tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26113060699747802942024-02-07T22:32:51.263-08:00GypsyShearerRambling thoughts on wool harvesting, sheep shearing, livestock grooming and farming of sheep and goats in general, written from my life on the road. GypsyShearerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11867391905489105670noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2611306069974780294.post-56902351459845529612015-01-12T14:57:00.001-08:002015-01-12T14:58:29.120-08:00Shearing Setups<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">One of the best parts of being a sheep shearer is being able to visit so many farms and seeing how people manage their sheep. Every farm is different in their operation. Different barns, different handling systems, different breeds of sheep and different management techniques. While each farmer is entitled to their own opinions on how to raise and manage their animals throughout the year, shearing day represents one of the few times when you are at the mercy of another person and their potentially conflicting opinions on how to manage your sheep. Shearers will tell you how much time to leave sheep off feed (my answer? At least 12 hours, enough time for most of their last meal to pass through their bodies and not end up smooshed into their wool and the shearing floor), how dry the sheep need to be, how confined they want them and most importantly, how they want them grouped up so they can be caught for shearing. Their are many times when a farmer feels unsure about a shearers instructions, they worry that the sheep will get too hungry, will be crushed if packed in too tight etc... Let me be the first to say that the shearer isn't necessarily always right but many times I have found that if people trust their shearers gut instincts they are usually pleasantly surprised how much easier a typically difficult job becomes. </span><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">This takes us to the topic of handling systems. This is an area of shearing that is grossly under evaluated. I am hoping to shine more light on this topic and help more people make educated decisions about handling equipment, hopefully to make their lives and their shearers lives better. The most common type of handling system I see as a sheep shearer is an oldie but goodie...the horse stall. You run your sheep into it and depending on your shearer and the amount of sheep you have, the shearer can setup in the stall with the sheep or outside on the stall door. This is a surprisingly easy setup. The sheep are grouped into an area that doesn't give them a huge amount of room to run which keeps everyone safe. The shearer or owner doesn't have to move the sheep very far to do the job, plus horse barns tend to be pretty clean so contamination to wool is limited. Horse stalls are also great at keeping sheep dry...another huge plus. Only a few words of advice for those of you operating out of horse stalls. Put your sheep in as few stalls as possible! I find the most frustrating part of horse stalls are the folks who won't put more then 3-4 sheep per stall. If you have sheep in more then 3 stalls then you have lost the advantage of nearness to your shearing spot plus the sheep tend to have too much freedom in the stall which results in the sheep running around more and general chaos. You can easily put ten sheep in a horse stall. If your concerned about them being to squished wait till about ten minutes before the shearer arrives to move them together. That's a lot of saved effort for everyone by avoiding dragging the sheep the extra distance and chasing sheep with a lot of extra space, around a horse stall. Sheep get hurt more often as a result of slamming into a wall or door because of too much space in a catching area then they do as a result of being pushed up together. </div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">Another common shearing setup I see out on the road is the sheep chute. Commonly marketed by sydell and other equipment manufacturers under the name corral or handling system. People who own these things are extremely proud of having what is regarded as top of the line sheep handling systems. These are very expensive and in my opinion, completely useless to the East Coast farmer. For sheep to move in a chute properly, you need to run your sheep through it on a regular basis. If sheep only see their chute once a year at shearing time, they are going to put on the breaks and flatly refuse to pass through this contraption. You will end up manually pushing each and every sheep through the chute. The worse part of these systems is the opening where the sheep comes out. Many times its a sliding door which is slow to close and requires the sheep to walk out under a bar on their own accord. Sheep do not want to come out of the chute if someone is waiting for them on the other side. This will mean you will need two people to extract each and every sheep from the chute. One to push and one to pull. The sheep will inevitably come shooting out of the chute at a high rate of speed, plowing over the person in front and if your sheep have any weight to them, woe to be that guy. Chutes are a pain. Don't expect your shearer to catch from a chute. Their might be shearers out their who do not mind shearing out of chutes but I have never worked from a chute system where I didn't get hurt or just worn myself out pulling sheep out of them all day. Save yourself a lot of money and don't get chutes for shearing.</div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">Another common type of shearing setup is the run in shed. Run in sheds are fabulous throughout the year at providing a minimal amount of shelter to sheep at low cost. Sheep only need minimal protection from the elements during most of the year and the open design of these sheds discourages sheep from spending all day in them and minimizes lung ailments. Run in sheds are great to shear out of...if you are prepared. The biggest problem I have with run in sheds are that they are typically situated in the middle of a field with no fencing around it so it is nearly impossible to trap a distrustful sheep in them. They frequently are not designed with gates or even a panel set up to keep the sheep in. Most people end up tying whatever discarded appliances, leftover fencing, old pool ladders, downed tree limbs, old tires etc...across the front to act as a gate (I have seen all those examples used as fencing to confine sheep). Do yourself a huge favor and get a proper gate for your run in shed. Their are many instances where you will need to confine your sheep and having a proper and safe gate will save you many frustrating hours chasing sheep around. Also if you are one of the folks with a run in shed plopped int the center of a field with no fencing on any side of the shed, purchase some panels to serve as a temporary corral to help in catching your sheep. This also will save you a lot of time and stress medication. Panels are useful for so many things so