tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83957085705992820612024-02-02T01:58:37.285-08:00McTavish Farm ShetlandsRaising sheep for fiber in Oregonmctavishfarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01289567222288267683noreply@blogger.comBlogger96125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395708570599282061.post-4875034529287541042021-02-08T14:57:00.001-08:002021-02-08T15:06:23.916-08:00Times a ChangingAs one can see it has been eons since I last updated this main blog page. In keeping with the times, things here on the farm have changed a bit too. First of all we are no longer breeding Shetland sheep, choosing instead to keep a healthy flock of ewes for friend and fiber. No lambing in the spring, no sheep for sale, no meat for the freezer and no rams beating down the fences. Instead, we find plenty to occupy our time in other areas like gardening, cooking the stuff from the garden, spinning, fiber arts, and, for Tom, his continued wheel making. While it is a bit sad not having bouncing lambs around we are appreciating the time to apply to our many other passions. And, all the while, we still have some lovely fleeces to work with. It's the best of all worlds.<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxuzqTG3A6F-2uQaTQp5qgpJCQL6jTbQGioMyiGV14ibUnYcXhN7Y4D_OCXv5h2v5Z-8Le4eEMLKNt6QVdxWg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Collapse weave scarf of wool</div><br /><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXLqqM9cAptlCPxqKjFkBMNh6Oky5fH161oOJAnTKhbYQM9LHcvqd7zLNj_G8JlXvSA7kb5drM21FRlrSozNlgT7AfN-_XYKbIwqzw6dgk6kLjS9_wOeZSoeKRKYtlwb5Xhq85-1JQYvwt/s2048/20210127_142240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXLqqM9cAptlCPxqKjFkBMNh6Oky5fH161oOJAnTKhbYQM9LHcvqd7zLNj_G8JlXvSA7kb5drM21FRlrSozNlgT7AfN-_XYKbIwqzw6dgk6kLjS9_wOeZSoeKRKYtlwb5Xhq85-1JQYvwt/w320-h320/20210127_142240.jpg" title="new woven wool scarf" width="320" /></a><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div></blockquote><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG0xCCIQgBuVCZ-pCliZ-KJAIt2Ay7Pu_4oVKlWhbd9WHInnNliWNrmHcQewl0EGSY2G6dtpBbvFio0DepIriSqSH1NiCvLKTgqx-9CFaVlOVg2KKgXRuf2e4bRD7hDdBu8Mu0NDnJ7X9F/s2048/20210129_180826.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG0xCCIQgBuVCZ-pCliZ-KJAIt2Ay7Pu_4oVKlWhbd9WHInnNliWNrmHcQewl0EGSY2G6dtpBbvFio0DepIriSqSH1NiCvLKTgqx-9CFaVlOVg2KKgXRuf2e4bRD7hDdBu8Mu0NDnJ7X9F/s320/20210129_180826.jpg" /></a>Sarah Dippity skirt of wool and silk, woven panels pieced together with knitted triangles. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcVi5osSbGxupZO3NnmhwylcTTshhslcqo4dlM0ehmH-3sXZYHEFM9tLB3W6JG_aPJztNQhbyw9FWgCcBOWho1lS4P45wa7heCecQAfeF7PTccfuNdt-GHwRR3Ag-WENlcu9ecmkCcKOk0/s2048/20210129_181039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcVi5osSbGxupZO3NnmhwylcTTshhslcqo4dlM0ehmH-3sXZYHEFM9tLB3W6JG_aPJztNQhbyw9FWgCcBOWho1lS4P45wa7heCecQAfeF7PTccfuNdt-GHwRR3Ag-WENlcu9ecmkCcKOk0/s320/20210129_181039.jpg" /></a></div><br />mctavishfarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01289567222288267683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395708570599282061.post-36880418652401443812017-05-22T16:42:00.001-07:002017-05-22T16:42:52.337-07:00Swimming in GrassThis year's increased rainfall combined with a cool spring has made the grass happy. Pastures are lush. In spring we seem to have too much in the way of sheep food and as we don't have enough to justify making hay, we just hope the sheep will fatten up to last them into the fall. Feast or famine I think they call it. We are now feasting! I know soon enough the weather will turn towards the hot and dry and the grass will no longer thrive. Enjoy it while it's here girls!<br />
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<br />mctavishfarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01289567222288267683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395708570599282061.post-48506990074484348132017-04-24T11:41:00.001-07:002017-04-24T11:41:45.081-07:00A few Family PhotosIt's that time of year again. That time of year when I dust off the camera and click lots of sheep photos. I suppose having kids does the same thing for new parents. <br />
Lambs are now officially all on the ground and hopping. 9 total out of 6 ewes this year, 6 of which are ram lambs (anyone need a nice ram?). I can be thankful they are all healthy. Here's a few of the highlights.<br />
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Here is Athena with her single, and a single he was; 10# 10 oz at birth (before his first drink even!!). Mind you she is probably a mere 90 pounds. This picture was taken the day after.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clio and one of her twins; a ram.</td></tr>
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Bloom here enjoying the sun with her twins. One I think is behind her and you can't see. Bloom had two brown babes, the girl quite a bit darker than the boy. The girl is small, was maybe 3# at birth, but she can belt it. I think she is going to be an opera singer when she grows up. Paisley and Prince are their names. <br />
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Cleo with her two. What contrast, both are gulmogets, one brown, the girl is black. She is Biscotti, he is waiting on his name. <br />
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Last here is Julia. This little guy was born in the early hours, discovered weak and very chilled. Spent 3 hours warming him up, getting him colostrum and trying to improve his appetite. Took him a couple days and doubt on the part of the shepherds, but the Shetland hardiness came through and by day two we got him latched to the nipple and he's been bopping ever since. His name is Rocky.<br />
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Prince, Bloom's ram lamb. <br />
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Mr Unibrow, no really he doesn't have a name yet. He's about 40% Gotland and Shetland, sweet little guy, just funny markings on his head.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quinn the Eskimo here, Siobhan's girl.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clio's boy.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tom trying to enjoy his beer in the pasture. Nori likes beer!</td></tr>
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<br />mctavishfarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01289567222288267683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395708570599282061.post-72383472235749509652017-02-06T10:42:00.000-08:002017-02-06T10:42:38.204-08:00Sheep Catching AirSeveral weeks ago, after a fresh dusting of snow, I let the poor sheep out of their confinement and out into one of the grazing paddocks. Not that there would be any grazing to be had but just for some fun. Oh my what fun they did have. Our little Paris was the star. She takes after her dad, Otis, the king of jumpers. Anyway<br />
she was hilarious. Tried to catch a few of her stunts with the camera. Here they are.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paris in fine form!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's Ziggy getting in on the action.</td></tr>
