Jefferson Sheep and Wool Festival…Tons of Pictures
I think Border Collies are amazing.
At the Wool Festival in Jefferson Wisconsin today, they were up against the elements.
They are not thrilled when they are waiting their turn to work….but they are obedient.
The field was full of tall clover, the wind was the wrong direction, and the dogs couldn't hear the whistles or see the sheep much of the time. Nonetheless, we watched them compete for their 9 minutes and we were fascinated again.
I love this breed, but I could NEVER keep one happy.
(Chance..from Farsideoffiftyfame….I love your thoughtful posts)
This border puppy is blind in one eye. You know I wanted him. Even a border with just one eye will do more work than ten other dogs in their lifetime.
I wanted some border collies…
maybe some old ones...
If you love dogs and you love sheep, well you ought to watch them if you get the opportunity, or else watch Babe.
In one of the Fair barns, little lambs had just been born.
This one was meconium stained. The farmer "pulled" it because the momma was distressed. He said it would turn white in a few days. Ewe. Pun intended. You mean it won't get a bath?
Meconium stained babies sure get a bath…
I would have given it a bath..
Just for us, the interested public, they try to time the breeding so a few sheep deliver during the fair. Really. Thank you.
These are 3 of 4 quadruplets born a day ago.
One lady who spoke like she knew, said they are light as a feather and fluffy.
The Agra guy said they weight about 11 lbs.
I romanticize things. Farming for instance.
I quickly thought I wanted a few lambs for my border collies.
Reality set in.
In the yarn barn there were …
bunnies for sale.
This darling fluffy bun was about 60 dollars.
I thought about combing it and learning to spin.
I hear they poop …a lot.
Maybe next year.
When I retire.
I'll get two bunnies and comb them.
Inside the fiber barns, rovings were for sale,
yarns were for sale, and soaps and lotions were for sale.
When I said I didn't' spin, one lady said she'd spin anything of my choice for 8 dollars an ounce.
Seemed fair but I just enjoyed watching her spin.
Fireman was my willing chauffeur and he had an elephant ear for a treat. I had ONE bite of it and I closed my eyes it was so good.
We only decided last night to head up to the Festival.
I'm so glad we did.
I bought some yarn for a project that Kim of
Handeyecrafts tipped me to:
the Hooded scarf.
If I showed it to you now, I'd have nothing to show you tomorrow!
The ride home was visually sweet the whole way.
While the skies at home were stormy we had a lovely backdrop to the country roads.
I romanticize farm living….
So
No Border collies
no lambs,
no bunnies came home with me
Just Fireman and some yarn
and well,
that'll do me,
that'll do...
Comments
Looks like it was a grand day out.
We had a border collie named Ned and he was a treat. He spent all day herding the kids around and quite honestly, he was smarter than they were. He was a quite a guy. We didn't replace him because we knew without little kids we couldn't keep one busy enough. We still love watching them in action at festivals but have also given up our idea of a little farm. Just keeping up with one little pup and a handful of kitties is too much for us old retired folks these days!
Hugs,
Meredith
Our darling Jessie was part Border Collie, and she was VERY smart. She also herded me, especially when I would bring her in after a walk. She'd cut behind me and not enter the house until she gotten me in.