Smiling Sheep And Growing Ducks

Why is this sheep smiling?

Grinning from ear to ear?

You might think it's because she just had a delicious 

graham cracker treat.

And though she did... she would tell you:

that is not the reason behind the mirth.

Her cheerful demeanor has more to do with this...

This is the temperature that greeted yesterday as we headed out for morning chores.

In case you were wondering... that is 38 degrees Fahrenheit!

And though the sun shone through a thin layer of super high clouds,

the temperature did not rise above 66 all afternoon.

It was the perfect day for two wooly girls who had

to weather a very hot summer.

Sweet relief comes in the autumn.

By this time, they have grown a good inch of warm, 

insulating wool.

I have to tell you...

the introduction of graham crackers as treats has been a game-

changer with these two gals who used to hold me at arm's length.

(leg's length?  hoof's length?)

It's nice to be able to sink my fingers into their wool and give

them a good scratching without them running for the hills.

Yesterday, I was even able to trim Hope's hooves

as she napped on the ground next to the pig yard fence.

What a long way we've come, dear Hope!

I must tell you...

every morning when I first check in on the ducklings,

I am amazed at how fast they have grown.

They are now 3 weeks old and stand almost a foot tall!

They are still very calm...

although they always run to the opposite side of their house from me...

they stand very still, then, and let me pick them each up

and place them on my lap.

There, they settle in and relax as I stroke the soft down on their chests.

Their little webby toes are growing as well....

Big feet well be necessary to carry these oddly tall runners around the farm.

Won't they be surprised one day when the whole wide world opens up for them!