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<br />mctavishfarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01289567222288267683noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395708570599282061.post-74595570694052581322016-12-27T16:17:00.000-08:002016-12-27T16:17:13.435-08:00End of Year Beauty and the BeastIce storm December 2016 struck when we were suppose to be getting ready for Christmas. We had rain all day with the temperature hovering around 30 degrees and it did not warm up for a couple days. Ice built up on all the foliage and trees but seemed to leave the roads in driveable condition. By the time I came home from work (fortunately I was driving that day rather than the usual biking) our lane was becoming impassable from falling limbs. Later it was big trees! About one that afternoon Tom reported that the electricity was out. That evening we spent warming ourselves by the fire and playing Scrabble under candle light. We repeatedly heard the crashing sound of tree limbs outside and were afraid to see the damage the next day. We were out of power for 5 days. Overall we survived quite well as we had fire, a gas range for cooking and used our generator to strategically fill the water tank and save the frozen food. Thankfully no damage to structures. No hot water and carrying water to the sheep did become a bit old. Thanks to the hard working electric company employees we were not out too long. Yes it was a beast, but the beauty!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two big oaks over our lane.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snowbell tree lit up.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frozen landscape</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">frozen apple leaves</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Night shot with the full moon.</td></tr>
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<br />mctavishfarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01289567222288267683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395708570599282061.post-44668683850111754992016-09-27T10:59:00.006-07:002016-09-27T11:06:12.934-07:00Population Control; Not So Much<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b> T</b>hese little Japanese Bantams are amazing little chickens. Hearty, independent, and self sufficient, they only get a handful of scratch from us most mornings. They roost in the barn above the sheep, away from the claws of predators. We originally got them to control the fly population in the barn. They have done a terrific job. In addition to all these skills they are also masters at procreation. Our mission this summer has been population control. We did well finding all those hidden little eggs. Well until now. This hen showed up last week with 10 little ones! So much for population control.<br />
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The newly hatched chicks are about the size of a silver dollar. <br />
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They are great mothers, teaching their young all about foraging. Also keeping them far from my camera, dang!<br />
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Members of the Sheep clan of McTavish Farm. Waiting for rain and dreaming of green grass.<br />
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Mira Loo on watch.</div>
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<br />mctavishfarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01289567222288267683noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395708570599282061.post-1582601871650417302016-06-19T16:53:00.001-07:002016-06-19T16:53:37.941-07:00Bees and ButterfliesQuite a few years ago, I'm thinking at least 8, I picked up some seeds a fellow beekeeper was handing out at our bee group: Showy Milkweed seeds. After reading that showy milkweed was a poisonous plant for sheep I was a bit hesitant to plant it. One spring I mustered up some courage and planted a few seeds figuring I could keep it contained in my front yard. The plant is a native and one of a few food sources for the quickly disappearing Monarch Butterfly.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Showy Milkweed</td></tr>
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Well the plant did grow and each year I plucked off seed heads to keep it from spreading out of control. So far so good. An interesting and beautiful annual in an of itself. The real beauty finally came this year when we were discovered on the Monarch circuit. We've seen the butterflies quite a few times now and I attempted to catch one on film. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SwallowTail butterfly with "moth-eaten" wings</td></tr>
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<br />mctavishfarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01289567222288267683noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395708570599282061.post-70120442735022467182016-05-24T10:10:00.001-07:002016-05-24T10:13:39.169-07:00Growing Pains<br />
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<wbr></wbr>This time of year I drive myself crazy trying to keep up on things
around the farm. Grass is growing like mad meaning weeds in the yard
explode which means it is time to plant the vegetable garden. It's
also time to mow a few of the paddocks as the sheep are disappearing
into the grass. Even they can't keep up with it. Grass looses some of
it's nutritional value as it puts energy into seed heads and the sheep
must find it more bitter and less palatable (I can tell because the yell
at me as I come out the door). Mowing helps knock it down so it might
regrow again. All in all it feels like a losing battle. I just have to
remember this frantic feeling will dissipate once it stops raining.<br />
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Lambs
are growing and we've had some minor growing pains. Being as we have
so many ram lambs this year it means more sets of little horns. As they
learn to manage this growing buddage from their little heads invariably
things happen. Our potentially handsome ram lamb "Spotify" has
certainly had his growing pains. A couple weeks ago I went out to the
barn to find one of his horns pointing the wrong way and blood pouring
down into his eye and face and onto the ground. Poor little guy had
ripped it off catching it on something, I can only guess it was the hose
spigot. Some blood stop powder, hoof trimmers (to trim off the
remaining attatchment of horn) and a little pain reliever did the trick
but of course he is scarred for life*. " Mr unicorn" my mom now calls
him. Well that didn't last long, one week later he did the same number
to the other horn. At least now he has a matching set and he can't
possibly do it again!<br />
*FYI once they rip it off it won't grow back, he essentially has done a "horn de-budding" on himself.<br />
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As
the lambs reach their 8 week old mark they begin to eat more
vegetables; that would be in the form of grass. Mamma's milk becomes
less rich and they begin to supplement. This means less time spent
playing and more time getting down to the business of eating and then
later chewing cud. Less play means less entertainment for us humans.
