Hard start but then ...

Hard start to the 2026 lambing.

My oldest ewe (8) went down during aftermath of the ice storm we had.

No clue if she fell or what.

Ewes have access to small outside pasture and had a good trampled path but narrow.

Whatever the reason she is gone a month before lambing date. 

Fast forward to this week.

Still out 24 days from marked date of March 6th for the next ewe.

As I was falling asleep I heard "the sound" from the monitor in the barn/shed.

I thought no way but it came a second and third time.

I put my 18 layers on, grumbling the whole way and off into the icy dark.

I added more straw to general pen working around the laboring ewe.

Finally after prep was done I decided to check her.

Less that an inch inside two tiny hooves and I felt a bit back and there was sharp lil teeth.

Good, so I gave a small tug and out shot two legs but no mouth?

I felt around and lamb had picked her head up and was lodged.

It took what seemed like forever to untangle her and push the second lamb behind her.

Eventually I was able to finagle her out into the world. 

Second lamb followed directly with ease.

Both were tossing their heads so no rush needed.

I channeled Sandy Brock and decided to double check this first time ewe for more 

but nah she won't have triplets.

Oops, yep she had a third deep in the well.

As soon as I felt the hooves up it came and thankfully that was all.

Mama ewe was stunned to say the least.

 She stayed down but looked around confused so I lined the lambs up for her to inspect.

She immediately started licking so I left her alone for about ten minutes.

After throwing my back out lifting her back end she finally stood, shook and mothered up.

All were up on their feet quickly and searching for the spickets.

I guided all three but didn't force any to stay past a minute.

I am trying to let Mother Nature be the guide.

After putting a jug together, watering and feeding the Ewe I went to the house.

It was midnight and I had grandkids in the morning.

Not a restful sleep as I heard the lambs whimpering and Momma calling too.

Got up at 4:45, dressed in all the layers again and out I went.

I honestly wasn't confident but as I opened the barn I saw all three up on their chests sleeping.

Each mouth and belly was checked, warm and full.

After topping up water, hay and some grain I went back to house to get ready for work.

 Left by 6am for son's to watch grands and get them off to school and daycare and then work for me.

All that to say....

Welcome to the first three lambs of the 2026 season.

The others are due by marking dates on February17-19th.

We shall see...

Snowmaggedon or Icemaggendon...

 

A few pictures from the Snow/Ice storm that came on Sunday into Monday .

Not much accumulation of snow, maybe 6-8" but the ice after....

No power was lost so pellet stove was able to roar all weekend

The outside supervisor enjoyed the warmth for a few hours.

North facing windows iced over.

I laid tarp over the brick steps, it mostly worked with a little ice breaking on the top part.

I "stomped" a path to the sheep shed early on in the storm.

 If I would not have it would have been a skating escapade trying to feed later.

The hose was in the basement, when I took it out and drug it to the sheep it slid along the ice top.

Tuesday I finally was able to clear more ice to get to the driveway the neighbor tried to clear.

I stayed home to work remotely and this was my lunchtime activity.

Driveway was and still is a sheet of ice.

The pathway has a jog around the ice damn from the freezing rain I just couldn't bust through.

Back roads to work are still very ice laden and heavy snow "bumps" to navigate.

A small crossover was following so far up my bumper sometimes I couldn't see the headlights.

What did they think would happen if I slid sideways?

All in all it wasn't the disaster called for but bad enough with the ice.

Another storm is stirring from the south.

Expected this weekend.

We shall see...

Fun? weekend...

Saturday....

We started early with a trip to get my Charlie Brown Christmas tree (pics to come after decorations).

Off to Salvation Army for a drop off.

Over to J's house to pick up flashing for the Sheep Taj Mahal roof addition.

Back home for 20 minutes and then...

A cold day for the Wreaths Across America ceremony and laying of the wreaths at our local cemetery.

Education is the key as we discussed how to read a tombstone.

What wars the Veterans we honored were in and many other questions were answered.

Miss A is always learning and growing.

She was amazed that some of the graves were from the 1800's GASP!

Then off to attend the 3rd annual Grand-daughter Grandma Nutcracker ballet.

Cute and a bit cheesy at times but fun overall.

Miss A ended up knowing a few of the performers.

Early supper after at a diner with the best Chesapeake Crabby fries.

Sorry no pictures of that I was busy eating ;)

Later that night a huge blizzard ;) or a dusting with freezing temperatures arrived.

Peep the clear driveway that needed zero shoveling.

Sunday was a colorfully delicious sweet potato-ham-scrambled egg breakfast with hot tea.

With the low temps outside it hit the spot for sure.

Back up to Friday when Mr R needed to spend the afternoon at Grandma's office.

He's still a long napper at 4 yrs old.

He had no problem getting comfortable with his weighted blanket and Grandma sewn pillow in an empty office.

Quick weekend....

 

Reuse, recycle...

I left out the reduce as I am expanding the shelter.

Round two commenced on a rainy, misty, frigid day.

Z has no slow, he's all go but did complain about his gloves getting wet.

His fault so no sympathy from Mama.

Free metal and poly carb panels to close in the east and north sides commenced early Saturday.

It's a hodgepodge but it will work.

It bothered Z and he mumbled "it's just sheep pen" alot to himself.

I am grateful to have extra space and to him for his abilities to make it happen my way.

Almost had enough metal to finish the roof, need to cut off the rafter tails also.

The T11 on the lower walls has been used for over 15 years. 

