When a tree falls in the forest...

...does anybody hear?  Apparently not.  This huge old gal fell down last weekend; just pulled up from the roots.  It happened down in our lower pasture.  It was just over the fence in our neighbors back yard and it crashed down on our fence and laid down across our pasture.  None of the neighbors close by heard it fall.  Amazing.   I estimate it to be about 6 feet around and 100 feet tall, maybe 300 years old.  It is a black oak tree.  We are in contact with Urban Lumber Co and hope they can somehow cart it out when it dries out in the summer and then use the trunk for something special.  I would guess it is beautiful wood.  Meanwhile we have lots of work cutting up firewood and clearing the brush (not to mention fixing our fence).  Lots of warmth there.  Our neighbors' old handyman says wood warms you 3 times, once when you cut it up, once when you split it and a third time when you burn it. 

I don't think our chainsaw can get through this

lots of firewood here

you can see our smashed fence

         If we don't get it out I suppose it will be a great play structure for the sheep!

Feeding Time

This time of year, with all it's darkness, it's hard to find things to get excited about.  The cold fog, no snow for skiing, a bare vegetable garden....but then there is feeding time.  Our little furry friends get very excited about  these two times of day;  I guess they are a lot like us in many ways.  The sheep get a breakfast and a dinner, really they are the same food, just different times of day, but don't tell them.  As much of a "chore" it is to put on the clothes and scuffle out there, I do enjoy it once I am there.  Not only am I met with excited faces, but it is a great time to fondle the fleece!  Shearing time is getting closer!

  
      Here are a few shots from this mornings feeding.

Lots of room to eat but this feeder has the best hay!

Tom, the handy feeder builder, built these fine feeders.  The sheep find them very agreeable.

The banties happy with the same ol' scratch

Pele, the guard llama, gets his portion.

Strudel looking silly with breakfast on her head