they are never a wasted purchase. The only other problem with run in sheds is their lack of electric. Be aware that running 4 extension cords together is an option but not the best option. If it rains that option turns dangerous quickly. Make sure you have thought out the best means of getting electric to the sheep, wether that is through a generator or electric cords, or even better, run electric out to your shed. </div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">A final word of advice is for those of you looking ahead and for anyone even thinking about purchasing sheep handling equipment, here is what I would recommend you buy. (Just a quick preface that I am not being paid to push this product and haven't been encouraged by said company to promote them.) I would encourage everyone to take a look at the D & S Livestock Shearing Station, listed under the Work Stations link of their website (http://www.dslivestock.biz/workstations.html) This pen was designed by my husband and is what we use daily to shear large flocks of sheep in Iowa and surrounding states year round. It has been tested and stands up to substantial abuse. The fact that it is galvanized is an added bonus as you can be sure to have a product that lasts a long time without rusting out. This shearing pen is not only extremely useful for shearing but the spring loaded door feature also makes this a fabulous pen to work out of when doing other sheep husbandry tasks such as foot trimming , worming and treating sick sheep. The door is on a spring loaded hinge and will swing back in place on its own which saves you having to scramble to close the door behind you to keep sheep in. It's tall enough to hang a large shearing motor off of or if your shearer shears with handheld clippers it still safely confines your sheep in close quarters making them easy to catch and move to your shearing board. This pen also has side panels with fully enclosed lower half which makes the pen safe for feet and legs and also potentially double as a lambing jug or quarantine pen for sick animals. This pen is modular with the gate feature able to go on any side and breaks down easy to move it out of the way or store it when not in use. It holds roughly 7-8 sheep at a time (depending on how big your sheep are and how tight you pack them in) and has a gate panel at the back that can be tied into an existing chute to push sheep into the pen. The nicest thing about this pen is that it's flexible. It can be a stand alone system for those of you with one or two sheep or tie into an existing working station to make it easier to catch and maneuver the sheep. One last thing I want to point out is the grating that makes up the floor of this pen. If you are a stickler for clean wool then this is a necessity! The holes in the floor allow feces and urine to fall under and keeps the sheep clean by lifting them above the mess. These floors eliminate the need for bedding to be under the sheep and are a simple fix to a common problem. If you have fairly clean sheep or are less picky about your wool these are unnecessary but then again having floor grating can come in handy at times. </div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><br></div><div><table cellpadding="5" cellspacing="3" border="1" bordercolor="#000000" align="center" width="735"><tbody><tr><td height="326" align="center"><p><b><u style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); ">SH01 <img src="http://www.dslivestock.biz/images/new5.gif" alt="new item" width="33" height="14"><br>SHEARING STATION</u></b></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); "><img src="http://www.dslivestock.biz/images/shearingstation-med.jpg" alt="shearing station" width="320" height="285"></span></p></td><td height="326" align="center"><div align="left"><p><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); "><br>SH01 Front panel - $275<br>SH02 Stacker panel - $70<br>SH03 2 Side panel - $250<br>SH04 Side panel w/door - $165<br>SH05 Floor sections (pair) - $400</b></p><p><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); ">Total price with <br>4 (<a href="http://www.dslivestock.biz/systemcomponents.html#linkingrods">S38</a>) linking rods - $1176</b></p></div><p align="left"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); "><u><br>Weight</u><br>Front panel - 64 lbs. (29 kg)<br>Stacker panel - 21 lbs. (9.5 kg)<br>Side panel - 47 lbs. (21.4 kg)<br>Side panel with door - 57 lbs. (26 kg)<br>Floor sections (pair) - 142 lbs. (64.5)<br>Total weight - 388 lbs. (176 kg)<br><br></span></p></td></tr><tr></tr></tbody></table><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">This pen set up is not necessary to owning sheep. But if you keep in mind the functions of this pen and try to cobble together your own set up with these aspects in mind then you should succeed in making your shearing day a bit less stressful on everyone. </div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">This article was written by Emily Chamelin. She is a full time sheep shearer operating in the Mid Atlantic region. Please feel free to send any questions for future articles to aeriedairy@yahoo.com. </div></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><br><br>Emily Chamelin<div>Www.chamelinshearing.com</div><div><a href="tel:443-244-2702" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="telephone" x-apple-data-detectors-result="6">443-244-2702</a></div></div>GypsyShearerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11867391905489105670noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2611306069974780294.post-31031623059630013332014-06-28T16:28:00.001-07:002014-07-07T07:46:14.425-07:00End of spring review!Wow, I'm pretty excited to finally be writing this. This has been a crazy spring with tons of ups and downs but I can say we made it through and it's been one of the best seasons I've ever had. Folks have been amazingly supportive and encouraging all spring and for the most part they have done all they can to make my job as easy as possible (for sheep shearing!) I added up my numbers and figured out I've sheared a hair over 7,000 sheep since January 1. I'm pretty excited to be doing so well and look to have a new high year tally by the end of the year. <div><br></div><div>Let's sum up the spring, February and March were extremely cold and delayed many folks from their normal shearing schedules. April and May were perfect weather wise and I was able to get a ton of animals done with almost no weather related interruptions (with a little help from Kevin:). June has been very wet and hot, the weather shifted so quickly but I have seen fewer cases of fly strike and sheep have only been minimally stressed because of the milder weather in the earlier months.