It's sunny and hot. Not up to the 90 degrees of yesterday, but very nice although it was very windy earlier
Our last lambs were born this morning, twin girls to Liquorice. We had 4 ewes lamb this year, twins each - 5 girls and 3 boys. Usually sell the boys for butcher, and the girls to breed, keeping 2 boys for butcher next Autumn. The white boy from the first set if twins is polled, which is desirable for breeding and demands a premium price. The other 2 boys have horn stubs, particularly Hugh, my bummer boy.
We had a great week-end. Herbies company gabe him 2 movie passes and a voucher for Pizza Hut. I think it was because they held their annual recognition day for their staff and family on Herbies work day. We had a date-night on Tuesday. Couldn't eat at Pizza Hut as their Lowell branch had closed down - would be nice if they took the information off the internet :/. So we'll have to go next week-end as there is still another 2 movies worth too.
Was also a little productive. We put 2 ft high chicken wire around the inside of the sheep pen to stop the lambs escaping. Found the twin boys and the little black girl up in the apple orchard. Herbie took much enjoyment in them running around trying to find a way out, then complaining loudly. Niece and Hugh are now out there as well, we feed them through the fence. They call when they see us, but know where they're supposed to be now.
Yesterday, Big Red was out eating in the large pasture. Naughty boy. I managed to get him back without letting the others out, so felt rather chuffed with myself.
Needed more chick feed, and Tractor Supply was out, so went over the Family Home & Farm in Portland and found a replacement apricot tree. Yippee. Need to pull the dead one out and plant the new one. It's about 3 times the size of the previous one. Called the dairy farmer about our calves, and he said we'd get them next week. Let Larry know. He wants a large cow in place of 2 young ones and we talked about letting him have Star. Just Star has had the infection in her udder and Shaw is only 2 months old, si I'm conflicted. Advised him let's see what age the lambs are that we get before making a decision, as if they're still on milk I'd rather Star feed them.
Our power went out this afternoon, so I went mushroom hunting. Chatted with God about finding mushrooms, and promptly found some of those that grow on dead trees. Had another chat with God. Nope, need to be more specific. Want to find morels. And then I saw my first one peeping through the May Apples. Wow. It was beautiful. Hunted in that area and found another 11. There were some other guys out hunting, and as soon as they saw me they skedaddled ! Must have been on my land :) and that's possibly why I haven't found any previously. My timing today must have been perfect, as well as my request to the man upstairs.
I phoned Herbie to tell him, and texted Jackie :) I was so pleased. Walked around some more, it wasn't as hot as yesterday, but it's muggy with the rain of last night. Found a camoflage hunting blind on our land, same neighbours that ran off earlier. Arrived back at the house and the electricity was back on. Went out again earlier this evening and found another 8 morels. Going to fry them in butter. Can't wait. Think Herbie will want to go out with me tomorrow to see if we can find more. I walked with the net baggie shaking it to spread the spores. Hopefully next year there'll be lots more.
Yesterday Herbie set up the plasma cutter and welding machine, and we started cutting the rebar into pieces for my chicken protectors. Measured the top, 9 ft, so cut a 1 ft piece off a length which Herbie bent into a circle. We then welded it onto the cut pieces, added a smaller ring lower down, so now I can cover it in chicken wire. Then we have 3 more to make and I can plant herbs without the chickens destroying them.