How much damage can one ram do during a 24-hour foray into the ewes' field in Fall?

Well, I've seen four sets of lambs born during the coldest days we've experienced all winter. Luckily, the other fifty ewes, contentedly chewing their cud as they lie thawing the frozen ground under their swollen bellies, look like they'll hold off until April to get on with motherhood. They have a warm, cleanly bedded barn available. Still, they like the fresh air. A coating of snow makes them look particularly picturesque as their breath fogs the air around my knees. Yesterday and today, it was a challenge to fill the water trough without the wind whipping the spray all over my legs. You do NOT want wet jeans in -8 degree f. weather, believe me.

Knowing the bitter weather was coming, I knitted myself a really warm hat from homespun wool and alpaca a couple days ago. Tonight I can't find it. Time will tell whether it fell off in the barn, was snatched out of a pocket by a four-legged thief (canine or ovine), or I put it somewhere that now escapes my memory. I really do question my memory more each year!

I've finished a pair of socks for "Baby Cha Cha," due February 19 to my brother Dave and his wife Andrea. Phoenix, their 2 1/2 year old son, came up with the sobriquet "Cha Cha" and it's stuck, at least in Aunt Nancy's brain. Next: fingerless guantlets, more socks, and a sweater (remaking to a larger size) for my nephew Phoenix, from yarn I spun from the lamb fleece of "Phoebe"...a Lincoln ewe born the same day Phoenix "rose" into this world.

The dye pot is calling, fleece is drying all over household surfaces, and at the shop (The Farm Shop) there are lots of items to be priced and displayed. There are NOT enough hours, days, or weeks in our lives.

Well, this is my first blogging attempt. It can only get better?