Maybe not the prettiest but still solid.

Hopefully by spring I can force the grands to paint it for me ;)

The clear panels really let in light and warmth on snowy or wintery days. 

In my last barn I removed the upper panels in the summer to allow airflow and heat to escape.

Sparks flew and cutting the metal was too dangerous so we switched to hand shears which was quick and no injuries.

Saturday night was Christmas Parade for the 4-H club.

It was freezing but the kids were warm inside their "Gingerbread" house.

Grandma froze watching them but price to be paid.

 

Yep and Nope

I have needed an addition to the sheep shed for 4 years.

Saturday my son Z and bestie's hubby P along with the best helper Mr. R began.

The taller shed and the loafing shed in the back left were the original.

The existing white and green shed is not built for practicality so 

an addition to the north and east will allow for more winter space.

Existing shed will be renovated as well to allow creep pen and storage.

I will close the addition in solid tin on bottom 4' and clear corrugated 

on the top sections for light and warmth.

We are adding 10' x 21' approximately.

I'm waiting on more tin than is being offered as a "take it away please" deal.

Eventually electric will be installed.

All in due course I am told.

Mr R is the best help sighting in lumber.

He rode his little battery powered gator around and 

helped transport old fencing I tore down while not needed by the "menfolk".

Z would holler at me when he needed my muscles ;)

No plans per say just P's vision meshing with P and Z's carpenter skills and brute strength.

I provided as much help and strength as I could and 

Meatball sandwiches for lunch ;)

The area in the foreground was existing 10 x 12' loafing area rigged for lambing.

Very primitive but workable.

We man handled the whole roof and lifted it 2 ft in the air so the addition maintained the correct slope.

This was all i had to purchase new.

The rest was donated leftovers and found freebies on the property when purchased.

Love a bargain.

Do I wish I could slap down $40,000.00 for a new barn.

Yep and Nope at the same time.

This will do.

Just a small casualty when an unsecured 4x4 crashed into my face as I hoisted the roof.

Luckily (I think) my face was turned sideways or I would have took it full-on and

 broke my nose, glasses, lip, etc.

I kept on holding the roof up until secured.

Mr R said "Grandma, that's a lot of blood".

Finally Z said I was released to swab the flow into my shirt and bandage myself up.

Then back to work.

He's a tyrant!

Man I love my kid and friends.

 

Ever evolving...

I left on a couple of jet planes to see my youngest for a few days in WI.

Small planes but still ...

We chased the sunrise. 

To the right the sky lightened, to the left still darkness.

Only an hour delay in Chicago changing planes.

Nice to see LN's place and spend time with her.

We did some things and ate some places, lol.

 A few blocks from her apt is the capital building on a knoll which lights up at night.

LN can view it from her apt..

We walked through and around it in some major wind.

My hair was not tied back lol.

Very accessible building compared to other states.

Fish and chips with cheese curds did not disappoint. 

Too short of a trip but it did this Mama's heart some good and some sad.

As in most things it takes me awhile to get there but...

 I finally made peace with not being close enough to visit and

 it not being my choice.

When I returned I woke up the next morning to this ^ .

One of my pines decided it was time to give up the ghost.

I went off-roading through the pasture to get to the road to go to work.

My son came after work and cut it off the driveway and we will deal with it later.

Ever evolving this life of mine.....

 

It is progressing

Fall yall...it is beginning to turn the leaves. 

I am overrun with trees but this is my best chance at fall color.

It was surrounded by several other large trees (mostly pines) when I moved in.

Grow lil man, grow...

This will be next springs fencing pasture to finish off.

But first finish little pasture this weekend.

Next project is the "Sheep shed" expansion so lambing is better managed.

I have started a few small fires in the fireplace to take the dampness away in the evenings.

Hopefully this weekend I'll get a pallet of wood pellets stowed in the basement.

I don't plan on starting the pellet stove till Nov 1st.

I'll get another pallet next month.

I used two pallets plus 5 extra bags last year.

 

Fire Prevention Month

I attended a 911 Awareness Day with my coworker who handles the

        Delaware State Fire Marshal's Juvenile Program.

   That is her being mobbed by 5th graders at the event.

I'm holding the pop-up down and taking pictures on the windy day.

I'm not going to give you safety reminders but for fun ask your 8-12 yr olds:

What is a fire hazard in your home?

What are the consequences of starting a fire at your home?

You'd be surprised at their answers or lack there of.

Most of the 1200+ 5th graders had never heard of an exit plan or how to get out of their rooms.

Most did not know it's recommended to sleep with bedroom doors closed in case of fires.

We think they are prepared and learn by osmosis but that's not accurate.

It wouldn't hurt to review just in case...

 

Tough?

When your big, tough son who is harshly judged by a lot of folks

comes over to mow your pastures

 because he thinks they need mowing and leaves this for his Momma ..

 and he spends his weekend

 swapping rams and ewe lambs out for his Momma

It gets me everytime.

I know the real worth and value in this guy.

2025 DE State Fair is over and out!

 This boy is a trip.

Fair overwhelmed him.

We made it through somehow.

Sleep deprived and storm sirens with a helping of tantrums daily.

This girl was awesome and showed her heart out.

She entered many things in the 4-H building as well as breed and market sheep.

Leadline was a hurry up and pull it together but turned out well.

Her exhaustion didn't set it hard till day 9 out of 10.

My first day back to work was loud.

Maneuvers flying over Fire School next door all day.

Shook our building several times.

Alls well that ends well!