The year is brand new and, as we turn the page of the calendar, the cold arrives. There are two kinds of cold; December cold which is moist: you can smell the possibility of snow but that can, just as easily, foretell rain, The weekend before Christmas we had a rainstorm that, because the temperature…
Category: Musicians Farming Sheep
Musicians Farming Sheep: The Nature of Change
Two weeks ago, as we watched the squirrels outside busily gathering nuts, we were casually beginning the preparations for the upcoming cold season. As I walked by the bar in the kitchen I would jot down a task or two that I remembered needed doing in the near future. With Muir watching from a window…
Musicians Farming Sheep: Yes, It Is My Favorite
When you live in a state that celebrates five seasons (I live on a dirt road: mud season is real) it is difficult to choose a favorite. We start the seasonal calendar in the spring which in VT means June. We sugar in March so some call that spring, but in reality if you gather…
Musicians Farming Sheep: The Need For Rest… And Balance
I received an email yesterday from a student/friend. She mentioned that the man who delivers her hay was looking to re-home a five year old sow named Tea Cup. Apparently Tea Cup could actually fit into one, at some point, but that time has long passed. It seems a fairly common story that people see…
Musicians Farming Sheep: The Harvest
In Vermont, although it is only early August, we are way past the halfway point of summer. We have been experiencing heat and humidity that makes this the one time of the year that we run a fan in our bedroom at night. Despite the sweat on Paul’s brow and desperation in his eyes, I…
Musicians Farming Sheep: Moving Forward
In early April we brought home Muir, our herding trainee Border Collie pup. We were back to being up late at night, up early in the mornings and clapping like fools at any tiny bit of urine done outside. In late April all of our sheep got their spring haircuts. Everybody raced back into the…
Musicians Farming Sheep: Naked & Afraid
Tuesday morning, late April, we wake up early: I should say earlier because we are already waking up early to the melodic cries of Muir each morning. We have a laundry list of chores to complete before Mary, our shearer, arrives at 8:00. I carry out a bag of blueberry muffins that I’ve made the…
Musicians Farming Sheep: Muir
If you use working dogs on your farm you have to realize that, at some point, the dog(s) that are working will, like all of us, slow down, break down and wear out. A lot of working-dog owners will begin looking for their next herder when the older dog is about three. Our border collie,…
Musicians Farming Sheep: March-ing
I’m driving past the pond on my way home and watching the icy wind lift swirls of snow into the air. They skitter across the frozen surface of the water, lift and dance like mini-tornados. creating white-outs as they blow across the road in front of my car. To me, they are the embodiment of…