</div><div><div><div><br></div></div></div><div>A year ago as of July 3 I hurt my hand. This year has only been mildly overshadowed by that injury. My hand is still not 100 percent but for the most part it doesn't phase me. It's just harder to trim feet and shear big goats, both of which I didn't enjoy doing before so giving that up entirely didn't hurt my feelings at all:) Last week I had a "life pass before my eyes" moment once again when a big ram charged me and bruised up my leg but Ill take that any day over surgery! </div><div><br></div><div>So as I reflect back on spring of 2014, I'm grateful for all the wonderful people I am privileged to work for, the beautiful sheep I get to handle, the lustrous wool I get to harvest and the honest work I love to do. So many of my clients have become family to me and your constant encouragement and support keeps me going when I'm exhausted, frustrated and tired. I can't thank everyone enough for keeping me going. </div><div><br></div><div>As I write this I am sitting at my second home in Iowa enjoying a blissful easy day off. It is time well earned and I am happy to finally be back working with Kevin. We are both looking forward to getting married at the end of August and we are now finalizing all the plans for that:) It's going to be a ton of fun!</div><div><br></div><div>As my last course of business I was so busy after getting back from Ireland that I never announced the winners of my prize giveaway! I have 3 shirts and one skein of yarn to giveaway so if the following individuals could shoot me their addresses ill put their prizes in the mail this week! Thanks to everyone who follows my sheepy adventures and lives vicariously through my travels:)</div><div><br></div><div>Elizabeth Milosevich</div><div><br></div><div>April Miskimon</div><div><br></div><div>Adelaide Lewis</div><div><br></div><div>Ruth Lamb</div><div><br></div><div>Thanks to everyone who shared out my blog while I was away! Ill be heading to two competitions in the next week, the first one will be in Holstein Ontario Canada and another in Eastern Iowa. Ill keep you posted on how it goes:) hope everyone is having a beautiful summer so far.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6jjrcBwYGKsaysh5psjCIu58HiHAJrz41uKEOmkEeT3ZVjiEQkxJWe3lABTm9sAEhCBNtal-6tloyQNv4cYb3QlI-lUfoTHzox7z56Cax_9YWFhC0Q5f3qmDlZx8-1VODcDQRRdswTf1G/s640/blogger-image--214184090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6jjrcBwYGKsaysh5psjCIu58HiHAJrz41uKEOmkEeT3ZVjiEQkxJWe3lABTm9sAEhCBNtal-6tloyQNv4cYb3QlI-lUfoTHzox7z56Cax_9YWFhC0Q5f3qmDlZx8-1VODcDQRRdswTf1G/s640/blogger-image--214184090.jpg"></a></div><br></div>GypsyShearerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11867391905489105670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2611306069974780294.post-31781760281746906132014-05-29T10:06:00.001-07:002014-05-29T13:23:53.669-07:00Back in America:)I'm sending this blog post from the Chicago airport. I wrote it while flying over the North Atlantic. We flew out of Dublin at 10:00 this morning while it was (in Kevin's words) "hosing down" outside. So we didn't get to see much on our trip over Ireland but the clouds finally cleared somewhere over Canada and we could see nothing but lakes and trees and snow as far as the eye could see. It was beautiful. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone and getting back to work since I have gotten many panicked phone calls from people saying their sheep are "dying" from the heat so Ill be back at it as soon as I land. <div>Our last day in Ireland was spent at the National Museum of Ireland- Archeology and walking around downtown Dublin. It was a perfect end to a wonderful trip. </div><div>We walked about 3 miles from our hotel to downtown Dublin. After finding our way to the Archeology museum we were able to wander around and see some unbelievable exhibits about Irish history, the bog bodies and hoards, Vikings and see many artifacts from the Irish Middle Ages. It was mind blowing and I kept thinking about friends an family who would have enjoyed seeing this as well. If you get to go to Ireland you have to go to this museum. It's free and full of amazing exhibits in a gorgeous building. Here are some of the exhibits I enjoyed...</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTnC-kL3jlj2mG9OaII0Q2Ixin3IYDyF4eDkgt-fQOq2QDZbdFCUQKS-I34AHywiJWw3snW6Vrhd-TjyLrHqiUac9SlUnZfDWe-06FUJfix9tmpFaRRpsRpQSAEBbJvSQ0WC0RJLBypwGA/s640/blogger-image--302401515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTnC-kL3jlj2mG9OaII0Q2Ixin3IYDyF4eDkgt-fQOq2QDZbdFCUQKS-I34AHywiJWw3snW6Vrhd-TjyLrHqiUac9SlUnZfDWe-06FUJfix9tmpFaRRpsRpQSAEBbJvSQ0WC0RJLBypwGA/s640/blogger-image--302401515.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvq_VrQnMAEM41UFOb3O3eIPUXveNiijfTxEXdeArQXWboYqjvdV88RBdgaQ-DVAuJgZEl3ypKDPT0cKPastxBFga4NLuCik3iu7so3olgbD31-foGdl1jvgD5d-CI0Zmcj9LCbUew9FQs/s640/blogger-image--1536117899.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvq_VrQnMAEM41UFOb3O3eIPUXveNiijfTxEXdeArQXWboYqjvdV88RBdgaQ-DVAuJgZEl3ypKDPT0cKPastxBFga4NLuCik3iu7so3olgbD31-foGdl1jvgD5d-CI0Zmcj9LCbUew9FQs/s640/blogger-image--1536117899.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Model of the Hill of Tara passage tomb</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRp6Bb_0-kNXQy0so36k3g1v1j3-hitka0hivtQ75VV8wIqVCv1boynE3RQxXVgwEoO-2e0c1MarMrFdZGGSLtZGjxrw_35Gca4y5mac0QXEbhNcJRHBVJeYGHsFr4dyNqi9kKVjExAV7P/s640/blogger-image--554904607.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRp6Bb_0-kNXQy0so36k3g1v1j3-hitka0hivtQ75VV8wIqVCv1boynE3RQxXVgwEoO-2e0c1MarMrFdZGGSLtZGjxrw_35Gca4y5mac0QXEbhNcJRHBVJeYGHsFr4dyNqi9kKVjExAV7P/s640/blogger-image--554904607.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Bog Mummy, this guy was murdered horribly...</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaiqeUCJWEwKjpiCk66cWQaVUKSgAoQiGosrspvAgYOnrKT7h_YC4koZpD8jfLtHnzrMBGyBMD8OrPAVN0LrJvsXmrC_QExPcyhKY9WVsDJT6pI_wogF_O4FdTZBa5YFd3B7zNpYEToCK4/s640/blogger-image--56086188.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaiqeUCJWEwKjpiCk66cWQaVUKSgAoQiGosrspvAgYOnrKT7h_YC4koZpD8jfLtHnzrMBGyBMD8OrPAVN0LrJvsXmrC_QExPcyhKY9WVsDJT6pI_wogF_O4FdTZBa5YFd3B7zNpYEToCK4/s640/blogger-image--56086188.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>A panel from one of the most ornate pottery found in the bogs, it is one panel depicting a fertility god </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibc5WCcB_3q-nnD3PercK9I1EYP8wzT_UdsBlJdUV82bVdbQ0uILFcuC7_az0nxN8rL_DmWR0v1h-05WvHTf4P8VJN6M3p4kcFXckMyWJA6SDtzDVfafMU6O6gCkKFBtMI5bRAfyXbppU1/s640/blogger-image-195181541.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibc5WCcB_3q-nnD3PercK9I1EYP8wzT_UdsBlJdUV82bVdbQ0uILFcuC7_az0nxN8rL_DmWR0v1h-05WvHTf4P8VJN6M3p4kcFXckMyWJA6SDtzDVfafMU6O6gCkKFBtMI5bRAfyXbppU1/s640/blogger-image-195181541.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>A sample of some of the beautiful items found in bog hordes, bronze ax heads, golden fasteners, bronze bracelet, amber beads.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibsFhMXq80sR7DV67Igw_KS9ndRRm0r5GrVnR2lI3CBxuxEDrKnFQn0u86E-_7KCJUh_ewXT2PSTFH0fKajE6zVljJV_tpM57Ygvo7S9-RgpVpEauyWfBhJnZNFDuVapLPcrkksnPf4852/s640/blogger-image-1688847828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibsFhMXq80sR7DV67Igw_KS9ndRRm0r5GrVnR2lI3CBxuxEDrKnFQn0u86E-_7KCJUh_ewXT2PSTFH0fKajE6zVljJV_tpM57Ygvo7S9-RgpVpEauyWfBhJnZNFDuVapLPcrkksnPf4852/s640/blogger-image-1688847828.