Category: English Shepherds

Simply Mud, Mud, Mud…

Daddy and I at Easter when I was 5 with our black and tan English Shepherd!  Who knew I would become a farmer? In 48 hours we have had at least 4 and 1/2 inches of rain . I just remembered 48 hours ago I have a rain gauge!  That is when I started to …

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Sigh…Simple Country RULES!

We raise sheep and English Shepherd dogs at Maple Grove Farm… You can not have sheep and no dog. Currently we are running around 100 head of mixed breed sheep.  Mostly ewes.  Les and I have been working on the fences so that all of the property is fenced and safe for stock. We still …

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Shepherds…what we do

It is 4:30 AM the wind is blowing it is cold and wet. Not raining though it has been all day. Earlier I had checked on  my flock  before I headed to bed…They were all bedded down in the field and one looked different. She was laying on her side and kinda stretched out unnatural …

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Simple Country Pleasures…

Ryland sheep

The Glamorous Life Of A Sheep Farmer… As I went out the door just now with my escort (it is 1:00 AM) it occurred to me just how glamorous my life is… WHY was I going out the door the door you might ask? Was I all dressed up for a late party in a …

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What A Fine Working Dog!

My KAT Ballou has become a fine helper to me on the farm.  I am so very pleased with her.  Tuesday she helped as I needed her in the sheep pens sorting and moving sheep as I needed her to. KAT waited when and where and for as long as I asked her to…No fussing  …

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Christmas Trees…A Trip to the Mountains…Simple Country Pleasures…

Les and I struck out to the North Carolina Mountains today for our Christmas trees!  What a fun trip! It was about 120 miles one way. We went up above Mount Airy and turned onto NC 89 and then onto HWY 18 towards Sparta. We crossed the Eastern Continental Divide.  About half way to Sparta …

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And NOW there are FIVE…puppies

SIGH… I love puppies! the relationship I build with each puppy is an amazing journey… First they come into the world into my hands. I do what is needed only as needed… BOO so trusting me of me in the whelping nest. Yes not just trusting me but relying on me to assist as needed …

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Owed To A Farmer…

The recent hurricane and flooding in its aftermath have set me to thinking… Just a few minutes ago I had a piece of toasted cheese toast. It was delicious… as I shut the refrigerator door  I thought look at all the food ! How and where does it come from? Wal Mart? Food Lion? Audi? …

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Simple Country Treasures…

I am so excited! My Grandma and Grandpa use to tell me about corn pickings, and wheat thrashings. Tomorrow I will experience the modern day version. The Corn Harvesters travel round and cut silage for local farmers.  Tomorrow I will be part of the crew that cooks food for these hard workers. I have been …

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My New and Used Stock Handling Equipment!

The afternoon was hot. I had been busy in the house and decided about 2:00 PM to go to the sheep pens and try out my new and used stock handling equipment. I had been thinking about this for several days and looking forward to my new adventure. I took KAT, Journey, BOO and Bess …

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