But, as we have some much work to do, maybe that's a good thing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqpLixerpfPHCJGu393gYN1ARo_PaRbYotH2DtZyW7tE9yEo2cjVwBZWIhNTV_BgxS15tlkPMfP0s16KtTwqNgV6b6oXg9WsVCVwRU5xZErfjybEhZnK53AYlCxUd_7-AfxghRpXsg4xyy/s1600/IMG_9659.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqpLixerpfPHCJGu393gYN1ARo_PaRbYotH2DtZyW7tE9yEo2cjVwBZWIhNTV_BgxS15tlkPMfP0s16KtTwqNgV6b6oXg9WsVCVwRU5xZErfjybEhZnK53AYlCxUd_7-AfxghRpXsg4xyy/s320/IMG_9659.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Theo</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Patrick looking handsome</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg14rrLe0XfXGzS4BU0_mIl8NBUz1yAIT4jyoGH7NRxRzLnPvbePPzZk8o28z1ihayfcRhEE45q3vHeM3Luuxb8blEz2sRHJ2lYZCFkoKCPwDvTjlnmKOTDrF-exphzYySbPqBMvtEtmwtm/s1600/IMG_9689.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg14rrLe0XfXGzS4BU0_mIl8NBUz1yAIT4jyoGH7NRxRzLnPvbePPzZk8o28z1ihayfcRhEE45q3vHeM3Luuxb8blEz2sRHJ2lYZCFkoKCPwDvTjlnmKOTDrF-exphzYySbPqBMvtEtmwtm/s320/IMG_9689.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mira Lu skeptical of the camera </td></tr>
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mctavishfarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01289567222288267683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395708570599282061.post-86495466488997507562016-04-10T13:26:00.002-07:002016-04-10T13:26:37.120-07:00All Quiet on the Western Front<br />
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So far so good. This morning over coffee we put Mira Lu, our super alert new llama, in with some of the sheep for the second time. The first time did not work so well. That was Thursday. A crazy day that traumatized us all a bit. No real bad things happened, just some busted fences and bent wire hog panels. For what ever reason Mira Lu got a bit frantic, charged through a few fences and chased her new sheep "friends" around the paddock. The sheep were not happy. When we later in the day deliberately put them together, I made a respite spot for the sheep in the barn, a wood bar about 3 ft up that I thought would keep the llama out, the sheep able to go in underneath. At one point, I was in with the sheep in the barn, squatted down comforting and reassuring them that this was a safe spot, that Mira could not get in despite her terrifyingly poking her head in the door, safely above the restraining bar. So I thought, but like the scene in "The Shining" when Jack Nicholson was tearing at the door then bursts in with "here's Johnny", Mira ducks her body under the board and quickly pops into the barn and startles all of us. The sheep bolt and Mira continued to plow through another hog panel fence further in the barn. Amazing what a 350 pound animal can do in an out of control moment. Simply stated, it was fiasco. We then separated the llama from the sheep and decided to regroup with a new plan. Apparently things were moving a bit too fast for poor Mira. So today, a few days later, she seems a bit calmer and although they have not yet touched noses, I am happy to see there is peace in the barnyard. One small step at a time!<br />
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Happiness is a fresh supply of milk! Not for me, but for all those hungry lambs.<br />
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<br />mctavishfarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01289567222288267683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395708570599282061.post-11719396490334497662016-04-05T20:50:00.000-07:002016-04-05T20:54:20.556-07:00A Changing of the Guard part II<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today miss Mira Lu arrived at the farm. She was to be delivered by her previous owner from the Portland area, a couple hour drive, and I fully expected her to arrive in the usual horse trailer. But no, just a little mini van. The side door was slide open and out pops a llama. She was very neat and tidy on her trip, no messes in the car. Certainly couldn't ask that of a sheep, at least without diapers!<br />
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She was very alert all afternoon checking out her new surroundings and friends.<br />
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Little "Spotify" checking out the big new beast.mctavishfarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01289567222288267683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395708570599282061.post-83755779019365990132016-03-31T07:59:00.001-07:002016-03-31T07:59:55.729-07:00A Changing of the Guard<h2 class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On Tuesday 3/29/16 we lost our faithful guard llama Pele. Pele came to
McTavish Farm in 2005 and served as our sole sheep guard since. He did his job well as we had no attacks to the sheep from
outside preditors. Although our relationship with him was strained at
times, those times including foot trimming and shearing, with the help
of my brave husband we worked out our differences and he became somewhat
cooperative. Unfortunately he developed a "mass" at his TMJ (jaw
joint) which caused his jaw to dysfunction and he could not adequately chew. Being as stoic as he was, I did not realize the extent of the problem until we handled him prior to the arrival of the vet. It was
then I could feel through the thick fleece just how emmaciated he was.
