Plan “Be”

Cormo lambs september 1

Cormo lambs september 2

Cormo lambs september 3 

As you may have wondered, not everything has gone exactly according to plan here for several weeks. It's true: hay has been mown, baled and stacked in the barn. Though not overly fond of the fall monsoons that arrived this week, the sheep are relishing cooler days. And absolutely loving the hay field we decided not to mow, but to save for autumn pasture. So they're waist-deep in sheep nirvana. But as you've probably gathered from all quiet on the blog front, I have needed to step back a bit and take it easy.

Today I finished week twelve of cardi rehab. And although exhausted and intensely frustrated (at times) to not be up to speed, I am finding quiet gratitude for improvements week by week.  It's a process that can't be rushed. I'm working on acceptance, listening better to my body, and shifting to plan "be".

Regrettably, it means paring back on my fall calendar. I've had to bow out of Fiber Twist, Rhinebeck and The Gathering for this year so I can put my energy into recovery and gradually returning to full-time shepherd-dome. I get small amounts of work done by plugging along each day and that feels very good. But the balance-thing is still tricky and sometimes elusive. So I hope you'll forgive my absence(s) this season.

I'm grateful for your continued support, kind thoughts, offers of help in this year unlike any other. Challenges have a way of clarifying priorities. Mike and Holly have the farm well in hand. And the Davenports were the heros who made hay happen so the flock can eat this winter.

Holly is outside in the rain at this very minute setting up the yard for a special visit tomorrow. She, Mike and I welcome you to stop by the farm between 11 – 3. Crackerjack and the lambs are in the yard. And the hillside is starting to glow with red and gold. If you were planning to make a foliage drive, Shelburne Falls is an amazing destination. The farm is just a slight detour on your way to the village. I can't promise that the sheep will be dry, but there's a rumor of sunshine. And no worries, I am camping in an adirondack chair with my knitting and perhaps a lamb in my lap. So please join me if you can.

And please stay tuned for a very special announcement early next week.

copyright 2010 Barbara Parry. All rights reserved.