The Sneagle Stays, Active Shepherding, Cherries

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Frida is absolutely at home with us. She's been bathed, gone to the vet, and met our neighbor who fell as in love with her as we are. She snuggles with us, with Widget, and with Zeke. The toughest part of her new life is deciding where to nap! Frida brings a spirit of optimism to Ballyhoo; she overcame a lot to be with us and she greets everything and everyone with joy. Zeke is happy not to be an only dog, but due to Frida's separation anxiety he doesn't get to go places with me anymore. I think he misses that as much as I do. Anyway, we've officially adopted the Sneagle (Snuggly Beagle).

Six lambs have been born since Frida's arrival. For some reason every ewe has given me a single this year, even the ones who normally twin. Badger appears to have 80% of the lambs, a wonderful legacy from a truly champion ram.

The grass hasn't grown in the pastures this year as in past years, despite reseeding three times. We've never stopped feeding hay. I worry. I have confidence in Zeke though, and am beginning active shepherding. This means letting the sheep graze outside their pasture, uncontained save for my staff and Zeke's presence. It's a challenge for us both, the wethers are dog broke and don't care where Zeke and I want them to go. It's good practice for him, good grazing for them, and less for me to mow so we will continue.

Through active shepherding I wound up in a part of the pasture I don't normally walk through, where I discovered that the cherries were on! Yesterday was 102 degrees and today not much better, but I waited until almost dusk and picked 2 lbs of ripe cherries. For those of you concerned about my neck, I didn't climb the tree. I use my mounting block and pick what I can, leaving the rest for birds. The horses always come over to observe me; Penny tried to use me as a scratching post and Bullet munched happily on the branches I pulled down. Horses are generally not size-ist, they don't mind when I am taller than they are.

My dad is coming in two weeks. Maybe I'll bake him a fresh cherry pie.