An Evening With The Sheep

The Kentucky Sheep and Fiber Festival is happening this year and is "in person".  The Bluegrass Classic Sheep Dog Trial is as well.  Both events will be held following strict guidelines for safety to protect everyone involved. I know many people are very excited about this.  I am too...mostly.  

Saint Tim and I are both vaccinated, as are many people we know.  I'm relieved about that, but I don't consider it a magic shield.  We still wear our masks everywhere we go...and I wish everyone else would as well.  A mask is not a magic shield either, but it's a small symbol of care we can show each other.

I thought about how comfortable I would feel being fully involved in the festival this year and decided to sit out one more year :-/.  I am worried not only about the (probably) small risk of getting sick, but the greater fear of the anxiety of being stuck in a 10x10 plastic tent with someone who didn't understand just how hard it would be to take care of a farm if I even just caught a common cold.

To be honest, I'd probably pick up a donut I dropped on the barn floor and eat it (good grief, who drops a donut?!?), but I walked out of a business the other day because not only were none of the employees wearing masks, but one of them sneezed as she walked in the aisle next to mine.  The thought of handing her my credit card...  I'm obviously not quite ready to leave the farm.

There is so much I'm going to miss about setting up at the festival.  Which sheep would I have taken this year?  Probably Big Moose and Mini Moose.  My Renny sweater is finally finished and would have made a nice 'color and story' display.  I have new (and last year) Lamb Camp yarn to start sharing.  I have a barn full of freshly shorn wool that needs a home and I always look forward to seeing things made with fleeces sold in the past.  

It's weird.  And a bit sad.  But it will all be okay...eventually.  And as I say every night as I shut off the barn lights, "Everybody take care of each other!"...but we also need to take care of ourselves.  The best way I know to do that is to sit out in the barn or field watching the sheep (and now lambs :-)...and that is something I can share.

If you will be in town for the festival or dog trial and are looking for something extra to do or would like to go to the festival, but just can't quite bring yourself to do it yet, but would feel okay social distancing at our farm, we are hosting An Evening with the Sheep that Saturday evening from 5:00 to 8:00.

This will be basically like the traditional Hug a Sheep Day farm parties except that along with gaining pandemic pounds this past year...we also added chickens (2020 was a rough year ;-).  We have a plan to corral them...we think. 

It's just coming out to the farm.  It's not some fancy 'farm to table' experience...well, depending on how the chickens behave (just kidding...mostly ;-).  Bring your own picnic basket, fast food bag or carry out pizza box.  Bring your own beverages (adult is fine).  Might not hurt to bring a chair.  

Bring your spinning wheel, current project, camera, an interest in or questions about sheep or fiber or just yourself.  Bring a mask.  You don't have to wear it the whole time, but if you'd like me to teach you how to skirt a fleece or trim hooves or visit Auntie Reg and 20 in the farm shop, please mask up.

As always, if you have any questions or need directions, please drop me an email.  It's going to be a fun weekend!  Don't forget Sunday's exciting "double lift" at the dog trial.  I'm looking forward to being able to watch it this year and I'll probably make a pass through the fiber festival as well :-).

Something Special At The End

We...well 20, Pip, Auntie Reg, Miss B and I...had a great weekend at the Kentucky Sheep and Fiber Festival.  Tavia, Tabitha and Kaala...won't be going out in public ever again.  They hated it.  A lot.  And Tabitha made sure everyone heard about how much they hated it.  A lot.  

(After you start the video you can click the [ ] at the bottom right to make it bigger.)

This was the 10th year for the fiber festival. Seems kind of crazy when I think about it.  That just flew by!  Here is a quick tour of the booth for anyone who wasn't able to go and would like to take a peek.  You can even hear Tabitha...because I know everyone would like to hear what she had to say...all weekend long :-o.

We were stopped by a road block on our way out of the park last night.  As the person walked up to my truck to explain why the road was going to be closed for a few minutes, she laughed and said "Oh, I don't need to tell you what's going on."  The Bluegrass Classic Stockdog Trial was over and they were moving 500 sheep into a secure field for the night.  I got out of the truck and walked up to watch.  

