- things don't always look so sunny. Sometimes, I close my mind to that little voice in my head. The one that told me a week ago that Maddie Mor's lamb was dead. Sometimes I give in to my own inexperience and listen too much to other's opinions - and oh my, how they vary.
Sometimes I need to insist on expert assistance,
And sometimes the arrival of the first lamb isn't quite how I imagined it.
Sometimes I wonder just what I am doing here.
But then - the sun rises on a new day... and I know.
Maddie Mor's lamb had indeed died, and was removed, by the vet, as she had been unable to expel it herself. She is doing well now and will hopefully recover and try again next year. We suspect there has been some butting going on, and this has resulted in the death of Maddie's lamb. James actually refers to one of the sheep as Butthead.
But this morning, as I opened the blinds in the living room, I saw Calumina (Butthead) herself, just getting up from the ground. By the time I had watered my tomato plants on the window sill, she was licking a little woolly white bundle. I pulled on my wellies and coat and rushed out, still in my jammies. A little boy lamb - still wet from his birth. Perfect. Tomorrow is indeed another day.
Some things are really out of our control.
ReplyDeleteV
xxx
A new life to celebrate, each little joy making it all worth while x
ReplyDeleteI sympathise with you. It is never easy at this time of year - lambing time should be so full of promise, it is so traditionally symbolic of new life beginning, but then the grim reality kicks in when sometimes not every lamb makes it, for whatever reason. I still cannot get used to the brutal 'rawness' of this aspect of farming and crofting. Take care. x
ReplyDelete((hugs)) and sympathies for Maddie Mor's lamb.
ReplyDeleteKeeping animals will have it's ups and downs, I doubt anyone would say it was easy or predictable.
Good to hear that you had an up moment this morning though, and welcome to the world little lamb x
Life and Death...and the circle continues. I am so sorry Jacqui about the wee little lamb that didn't make it, but over joyed at the one who did. Any type of farming is hard, but especially when it comes to animals.My heart always becomes so attached and in the past this has been a problem for me. I hope everything is brighter in your world today! :)
ReplyDeleteoh, bless.
ReplyDeletei've always been amazed at the resilience that comes from life in step with nature and the land....life, indeed, just goes on.
congrats on your new little boy....lambs are the most incredible fun!
xo
So sorry about Maddie Mor's lamb, but glad that Maddie Mor herself will recover. And exciting about your first live lamb, I hope your first experience of lambing is the only glitch.
ReplyDeleteThe joys and heartbreak of nature in a single post. Good to be reminded sometimes. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteLiz @ Shortbread & Ginger
Hello Jacqui.....you expressed my thoughts exactly this morning. In this country living there are many days I asked myself, "What am I doing here". But just as you have stated today....a new life appears...and, you take a deep breath. I hope you have a good week.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about the lamb, but I am glad that Maddie Mor is doing well now. I have been thinking about you a lot these last few days. I hope the rest of the lambing season goes well.
ReplyDeleteYou've expressed how I feel sometimes too. Choosing the lifestyles we have can bring difficulties and heartaches, and some steep learning curves! Thank goodness for the blessings too. Hugs to you, a kindred-spirit. xx
ReplyDeleteThank goodness for butthead's little lamb. Now there's a sentence I never thought I'd write. I hope he thrives.
ReplyDeleteThe yin and yang of life is made all the more obvious on a croft/farm, isn't it. So sorry about Maddie Mor's lamb. Good to know though that a new little one did make it.
ReplyDeleteI am so sad about your lamb loss. But thankfully a new lamb was born to ease your pain.
ReplyDeleteSuch a simply well told illustration of life... and death. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Debbie
My sympathies for Maddie Mor's lost lamb. Farming really does make the ebb and flow of life more tangible. Butthead's baby is adorable. I'm glad it came so quickly to remind you of the blessings of life.
ReplyDeleteYou win some, then Nature takes her rent. It is why farmers will never tell exactly how many/how much they have of something, not wanting to tempt Fate.
ReplyDeleteHopefully Maddie Moor will lamb ok next time.
it must be hard, but other little moments then go and give us joy. Thankyou for sharing.
ReplyDeleteJacqui so sorry to read this news, so sad. It's the circle of life though isn't it?
ReplyDeleteYou and John are dealing with a huge learning curve and be encouraged you are both doing a really great job.
Love to you
San xx
Blessings to you, James, Maddie Mor, the lamb and Butthead....xxx
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to have a lamb arrive after such sadness.
ReplyDeleteOn a farm the loss of one of your animals is so sad but in the end there are so many more that need our attention. I sometimes find myself in the depths of sorrow because something has died and then a 'new day' and a new life. The circle continues. Love to you all, I know how it feels.
ReplyDeleteyou write so beautifully about life on the croft jacqui. the circle of life is happening right before your eyes. how i would love to be there, to see the beauty surrounding you, and that little lamb. xox lori
ReplyDeletelove the changes on your blog too :)
ReplyDeleteYour post started so melancholy but I was pleased to read the happy ending :)
ReplyDeleteIm very story about your poor lamb, and enjoy having a new little bundle of fluff!
ReplyDeleteSometimes, life on the farm seems to be only about life and death. As a shepherdess myself, I've been through the heartache of losing a lamb I'd been so looking forward to. In order to enjoy the lambs I do have, I've realized I have to take the chance that, once in a while, something will go wrong, no matter what I do. It was a situation beyond your control, but thankfully you have a healthy lamb to help you forget the one that was lost. Good luck with him and I hope he brings you joy.
ReplyDeleteDear Jacqui, so sorry to hear about your ups and downs. But I'm glad the ups involved a new little lamb, and Maddie Mor recovering. Although I only have responsibility for myself and my little family, I too sometimes think, "What am I doing here?!" You're doing fine - big pat on the back!
ReplyDeleteThank you all so much for your lovely comments. I think I just wanted to show how this life is full of ups and downs. Thankfully, there are more up times - even if you have to look for them. We are now waiting on our third lamb, hopefully today or tomorrow. xxx
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear about the lamb that didn't make it. You have had some bad luck with your livestock this year Jacqui, but I am so glad that you can see the good as well the bad and admire how you pick yourself up again. A brave post, thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWhat a bittersweet moment. Sorry about the lamb that died but happy for the little one that is doing well. How is the 1st mother doing? Okay, I hope.
ReplyDeleteSuch a shame that Maddie's lamb didn't make it. I hope she is doing well.
ReplyDeleteOh but look at that new little one.. so gorgeous.