Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Lucky Here At the Farm Post Sandy

Took this photo yesterday of the lambs in the pasture by our farmhouse as the rain was starting to come down here in western Massachusetts. 


Winston sleeps outside with the sheep. He has a calf hutch for cover but seems to prefer the outdoors. It is stormy nights like last night and now tonight when the coyotes often attack the sheep. They must feel safer when the skies are not clear.

 

The sheep generally just wait out any storm - rain or snow, not moving around too much. They aren't like humans, running off to get milk, watching a t.v. screen, getting worried. They take it easy. I think they sense a change in the atmosphere and know something is coming. I suppose because they don't have monetary things to lose, they don't worry so much. They have seen it before and will see it again. A good lesson to learn from sheep


Every one made it through the storm fine although we did get a call early this morning that one of the flocks of ewes which is grazing in the center of our tiny town was on someone's lawn. No surprise - a tree limb had knocked the fence down and the ewes found something better to eat on the other side. Trees and branches were down all over town and some folks still don't have power.

 

We were lucky on our road. The sun came out today and it was a gorgeous day. In the photo below the mist was rising from our hillside as the sun was trying to break through the clouds. Unfortunately, the Northampton Tuesday Farmers Market had been cancelled on Sunday evening so we lost a day of sales. With only three weeks left to go in that market, every sale counts. Our loss of income is nothing compared to what people in New Jersey and New York are in for.

 

We here in this area are so fortunate to have made it through relatively unscathed. 


We feel very fortunate to have not lost power. I feel for all of you trying to get your lives and homes back to normal.


Slow down. take a deep breath. It will all get done in good time. Hug your kids, your family, your co-workers, your neighbors. We here at the farm are thinking of you all.

11 comments:

Suzanne said...

I'm so sorry about Archie. For some reason, I couldn't post a comment to that post. Love the sheep photos and of course, Winston

Sheras said...

Hi Kristin,

We had a great time at the farm last week and will return soon. The lamb we bought is delicious. My mom has been cooking many different dishes. We miss the farm already. My parents won't stop talking about it. We miss the dogs. Say hello to Winston for us. We weathered the storm ok here in Boston and hope you guys did too. The pictures of the sheep and Winston look really nice. We will recommend a lot of people to your farm. We can't wait to return for another visit.

Thanks,
Sheras

Jo said...

Wonderful photos and wonderful news! Winston is such a trooper--I absolutely love dogs!

sally said...

Glad to hear you made it through intact.

Auntie Shan said...

Ottawa came through okay too. 30k gusts last night, on & off sun for most of the day. But raining tonight and maybe for tomorrow too..?

BTW, Kristin, I'm still having probs with that "STORMY" post no matter how I try to access it. But the Others are fine.

So, from SUZANNE's comment, and the from the lack of reference today, I'm assuming that ARCHIE is no longer "around"..? -- Poor WINSTON! Poor You Guys too! Not to mention, ARCHIE as well...

Anyway, give WINSTON an extra *hug* for me!

Oh, and HAPPY HALLOWE'EN!!

:-)= [Vampire smiley]

Judy said...

The Stormy Days post was incomplete on my computer. At first I thought you just made it short, but I guess not...if it told about Archie. There is just so much feeling coming through this last post...so much compassion and wisdom(don't make a face)...it's the connection to nature that is so humbling...thanks for this post. I only lost power for a day so I consider myself very lucky. BTW, Mia and Sam are inseparable.

Helen Hart said...

So glad you all made it through the big storm. We watched it unfold here in WY. Must have missed what happened to Archie. Glad Winston is so faithful. Wish I could hug him. Bought your glove pattern. Now need to order yarn to make them. Good luck to you and yours. Helen

estyn said...

All those sweet sheepy faces :)

dot smith said...

Could you please republish the post about Archie? I had no idea something had happened to him.

Anonymous said...

I love reading your blog. The post about Archie did not come up on my computer, either. What happened to him?

All of the items in the side bar are now in that post and nothing is on the sides.

Sheep Farm adventures of a Shepherdess said...

Kristin, Love your photos and blog. Could you tell me what breed of sheep you have on the farm? We live in the Pacific Northwest and have a small flock that consist mainly of Horned and polled Dorset Ewes with North Country Cheviot Rams.

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