Shearing Day

I've never shorn this early in the year before, but Maryland Sheep and Wool is looming large and the carding mill told me, very firmly, that they will not take any "last minute" shipments of wool to process before a festival.  The sheep have a thick layer of fat on them, due to a winter of plentiful second-cut hay, and are not showing any discomfort that I can tell.  They are protected from the wind and weather in the barn and next week shows the weather continuing to be mild (compared to what is usually is this time of year).  Big Jim Baldwin sheared 42 sheep before he announced it was time for him to go home and do his own chores.  Kimmie Cornerstone and Crew came from Kingston, Ontario, to lend a hand.   The kids built a hay fort in the mow and generally had a wild farm experience while we labored downstairs.   It was great to have Kim skirting the soft, gorgeous, fleeces BEFORE they went in the bags, making my job much easier when it's time to wash and dye the wool.