Obviously the problem had been going on longer than I thought. Poor
guy. Llamas have a great way of hiding their illness. He was no
exception. I miss seeing his serpentine form down in the pasture with
the sheep in the misty morning. Thank you Pele for your years of
service.<br />
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<br />mctavishfarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01289567222288267683noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395708570599282061.post-20835419078101895902016-03-21T08:06:00.002-07:002016-03-21T13:29:18.078-07:00Surprize!Our last lamb born this season, despite being a boy, was a fun surprise. His mom is solid black the father solid brown. And look what came of that! As his skin is spotted I believe he will hold these spots into adulthood.<br />
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I apologize for the dark photos, wanted to get some pictures of him before he got out to play in the mud but the barn is a bit dark.<br />
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. A couple more fun shots from yesterday<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some spring sunshine through our dirty window</td></tr>
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Hopefully it will be nice enough today to get some outside shots.<br />
<br />mctavishfarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01289567222288267683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395708570599282061.post-38232603158759873972016-03-19T12:30:00.001-07:002016-03-19T12:30:49.521-07:00Sheep ShotsAs I'm waiting for the last 3 ewes to lamb and the sun is shining thought I'd get out the camera and take a few shots, of sheep that is.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Athena's boy</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">McTavish Cobault</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
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This is the father, Cobault.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mctavish Oatis</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">McTavish Bourbon</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oatis and Bourbon</td></tr>
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mctavishfarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01289567222288267683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395708570599282061.post-25012621757755206282016-03-18T10:19:00.000-07:002016-03-19T12:12:54.256-07:00Recent Update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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For those of you that read the previous post you might like to see the update on the solar panels. Don't they look nice? Appears that they will get loads of sunshine, provided the sun shows itself.<br />
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So far 3 ewes have lambed and we have 3 still to go. Ram lambs are winning 4 to zip. Cross your fingers for more girls!<br />
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Here is Rachel with one of her two ram lambs. I only have to show one of them as they look identical. Lovely fleece though.<br />
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<br />mctavishfarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01289567222288267683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395708570599282061.post-50942862301463650962016-03-15T15:52:00.000-07:002016-03-15T15:52:59.678-07:00Sheep Going Solar...<b> ...in more ways than one</b>.<br />
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Lots happening here on McTavish Farm and it seems to come at once. Earlier this year we stumbled on an ad in the newspaper about a short seminar introducing a solar installation program. As we have considered a photo voltaic system before, we attended and it all sounded good so we put our names on a list. Wasn't long before we had a local solar company out for a look see and later a bid. One thing led to another and we were set to go, work to start sometime in April. Who knows what happened but things got moved up; I have a sense they liked our spot so well they were excited to get a system up and running. And here we are 3rd week in March and it looks like they will be done fairly soon.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">workman all over the lambing palace</td></tr>
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At least I hope so. This 3rd week in March is our planned lambing time, babies to come anytime now. In normal times the sheep will most often choose to go into labor in a quiet corner of the barn. Nice and dry and easy for me to give them a pen of their own to rest and bond with their offspring. But now, poor mama ewes, how can they find any peace around here with all these strange men tromping around on the roof and making all that "work being done" noise? If they decide to lamb now, it will most likely be at the far end of the paddock in the driving, cold rain or, better yet, in the middle of the night, when the workmen are not around. These are the possibilities. Yes, for our sake, I do hope they finish up the work very soon. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cleo looking quite large!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morning mist</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Signs of spring</td></tr>
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<br />mctavishfarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01289567222288267683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395708570599282061.post-76035149527650965352015-04-16T10:02:00.000-07:002015-04-16T10:02:18.049-07:00Let the Lamb Races Begin!Finally, some lambs on the ground. They came a bit later this year as we altered our breeding practices. The shepherd failed to plan ahead and did not "synchronize" the ewes as we usually do. As we tried to breed for early lambs it meant 3 of our 7 did not take, that is, no lambs from them. Another ewe lost her lamb prematurely. On the bright side we do have are 5 healthy, bouncing lambs, 2 sets of twins and one single. <br />
