Friday, January 08, 2010

After The New Year and Lambing At Full Speed

I’m really enjoying this after New Year time of the year. Julia is back at school, lambs are being born, and The Farmer and I are working on lots of plans for our farm, the farm classes and my design business, both jointly and separately. It is exciting to dream up ideas and hopefully we can put some of them into work. There are always way more ideas than I can ever carry out and afford to do.

My friend Lori and I were talking the other day and I was telling her how I was enjoying producing the downloadable patterns for sale on my blog.
She does all my tech editing and is a real pro, besides being one of the most amazing lace knitters I know. We worked together at CEY for a few years and she knows me really well. She was reminding me of my working style. Procrastinate to the max until just before the deadline and then churn out a bunch of work. Her term was “erupting like Vesuvius.” I know she is right…… From now on in, I am going to put that image in my mind as I create. It’s a good one I think.

When you work at any way in the creative arts, project concepts build upon each other. Ideas simmer in the back of my mind constantly. Sometimes I act upon them and sometimes they sit there dormant until the perfect project comes along. I’m pretty sure most artists work this way. It is part of the creative process. Artists always have way more ideas than time and money, wouldn’t you agree? But it is that way with everyone, not only artists.


After the first five lambs were born just before New Year’s, there was a lull in the barn. That happens every year and we expect it. Usually about a week later, the ewes start lambing at record speed. It’s happening now…. As we speak.


Which leads me to these photos of a lamb being born yesterday afternoon. I was at the barn early in the afternoon and this lamb was in labor. I had to run to the school to pick Julia up. When we arrived back at the barn, the ewe had delivered a nice healthy lamb. She was still acting a bit distracted, pawing at the ground, indicating that there might be a second lamb. Julia and I decided to wait. We waited and waited and waited some more. Julia was really fascinated with all the stuff that was coming out of her backside. This is the first time she has asked a lot of questions about birth. Other times she has just watched and not known really what kinds of questions to ask.


All of a sudden the ewe started straining and a foot appeared. Then it was sucked back into her body. A minute later it appeared along with the nose....


You can see the first lamb at the left, a bit covered with dirt from the barn floor. Then the head....


the neck.....



and whoooooosh.....



out popped the lamb onto the dirt and hay covered barn floor.


In an instant, Mama started cleaning.....


and licking all the wet fluids off the lamb, no help necessary from us.....

A picture perfect birth.


The twins are doing fine today. It promises to be a very busy weekend in the barn and the temperatures are not very favorable to lambing. But that is life and nature and we will cope as we always do.

31 comments:

Willow said...

Yes, I think most people who 'live in their heads' work through the creative process the same way. Even engineers (I live with one).

Lyn said...

Wow, I didn't expect that! the lamb is a cutie, hope they grow strong and healthy!
Love
Lyn
xxx

loonyhiker said...

Thanks so much for sharing these pictures. I have never seen any animal being born before so this was really something.

Jennifer said...

wow! how amazing! thank you. :)

Virginia G said...

Wow! Really beautiful and really gross all at the same time. How often do I get to say that? :)

Thank you for sharing these pictures. Pretty amazing.

And I know I definitely work like that when it comes to the creative process.

Melissa Morgan-Oakes said...

Awesomeness!

fracksmom said...

never having see it, i found it fasanting, but now i may not be able to eat lamb for a while. so tiny and cute

and yes i think all of us creative people have so many imcomplete projects because we are always moving on to the next idea

kelley Hart said...

Yikes! Amazing pictures indeed! I feel you on the creative process. I guess it's just important to recognize your process, accept it and work it!

Heather L. said...

Wow -- what amazing pictures!!! Thanks for sharing them with those of us who may never get to witness a birth in person.

Alison said...

Brilliant pictures. I grew up helping with lambing (long, slim hands...) and - whooosh!! is what we all hope for. Perfect moment.

I'm gonna tell Mom! said...

I cannot imagine witnessing that without dissolving into a puddle of tears.
kim

Kate (KnitsInClass) said...

Thank you for sharing - amazing pictures and a wonderful reminder of how miraculous nature truly is.

Gudrun Johnston said...

Interesting to hear about some of your creative process Kristin....I can relate....
How amazing that Julia gets to witness these births.....incredible!

Cindy said...

Wow what amazing pictures! How wonderful to get twins. You keep on creating in whatever way works for you 'cause you're great.

Jody said...

i am speechless - thank you so much - you have NO idea how profound this blog is

Beth said...

I think I would be amazed to witness this first hand, but right now I have a grossed-out expression on my face. It might take a while to wear off! Beth

Debby said...

Thanks for putting up the lambing pictures. We have 9 baby goats in our barn all born before Dec. 31. It is a wonder each time and they are all precious gifts. All the best during your lambing season.

philogirl said...

Great pictures. My lambing and kidding season starts in Feb. I am an agriculture teacher and never get tired of birthing. It is really awesome when students get to witness the births. Until Feb I will continue to knit your Quarters Hats.

Turtle said...

wow great pics! luv the one where u can see the whole head of the lamb while being birthed! I grew up on a dairy farm and always had animals being born ( i remember the litter of kittens born in moms linen closet as well as a miscarried yet beautiful foal best) but hubby has never NEVER experienced anything very newborn. Still trying to make this city boy a bit more country!! thanks for sharing!

Simply Me said...

I really love your blog! New to the world of blogging I am working on setting mine up. WE have several of the same intrest and I will be following you from now on. I teach high school art, am a 4-H volunteer, we raise sheep and children and I love knitting and crocheting,(although I am not that good). Thanks for this blog!

Jolene said...

Thanks for your pictures of lamb birth. We are heading into our calving season and this helps usher me in. Babies of all types are cute and birth is such a lovely, earthy, messy process. Good luck to you and yours.

Laura said...

How beautiful. Thank you for sharing.

Tonya Gunn said...

Thank you for sharing this miracle.
I have saved to show my children.
Warm wishes,
Tonya

rosalia said...

Very interesting!
Rosalia

Anonymous said...

Your blog is very interesting.
I want have a farm with little lambs.
I've got a blog about dogs. If you are interessed you can visit it.

Stefanie said...

What interesting photos you posted her; that is the first time I've seen a lamb born.

Kristie said...

I grew up on a sheep farm & loved lambing season. Thanks for posting!

Rebecca said...

AMAZING! My question is, do the moms always stand up like that? I had pictured them laying down somehow? What is the norm here?

Michele in Maine said...

Wow, thanks for making it seem all so 'matter of fact.' What a great education for Julia, and the rest of us!

I, too, procrastinate like mad, and erupt at the end. At which point I always say - why didn't I start this project earlier??!! I am my own worst enemy most of the time.

Good luck with the rest of the lambs!

Anonymous said...

Totally fascinated. So glad you posted this. Is your llama a good coyote alarm?

Anonymous said...

How beautiful! Love your books and designs, colors. Enjoy reading your blog immensely.

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