Before there was a fiber festival I used to set up my Punkin's Patch booth down at the stockdog trial.  It was my favorite weekend of the year.  I'd be set up close enough to the trial field that I could watch the sheep and dogs all day long.  I'd bring my spinning wheel and my dear old collie Sam.  I made some really good friends down there over the years and it was like the best vacation ever.

I'd stay until the very end of each day because once the last handler finished they'd run all the sheep out into the open field to graze for the night.  That was my favorite.  I love big flocks of sheep and I wonder now if my love of big flocks came from watching all those sheep filter out across that big field each night.  

I didn't have a good camera back then.  Heck, I didn't even know I liked taking pictures in those days.  Maybe that was a good thing.  I might be able to still see things in my mind and heart that I probably couldn't have really captured on film back then.  Now, 16 years later, I pulled out my iPhone and recorded some video as they trotted up the road.

I included a bit of that footage at the end of this compilation.  I did that mostly because it is a treasured memory from my weekend.  A little gift from the universe to a crazy sheep lady who, while she enjoys being a part of the fiber festival, sure wishes there was a way to be two places at once.  

I also included it because there's something of Punkin's Patch significance at the very end.  The man walking past in the red and white striped shirt is Paul Tucker, now one of those good dog trial friends.  But I met Paul long before I knew anything about border collies or sheep or that I even liked sheep.  27 years ago he gave me a little bottle lamb...that I named Punkin.

Guess Who WON'T Be Going To The Fiber Festival

Punkin's Patch is once again sponsoring the Hug a Sheep Booth at the Kentucky Sheep and Fiber Festival this weekend.  Spud, Hershey, Andy, Petunia, Woody and Murphy have agreed to be on the hugging list and we'll pick three or four to take over (probably depending on who we can trick into the trailer ;-) in the morning.  Of course Bullwinkle will be there, too.

In discussing who would go this year, Maisie's name came up and everyone fell over laughing.  The little darling...  We could bring her, but she'd have to be transported Hannibal Lector style to keep from turning it into a Get Punched In The Kneecap (And Probably Bit And Maybe Kicked As Well) By A Sheep Booth.  Sweet Hershey is a much better choice!

I think the booth looks nice.  I created several new items this spring that I'm pretty excited about including a new Mug Shot Mug, a special My Favorite Sheep tote bag with matching note cards and note pads and new Lamb Camp cards.  There will be several really nice fleeces, a small amount of roving, lots of Lamb Camp yarn, Punkin's Patch t-shirts...

The forecast is - big surprise for spring weather in Kentucky - not great for tonight and part of tomorrow (which is why we aren't bringing the sheep until tomorrow morning), but Sunday is supposed to be nice and it's already slacking up to the south of us, so maybe tomorrow won't be a wash out either.

Regardless, almost everything is under cover so the sheep shopping, sheep shearing, sheep spinning, sheep hugging... should be lots of fun.  There are even tents down the hill at the Bluegrass Classic Stockdog Trial with a handy shuttle going back and forth.  Speaking of sheep spinning, there are several workshops with openings if you are interested in learning something new!

Please come out and see us and hug a few of your favorite (wet ;-) sheep!

Getting Ready For The Kentucky Sheep And Fiber Festival

I was asked to paint a 'cut out board that you stick your face through the holes and someone takes your picture' (What on earth is this really called?) for some silly fun at the Kentucky Sheep and Fiber Festival this year.  I think it turned out pretty cute.  Hopefully everyone can recognize the five fiber animals.  Hint - that is NOT a lamb or baby abominable snowman on the bottom!

Huge thanks to 20's Uncle John and Auntie Reg for coming up with the ingenious way to put the boards together when we get to the festival!

Poor Iris hates to have her picture taken.  I did manage to get one with her eyes open.  Sort of.  Usually she's got them squinted shut in nervous embarrassment.  I had an old "Lassie" collie years ago that LOVED to have his picture taken.  You didn't even have to ask.  If I pulled the camera out, he'd run over to wherever I had it pointed :-).