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When the lambs are first born the moms hold there babes on a very short leash and work to keep them away from the other lambs. Here is a picture of Siobhan with her lambs tight at her side as she ventures out of the barn to munch some green grass. <br />
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As the lambs age, usually by about a week they are allowed to roam further from her side. This is when they show some interest in the other lambs, as well as things like dirt, the barn downspout and the chickens. By a couple weeks of age the lambs begin to sport around together in mass. They discover their play structure, the top part of an old water tank. Always fun to see who masters it first. This year it is "Whiskey", Aurora's single lamb. She is seen here doing some type of acrobatic half twist off the tank.<br />
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<br />The favorite activity of all the lambs usually happens in the evenings. That is when they wind up to perform the lamb races. This involves running back and forth from the barn to the pasture at full speed. They run and run and run until they have to stop, completely winded, mouths open wide the catch their breaths. Lots of fun to watch.<br />
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And when they are not running, well they are just looking darn cute! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Duke stretching after a nap</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dutchess interested in my camera</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whiskey peers over her mom</td></tr>
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<br />mctavishfarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01289567222288267683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395708570599282061.post-462665171426308452015-03-03T16:42:00.000-08:002015-03-03T16:42:11.581-08:00Spring Really?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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While the rest of the country gets buried in snow, we out here in the west seem to be having unseasonably warm, dry weather. Good for flowers, buds and shearing, probably won't be so good later in the summer when we run out of water. We are doing our best to enjoy the sun for the moment, but as I am a true Oregonian, I get a little nervous when it's not raining. <br />
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As I mentioned shearing I might as well let you know that it has come and gone. Tom and I got our 16 sheep all sheared and it only took us 4 separate sessions. As we are NOT professionals we can only do a few at a time before the backs start screaming. We did feel pretty good about how it went this year. Only one mishap. That happened as I was getting to the last rump end of miss Rachel. She decided to quickly plant all four hooves squarely on the ground and run! I did a dive trying to hold her around the neck at the same time trying to keep the shears from smashing into the pavement. Saved the shears but missed the sheep. She went trotting down the drive with one big puff of fleece dragging in the dirt behind her. Oh well, not perfect. Maybe next year.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is me shearing. Tom is taking the picture but as this is a two person operation he quickly runs back into position once the picture is snapped.</td></tr>
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This is Sushi's eyeball. People often remark that sheep's eyes are so strange. What do you think?<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a close up of Sushi's lock</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Feather just has to tell me how much she loves me.mctavishfarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01289567222288267683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395708570599282061.post-6047689531927971702014-11-19T08:05:00.000-08:002014-11-19T08:05:36.450-08:00Tis the season...Well it is breeding time for the sheep. Actually we just took the breeding groups apart, boys back with boys (more like boy back with boy) and all the girls back together. We are hoping our little guy, Bourbon did his job. He is just a lamb and didn't seem to take his job as seriously as Oatis. But we've used ram lambs (boys under a year) before and they were just as productive. In total we bred 7 ewes so will be expecting lots o' lambs in late March, early April. Yes it is the season.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOwuGmgnhjqu6YxF_hyi-CErMdNGKcPvGoibKUNkbV1voKc1F0_j6nBisMqc0DwCK6hbYoj6IXPLPEB7uFLRKY2GPTW4tx0WPGQ0FvYEGo9wSGZsqVtegyOYlmG1wq-e87xcUK6bZyln4I/s1600/IMG_8599.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOwuGmgnhjqu6YxF_hyi-CErMdNGKcPvGoibKUNkbV1voKc1F0_j6nBisMqc0DwCK6hbYoj6IXPLPEB7uFLRKY2GPTW4tx0WPGQ0FvYEGo9wSGZsqVtegyOYlmG1wq-e87xcUK6bZyln4I/s1600/IMG_8599.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bloom and Rachel</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Bourbon, playing cute for the girls.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bloom and Rachel working out their differences.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Handsome Oatis.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oatis' ladies. He's a bit controlling and won't let them come up to me.</td></tr>
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<br />mctavishfarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01289567222288267683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395708570599282061.post-34886503959696776872014-08-25T12:09:00.002-07:002014-08-25T12:09:54.305-07:00Dog Days of SummerBusy, busy times on this farm. A long while back I did a post on all the good things that come from sheep. One of those things was the great fertilizer they provide. From that great compost comes a great garden (would be better if I could just keep out the moles!). We are harvesting (when I say "we" I think I mean "I") and storing away all sorts of goodies this time of year. Busy little squirrels. The weather is hot and very dry. I am longing for cooler times, brisk nights and some moisture. And, of course, more time at the spinning wheel.<br />
