Grrrrrr owlllllll Grrrrrr owlllllll

Hellooooo,

Here I am trying to stay warm in the hay loft, keeping an eye on things from up here in the barn. Brrr. It is just bone chilling cold this mix of snow and sleet. A winter storm is coming. All seems to be quiet outside as the animals hunkered down. Not quite like last week, basking in the sunshine with the loft doors open and feeling good about life.

School is called off. Bernie and Laino tuck their heads downward as they go about their chores filling hay racks and troughs, making sure the sheep, chickens, ducks and geese are well stocked with fresh feed and water. Stretch, the llama, seems to be the only one enjoying the blustering sleet. Lifting his long brown nose into the wintery mix he takes in all the smells from the woods below. With the baby lambs being born it is Stretche’s job to keep watch and protect all the little ones wrapped in wool.

While your fires are burning, and bright orange and red embers warm your home, much is really going on down here at the barn. Mrs. B says it never fails – a good storm always brings about the best in motherhood. Baby lambs are being born right and left! Why just this morning, beautiful twin baby ewe lambs (girls) were born to Mrs. Blue Bell. Oh you should have heard the baaaing between Mrs. Popper and the rest of the sheep herd – Mrs. Blue Bell has gorgeous little girls every year. I don’t think she has ever had a baby ram (little boy lambs). Then all the baaaing starts up again and the ladies all need to come in and take a good look and sniff. That’s when the comments start about who will be lambing next. Oh you should hear them!

Suddenly, the new Mama’s gather their little ones and race for the covered isle way of the barn – Stretch’s head is held high, clearing his throat he utters a soft clear cooing sound. Swinging, while lunging his head downward towards the flock of Ewes, in a swift graceful manner he collects them into a protected group – pushing them with his long neck and body towards the barn.

In awe, I am mesmerized by Stretche’s work. My born and bred instincts suddenly make my body rigid. Alert and aware my ears perk up. The faint patter of padded paws, lurk somewhere nearby. Intensely, acutely keen, Stretch gives me the knowing look – creeping, creeping closer to the loft opening above I wait, I wait, I wait – Stretch gives me the nod – I leap from the loft. I pounce upon the sly one ready to steal a winter’s dinner from our barnyard!

Grrrrrr owllllll Grrrrrr owlllll – I ferociously attack, baring my brilliant white tooth grin – the sly one is off and I am following slipping and sliding, nipping and yapping him all the way down to Beaver Damn Creek where the little rat finds his way down into his foxy den.

If you dare move yourself away from the warmth of your home tonight – stick your head out the door and listen under the snow moon – you will hear the cry of the fox. It is this time of year they find their mates and howl to the world that new little kits will soon be born.

Now I know I promised you some inside scoop on the new addition to our Barn Yard help – Stingy Nettle Nelly – keep an eye out for the next Blue Ridge Leader in your mail box –

It’s a whopper of a story starting a new beginning for this little pup and let me tell you – you won’t want to miss out on the NimCOWpoop and gulliBULL part of this story either!!!

Stay warm, Love, yours truly – Sushi !