Numbers

During lambing season, I spray paint a lot of numbers upside-down.

That is, I hold the lamb while it’s standing, and I lean over, envisioning the number I’m about to write and willing my hand to work backwards.

Sometimes, the number looks a little strange, but it’s still legible. Other times, the number turns out nicely, like this script-like glyph for #4. Then, I straighten up, and the ewe receives a number on her shoulder.

The paint scours off the wool, so it disappears by the time I’m ready to give the lamb an ear tag.

#2 and 3 are difficult upside-down numbers. Here are the second and third lambs, enjoying their bed of straw:

We have two Shropshire ewes left to lamb, and then after a short break, the Shetlands will begin!

Thanks for Reading!

And I hope you feel refreshed and rejuvenated for the week ahead with this moment preserved in picture and prose. Consider:

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This Week on the Farm

The Christmas trees looked lovely in the snow last week:

This upcoming week will be a good one, with agricultural conferences to learn from and the final two Shropshire ewes due at the end of the week.

Farm Shop

Coming soon: 4-H lambs! If you know a young person who wants to show sheep this summer, consider a Sylvanmore Shropshire or Shetland.

Let us know when you’d like to visit the farm to see the sheep available by replying to this newsletter, and see more of our flock on Facebook and Instagram.