Well, actually, it started midweek, when friends from N.J. came to visit. We had a great visit; went out for pizza one night and to see “Julia and Julie” (“Julie and Julia?”). We had seen it before, but found we liked it much better the second time. Doug liked it so well, he hunted up the recipe for raspberry cream from Julia’s cookbook and will attempt to make it.
They left Friday morning for N.J., and we left Friday afternoon. Saturday morning we arrived in Fair Haven, for this was the weekend of the closing of my former church in N.J., Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion (always a mouthful on the telephone…) It was a sad occasion, but a happy one as well. The bishop did a wonderful job of praising the people for their 125 years of ministry, well done, and of “knowing when to fold ‘em”, so to speak. I saw many of the folks who were there during my time…many have died, a few have moved away, but there were many left to catch up on. It was good that we were there, for us and for them. John was crucifer, and I participated in the service, reading lessons and “concelebrating”. ..or at least standing up there while the bishop celebrated…(He, like me, thinks concelebration is a little silly, so we didn’t all do the abra cadabra bit.)
We left there about 3:30 on Saturday afternoon and headed home through sometimes torrential rain, arriving at 10:30 or so, and collapsing straight into bed. Next morning we slept in. (I didn’t get up til 6:20!) I went to get Lizzie at our neighbors’ house, came home and got a phone call from the folks who bought the last four lambs and hadn’t picked them up yet. (Supposed to be Halloween.) Peter came and got the ewe lambs, and then, with nothing to stop me (as in, where would I put the ewe lambs?) I spent several hours putting the sheep in breeding groups. John came out to help with the last step, putting the rams in with their respective girlfriends. I went out later to see what was up: Gandalf, the jacob ram, had two girlfriends, willing…I saw one bred, the other begging. But poor Cicero, the very horny coopworth couldn’t interest any of the four ewes he had in his pen, no matter how hard he tried. Hopefully, later, at least one of them agreed to “make babies.”
I was stiff and achy last night, for sure, but this morning, I am almost back to normal. Chores to do as soon as it gets light, and then…not sure…maybe to Carol’s to knit, maybe to Sue’s…maybe pick up some fencing…(If I do a little each day, it won’t seem like such a terrible task.)
The sheep will stay in breeding groups til somewhere around the 18th-20th, and then, both rams will go. I’d like to sell the jacob ram, but doubt I’ll be able to…at this time of year, most people already have their rams! We shall see. In any case, I expect to spend the winter with just one group of ewes and some layers…a light and easy set of chores. New rams next summer/fall.