Tilly's not big on pictures either. 

*   *   *   *   *

I'm not good at self-promotion (I feel like Iris and Tilly staring into a camera!) but on May 17th and 18th...

• I'll have my usual Punkin's Patch booth set up with cards, roving, raw fleeces...  

• Some of the sheep will be there as well.  Not. Maisie. as we remember how much she hated going to the festival last year :-o.

• The sheep have volunteered to be part of a Kissing Booth special edition of Hug a Sheep Day both afternoons (1:00 - 3:00) to help raise money for the local 4-H and FFA. 

• And...I'm going to teach a workshop this year, Blogging with a Side of Photography.  We are going to talk a little about blogging and how one would go about getting started and then get into the best part of blogging, the pictures.  I'll share some of my favorite photography tips, kick you in the butt encourage you to dig out your camera's (any type of camera!) owner's manual to really step up your skills and then we'll head out into the festival area and take some pictures.

• And don't forget the Bluegrass Classic Stockdog Trial will be going on at the same time as well!

It will be a fun weekend for sure!

Kentucky Sheep And Fiber Festival..With Some Border Collies Too

20 started Day Two down at the Bluegrass Classic Stockdog Trial.  He carefully watched the early morning Finals competitors (top 20 dogs) while I stood in the food tent talking and eating pancakes :-D.  A big woohooo shout out to Alta-Pete Stockdogs (Grandma's farm!).  Both Scott and Jenny Glen made it to the finals Sunday and Scott and Don WON!!!

Meanwhile, back at the fiber festival, Day Two started with much more space than Day One.  Yay :-D.  And I feel very confident that all the fleeces went to really good homes and I can't wait to see what everyone makes!  This is a front view (obviously... ;-) and the sheep are in a large pen over to the right.  Maisie was in a smaller pen in between.  And yes, she's perfectly fine and doesn't seem to have taken it "personally" ;-).

This hooked rug was a big hit and helped me sell several packets of cards/rug hooking designs.  My friend Susan hooked the chicken pattern and is now working on the horses.  I can't wait to see it!

I like the wool with the sheep in the background.  Here's something interesting - a felt artist came in and bought white curls.  Only white curls.  She said that when she used anything other than white to accent her pieces, no one connected it with sheep.  That they thought sheep only came in one color - white.  I'd love to hear some more discussion about this from some of you non-sheep readers. 

Stella's honey - always popular.

Saint Tim came up with these neat "table tent" designed signs to replace the flat signs that don't stand up, stay put or get anyone's attention.  Seems like I could have thought of that several years ago...  Sigh.

Petunia was a star!  Other than her trip to Kentucky from Nistock Farms, she's never been "off the farm".  She handled everything like had been doing sheep and wool promotion Her Whole Life.  She had a perfect pageant wave, shook hands with everyone, answered their questions, patiently getting up and walking over to any little kid who said "Come here sheepy." 

Henri had never done a meet and greet either, but did a fine job as well.  Keebs worked hard when he thought there were cookies to be had but was more interested in trying to steal donuts off the table.  B. Willard didn't put much effort into being social...but didn't put much effort into NOT being social and was popular as well...when it was convenient ;-).

We had a great festival all the way around and everyone ('cept maybe Willard ;-) is looking forward to next year!  I'd like to thank everybody for stopping by and especially thank John and Reg for all their hard work.  I have a great group of friends and family.  And that really means a lot.

The Bluegrass

In 25 words or less (I'm beat!)...



Loved this pretty horse!



20's mom and his brother Huck...



...have definitely got these sheep's attention.

Congratulations, Debbie, on your 5th place finish!!!



Blossom got to come over for the afternoon. Doesn't it look like she's looking over at 20, asking "You've been doing this all weekend?!?"



But at the end of the day, she was truly "the sweetest, softest lambie on earth".

It was a fun weekend, but we're glad to be back home.



Hank and Comby, the horses and Blossom and Betsy (you have to look close).

Travel safe everyone. We'll see you next year!

