One of our dogs likes to climb to the top of the wood pile--her top of the mountain--while Harry, the other dog about the same size, is just not able to scale it with confidence. Makes me wonder, seeing your sheep photos. Are some of us (small) mountain climbers? Some of us just aren't?!
I so enjoy the pictures on your blog, Kristin! They are miniature art pieces! We still have snow in South Dakota, as well. It has been a drought here the past several summers. In an area that relies heavily on agriculture, I guess we have to be grateful for all the moisture we get.
Most years by mid-April, the sheep are beginning to graze the fields of freshly grown grass. It looks like it will be awhile until they'll be able to do that this year.
The other night, Julia and I stopped by to see the new crop of baby lambs and to visit Cora, our now, rather huge bottle lamb. No matter how many times I see this sight, it always makes me laugh - one and sometimes two of the fully grown sheep will be perched atop a bale munching away. I think it must make them feel like they're on top of a mountain - and we all know how great that makes anyone feel!
In like a lamb, out like a lion?
ReplyDeleteWe've had the strangest spring in Kentucky. A few weeks ago it was in the 70's. The trees were leafing out, flowers blooming and so much green grass the sheep weren't even interested in hay anymore. This past week we had lows in the 20's and highs in the 30's and 40's and it snowed last Friday. All the new growth on everything is now dead. The fruit crop is basically ruined for this year. Mother Nature is full of surprises!
ReplyDeleteAnother person from Kentucky--our weather this year is crazy! A sure sign that something isn't working quite right, according to the farmer's market folks.
ReplyDeleteOne of our dogs likes to climb to the top of the wood pile--her top of the mountain--while Harry, the other dog about the same size, is just not able to scale it with confidence. Makes me wonder, seeing your sheep photos. Are some of us (small) mountain climbers? Some of us just aren't?!
I so enjoy the pictures on your blog, Kristin! They are miniature art pieces! We still have snow in South Dakota, as well. It has been a drought here the past several summers. In an area that relies heavily on agriculture, I guess we have to be grateful for all the moisture we get.
ReplyDeleteYep, king of the mountain was my first thought. I love that on the bale photograph. I hope the farmer ends up with enough hay.
ReplyDeleteHi Kristen, just cruising through blogland and discovered your site. I love the pictures on your blog especially the sheep. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete