Happy New Year from Glenrose Farm!

Looking out on the last day of 2005

 

Morning Mist and Cloud- Looking East Towards Skyline Drive 

We had a good Christmas here on the farm. The lamb count is up to eleven, with two new additions today. The picture below is obviously not the farm. It is instead the view down Main Street in Front Royal, taken tonight on my way home from the office with a new digital camera, courtesy of my in-laws. 

Like Elvis appearing on a tortilla, this simple snapshot shows that the universe is filled with mystery: Behold! My simple flock revealed as ghostly demon sheep! As always, you can click for a large version.

In the midst of the holiday rush, it is good to see someone who is content with the basics of life, a little hay, a little water and a warm spot out of the weather with your lambs.

Twins

New arrival on an icy Friday morning

Some say the world will end in fire,
Some say in ice.
From what I've tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor fire.
But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice.

Robert Frost

December's first lambs arrived this evening. As we walked up to the barn to feed, there were sheep were there should not be sheep, telling me that at least one gate was down, and probably more. As I groped for the light switch, I heard a smaller voice mixed in with the baaas of hungry ewes. Making my way through the tangle of sheep and fallen gate panels, there she was in the shadows, trapped under a gate and calling out to her mother, who was busy with her twin. After a quick rescue, she went into a pen with a heat lamp in place overhead. Too chilled and weak to stand, she couldn't suck, so we made do with a bottle brought down from the house. I hope that will be enough. I hope she will find her strength and make it until morning. She is the one with white on her head, just to the right of her brother. The other lamb is doing well, and in this picture is trying to persuade his mother to stand up so he can finish dinner.