Right At Home

Long before the Kentucky Sheep and Fiber Festival started, I always set up my booth at the Bluegrass Classic Stockdog Trial.



I fell in love with those amazing herding dogs, the handler whistles, the goosebumps that run up the back of your neck when watching a good one.



I love how everyone sets their dogs out front when they come in to look around and seldom do those dogs take their eyes off their person.



We had a fun day. I thought my booth looked nice, sales were good, saw lots of good friends...



...and took a spinning lesson from the always amazing Aaron.



And I had a special visitor too.



My booth is sitting next to a tree full of chipmunks! They ran through the booth all afternoon (maybe because the handlers leave their dogs out front ;-). This one is eating a moth. I'm betting he'd like a vanilla wafer too, eh? :-D.



I love putting out a few flowers out front to brighten things up and help keep folks from hitting the tent stakes. With the flowers, sheep, dogs, my spinning wheel, someone cooking my breakfast (he he), I feel like I'm right at home.

The only thing that would make it better would be little Blossom by my side. Maybe tomorrow. She's doing very well (whew!) and has really enjoyed bossing Auntie Reg around for the last few days.

Tomorrow is the finals. 20's mom, Debbie Bailey, qualified and will be running Huck. I bet 20 won't be able to sleep very well tonight because he'll be so excited!

I Know It's What They Are Supposed To Do

Grow up that is.







Yikes!

The boys went with me to the stock dog trial today. I was going to be gone for too long and even though Graham Lamb is as big as Keebler, he's really only about 3 1/2 weeks old - still a baby and way too long to stay by himself all day.

They had a nice big shady pen and were a star attraction...until a middle eastern family came by and I caught the mother "weighing" the lambs :-O. They were (politely) escorted away.



We all went out to run around and eat some grass when we got home. Even Weaslie. If there's something out there a Corgi won't eat, we haven't found it.



Hmmm - I wonder if I can eat this...



Hey, where's the kitty going?

Graham has a real thing for cats. He just loves them. It's a good thing too, as a new stray has shown up. The "cat whisperer" (Saint Tim) has already "tamed" him down and named him Scrunchy.

Just what we needed, another cat (sheep, dog, horse...).

Thank You

Sending out a big thank you to all the hard working sheep, dogs, horses, people and even the weather for yet another fabulous weekend at the Bluegrass Classic Stock Dog Trials.

The hours, weeks and months it takes to prepare to host such an event, and the hours, weeks, months and years spent preparing yourself and your dogs to come here from all over the US and Canada to compete is just staggering. While I have never stepped onto a trial field, I have put in long hours working and competing with my horses and so feel a little kinship. From that perspective I can't help but think, when I see a good handler with their dog, when you get to the heart of it, that this might be really why you have worked so hard.



"Thank you. You did a good job!"

Don't Forget

The Bluegrass Classic Stock Dog Trials is this weekend. Grand fun and fascinating to watch. Sadly, I won't be bringing Ewen McTeagle with me this year, but come and visit anyway!



It seems like just yesterday he was sitting curled up next to me watching the dogs and sheep.

"The Bluegrass"

The Bluegrass Classic Stock Dog Trial in Lexington, Kentucky, is one of the oldest and most popular and prestigious Border Collie trials in this country. It draws top handlers from all over and we are very fortunate to have this wonderful venue right in our backyard. Between visiting with friends, watching the sheep and dogs and fitting in a little spinning, this is by far my favorite weekend of the year.

This year was especially enjoyable because I took McTeagle with me on Saturday. He was good company for me and a popular destination for everyone else. He had fun visiting with his previous mom and several of his favorite aunts and there are probably more than a few Border Collies that walked away shaking their heads upon seeing a sheep on a leash.

Towards the end of the day I took a break and sat out in front of the Punkin’s Patch tent and watched several nice runs. McTeagle sat down next to me and watched as well.


While I could listen to the whistles and watch those amazing dogs all day, perhaps my favorite part is when the day's work is through and they turn all the sheep out on the course to graze.

Good night my friends. Travel home safe.