Over the past two years
I have come to the opinion that sheep are not the smartest of farm animals.
Lately, however, I've had to re-think that opinion.
Working with Faith and Hope was easier when Grace was alive.
It seemed that Gracie was a wise old soul...
and her girls depended upon her leadership.
All we had to do was lure Gracie to wherever we wanted her with Ritz crackers,
and the girls would follow suit.
Now... it's a different story.
Maintenance chores like worming and hoof trimming are a bit harder...
the hardest part is catching the girls.
It seems they are smarter than I had thought.
They have an innate sense when something is even the slightest bit out of the ordinary.
Without their mother to make their decisions for them...
they are much more wary.
For the past week we have been trying to round up the girls in order to administer
de-wormer.
We installed this extra long gate in their pen weeks ago so that they would be used to its presence.
We have nonchalantly worked in their pen cleaning up...
while one of us stays outside trying to lure the gals to their front gate for Ritz.
The idea was...
after they were occupied with Ritz at the front gate,
the other person would quickly close the long gate on them...
trapping them into a triangular area.
We tried and tried... to no avail.
Now I am beginning to believe that the sheep are actually smarter than we humans!
Then yesterday I decided to just use the direct approach.
Both gals were inside their houses taking a nap, so I walked over to them with syringe in hand,
bent down at the front of their house,
gently took each one by the wool beneath her chin...
and squirted the medication into her mouth.
Gulp.
Swallowed.
Success.
No muss.... no fuss.
No more trying to be tricky.
It looks like the direct approach is the best!
Latest project, off the needles...
I love to try a new technique with every knitting project,
and this one utilizes the Latvian Braid between the brim and the cap.
It's knit in a soft wool, the color is called Pansy Garden....
perfect name as each of the colors in it I can visualize as a pansy.
I also started another rug from my sheep's wool.
This past Spring's shearing was made into core-spun (thicker than a pencil)...
so it will be perfect in a rug!
Yesterday I finally admitted defeat in a weaving project that has been driving me crazy.
I was going to make a plaid alpaca scarf, but the yarn was just too fragile and kept breaking.
I was able to weave a mat before scrapping the rest of the project.
It would have been a beautiful scarf...but not worth the price of insanity!
One of the favorite rooms in our house is the loft above the living room.
It's a room that we use mostly in the fall and winter,
as we spend more time indoors.
It's a peaceful place to read or knit...
and the perfect place to view autumn's spectacular sunsets.
And just like that we have come to another Friday.
Does it seem to you like Friday comes way too fast?
Or perhaps, for some, not fast enough!
Our weekend will be full... we have 10 houseguests for the weekend.
I'll be back on Monday if I survive!
Comments
Direct approach for the med seemed to have worked best!
Some projects are best scratched . . . sanity is valuable!
Hope you enjoy the weekend and the ten guests . . .
I believe you are right about the girls. Maybe sheep are smarter than us.
I love your loft! It must be such a cozy and peaceful place to relax.
I can't wait to see that rug completed.. Beautiful wool.
Enjoy your weekend with all your guests..
blessings,
Penny