We moved the ewes to a south pasture to pick at what greens come up there. The ewes stirred up dust as they travelled, a sign of how dry it is. Vaccinating the flock comes up next and shortly afterward the ewes will begin lambing. At the moment chores are light and we enjoy the lull by filling it with tasks that, for the most part, don’t directly involve sheep.
It looks like our entire wool clip will be distributed within province this year, a portion being used by myself, some sold to the new mill and some sold privately. In previous years the greater portion of our wool clip was delivered to a depot and then trucked eastward to the Canadian cooperative. From there wool is sold on the export market and makes its way to China and elsewhere. It’s a small accomplishment that our wool will be used within province this year and one I feel very, very satisfied with. I, of course, have many plans for the wool I will keep. Too many plans actually and I can recognize the need to pare down and focus or else I’ll lose my way.
Lately when I go out to pasture I notice there is an interesting shift in my gratitude for this flock. I have always admired the sheep and the prairie land they live off – admired them enough to relentlessly work toward staying away from the agriculture production trend of bigger and faster is better. Now there is a new level of gratitude whenever I look over the flock. Another level of admiration and wonder for the wool these animals grow. How that wool connects to a world of creativity, art, and artisans. Allen and I view this place as a whole, every part of it necessary for the other parts, and it seems the more we do that the deeper and more interwoven the whole becomes.
Winter Walkabout ~~ Josie (framed) ~~ and current work in progress. All made with wool, wet felted and needle felted.