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>A giant ornate gold fastener found in a bog horde</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho868pUf-MmFIvaHrFV_oaxBD_JZXC1PFwCZt1ojYaji9jADN_vLlQLmIHBTvlDP13_kVqzgEBGLh6AGgihMkoQQjC4MkBRBQHJQjiKes-IpiPxgJUhsv9XqVlivgTKH9xxV6pAszGDZpg/s640/blogger-image-507328000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho868pUf-MmFIvaHrFV_oaxBD_JZXC1PFwCZt1ojYaji9jADN_vLlQLmIHBTvlDP13_kVqzgEBGLh6AGgihMkoQQjC4MkBRBQHJQjiKes-IpiPxgJUhsv9XqVlivgTKH9xxV6pAszGDZpg/s640/blogger-image-507328000.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Artists would practice carvings on bone and wood before using them in bronze, stone or gold work</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9vrwbL3DA6ftMpXA5nY35SDYnTtt6FA4lKdPztz4Pzv5vdffomYNHUKJJbDXMEwqU2e8WMrxT0cxRBmY-wmT3xMQpijunSIZXM1Cq7rMT4tv7Au56goqqOZl79NM6j-FNHzdBjbEeOBWn/s640/blogger-image-1162265035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9vrwbL3DA6ftMpXA5nY35SDYnTtt6FA4lKdPztz4Pzv5vdffomYNHUKJJbDXMEwqU2e8WMrxT0cxRBmY-wmT3xMQpijunSIZXM1Cq7rMT4tv7Au56goqqOZl79NM6j-FNHzdBjbEeOBWn/s640/blogger-image-1162265035.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Real middle age swords, they didn't look comfortable to hold as the handles were short but I saw skulls that had been damaged in battle and they were deadly</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu3XAM2znjDUmA8XM-wmG_ovavK3_TVPE1vZYT-MtreIGsq20t5MtZ24hWPsJ4BG6HdEbqlIzk_lLArLNw-meUtK7LedwMh6O6bm1SR095MxsDPet6JBbm1OpTjP01K1Nt07j1eBJg-1PG/s640/blogger-image--755198905.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu3XAM2znjDUmA8XM-wmG_ovavK3_TVPE1vZYT-MtreIGsq20t5MtZ24hWPsJ4BG6HdEbqlIzk_lLArLNw-meUtK7LedwMh6O6bm1SR095MxsDPet6JBbm1OpTjP01K1Nt07j1eBJg-1PG/s640/blogger-image--755198905.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>I saw some beautiful bits made in the Bronze Age, found in burials</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5lhMoj7t1D2XhiXrfRoWSFsVAAaoUgZ50MBCwfK2B3pzJjxlcrsup8cwE3xXXGTRkGPWr21Ihjbgp6EEQuO8N_Hh5xP5uCbIj0k-keWi0yzeBNatX9E-O1YRf1SxbrrPxY9jbdANWFMy7/s640/blogger-image-1285238124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5lhMoj7t1D2XhiXrfRoWSFsVAAaoUgZ50MBCwfK2B3pzJjxlcrsup8cwE3xXXGTRkGPWr21Ihjbgp6EEQuO8N_Hh5xP5uCbIj0k-keWi0yzeBNatX9E-O1YRf1SxbrrPxY9jbdANWFMy7/s640/blogger-image-1285238124.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIU6O164t2tgQ4es-GipGEqcpWinhzq2D3-fCXH7P88DZwaDWYm4kB_BSTCh_ShwZF95ZFBFU_DJCUUAamHf4DSrUx-7mZKp1odMj-EH_ijVW8exNCHB4nVrUWP4N4tM2LE5W07f8HukTt/s640/blogger-image-1133575495.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIU6O164t2tgQ4es-GipGEqcpWinhzq2D3-fCXH7P88DZwaDWYm4kB_BSTCh_ShwZF95ZFBFU_DJCUUAamHf4DSrUx-7mZKp1odMj-EH_ijVW8exNCHB4nVrUWP4N4tM2LE5W07f8HukTt/s640/blogger-image-1133575495.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>These Celtic dogs decorated the handle of a bishops staff</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbG1Pm-YiX8RrmKYaOAVSdJkNtPrOSpipiQQXljII5ba80rMxfzMEXVcYx2-bUv0ADtW5A3V7dS9hSmOQLR_Fq5uSJ7ivJgKsET8jh407-FUNh5SSf2OmZb3eplwDX6EYolq6VLK6y7cLW/s640/blogger-image--1328424175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbG1Pm-YiX8RrmKYaOAVSdJkNtPrOSpipiQQXljII5ba80rMxfzMEXVcYx2-bUv0ADtW5A3V7dS9hSmOQLR_Fq5uSJ7ivJgKsET8jh407-FUNh5SSf2OmZb3eplwDX6EYolq6VLK6y7cLW/s640/blogger-image--1328424175.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Shearing moccasin? Nope! A shoe found in a bog from the Middle Ages!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOObCfeXfsLCJjcSQJpLQQstzjQl3j8faecK1DnDnnq-9MxijN-T_J93vLbp_EDZqoJ4g2tCs-1o0bJviy-HSQymYRsQ48bQYt-Ux12M0FaZUnck7g0ETw2s2488xOwAcq-lGbn0nS7J-1/s640/blogger-image-1617707665.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOObCfeXfsLCJjcSQJpLQQstzjQl3j8faecK1DnDnnq-9MxijN-T_J93vLbp_EDZqoJ4g2tCs-1o0bJviy-HSQymYRsQ48bQYt-Ux12M0FaZUnck7g0ETw2s2488xOwAcq-lGbn0nS7J-1/s640/blogger-image-1617707665.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Hard to see but I saw numerous examples of ancient wool fabrics and weavings...</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl8kwqZw3lwvWHU9fBwdHIsUukS-Fy-zJeEgw-A01IWbMs1iAmaAvXDsJPmEPpZWgTtQkO4MuKac7iXM5mAZJhwAJps9lSQjksBtvNAzN0BmwvyhmbShUkK5QFRRpKCnNV9YX1G3km_Fqe/s640/blogger-image-94103678.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl8kwqZw3lwvWHU9fBwdHIsUukS-Fy-zJeEgw-A01IWbMs1iAmaAvXDsJPmEPpZWgTtQkO4MuKac7iXM5mAZJhwAJps9lSQjksBtvNAzN0BmwvyhmbShUkK5QFRRpKCnNV9YX1G3km_Fqe/s640/blogger-image-94103678.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Decorations on a relic, the craftsmanship and detail blew my mind</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsTdBV87AUlu0Z7X_PHa7xyKCwsXPSpRgqr0aN97OQxk0081hGzH8hTXvH7fuqCHsGUXmspzq0heg8DOuiwofbdnoCdCMjijRZzNuGs-TWqkx_2IInrcqTzLqueYMb8FyOs9rWl1q11vuZ/s640/blogger-image-1050232039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsTdBV87AUlu0Z7X_PHa7xyKCwsXPSpRgqr0aN97OQxk0081hGzH8hTXvH7fuqCHsGUXmspzq0heg8DOuiwofbdnoCdCMjijRZzNuGs-TWqkx_2IInrcqTzLqueYMb8FyOs9rWl1q11vuZ/s640/blogger-image-1050232039.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>A carving from the cover of an ancient book </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXpLV1kJwyNNHuGiEB2exCW49X9VwjtzStSbNPNIvZrE53UMx-UCpbLhIvASo4B3rUCiGO4OUxN4L94dDW8h_wH6aiyX0jiXvwYUGL8OmAwQhiPLpGRF_EdZYwgvu5xHoBweCKn7Ikqg6W/s640/blogger-image-1811677987.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXpLV1kJwyNNHuGiEB2exCW49X9VwjtzStSbNPNIvZrE53UMx-UCpbLhIvASo4B3rUCiGO4OUxN4L94dDW8h_wH6aiyX0jiXvwYUGL8OmAwQhiPLpGRF_EdZYwgvu5xHoBweCKn7Ikqg6W/s640/blogger-image-1811677987.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Ivory carving commemorating the virgin and presentation if baby Jesus at the temple </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiolf9_jepgk6EWxB3OV0xxKFZKweyNTiYkmPdxoB96j038Qlvj9WxSTpryAHUiwbnmknWomHqjfebJnDYngdtzsExdN0NRjiKhnbstX88GOdW_9APpRn-tgp9PmsrgUvEJNn89WHm2XMdJ/s640/blogger-image--344227649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiolf9_jepgk6EWxB3OV0xxKFZKweyNTiYkmPdxoB96j038Qlvj9WxSTpryAHUiwbnmknWomHqjfebJnDYngdtzsExdN0NRjiKhnbstX88GOdW_9APpRn-tgp9PmsrgUvEJNn89WHm2XMdJ/s640/blogger-image--344227649.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>A stone carving of the dragon devil leading the goats to hell</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgwTdQOl5TbvgONsI0m_juU3JNrZNr5vXkQ-9a44pw1NuaP6c9EMVeWKUcTSfoqL9IfvhLr-ooDHciIZ4k45ZRKqZw3yucTdU_buTtNvb3u084LhrqwlDbaB0gaXsuqwU2qymQVOFBTH50/s640/blogger-image--106557791.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgwTdQOl5TbvgONsI0m_juU3JNrZNr5vXkQ-9a44pw1NuaP6c9EMVeWKUcTSfoqL9IfvhLr-ooDHciIZ4k45ZRKqZw3yucTdU_buTtNvb3u084LhrqwlDbaB0gaXsuqwU2qymQVOFBTH50/s640/blogger-image--106557791.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Another etching from a relic...