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Here are the Tarahumara Sunflowers I planted. They are saluting the morning sun. I am growing them for the bees and as they ripen, the sheep will get a nice treat.<br />
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Here are a few bees enjoying the sunflower's pollen. <br />
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Big leaf greens in the garden; collard and kale. I am having fun with pickling them. A tangy salty treat that is ooooh so good for you.<br />
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For a couple days we had some smoke pour in from the fires in northern California. It made for some interesting evening light. Those are the pictures that follow. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our barn and very brown pasture.</td></tr>
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And just so you don't forget the sheep....here is Athena. She is growing up nicely, don't you think? She has a very soft fleece.<br />
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<br />mctavishfarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01289567222288267683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395708570599282061.post-28291768348181340342014-06-23T14:24:00.001-07:002014-06-23T14:29:01.005-07:00Baack from Black SheepWe are back from another wonderful Black Sheep Gathering. As we get to know more and more people in the fiber world the time spent there seems to go by faster and faster (I'm hoping this phenomenon is not a product of age!). Can't believe it is over but I sure am exausted.<br />
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The sheep are happy to be back as well (they were getting pretty cranky that last day). Thought I'd post a few up to date pictures of our young ones. Amazing how they grow up. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0lVS2jIS3x8XME5Xv1UYbV2NKArKkuvSMkKJh_x6n10jhwblS91ZUUehnOWUYLCGwfzb2TI1quBP9gwzve1QBXoEcwpRXuw61Ntt2zXkilXUMg9840nkYni2kuEU8rsQITniNRt9F-v8q/s1600/IMG_8220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0lVS2jIS3x8XME5Xv1UYbV2NKArKkuvSMkKJh_x6n10jhwblS91ZUUehnOWUYLCGwfzb2TI1quBP9gwzve1QBXoEcwpRXuw61Ntt2zXkilXUMg9840nkYni2kuEU8rsQITniNRt9F-v8q/s1600/IMG_8220.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Bloom, sister to Simbaa (see sale page), auntie to Harissa</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-JbbYrfVcbTipt8_YQdgIKAnjStk8DGtqevPCiSoDWuEH6delpN1OEdqslk5UkNnmKjh2kDH9cOrMz4vNnoa2_XBN-t4ANq40bpDLclEBCYiS5fYz3-TeTXiJcum5E-w2_gWIJ4OKSwaR/s1600/IMG_8231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-JbbYrfVcbTipt8_YQdgIKAnjStk8DGtqevPCiSoDWuEH6delpN1OEdqslk5UkNnmKjh2kDH9cOrMz4vNnoa2_XBN-t4ANq40bpDLclEBCYiS5fYz3-TeTXiJcum5E-w2_gWIJ4OKSwaR/s1600/IMG_8231.jpg" height="219" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harissa, the loud little girl born with about an inch and a half of fleece! She is the daughter of Simbaa (see sale page)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyWmStWbWAEFo_kI9jXAIqnX1if_IhM7I3RyZKEbR0v_Lx9SxTjPsMGDZRAJBWifm3jwi8WpSo5WcQ3LrHN5xx9UhCeJ1eDgppTcoqyME9En13x22VTdVvmeRBIskTy0AcyvhXvi4Ph1Ft/s1600/IMG_8233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyWmStWbWAEFo_kI9jXAIqnX1if_IhM7I3RyZKEbR0v_Lx9SxTjPsMGDZRAJBWifm3jwi8WpSo5WcQ3LrHN5xx9UhCeJ1eDgppTcoqyME9En13x22VTdVvmeRBIskTy0AcyvhXvi4Ph1Ft/s1600/IMG_8233.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Griffin, one of our ram lambs</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizeZXswQfpGT_f7HoIFJ_Ml2Wek7XtpBboHYfPmROuFDAZ3Gcz1Q7uDhyphenhyphenVv8L_GFzRau2b6VddxF7A5DFTLh0X-D_88jM_joV1xFjnSNIevMcCejUpIYTxpqX8z02CB6npk3so0Z8ICMcC/s1600/IMG_8246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizeZXswQfpGT_f7HoIFJ_Ml2Wek7XtpBboHYfPmROuFDAZ3Gcz1Q7uDhyphenhyphenVv8L_GFzRau2b6VddxF7A5DFTLh0X-D_88jM_joV1xFjnSNIevMcCejUpIYTxpqX8z02CB6npk3so0Z8ICMcC/s1600/IMG_8246.jpg" height="320" width="221" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oatis, our yearling ram. I LOVE his fleece.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin1lA4hYgXZKElKOlL9bwBd7sVwQh_p9SwmysTWs0tX3VQDp38-XQ3Q0aN2vA12BpYsciTD1SWPHCPbzXwjqobnVRFzNJFS37wjK4jhJT2RC5qlVrRerDZzd3bOfGStEsGAY9-n0x3BHuK/s1600/IMG_8251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin1lA4hYgXZKElKOlL9bwBd7sVwQh_p9SwmysTWs0tX3VQDp38-XQ3Q0aN2vA12BpYsciTD1SWPHCPbzXwjqobnVRFzNJFS37wjK4jhJT2RC5qlVrRerDZzd3bOfGStEsGAY9-n0x3BHuK/s1600/IMG_8251.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last but certainly not least, Athena. Wow she is maturing! Still cute as a button.</td></tr>
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OH AND if anyone "needs" spinning fiber, I still have big bags of Shetland top in an array of Shetland colors!mctavishfarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01289567222288267683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395708570599282061.post-16684263281694682452014-04-20T08:08:00.000-07:002014-04-20T08:09:27.502-07:00Tradegy And Joy...<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-LVyFiRC-SdP05aA4tGq7i3Y_dgi4uwDn8YJLGLCXQ3bJ4w2anCYLb9uI6shFPBjlN9iWFI4K5fIhsyi3lR9TO5MtJQHsTi2eLWlpZy1fkT7EvJmOHwzUd0iXRKb1ZkOPFFtvxZTZPMTM/s1600/IMG_7683.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-LVyFiRC-SdP05aA4tGq7i3Y_dgi4uwDn8YJLGLCXQ3bJ4w2anCYLb9uI6shFPBjlN9iWFI4K5fIhsyi3lR9TO5MtJQHsTi2eLWlpZy1fkT7EvJmOHwzUd0iXRKb1ZkOPFFtvxZTZPMTM/s1600/IMG_7683.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Freyja hovering over her baby</td></tr>
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....Those are the feelings you experience with the birth of a lamb and the loss of the ewe. Little Athena was born on day 140 following her conception, a bit on the early side for a first time lambing ewe. She had a sister but unfortunately she never took her first breath, too early for her underdeveloped lungs I guess. We were not expecting lambs this early. I discovered the little one before bed, all dried off and fed. Freyja did a wonderful job. I put them in their own pen and all seemed good. The next day they both seemed perky and healthy. The only concern I had was that Freyja had not fully expelled the placenta, it remained hanging off her hind end. I consulted the vet, not to worry until it had been another couple days. The following day, two days after Athena's birth, Freyja was getting some odd symptoms. Several times that day I consulted the vet and treated her with what seemed appropriate. She did not improve. By that evening she was dead, leaving this little infant in our hands.<br />
