Spring shearing

As with the human species, sheep occasionally enjoy (or not) the time honored new haircut and pedicure just prior to delivering babies. Our sheep utilized the expertise of Fred DePaul in their new pre-lambing hair-dos. Don't believe for one minute the time and effort was wasted on the rams, who, until shearing day hadn't seen the girls since breeding season! One look at bachelorette number one with her lovely do and bulging udder and it was more than the boys could take. They busted out of their enclosure and went searching for love. After a few moments of utter bedlam, Walt had gotten a hold of Fred (the ram, not the shearer) and I dove for Hamish and caught him while off balance. Down on the ground I went. Let me tell you, I wasn't letting go of that ram, but you have never really lived until you have been dragged a little bit by a ram that needed slowing down and then, after getting up, picking sheep poopers out of your ear and hair. For those of you who have never experienced this, it is an over rated experience, and I would not try it again.

This is the best it has been for us with shearing and organization. Except for the ram incidents, we did well and finished in record time, even being able to have some chili, and birthday cake to celebrate Walt's birthday. I think Fred (the shearer not the ram) comes to visit us more for the entertainment value than the cash. We clearly are not a run-of-the-mill place to be at shearing time.

The shearing was made easier with the help of Beth Ann Cope who took the day off to help us out, the Steele boys, Ben and Josh and Doug Hall (an occasional adoptee of the Steele family). Once again, we enjoyed our visit with Fred DePaul.

Spring shearing 2007

Walt takes a breather for minute after the ram fiasco!

Not a great picture, we couldn't really get things straight with the haybale so we could all be in the picture. Shearing crew front row: Ben Steele, Josh Steele, Douglas Hall Back row: Walt, Beth Ann, Joanne and Fred