Baa, Baa, Black Sheep

"O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.  For he is our God; 
and we are the people of his pasture,
and the sheep of his hand . . ."
Psalm 95:6-7

This year sheep shearing went very smoothly.  So smoothly, in fact, that it almost doesn't seem real. : )

In real life, the sheep have to get out at least once.  In real life, only half the sheep cooperate when you try to herd them into the front paddock.  In real life, shearing day lasts from early morning 'til dusk.  But, no . . . it was the best shearing day yet.

 We knew it had to be a good one when all the sheep ran into the front paddock without having to be encouraged from behind.  (But we didn't dare say so out loud for fear something would happen.  Leave those comments for the end of the day!)

 Even the donkey joined them and volunteered for the first haircut. : )

 We have to make sure all the fences are secure.  No gaps or loose places or the sheep are sure to find them!

 Next!

 Just look at those innocent eyes!

 The lambs are absolutely adorable!

 Fred has the most taxing job being bent over all day long and taking only a short lunch break.

 The most amusing moments are those when the sheared sheep try to find their fleece and when the little ones try to find their momma.  This one just couldn't handle the separation! : )

 Even Tilly behaved herself.

 Awwww!

 Probably the dirtiest job, and, other than the shearing, probably the most constant.

 Picking tags . . . we won't discuss the other name for it, okay? : )

The only hitch in the day was that there seemed to be some kind of invisible force keeping the sheep from going into the holding pen.  The gate would be open, but do you think the sheep would cross that invisible line?  Not on your life!  But that was only a small setback, and if that is the worst thing that happens on shearing day . . .

 The ever-growing stack of wool

 Hey, wait!  I have another!

 Hmmmm . . . no wonder they run from us! : )

 They think that if they turn their backs to us that we can't see them.

 The other creatures on the farm keep us entertained ~ especially the goats.  Their antics are never-ending!

 This sheep was SO funny!  After Fred was done with her, she just lay there rather than jumping up and running like the other sheep do.  It took us several minutes to persuade her that she really didn't want to stay there the rest of the day.

After 10 hours and 78 sheep, we were ready to do a little resting ourselves, but we waited 'til we'd had a nice hot shower.  Wouldn't want to smell like a sheep pasture forever . . . : )

Baa, Baa, Black Sheep, have you any wool?

 

Yes, Sir, Yes Sir, just a few bags full! : )