What amazes me about Freyja was that she was so very stoic when I imagine she must have been in tremendous pain. My suspicion was she had a twisted intestine. She stayed alert and caring for her baby up until the very end, with no sign of weakness. It was hard to tell anything was wrong. Our last moment with her before she died (Tom and I both witnessed her last breath) was her lying peacefully with her little one curled right beside her. It was like she was waiting for us to come to the barn to take her little one so she could go; that her baby would be cared for. How could a mother be more loving of her baby than that? <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Freyja 3/23/2012-3/30/2014</td></tr>
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Freyja leaves a big hole in our life but her baby is doing her best to fill it. She is a spunky, healthy little gal; full of life. I promise to do my best to take good care of her as her mother would have wanted.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">McTavish Farm Athena</td></tr>
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<br />mctavishfarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01289567222288267683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395708570599282061.post-36628676747027475592014-03-03T14:36:00.001-08:002014-03-03T14:38:54.069-08:00Spring Fever<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Like it is for all of us, spring is a happy time for sheep. Temperatures are warming, grass is growing and it's time to get out of the barn and into the pasture. These pictures were taken this morning when I put the gals out on a paddock for a little green grass. As you can see....They are HAPPY!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Check out the "Texas kicker" maneuver!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tsumi and Jack go at it.</td></tr>
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mctavishfarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01289567222288267683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395708570599282061.post-30607391999357335302013-10-06T09:49:00.001-07:002013-10-06T09:58:42.963-07:00Add a Little Sunshine...........after a nice rain, of course, and we have green and food! Our weather has been a bit wacko lately, torrential rains for the past week and it wasn't even October (we set a record for amount of rain this September). Don't think I have ever seen it rain so hard except when I was in the rainforest of the Yucatan. But now with the sunshine and warmth we have some grass growth. The sheep are happy about that. I guess it would be like us having to eat freeze dried food for a week then being introduced to a big buffet table of freshly prepared dishes. We would go crazy too. I took some pictures with our new camera (what a joy to have the picture click at the exact moment I take the picture!) and of course the sheep were so engrossed in eating it took shaking the earth to get them to look up. But here's what I got.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4t4lrQeqZq9dMhnENQ0UruYIqxPozbj1YFmA3hJEkf1tYUGUeMeJ7kZoyFdEiE9rgNvYZ-eBCgGOlxSX8ZLEmVFbPAOTgGp3ncfVCnShlejJ0zAHmrDaMz8PkwNWW8RXWmMKhcoRxH4Qu/s1600/2013+10+05_3750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4t4lrQeqZq9dMhnENQ0UruYIqxPozbj1YFmA3hJEkf1tYUGUeMeJ7kZoyFdEiE9rgNvYZ-eBCgGOlxSX8ZLEmVFbPAOTgGp3ncfVCnShlejJ0zAHmrDaMz8PkwNWW8RXWmMKhcoRxH4Qu/s320/2013+10+05_3750.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Miss Cleo, one of the young ones. She gets the "Miss Autumn" award for her color coordination.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clancy the "playboy" escaping the camera. He hates to have his picture taken; I was lucky to catch him here.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Katrina who never has a bad hair day!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD0Ciq2q8NACjhPxv6EIYZBq4cera0BnlQcO-glSsmEsjoWXmzNTS-2QS7aNFTJ-xMzXhSl1Q0Hb_S-Su9VQAI6a0lRnfnGhNbCndfZc0JtOWiPprxp0btXk7CawmBTi6HYT4kyVo_QXdr/s1600/2013+10+02_3715.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD0Ciq2q8NACjhPxv6EIYZBq4cera0BnlQcO-glSsmEsjoWXmzNTS-2QS7aNFTJ-xMzXhSl1Q0Hb_S-Su9VQAI6a0lRnfnGhNbCndfZc0JtOWiPprxp0btXk7CawmBTi6HYT4kyVo_QXdr/s320/2013+10+02_3715.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our boomerang sheep Mali, a return to our flock after being sold as a lamb. We are very lucky to have her back; fleece is stunning!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_I96u2JwE4qMCjfpkhZ1t-b4sfpI0YON6rdJ0-hd1LOiQ8y6C5xdvEHCCs2GUHAfEFCAsSN-7lkVA0r2BhYRwMpuTnzC0rmuzxy1kMaAZbq8iCehHfly7vsKjtOOqsqWW6MYN5lUIHKZJ/s1600/2013+10+05_3734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_I96u2JwE4qMCjfpkhZ1t-b4sfpI0YON6rdJ0-hd1LOiQ8y6C5xdvEHCCs2GUHAfEFCAsSN-7lkVA0r2BhYRwMpuTnzC0rmuzxy1kMaAZbq8iCehHfly7vsKjtOOqsqWW6MYN5lUIHKZJ/s320/2013+10+05_3734.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The little Gottie babies just had their first haircut. They are really happy to have sun.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ68oSe5WIdRIswBtiqzUn4m6cObQKdO23EgGZEmSgs6wu-DV-L2j0fdb0ZpFwSP70uaQkYbuGuBCu0OhMWvDOoTUDId3xyMzF-vfD3DyDazjghF4JNptNCa5G70ICOqHcYYIgjsHYMFov/s1600/2013+10+05_3740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ68oSe5WIdRIswBtiqzUn4m6cObQKdO23EgGZEmSgs6wu-DV-L2j0fdb0ZpFwSP70uaQkYbuGuBCu0OhMWvDOoTUDId3xyMzF-vfD3DyDazjghF4JNptNCa5G70ICOqHcYYIgjsHYMFov/s320/2013+10+05_3740.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shebaa and her lovely fleece. Interesting she was very light in color, almost white. Now at age 4 her fleece is coming in much darker. I like it!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ZmNmPUzQxdUCdEZ0SP-iU3MsNYRlNv9zLnWGFsKXPsT9XX-DbbaK5iqGwD2UfQAuuFuyQi2UX-gXdNl7gqIh8I7UBryJyETmktqMeLHxxz1layJQPAx2T4nRGOrpm3DE41FfNAgDnxqj/s1600/2013+10+05_3739.