Back to the Birthing Barn | Foxfire Fiber & Designs

That’s right. . .

I really like keeping busy. Fortunately, I am also a somewhat unrealistic planner, which is a sure-fire way to keep really busy. My tendency to absolutely pack my calendar without considering the juxtaposition of events nearly backfired last weekend when it became clear that lambs were imminent and I was booked for the Fiber Frolic. Hence, while I took Foxfire Fiber on the road this weekend, Gale and Dick were my understudies here at the farm.

You may recall my vigils from earlier this spring and wonder why more lambs now? This is summer, lambs arrive in the spring, right?

Back in January I decided to introduce my new Cormo ram – Teaberry – to a small group of two-year-old ewes. "Tea" joined my flock late last fall to bring new blood lines. Also, I did not want to lose a breeding season with these lovely ewes just coming of age. The question was Teaberry’s age; a June ’06 lamb himself, he still looked more a bit more ram-lamb than ram.

On January 9, Holly and I released him into the pen with the young ewes. That was one frisky afternoon. Although Tea had the right spirit, I wasn’t overly impressed with his form. I gave him three weeks to see what he could accomplish.

At about the same time I submitted my application for the Fiber Frolic. I had vended there in ’05 but was unable to attend last year. It’s a fun little show hosted by the Maine Llama Association, held at the Windsor Fairgrounds, in a very pretty part of Maine. When I posted that form, I’m not sure I really stopped to consider that lambs might be pending the very same week. I suppose I wasn’t completely convinced there would be any baby Teaberries . . . .

As May progressed, it became rather obvious that Tea had done his job. With the weekend of the Frolic looming I was faced with a dilemma – how to be in two places at once. Fortunately, Gale and Dick had been present for birthing earlier this spring and were willing to keep vigil at the farm.

At 2 a.m. the very first night I was away, Cassandra delivered a ram lamb. I received an exciting phone call from Gale as I set up my booth on Saturday morning. After some initial concern about colostrum uptake, it was deemed that this little guy was just fine. Gale and Dick named him Cody.

Now I’m the one on watch – anticipating arrivals from Calypso, Thalia and Verbena. We should see action before the weekend.

If you’re up for a drive this Saturday, please do stop by for our Tenth Anniversary Celebration Open Farm. For details visit www.foxfirefiber.com. You can meet our lambs from earlier this spring and also the baby Teaberries. FYI: I planned this event back in January too. Here’s to good planning : )

Foxfire Fiber & Designs at the Maine Fiber Frolic

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All images and content property of Barbara Parry, Foxfire Fiber & Designs.