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LIVING WITH CASCADE FARMSTEAD SHEEP

April 2009  These sheep mean a great deal to me for many reasons, not least of which they are the most practical sheep we have ever kept. But today I was particularly reminded of how much I enjoy these sheep. Having had health issues for the last couple years, I didn't spend much time with my sheep, and my husband took up the work for me, which was good for a number of reasons. Outside jobs can be stressful, and I noticed that he had been spending more and more time out in the barns with the sheep, which is something that I used to do and that he used to complain about as his dinner time approached! Spending time just sitting with the sheep after they have been fed, listening to them eat or chew their cud, is so peaceful, and you can actually feel your blood pressure lower.

This afternoon I had reason to be in one of our barns when a downpour began, so I picked up a leaf of alfalfa hay and sat down on the bedding, leaning back against the hay feeder. Any ewe or lamb that wanted a before-dinner-snack had to come nibble from the leaf of hay on my knees. I kept my hands to myself, and they came by ones and twos, first our semi-tame Honeysuckle, and then some of the ewes that are not tame at all. Soon lambs began approaching, more to check out me than eat, and I had a crowd of sheep jostling to get near me.  By the time the leaf was nearly gone, all but one ewe had eaten from my leaf of hay, one lamb had nibbled at my coat sleeve, one of my black lambs; Jumping Jack Flash, leaped across my lap, lightly stepping one foot on my leg, and the name associated with the act brought a smile to my face. Yarrow, a yearling ewe, nibbled at my bootlace, untying it. Honeysuckle sniffed at and then blew softly at my cheek several times. Rain is forecast for tomorrow; so I intend to renew this habit.  Taming sheep on their terms rather than ours takes time, but it also earns their trust. And it's a pleasant way to spend half an hour.

Above: 2009 Cascade Farmstead twins at nap time; Greener Pastures Hawthorn and Hollyhock.

Left: One of my favorite Cascade ewes; the lovely Greener Pastures Igraine with her newborn; Greener Pastures Jitterbug. April 2009

Below: 2009 Cascade Farmstead triplets; Greener Pastures Mandrake, Monarda and Meadowsweet.

Above: Pregnant Cascade ewes; all 3 of these girls lambed a few days later. April 2009

Below: Our first CFS lambs of this year; Greener Pastures Azalea and Alyssum race toward me at just 3 days old. April 2009

Above: Greener Pastures Larkspur at one day of age, checking out the "older woman"; Alyssum, who's twelve days old! April 2009

Below: My husband with most of our pregnant Cascade ewes. The polled dark ewe in center front had her twins 5 days after this photo was taken.

April 2009