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ZmNmPUzQxdUCdEZ0SP-iU3MsNYRlNv9zLnWGFsKXPsT9XX-DbbaK5iqGwD2UfQAuuFuyQi2UX-gXdNl7gqIh8I7UBryJyETmktqMeLHxxz1layJQPAx2T4nRGOrpm3DE41FfNAgDnxqj/s320/2013+10+05_3739.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close up of Shebaa's fleece.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs17Dv6gVht6k38Qy8tqltug6vfkgyEaiBnOUMlY5HsVRcu4I_O9cZCy0-5E2nkPdkNy5Ee-Lag8tnb0gW0SK5Rn6NqHrZnxWfPhCMCymrQ4tvdU13fSwjywK53qoKxRLNPdAH8ahYhBky/s1600/2013+10+05_3736.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs17Dv6gVht6k38Qy8tqltug6vfkgyEaiBnOUMlY5HsVRcu4I_O9cZCy0-5E2nkPdkNy5Ee-Lag8tnb0gW0SK5Rn6NqHrZnxWfPhCMCymrQ4tvdU13fSwjywK53qoKxRLNPdAH8ahYhBky/s320/2013+10+05_3736.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A sheep gang!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5vIEuWYWAu7QzWAULyqVtDQ_FAT5fSDvWLn7qpiyk2vOjnnzSaBY_ApFRWM8cIvyfaH08WoyI4CaNLkIFAIc73BP_Uu0H3rCiXFb0R9zLboJ_VhbhpX70sIqbQIZPbRqsAzbdi9PlbGMP/s1600/2013+10+05_3756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5vIEuWYWAu7QzWAULyqVtDQ_FAT5fSDvWLn7qpiyk2vOjnnzSaBY_ApFRWM8cIvyfaH08WoyI4CaNLkIFAIc73BP_Uu0H3rCiXFb0R9zLboJ_VhbhpX70sIqbQIZPbRqsAzbdi9PlbGMP/s320/2013+10+05_3756.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leitzel, one of our choices for breeding this year. </td></tr>
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For those in need of spinning material I still have plenty of Shetland top for sale. Check out the sale page.mctavishfarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01289567222288267683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395708570599282061.post-11194261138768622372013-08-25T14:45:00.001-07:002013-08-26T20:12:06.413-07:00Grape Love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK36v2k4utRrV9y4wgHh3AbA4Jl0xPkyrNR7-tD3RHoTwoxsVkSADEiNFd3CVleez430jfiGi-2LDOIIVmzuvEoZ9S9cPbZW_HI1eNge87BaRSpdjg9o0IN8y0-UAPpQmXwPyPFNs1y4CH/s1600/2013+08+25_3662-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK36v2k4utRrV9y4wgHh3AbA4Jl0xPkyrNR7-tD3RHoTwoxsVkSADEiNFd3CVleez430jfiGi-2LDOIIVmzuvEoZ9S9cPbZW_HI1eNge87BaRSpdjg9o0IN8y0-UAPpQmXwPyPFNs1y4CH/s320/2013+08+25_3662-1.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Digging into the pile of spent grapes</td></tr>
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Today was grape juice day. It was meant to be grape juice morning but then soon turned into a grape juice day. Now I am even looking at making more juice tomorrow! Lots of grapes and not enough sterile jars. Oh well, we will be stocked and I do love grape juice.<br />
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Appears that my sheep love grapes as well. I was putting my grape refuse from the juice in the compost but then got the brilliant idea that maybe the sheep might like all those skins, stems and seeds. And sure enough.....They LOVE grapes!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkYNgbOfYBwrUCVrHk6Cv0636Axh_MGzCz7mtG-jJb249LzDpf2yEMKqR_SGizyQbdvylTtMZx9TafBFMOC61_DQkiEr05lAUf761DmW4AiPbNCwPJeFAT4Pj2fu0oOwXs8c4GACcPqSvJ/s1600/2013+08+25_3661-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkYNgbOfYBwrUCVrHk6Cv0636Axh_MGzCz7mtG-jJb249LzDpf2yEMKqR_SGizyQbdvylTtMZx9TafBFMOC61_DQkiEr05lAUf761DmW4AiPbNCwPJeFAT4Pj2fu0oOwXs8c4GACcPqSvJ/s320/2013+08+25_3661-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is a real grape hog! That would be Sushi sheep of course</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9JmyLSdBHGzrq6eH2IdrXCea3FF9Car35Rd_M4v2Q8WUZQErU3bU75SE2fy7fpXD7YZYToOwiHfxDQ9cI6fKwW65gbP9qelAgBnshrLDMp8ipmzIm2hr8CUc67TA50R2Elt4AuCiv_hcj/s1600/2013+08+25_3658.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9JmyLSdBHGzrq6eH2IdrXCea3FF9Car35Rd_M4v2Q8WUZQErU3bU75SE2fy7fpXD7YZYToOwiHfxDQ9cI6fKwW65gbP9qelAgBnshrLDMp8ipmzIm2hr8CUc67TA50R2Elt4AuCiv_hcj/s320/2013+08+25_3658.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At least she kept it off her pretty white fleece.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB8WZFfd3TOe8d_J9LMSQ6Ym_IuG6mo3Int4_lXKIV3NLYeZL0FYTCOjg2OIFOSEgYz6uMfRk5ZUzVObCA4y6qfsolDLd6He9nnEJgLIrBlleFrlpTtNWUsU76hd_muCVz52rwUHlpcnnR/s1600/2013+08+25_3664_edited-1-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB8WZFfd3TOe8d_J9LMSQ6Ym_IuG6mo3Int4_lXKIV3NLYeZL0FYTCOjg2OIFOSEgYz6uMfRk5ZUzVObCA4y6qfsolDLd6He9nnEJgLIrBlleFrlpTtNWUsU76hd_muCVz52rwUHlpcnnR/s320/2013+08+25_3664_edited-1-1.jpg" width="227" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reese says "yummy!"</td></tr>
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<br />mctavishfarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01289567222288267683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395708570599282061.post-37749504593468959662013-07-07T11:08:00.000-07:002013-07-07T11:09:42.656-07:00TimberIf you remember my post about a year and a half ago I told you of a massive black oak tree that had fallen in our pasture. After sitting for a year, on our fence, on our lower sheep paddock, well we finally found someone to mill it for us. It was too big for our chainsaw, and frankly, I really hated to see this big wood go for just firewood. We were lucky to have found a very nice gentleman with a very portable mill to come cut it up for us. So yesterday we toured down there to see what he was up to. Here are some shots.<br />
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This is the mill. After using his crane to place the log he uses this contraption to guide the saw across it. The saw can be tipped at various angles so he can make cuts in both directions. He then lowers the saw at those 4 posts to make another swipe at the log. Pretty swift device. It all fits on the back of a pickup.<br />
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Here is Tom and Clancy checking out the new boards. This wood has some pretty figuring in it. I'm thinking it should make some very nice spinning wheels. Of course it will be a bit of time before it is fully dry. Take note those of you lower down on the wheel list : )mctavishfarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01289567222288267683noreply@blogger.com0