</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbOWWxqk4keEYtiFG57LZUy5-094168IdqsgdyYHGf1v22-fF24ez2LFd2Y8AL_CjhN-e3UuLruryD5WYIWQAIGRAnuFbihwTpFxub_r-IT3isvdCEWD6fHO7cgOf7xoej_fIzfRja15Eu/s640/blogger-image-215173372.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbOWWxqk4keEYtiFG57LZUy5-094168IdqsgdyYHGf1v22-fF24ez2LFd2Y8AL_CjhN-e3UuLruryD5WYIWQAIGRAnuFbihwTpFxub_r-IT3isvdCEWD6fHO7cgOf7xoej_fIzfRja15Eu/s640/blogger-image-215173372.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Here is the restaurant we ate at in the temple district. It was amazing:)</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNSe8EB5vEkVwejsdsb6pBItdSS69pslU6oa1B0eq_aG6wQpVO3ZdfnTokEYrHZcH8qHcwUBdt-mhOcrGQlxm7Is6gxORehICtutbdXtECDtkH00KPL2c_GgoWAbj_5ueyciiLGpElYKqK/s640/blogger-image--800920274.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNSe8EB5vEkVwejsdsb6pBItdSS69pslU6oa1B0eq_aG6wQpVO3ZdfnTokEYrHZcH8qHcwUBdt-mhOcrGQlxm7Is6gxORehICtutbdXtECDtkH00KPL2c_GgoWAbj_5ueyciiLGpElYKqK/s640/blogger-image--800920274.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>My last Irish lamb meal...the food has been amazing. I've gained about 10 pounds from all the beer, lamb, bacon and butter I've been eating...BLISS :):):)</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVekYhQlJ3PTjcxGGZEvIuob29nCmQEfEG60cL4b0XOSSfACcz_8TEw_M84SfjvNDJvbSxMPOX094QezXv_r5i1GeRl6AF4CN_z3y6nLNglxDoURSXi3Ja3os8Z2OHYAg_rh3EkNaXP16P/s640/blogger-image--171731003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVekYhQlJ3PTjcxGGZEvIuob29nCmQEfEG60cL4b0XOSSfACcz_8TEw_M84SfjvNDJvbSxMPOX094QezXv_r5i1GeRl6AF4CN_z3y6nLNglxDoURSXi3Ja3os8Z2OHYAg_rh3EkNaXP16P/s640/blogger-image--171731003.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Airport selfie and still smiling! </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQNXAVqThQB5ktxjrsgSOemI-QBx10GAlhG2dcMnW4lgxUIe3DBviTDctey5BLUg99k9Bdf7GHV-EekpQDjot_4Cib7dDIQNQnGFPJnmlq-ECDKfpEHhMj9apSdi8C9I28TCFbJ5Ofyi6x/s640/blogger-image--1139716778.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQNXAVqThQB5ktxjrsgSOemI-QBx10GAlhG2dcMnW4lgxUIe3DBviTDctey5BLUg99k9Bdf7GHV-EekpQDjot_4Cib7dDIQNQnGFPJnmlq-ECDKfpEHhMj9apSdi8C9I28TCFbJ5Ofyi6x/s640/blogger-image--1139716778.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Oh and the most important part of this! I had so many awesome folks repost my blog while I was away, I decided to get several prizes and share the love:) I will be posting the winners names tomorrow! </div>GypsyShearerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11867391905489105670noreply@blogger.com0Chicago O'Hare International Airport Chicago41.972734 -87.889197tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2611306069974780294.post-88801350696371840892014-05-26T09:50:00.001-07:002014-05-27T10:42:37.219-07:00A confession, and then lots of fun:)It is past due for me to post this. I had hoped to blog about each day during the competition but I have a confession to make...Saturday was such a tough day for me, I didn't know what to say in this blog. Many of you went online and watched the YouTube video of me shearing in the Ladies Machine Shearing Competition. I placed 4th. Many of you have sent your congrats and I have tried to be positive about being 4th place but it was tough. I should have won it, I hoped to win it. I beat all those girls in the intermediate competition the day before...I was pumped to win. But the sheep were horrible. They were tough strong solid beasts. In the video you can see the sheep moving around the board while I try to hold them still, at one point you see the sheep get up on me and I had to put it back down. I couldn't hold any of my 3 sheep still enough to do a good job. It was horrible. I left a huge chunk of wool on the back of my last sheep because she had me pinned up against the wall and I couldn't see it and I had already pushed my button. It was one of my worst runs ever. It was just as embarrassing as having to shear 2 sheep by myself, on stage, with the blades, in the last world championships. I was so slow I still had two sheep to go and everyone else was done. That was horrible. This took less time but was just as frustrating. So while I'm grateful for the enthusiasm, I should have done better. So that is why I haven't blogged. It's been tough processing my disappointment but I came up with a game plan. Work harder, do better next time... 8-)<div>Once I had moved past that, I was able to once again enjoy my remaining time at the Golden Shears. Here is a sample of some of the festivities:)</div><div><br></div><div>This was the sidewalk at the show grounds...solid mud.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQGZhrtxaWk2iGX0HKEhh_297ahrl8GDZE24X1l_NHQmLRz3JOyEbDeCvlKHniXKg1cpBwtgvve0ZdNV0q9fTAiWfLrYjgdIZQkPVPWpu0WB67sPc2TmQrMcU8wHUU0utWoedVWuryYmbA/s640/blogger-image-308704963.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQGZhrtxaWk2iGX0HKEhh_297ahrl8GDZE24X1l_NHQmLRz3JOyEbDeCvlKHniXKg1cpBwtgvve0ZdNV0q9fTAiWfLrYjgdIZQkPVPWpu0WB67sPc2TmQrMcU8wHUU0utWoedVWuryYmbA/s640/blogger-image-308704963.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Lol:)</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz2XIBz1d5RRMKO-tbG5P0xt_7XTD4yV0je6hrqmDxSyJEWvxBTAkCK0QLd5TSsNQNilC-2O9BDTL2SgMZeDB4Z4MdTlob7ycrQeH1qEfE8qh2vbB2gaM_yhqNHLjnmHywO9pT-rdSMvRu/s640/blogger-image-25622105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz2XIBz1d5RRMKO-tbG5P0xt_7XTD4yV0je6hrqmDxSyJEWvxBTAkCK0QLd5TSsNQNilC-2O9BDTL2SgMZeDB4Z4MdTlob7ycrQeH1qEfE8qh2vbB2gaM_yhqNHLjnmHywO9pT-rdSMvRu/s640/blogger-image-25622105.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Some tapestry, embroidery work I saw...</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZw7D_Fyw9OhSjCc20xpYan_CWx1P8Y4fnLjRAivG5kBprbx9ozE-fRVTjk8lfP0gao5mP6WWTN2b-fzAU_pueoOLuSDaa2fLydUDIr51dn-X5u64iuqKPkKTdDDAec_TDaHMeKLxSmYcF/s640/blogger-image-1691705445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZw7D_Fyw9OhSjCc20xpYan_CWx1P8Y4fnLjRAivG5kBprbx9ozE-fRVTjk8lfP0gao5mP6WWTN2b-fzAU_pueoOLuSDaa2fLydUDIr51dn-X5u64iuqKPkKTdDDAec_TDaHMeKLxSmYcF/s640/blogger-image-1691705445.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGAB8bg-OjytgdzvgwwaXTvG4p5UsJ3CxfFM2sqVxrbiBJCcbeNHfGtcWiGiPf-QIn9I5lVi2FmsfTZ6Z8a3rgzHizYCCuwQKWgx3cmahSCoX6TA513cVvWoIYyHVig9gvG0eUcBz5AXK5/s640/blogger-image--2111563622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI6xjjixlhsQoNwAYNuyMX9ZfXni0K5MVH7FANfax8l9pnxhg3ga7GU5Kj1DORy1OZene1K51MxdXoDAUE3VD3djZNiJgbqpb35_ymKxZsdnLZll3mrqjsU9fmbXtDNNDrKvW_qzkg9sYy/s640/blogger-image-98517588.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Texels</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtPQKdiqojmmqXtYEyrr8UNAqvpgVZiAmkGZVEWvdaVseIQCy46AyB6KgqGs5LOv7WPnvrZ1fFg7GMTKxj-NMK9j2wdzsgsuCD2oAhIpmuDkGFA7IIudJzQwmVEe8mjbH9gJGBDfPuJuHr/s640/blogger-image-1365367933.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtPQKdiqojmmqXtYEyrr8UNAqvpgVZiAmkGZVEWvdaVseIQCy46AyB6KgqGs5LOv7WPnvrZ1fFg7GMTKxj-NMK9j2wdzsgsuCD2oAhIpmuDkGFA7IIudJzQwmVEe8mjbH9gJGBDfPuJuHr/s640/blogger-image-1365367933.