The August Snow Report

There have been no fogs for quite a few days.  I believe that's because it's been so stupid hot and humid during the day and not cooling off much at night, but I'm no Farmer's Almanac meteorologist.  I woke up this morning, almost dreading yet another day of summer, but also wondering if there would be any fog on this last day of August. 

I don't really know why I even thought about it.  It hadn't even crossed my mind any of the last several days.  I don't really keep track of the date, so being the last day of August wasn't really even on my radar.  Maybe my subconscious knew or my guardian angel...  

It was a beautiful, cool, foggy morning and I felt almost normal...ish.

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I woke up this morning wondering if there would be fog, just like in the winter I wonder if it had snowed over night. Perfect last day of August. Good morning! #augustfog #snowprediction #beautifulmorning #thats❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️

A post shared by Sara Dunham (@thecrazysheeplady) on Aug 31, 2018 at 5:22am PDT

I believe I've counted twelve foggy mornings in August this year.  Posting a photo every morning helped keep track of them.  Hopefully I can continue to do the same this winter so we can see how accurate this snow prediction is.

A Couple More

Pictures, not lambs.  These are the twins from a couple weeks ago.  Growing up fast!

When your mom watches too closely for you to get into any sort of trouble.

"Yes, momma?"

I bet that top one would make a good puzzle!

The Last One...

...she hopes ;-). 

Summer lambing is not ideal for the lambs, mommas or shepherds, but the rest of us can sure enjoy it.  This is Holly's beautiful ewe lamb, born a couple days ago.  It was hard to get pictures of her because her momma is very protective of her, cradling her with her head and neck like this in almost every shot. 

And not to fear, this is not the last summer lamb camp picture!  I have a couple new cute ones of the twins :-D.

Silly Soays

"You want to see what?"

"You wanna see mah wha?"

"My teefers???"

"That's just so silly."

I couldn't resist going back out to see ShepherdPerson's newest babies.  More to come!

Some Sunday Summer Sheep Shots

I had a request for some head shots, so twist my rubber arm and force me to take my camera to the barn.  Well, actually, that was exactly what I needed.  A good swift kick in the butt.  I think this summer's heat and humidity, among other issues, has really taken a toll.  

The short break in the weather last week really cheered us all up.  Today's steamy 88 degrees with a "real feel" of 97 was just...demoralizing.  I'm just so ready for summer to be over.  I'm a sheep at heart.  I'm happiest when I can comfortably wear a wool sweater.

These aren't my normal style of picture composition, but they are what was requested for the application for which they might be used.  Hopefully they'll inspire me to get back into the routine joy of taking more pictures again.  

Actually, I've taken quite a few pictures.  My broken mojo is more in putting them into a cohesive blog post.  So...basically...here are some pictures.  

Renny

Maisie

Muffin

Muuuuffffiiiinnn ;-)

The neighbor makes fun of me for how I say Muffin.  

Biiiiiiiscuit ;-)

Daniel Not-Boone aka Big D

B. Willard...looking pretty bewildered :-D.

Priddy Liddy

Now that I think about it, I don't believe I've ever officially introduced the old rams who have retired here.  This is Jared.  Being a breeding ram (for 10 years), he was never coddled or played with or fed cookies.  He has become one of my very best barn buddies.  

"I just look tough.  I'm really a sweet, lovable cookie monster.  I've been told I'm going to be in the hugging pen at some party they have here every fall.  I can't wait!"

"I ain't going in any stupid hugging pen.  And you can keep those stupid cookies.  Jared has gone soft in the head."

This is Rocky.  He's actually not as grumpy as he wants everyone to believe.  And he will let you hug and kiss on him and even eat a cookie or two now and then...when he wants to ;-).  If he looks familiar, he should.  He's Hershey and Spud's dad and grandfather to Biscuit, Muffin, Levi and Andy.

Crossing Guard

I believe we are at nine foggy mornings so far this August and fog is predicted for in the morning...because it's going down into the 50s tonight!  :-D

This Bed Is Just Right

I'm surprised it took Gladys this long to give Biscuit's baby bed a try.  

The perfect spot for a morning nap :-).

"Hey, I'm trying to sleep here!"

"Seriously..."

A Good Old Chicken

This was a fun Instagram post. It remains a fun Instagram post...but boy, June 19 seems like forever ago now :-/.  

“Hey! I’ve got a chicken on my back!” #buddy #bestsheepever #cotswoldsheep #oldsheep #adventurechicken #sheepchicken #chickensheep #petuniahasthenightoff

A post shared by Sara Dunham (@thecrazysheeplady) on Jun 19, 2018 at 6:19pm PDT

The end of an era.  She was a character.  I buried her in the sheep cemetery, right next to Buddy.  

Lamb Camp...In The Summer?!?

Oh, those silly Soays ;-).  

"Who you calling silly?"

"Don't listen to her."

Beautiful Duchess and her surprise summer lambs.

If you aren't already following Shepherd Life, you'll want to go catch up on all the Splendid Games over there. 

Sunday Stillness

I didn't leave the house until 7:00 this morning. There was just a slight hint of fog so I assumed I'd just overslept and missed it and was trying to decide if I could still count a fog if I didn't technically see it.  I guessed not, but decided maybe I'd get some flurries out of this one.  

The morning was pretty, regardless, so I grabbed my camera and walked down the hill.

The sheep were spread out in several paddocks.  The white down by the creek is Hank.  The whiter look to the sky...

...soon became this.

And this, just 10 minutes after the first picture was taken.

So I guess the snow is going to start slow and then dump a blizzard on us?  I'll take it ;-).

Buddy

Well...he didn't live forever.  He didn't go down without a helluva fight though and I had to call it in the end.  I think he understood.  

May 2007 - August 10, 2018

The Best Sheep Ever

Fog Friends

Don't get too excited.  No fog this morning.  The August count is four so far though :-).  

This is actually a picture from last week.  I love B. Willard and Liddy grazing together and I figured it might make a fun puzzle.  Trying to get back into the routine of blogging.  It's been a long, hard summer, but there are still plenty of fun things to share that I don't want to forget.  

Confounding

"Shouldn't they do something besides sleep all day?"

They could work a new puzzle ;-).

Only Cats...

...don't seem to mind the heat.  It's a puzzle ;-).

The Time Of Day

I've gotten into a routine of taking 'good morning' porch pictures as I eat breakfast this summer. They are posted on Instagram and then to Twitter and Facebook. One of the most common comments I get on them is regarding the magical light.

Here are two pictures (from the camera, not phone) that really illustrate how important the time of day can be. 

This is early in the morning, just after sunrise. Notice how the light is golden and soft, filtering in from behind the trees. 

Here is a very similar picture, but taken late in the afternoon with the light shining harsh on the front of the trees. It's still an interesting picture, but more because of the subjects rather then the magic light ;-). 

Something fun to play around with...

The Count Is On

According to my great grandfather...and the Farmer's Almanac, every fog in August forecasts a day of snow this winter.  We've had two foggy mornings in August so far.  Keep up the good work, fog!

And a new puzzle.  Enjoy!

Sheep Friends

Kaala has settled in here really well.  While Buddy is one of her favorite friends, her very favorite is her very first friend, Lila.