Watching Sheep

An Indiana shepherd who lived near us once said he liked to simply observe sheep because they were so peaceful to watch, whether eating, lying down to chew cud, or “off the air,” Jeff’s phrase describing an animal that has fallen deeply asleep.

I have found the same to be true for me, especially at exhibitions. At the sheep shows, I sit in our tack pen and watch the ewes and rams in the surrounding pens. I like seeing our sheep lying in bright, clean straw, chewing their cud, lying in their own corners of the pen. Sometimes, they rummage through the straw with their noses while they relax, looking for a tasty morsel.

When sheep are relaxed, I am relaxed, and I feel all is well with the world when our sheep can lie down in safety. The title of the song “Sheep May Safely Graze” puts into mind a peaceful scene for me, in which not only the sheep can eat without fear, but the shepherd can watch and feel peace, as well.

When sheep are happy, shepherds feel at peace.

Thanks for Reading!

And Happy Thanksgiving Week! We hope you feel refreshed and rejuvenated for the week ahead with this moment preserved in picture and prose. Consider:

• What gives you peace?

Share your answer and this newsletter with a friend who is looking for some peace.

If Sylvan Sundays was forwarded to you, welcome! To learn more about our farmers, check out “A New Year’s Introduction,” and to learn more about our name, visit “Being Sylvan.” Also, make sure to check out “This Week on the Farm” and “Farm Shop” below!

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This Week on the Farm

Last Sunday, our sheep made new friends and met up with old ones at the North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE). We had estimated there were more than 2,000 sheep in the barn, but after sending last week’s missive, we learned there were 5,400 sheep at NAILE!

Roisin and Fleur hung out together for the week, holding their own with the big sheep and serving as ambassadors for the Shetland breed. As we gave them their daily walk outside, young exhibitors would smile and exclaim, “They’re so cute!” Some didn’t recognize what kind of sheep we had and were amazed by the soft, lustrous wool. It was fun to showcase what Shetlands can do!

The show itself was competitive and exciting! Fleur stood fourth, and Roisin won second to the eventual Reserve Grand Champion Ewe! Together in the pairs class, our ewes received third.

We returned home late Thursday night and are now earnestly in winter prep mode. We will be picking up our winter hay supply, arranging the barn for lambing pens, and setting up netting for winter paddocks.

And on Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, we’ll pause and celebrate with gratitude.

Happy Thanksgiving!