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1JsY8fuTxWRM23YlK1CLGHjsFbUmb02H3yK-6r1FiVCHWXbRkmEO2S_5kXtCnWUUppr1Vz579Vac2G8lD3qCW-qiQx61LcTQvE7qi-xVlJeVh1jVzVESUzTqFJYZ1VWsik_-5F60KmqAz/s640/blogger-image--1449054981.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpXsMatQ286BtiH4fGLFP2B0VNUCVshOy4UTGySgHdZlStMjiIQsjdkJMZUn_8DR-6setPEmb0udLkZyrkHompyw-NIEICDDaQX2MXtk9TUKqQUtA_ao0v6IDSWHAosBSHpT8j8sijZO0_/s640/blogger-image--557631859.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggbi9ilmtACMiFvK-NaluNOr6MDIPMDFpggIr0Jo4CQc1JE_AD6TnZg-P18Zi8BB_dCAkjjfd4M8cY-qWP0yOzgyMpayjZHDEYvfmRbM365eJ90gGS5F6h2UomMnGNn0lVdRfOWhkO7Vrz/s640/blogger-image--66246047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggbi9ilmtACMiFvK-NaluNOr6MDIPMDFpggIr0Jo4CQc1JE_AD6TnZg-P18Zi8BB_dCAkjjfd4M8cY-qWP0yOzgyMpayjZHDEYvfmRbM365eJ90gGS5F6h2UomMnGNn0lVdRfOWhkO7Vrz/s640/blogger-image--66246047.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>For some odd reason the Suffolks were orange colored for show...</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFl2x_UfQP51qnsVsZfTGRXBEmXO21Ip9z7V7VB1knjP3FyLCe0lLsrjkuPtNYi3Ww8U_fPYfeeLmLb6ltbKKnT4JOnQZR04hIvyTPjZP-LlRVXwUSKtiYX8PhA0sV5q9xSmzpgkVWpAoP/s640/blogger-image-823782811.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFl2x_UfQP51qnsVsZfTGRXBEmXO21Ip9z7V7VB1knjP3FyLCe0lLsrjkuPtNYi3Ww8U_fPYfeeLmLb6ltbKKnT4JOnQZR04hIvyTPjZP-LlRVXwUSKtiYX8PhA0sV5q9xSmzpgkVWpAoP/s640/blogger-image-823782811.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_BFDv3Vm_ouUMQjxzdRr4v4V_48TxQbHs0Ct3G2dbU7cioFztTMdBa7SQ8X6BYQJc2LrlBiXeE-UobIyfrGxmQh1vPOdzr5Oc4LWSfFQ61Rd9Nh6_tFd31pGLABVA9ulmzOUNBSX54dJK/s640/blogger-image--253991266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_BFDv3Vm_ouUMQjxzdRr4v4V_48TxQbHs0Ct3G2dbU7cioFztTMdBa7SQ8X6BYQJc2LrlBiXeE-UobIyfrGxmQh1vPOdzr5Oc4LWSfFQ61Rd9Nh6_tFd31pGLABVA9ulmzOUNBSX54dJK/s640/blogger-image--253991266.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglx3erHilzDOnv5Bah349CTfQtoMYU4ImVTzm4DsPCmr18mcDWOJNt_QveePASarVrwG6HCX5JCiiQ71lE7XMNQkEmDfoMFjRMFPCUhXlgNjbxl5aqIlV4e9Cv13_xuVnoXdCYru6gJHeF/s640/blogger-image--1162597504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglx3erHilzDOnv5Bah349CTfQtoMYU4ImVTzm4DsPCmr18mcDWOJNt_QveePASarVrwG6HCX5JCiiQ71lE7XMNQkEmDfoMFjRMFPCUhXlgNjbxl5aqIlV4e9Cv13_xuVnoXdCYru6gJHeF/s640/blogger-image--1162597504.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>New Friends:)</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5XANMnvOaCIPqAgt1Nc1_ui2dhvzboCANWaVVRKmeAYbXJ4cHF_Og9bL-fTGSxNPWnnac1cn3rwjOzJ9Nt9-_ekXrN4MOOZjfggZnJsQCTTALKQeSz7vpEl_BO0kkVrymK0itGxiGC8EF/s640/blogger-image--1470632748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5XANMnvOaCIPqAgt1Nc1_ui2dhvzboCANWaVVRKmeAYbXJ4cHF_Og9bL-fTGSxNPWnnac1cn3rwjOzJ9Nt9-_ekXrN4MOOZjfggZnJsQCTTALKQeSz7vpEl_BO0kkVrymK0itGxiGC8EF/s640/blogger-image--1470632748.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Ready for the competition!! All the girls were first class:)</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQYFzyLU5Q90mwK-dstxpS5Hvd5unFy04WTDdRaRolStspTx2ppVASJn7MP5vlwlw2mB9lwQ8dlwn5eXHFDlRurA0f_MdCg2uzfZ7xdLUdaqi21kSwh8Tjc6oabG4jXNroVD6Fbw3p6fTu/s640/blogger-image-1454354455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQYFzyLU5Q90mwK-dstxpS5Hvd5unFy04WTDdRaRolStspTx2ppVASJn7MP5vlwlw2mB9lwQ8dlwn5eXHFDlRurA0f_MdCg2uzfZ7xdLUdaqi21kSwh8Tjc6oabG4jXNroVD6Fbw3p6fTu/s640/blogger-image-1454354455.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Waiting backstage...</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQJL3zO5CMZ53COXBL-rO6s1Vz6gfLAAYgmXNGsV84lhTPIs0dS8XnFqkeqRBmMBGqgctF4z7HdEnMW671XChlRyvqrrbSp4f8C9D44sELoSZOxheBmCgYgkMD1CXObbkhkLcUo1AWpZTD/s640/blogger-image--621398245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQJL3zO5CMZ53COXBL-rO6s1Vz6gfLAAYgmXNGsV84lhTPIs0dS8XnFqkeqRBmMBGqgctF4z7HdEnMW671XChlRyvqrrbSp4f8C9D44sELoSZOxheBmCgYgkMD1CXObbkhkLcUo1AWpZTD/s640/blogger-image--621398245.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Waiting for the finals on Sunday</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibvImhiI2PN5KGlWqaHRTa_lne6gRe7KkW_7OLoU50mPOfCANLcMZf2jg_uS0Wa1U-yhix4MHLpUFmkZqFrxZedXgRmq5Ktcm4TPoO0guRfUwZX99ztUA6HDcBA2WMsVw3fLVsyCqMEawc/s640/blogger-image-1899291357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibvImhiI2PN5KGlWqaHRTa_lne6gRe7KkW_7OLoU50mPOfCANLcMZf2jg_uS0Wa1U-yhix4MHLpUFmkZqFrxZedXgRmq5Ktcm4TPoO0guRfUwZX99ztUA6HDcBA2WMsVw3fLVsyCqMEawc/s640/blogger-image-1899291357.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>On the road Monday, we headed south to Johnstown Castle and the Irish Agricultural Museum outside Wexford.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4iQrBcdct2ho_iuAogIyoMAJB7P5A6M5z2BrH5i-VhrpUyJhgf14a3lyOynN3uzn7tyftHRKfVuAN1up2zZHuyHetb_zU3d_XmSp1ElputgfjCcJT8xe7rrirjxAfJtWarNpI2n8lU1Mi/s640/blogger-image--1601883600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4iQrBcdct2ho_iuAogIyoMAJB7P5A6M5z2BrH5i-VhrpUyJhgf14a3lyOynN3uzn7tyftHRKfVuAN1up2zZHuyHetb_zU3d_XmSp1ElputgfjCcJT8xe7rrirjxAfJtWarNpI2n8lU1Mi/s640/blogger-image--1601883600.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEKqSMsSl0Gepg-ckptsJPfKXgioMq4col43oTTC2KaAXSdPW63JfAYB8RBVlr7B8Q5m3OtMxRyr7gUmx2bl5td9gGzpCW-QbUfv8h1QFA2fdKW0bkpxCE4HuIlZQsikya8Rn3PG8wetsi/s640/blogger-image--2080024445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEKqSMsSl0Gepg-ckptsJPfKXgioMq4col43oTTC2KaAXSdPW63JfAYB8RBVlr7B8Q5m3OtMxRyr7gUmx2bl5td9gGzpCW-QbUfv8h1QFA2fdKW0bkpxCE4HuIlZQsikya8Rn3PG8wetsi/s640/blogger-image--2080024445.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>They had a bowtop Gypsy Trailer!!!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiziXxm0L8lLQRiUvoZaX-kVuDLl6EZJREMpH8tfUVNJN1k8iLA8SXl6aWSEkeiEZJ9fLflrtZjTrmBT5P-7ueP5-sHR3qZilG4p9Rxvt2oCliGc58DB0Muxz9a-Jh3HPRAqE2vu7HUI8xQ/s640/blogger-image--499028091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiziXxm0L8lLQRiUvoZaX-kVuDLl6EZJREMpH8tfUVNJN1k8iLA8SXl6aWSEkeiEZJ9fLflrtZjTrmBT5P-7ueP5-sHR3qZilG4p9Rxvt2oCliGc58DB0Muxz9a-Jh3HPRAqE2vu7HUI8xQ/s640/blogger-image--499028091.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>The inside...</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhftQ_hyphenhyphenkvU-ioMJ9aCGQLmBtd-58sD4TLp39jNfhNb-zw21GXIzbwdcvjnvJCJ-OodpreJcN2YXyrQ8uR1B43d8NMV_UuRh310e__ZlxBblA9NyNGgSuo8g2w8bAJa4FZtbMUtOdJ7mL_k/s640/blogger-image--1095897295.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhftQ_hyphenhyphenkvU-ioMJ9aCGQLmBtd-58sD4TLp39jNfhNb-zw21GXIzbwdcvjnvJCJ-OodpreJcN2YXyrQ8uR1B43d8NMV_UuRh310e__ZlxBblA9NyNGgSuo8g2w8bAJa4FZtbMUtOdJ7mL_k/s640/blogger-image--1095897295.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Other museum sightings...</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsK8zEZqKg-4uxjdWXrFPFAGh4N06hlIDcvNhMZiMb-kPDlDuOR0t0XlGh2vN6dJJUWzuu9D3YrzPIhxRnLDy0QBMLBpJxO-zNq6Jwb2HyXX1hoeDm6Y0hnvDB1YYhFPBGCF2YiFyAWy-d/s640/blogger-image-405661894.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsK8zEZqKg-4uxjdWXrFPFAGh4N06hlIDcvNhMZiMb-kPDlDuOR0t0XlGh2vN6dJJUWzuu9D3YrzPIhxRnLDy0QBMLBpJxO-zNq6Jwb2HyXX1hoeDm6Y0hnvDB1YYhFPBGCF2YiFyAWy-d/s640/blogger-image-405661894.