Thistle Cove Farm

In Like a Lamb...

07:19, 2006-Mar-9 .. Link

March has come in like a lamb, does that mean it will go out like a lion? The first part of this month has been beautiful...warm, sunny and more spring like than spring. This weekend we're supposed to get rain and I hope it rains all weekend. Our water table is low and if we don't get rain between now and the official date of spring, we'll go into spring in a drought situation.

The plight of the farmer...either too much rain or not enough. In central VA, Bedford County, they are having fires and 2,000 acres have already burned. In Kansas a spark ignited a fire that's consumed more than 10,000 acres. The spark happened when someone unhitched a trailer and the hitch dropped onto the asphalt and sparked.

I'm supposed to work the sheep this weekend; they need de-worming and their hooves trimmed. That's going to be a job as they are not interested in being handled unless it involved corn. I woke up this fine beautiful morning to see a "lump of white" in the side pasture. It took me a few seconds to realize it was Zacheous...again. That poor boy is so fat and has such a wonderful fleece that when he lays down, if he rolls over on his back, he can't get up without help. It's called being "cast" and will, in time, result in the death of the sheep. If not found in time, they can starve or be eaten by predators

Anyway, I ran out to the pasture, wearing only my nightgown and slippers, to his side. The dogs thought all this was great fun and Shaddie ran to Zach to lick his face. The indignity of it all! Zach only wants his face licked when he's on all four feet. I rolled Zach over, heaved him to his feet and, as he waddled off, he tossed his head at me. He was not amused and does not like being embarrassed so he ignores me when possible. Thankfully, we live in a very rural area and there was no one to see me in my nightie. Our nearest neighbor is about a mile away and we can only see their house from our upstairs window. Many is the morning I stroll down to the barn with coffee cup in hand, a shawl thrown 'round my shoulders and in my nightgown and...boots! Yes, boots. If I'm slogging through muck, I better have boots on my tootsies!

Today was spent with a friend who is only a year older than I and who has some form of dementia. She realizes something is wrong and it's so frustrating for her and all of us who are trying to help. She's terrified a good part of the time but today...today was just fun. We shopped and ate lunch out and did errands...just had a good day. It was like old times. She followed me home, driving her truck, but needed help driving back to her house. I lead her out of the valley and put her on the road home and she managed to get home safely. Dementia is frightening! People realize something is wrong but not sure what. They have periods where they fade in and out...they remember some things quite clearly and other things not at all. In the early stages, they even remember that they forget...which is so very sad. At any rate, I've assured her, as have other friends, we will take care of her. She'll not have to go through "whatever" alone; we'll all be there for her. It gives her peace when we say that because she knows we mean it.

The wind is howling and I've a chiropractor's appointment in the morning. I stopped by the library today and picked up a new Jennifer C. novel - she writes books about quilters and they are simply delightful.

I bought a few skeins of acrylic yarn and am knitting a scarf for one of the festivals I'll be attending this summer. Leslie, over at Greenberry House (OMIGOSH, I think I just inserted your link correctly!!!!!! HAPPY DAYS!!!!) and I are partnering for three, I think it is, festivals and I need to have some product. I'm not a purist as I'll have natural fibers and ACKrylic ones as well. Something for everyone as I never know what will sell.

If you're interested in having the socks frightened off you, read my entry at Blue Ridge Gazette . It's amazing what's available to any old crazy person who wants to destroy not only the environment but anyone, anything that breaths. The article is called The Larger Mystery.

I'm headed to bed with a good book and thoughts of rain. God's blessings on you, yours and the work of your hands.

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2006 Scheduled Shows

Covered Bridge Festival - June 17 (with Greenberry House), Woolwine, VA

Round the Mountain Conference - June 12, Abingtion, VA

Virginia Highlands Festival - July 29 & 30 (with Greenberry House), Abington, VA

Folk Life Program - Sept 17, Charlottesville, VA

Celebrate Virginia! - Sept 30 (with Greenberry House), McLean, VA

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