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwoOk0yvkEngomSk_nZStgfgRpxdZ-nuhgDiz-CmaI7CKZ0bOkFLyXN-hztgh63ekMfva10CPCcE2Lv42_llRWwgvajxqjx4Ahrt4kBagmk5jqlYhjcZZjgk4NMpNH7y3lGv7OUol1p0X5/s640/blogger-image-685930684.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwoOk0yvkEngomSk_nZStgfgRpxdZ-nuhgDiz-CmaI7CKZ0bOkFLyXN-hztgh63ekMfva10CPCcE2Lv42_llRWwgvajxqjx4Ahrt4kBagmk5jqlYhjcZZjgk4NMpNH7y3lGv7OUol1p0X5/s640/blogger-image-685930684.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Chicken paraphernalia </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTF50KC-vDenzVIrGVKMzcC_x2ENRV2qu-9QPDCHzG3fX6UKWg3ygkA6JYlRE3NzHZcWHHe0V-fq2zHwNDc4dLXJKc3_YS-k5tQW4D2gBH_60DWt0B2RBprhpR5Z09-YrfLq14gf6FIDct/s640/blogger-image-1011428108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTF50KC-vDenzVIrGVKMzcC_x2ENRV2qu-9QPDCHzG3fX6UKWg3ygkA6JYlRE3NzHZcWHHe0V-fq2zHwNDc4dLXJKc3_YS-k5tQW4D2gBH_60DWt0B2RBprhpR5Z09-YrfLq14gf6FIDct/s640/blogger-image-1011428108.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Milk bottles and cans</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4x6WZHpf_L702emQx0hnRvBgOiSIiktq97WYH9rwMLI8dOtHbZd5dGt0qXm3CSqyVKPSBKwbdgmPrwZxUeasOwtagCvQuWGrc6uzAtQQE_KlXveyRLEfn1Z140R9ReuQ6azApoCcYTBZF/s640/blogger-image-1941663664.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4x6WZHpf_L702emQx0hnRvBgOiSIiktq97WYH9rwMLI8dOtHbZd5dGt0qXm3CSqyVKPSBKwbdgmPrwZxUeasOwtagCvQuWGrc6uzAtQQE_KlXveyRLEfn1Z140R9ReuQ6azApoCcYTBZF/s640/blogger-image-1941663664.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Old milking machine </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSfE-hq_Mepbsl-96BbxMDVd1a3iDIzYoCCuunETlfCa9zrJDVkKdlBG4j4KDTdEG7SwEgmMKPUhKcNG-t4P24tlsmcRZ3GrcLT_Jdg9VczuE44Ggza14vQa1K7yHiY5UeQvMC9B73mwlP/s640/blogger-image--1856344018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSfE-hq_Mepbsl-96BbxMDVd1a3iDIzYoCCuunETlfCa9zrJDVkKdlBG4j4KDTdEG7SwEgmMKPUhKcNG-t4P24tlsmcRZ3GrcLT_Jdg9VczuE44Ggza14vQa1K7yHiY5UeQvMC9B73mwlP/s640/blogger-image--1856344018.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Butter molds/stamps</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix76eJb44hE3eNtM6JQd78uVEDgH9dVJZgxTxSqKs2VU44WFXjEImpSC_TL5rpLWT9XHwQTgRzpB6VriZrEdBqrY0AIl9T1wba0dywnOQzGBh6AGLf2Hoz0bKUuQbqBVtYCiqB8jDm0T9l/s640/blogger-image-323888815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix76eJb44hE3eNtM6JQd78uVEDgH9dVJZgxTxSqKs2VU44WFXjEImpSC_TL5rpLWT9XHwQTgRzpB6VriZrEdBqrY0AIl9T1wba0dywnOQzGBh6AGLf2Hoz0bKUuQbqBVtYCiqB8jDm0T9l/s640/blogger-image-323888815.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4YSPg7kr26t5E6_eSzG6Zwe7eUysyFTZ3a3ZbSHmuwl0y3-0dMJ4z1jlVX_qewy1bPbRMx3ONItpzDIA6XbV9b80Y_OA0pCGtL4jMw-yKLCKwZYFaC7m_F4AMLO9h7pxuQsnHy4CmqARt/s640/blogger-image-1497642388.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4YSPg7kr26t5E6_eSzG6Zwe7eUysyFTZ3a3ZbSHmuwl0y3-0dMJ4z1jlVX_qewy1bPbRMx3ONItpzDIA6XbV9b80Y_OA0pCGtL4jMw-yKLCKwZYFaC7m_F4AMLO9h7pxuQsnHy4CmqARt/s640/blogger-image-1497642388.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj78IwCLq_GbmHFpe6NwZwWFnnwPgKFJKqjiUcFlYM-N2sq7JceJMv7wPo9H9laurSZGOMbttlXwFQuHuyPvfaLuh54WnzJpX8i_4SxzLmBYMvHYy5Pj3ZsECqnaOa0W50d8uXsV19QZvan/s640/blogger-image--514646262.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj78IwCLq_GbmHFpe6NwZwWFnnwPgKFJKqjiUcFlYM-N2sq7JceJMv7wPo9H9laurSZGOMbttlXwFQuHuyPvfaLuh54WnzJpX8i_4SxzLmBYMvHYy5Pj3ZsECqnaOa0W50d8uXsV19QZvan/s640/blogger-image--514646262.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglKWXp1f9jeLaww3Xxu7CGpHM5QlXlqchA2IqnlkUmCYrTknB3SdjjOp5CnyppOuIobJc1QizWA4qhN6XuelyKYpIb-qJIxWx66HNWhBUfkDHjQYbBxzeMOVyKSh5qeD2Mun_XTUoBN0yZ/s640/blogger-image-1071112109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglKWXp1f9jeLaww3Xxu7CGpHM5QlXlqchA2IqnlkUmCYrTknB3SdjjOp5CnyppOuIobJc1QizWA4qhN6XuelyKYpIb-qJIxWx66HNWhBUfkDHjQYbBxzeMOVyKSh5qeD2Mun_XTUoBN0yZ/s640/blogger-image-1071112109.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzaWZcttAxJotJbzcjf2CtyohE4Sd05hhyF8uwqEDGhpF3tt_cljjd6h7uiNCXmdFQRY5Fv9jVHfmaVdSrchK8FnoOtBoy4cPjk4m5xOTg1CtIKaZ5dDuuLXsCt2S__mf9MoBiF2x30Bk-/s640/blogger-image-1803782873.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzaWZcttAxJotJbzcjf2CtyohE4Sd05hhyF8uwqEDGhpF3tt_cljjd6h7uiNCXmdFQRY5Fv9jVHfmaVdSrchK8FnoOtBoy4cPjk4m5xOTg1CtIKaZ5dDuuLXsCt2S__mf9MoBiF2x30Bk-/s640/blogger-image-1803782873.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Last night we stayed in Enniscorthy in a beautiful riverside hotel. This was a sign outside the "Bah" where we had dinner:)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0VYY6cJlQLkapLWT6ABOamfCKjDSMHWVKC88zsfS5HxUbtouNJYAsK4Ze7hIc1g0AfWdyGjUBR26Hod30sf7VhU53mSXc8_e6ZXa9wfIbUMEQh3pBZMLD7tDQzXaAjinu_zQzcXCRg5lf/s640/blogger-image--1300354621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0VYY6cJlQLkapLWT6ABOamfCKjDSMHWVKC88zsfS5HxUbtouNJYAsK4Ze7hIc1g0AfWdyGjUBR26Hod30sf7VhU53mSXc8_e6ZXa9wfIbUMEQh3pBZMLD7tDQzXaAjinu_zQzcXCRg5lf/s640/blogger-image--1300354621.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Today we visited the Irish National Heritage park. We walked through centuries of history and saw homes the Irish have lived in starting in the Stone Age. It was really neat. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Stone Age thatched communal home</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT57a5Mq7PA6kqbOeMXJaKmrd7qqHAvxKWHX1fGthskDgWZnpVNjbjLautHhGiOVB-YPbfzqpMOrc86vN_vIx57bnYXIOYI_N9R7Oc7_6ph_Ap6LQIarCZyPnBxp-ShMiAdajOFtam8dTg/s640/blogger-image--2017813473.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT57a5Mq7PA6kqbOeMXJaKmrd7qqHAvxKWHX1fGthskDgWZnpVNjbjLautHhGiOVB-YPbfzqpMOrc86vN_vIx57bnYXIOYI_N9R7Oc7_6ph_Ap6LQIarCZyPnBxp-ShMiAdajOFtam8dTg/s640/blogger-image--2017813473.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Thatch from the inside</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMzb8FksMRUtNL393W5OYdee99LOaj7VHwbY-73yQrh2DFwb4QUqOPXMIxuh7Vlo8WFGGvnKiIpQQI0P0suYo95ybr4z8xyx5JwVKFjpezbVsgeMNQKsnZp0W9uhpqxKOjEIRzD84fJiu0/s640/blogger-image-1544649189.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMzb8FksMRUtNL393W5OYdee99LOaj7VHwbY-73yQrh2DFwb4QUqOPXMIxuh7Vlo8WFGGvnKiIpQQI0P0suYo95ybr4z8xyx5JwVKFjpezbVsgeMNQKsnZp0W9uhpqxKOjEIRzD84fJiu0/s640/blogger-image-1544649189.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Replica stone circle</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkdJ6a4yo9lUQoD34xBWh-26FMtX1d2j2dHrxZeZIY85hrHW5zdYR9dEQSjAxNMIP4hLWXqHbU4fOkN6HY2uB_pTGO2al_WaitjLnEd979CUgrAWaSZGbntnCn4oL_iTZ97MQ7XGfjjZH4/s640/blogger-image--731398518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkdJ6a4yo9lUQoD34xBWh-26FMtX1d2j2dHrxZeZIY85hrHW5zdYR9dEQSjAxNMIP4hLWXqHbU4fOkN6HY2uB_pTGO2al_WaitjLnEd979CUgrAWaSZGbntnCn4oL_iTZ97MQ7XGfjjZH4/s640/blogger-image--731398518.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Replica megalithic tomb</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKEQwXJuPOhwwzZy0ZwFsyNQKqPh3HqDtDYnkSI9sa5KGaoGbwKq0JW84_Hw_qc62JKFBbs9UaA7yCk3wmWMvv2cN60JGZDDuJTWKLv-Xa1fMP7kMC3TtxkVyWkUKHpECaml3bAUGlhUby/s640/blogger-image-1660398536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKEQwXJuPOhwwzZy0ZwFsyNQKqPh3HqDtDYnkSI9sa5KGaoGbwKq0JW84_Hw_qc62JKFBbs9UaA7yCk3wmWMvv2cN60JGZDDuJTWKLv-Xa1fMP7kMC3TtxkVyWkUKHpECaml3bAUGlhUby/s640/blogger-image-1660398536.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEMgVK8jbtd-INE3sKwpwRkksqVVXYmUczoY8D4zo3bHRK7EpfBjRTsfwVuukLfIDu_YQgAWMi8lRFXY7PYOJLA-ve4iJeJFMwiolgZpbvfXB9Kr7pIMxB1c7HNeNVeaouIInFKdXoaouU/s640/blogger-image--2138093902.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEMgVK8jbtd-INE3sKwpwRkksqVVXYmUczoY8D4zo3bHRK7EpfBjRTsfwVuukLfIDu_YQgAWMi8lRFXY7PYOJLA-ve4iJeJFMwiolgZpbvfXB9Kr7pIMxB1c7HNeNVeaouIInFKdXoaouU/s640/blogger-image--2138093902.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd5eRXe_Wej09p9HGvjvywLw_EP72IQyztWMwrLmxQq8AxuwP97hLXqHvq03GIC_0l2qyP5j8MQ74dXVXuBnFUrW7mtO9j86tuWqxq0YBbDgxFdkI5HqEvHHtWUTYxq_RdxlBFT2coKAfY/s640/blogger-image-613127383.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd5eRXe_Wej09p9HGvjvywLw_EP72IQyztWMwrLmxQq8AxuwP97hLXqHvq03GIC_0l2qyP5j8MQ74dXVXuBnFUrW7mtO9j86tuWqxq0YBbDgxFdkI5HqEvHHtWUTYxq_RdxlBFT2coKAfY/s640/blogger-image-613127383.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP-K1_M6LYEeaXREF8MGcupKjiWXp7KHYDANlViUxdlXIci042zamYUHbD5mOP8Lyo-OB7rIL1hZsRuVXfWwPcCr57rKWuKeJgqVsjUQAoHorK5t8cIAlBR-y6-TOjEf4zLU2yKrNQsa8Y/s640/blogger-image-594817915.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP-K1_M6LYEeaXREF8MGcupKjiWXp7KHYDANlViUxdlXIci042zamYUHbD5mOP8Lyo-OB7rIL1hZsRuVXfWwPcCr57rKWuKeJgqVsjUQAoHorK5t8cIAlBR-y6-TOjEf4zLU2yKrNQsa8Y/s640/blogger-image-594817915.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>A fulacht fiadh or cooking pit using hot stones...they were cooking bacon in it</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPnxNLgXtc0FpxD2fywa5CVE0kFhO8nx8EVRjD0eZuI2JVArgLbOJhHxkjyjs1u3-qm2JwtF2bQc9GMDNw7TYiovpkaTBqzIsqpbF05tUj_P1LaYF8ApBisd9GNw7TrU0UtzCq9MtK32fF/s640/blogger-image--765857687.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPnxNLgXtc0FpxD2fywa5CVE0kFhO8nx8EVRjD0eZuI2JVArgLbOJhHxkjyjs1u3-qm2JwtF2bQc9GMDNw7TYiovpkaTBqzIsqpbF05tUj_P1LaYF8ApBisd9GNw7TrU0UtzCq9MtK32fF/s640/blogger-image--765857687.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Viking art</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHz2oHeLHSP3vCRai1E8FpH4etEBJNmBqLpYM5x0TKfGPYZZVSi7OJAMAJSfA9RSqT34KHFXv6oB1M0PIHgtvD_5r84SHVMrdzhH1ILEJGAOUQLdJQOZ3i9t_kSuYwT6_stHNMMBPHmJFO/s640/blogger-image-1836466672.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHz2oHeLHSP3vCRai1E8FpH4etEBJNmBqLpYM5x0TKfGPYZZVSi7OJAMAJSfA9RSqT34KHFXv6oB1M0PIHgtvD_5r84SHVMrdzhH1ILEJGAOUQLdJQOZ3i9t_kSuYwT6_stHNMMBPHmJFO/s640/blogger-image-1836466672.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After that we went to the town of New Ross and visited the Dunbrody Irish Emigrant Experience Museum. We saw and got to explore how tiny a vessel that would have brought Irish emigrants to the USA really was.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_nEq-bVTeusRxTKNCQ4ObU9h-_H2f6xUCb2j-xRgYQcFsEmqguiXRgk60Ze9PLRQHL0EyUSeseR4ufjCm0aOUA8sjzrKMFPKxYHxBFW0Vqc3xj0kFyXzk0S-XEjU7ybiqiiJ8X-ootcyJ/s640/blogger-image-1415992319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_nEq-bVTeusRxTKNCQ4ObU9h-_H2f6xUCb2j-xRgYQcFsEmqguiXRgk60Ze9PLRQHL0EyUSeseR4ufjCm0aOUA8sjzrKMFPKxYHxBFW0Vqc3xj0kFyXzk0S-XEjU7ybiqiiJ8X-ootcyJ/s640/blogger-image-1415992319.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQbmpb87Y_qAo7GyVz8Wx5zFsAnuSNIH69ETVmHxz-_wzmCCwo8IlFh4FAuBBB5P93hrijXkqcwynItv1qNGSa2zoS680dV-JuYcHdn1PuM9FrLrSVQyO_q5rebd0v6p7IcPxFPJggWGG5/s640/blogger-image-1837630833.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQbmpb87Y_qAo7GyVz8Wx5zFsAnuSNIH69ETVmHxz-_wzmCCwo8IlFh4FAuBBB5P93hrijXkqcwynItv1qNGSa2zoS680dV-JuYcHdn1PuM9FrLrSVQyO_q5rebd0v6p7IcPxFPJggWGG5/s640/blogger-image-1837630833.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>The inside of this replica of a real vessel was very small and one can only imagine the smell, the bad food and what it was like to live with no privacy with up to 310 other people for up to 50 days.</div><div><br></div><div>Bunks shared by whole family's or multiple adults. Folks were only allowed on deck for 30 min a day, this was used to wash, empty toilet buckets, and cook bread.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizX22Kox_i828nrm0iarkc8DDNKmiSxnd5hdH-wfn1bNyW0zcOBi2ktlryF_C3iNWV2PYlQTC5czS5R2ER2RaBCYDCg3_XwiLQjEIklJCC_jTHj0dx23q82L814e5NhXuz0rv8nva2SwId/s640/blogger-image--371127800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizX22Kox_i828nrm0iarkc8DDNKmiSxnd5hdH-wfn1bNyW0zcOBi2ktlryF_C3iNWV2PYlQTC5czS5R2ER2RaBCYDCg3_XwiLQjEIklJCC_jTHj0dx23q82L814e5NhXuz0rv8nva2SwId/s640/blogger-image--371127800.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU0KvHsqWY2oF77c0WLz8wvNsYb_joC4br8SalH_XQjaALd8sGKwXdOp_lXZTZI6Yt9g_TtoRXuPjLrBqdDkR1DdFNEMwOtLyWuTGCqHkHgt4yGAK8A64rqgw6QocBZgXtMepPwzU0QsJ9/s640/blogger-image--1031973655.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU0KvHsqWY2oF77c0WLz8wvNsYb_joC4br8SalH_XQjaALd8sGKwXdOp_lXZTZI6Yt9g_TtoRXuPjLrBqdDkR1DdFNEMwOtLyWuTGCqHkHgt4yGAK8A64rqgw6QocBZgXtMepPwzU0QsJ9/s640/blogger-image--1031973655.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Tonight we head into Dublin and tomorrow is my last day in Ireland. I'm gonna try to eat as much butter as possible;) Ill be home very soon...</div><div><br></div>GypsyShearerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11867391905489105670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2611306069974780294.post-39930003508976294982014-05-23T12:22:00.001-07:002014-05-23T12:57:08.116-07:00Parade DayToday was a slow day for me. Just the World Wool Handling round one. I was very pleased with how I did, 19th out of 29. Leanne also had a good showing for the USA placing 17th. <div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_YAUOMGEltNf9YWNLy7P778yiOBa-4bDj-pqSTTkLXYfM6wO_F-YTBukKh3pv_9J-VimviBu-WEWbVbm6jtMyznABkrfdVJO-fNnteQXj-GXV5bs7ylWtyhRvlWwfwurIhhEuu0Rh7DKG/s640/blogger-image--88879130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_YAUOMGEltNf9YWNLy7P778yiOBa-4bDj-pqSTTkLXYfM6wO_F-YTBukKh3pv_9J-VimviBu-WEWbVbm6jtMyznABkrfdVJO-fNnteQXj-GXV5bs7ylWtyhRvlWwfwurIhhEuu0Rh7DKG/s640/blogger-image--88879130.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>The rest of the guys also had the first heats for the world machine and blade competitions. Our guys had a good showing and overall we are pleased:)</div><div><br></div><div>Alex Moser- Machine 26th (out of 49)</div><div>Mark Hoogendorn- Machine 31st </div><div>Doug Rathke- Blade 13th (out of 20)</div><div>Kevin Ford- Blade 12th </div><div><br></div><div>I also had the unique honor of taking part in a "Taste of Ireland" cook off with Colette against an Irish celebrity chef. I learned how to make Risotto and it won! </div><div>It was a fabulous time:)</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifsctwUUav4W2CVCOuzYnHRMwzxtMwpS6lcoYZ-j49Hw5ITrdpHT1bEJl2SKV5TyKLbtNEwU34foxkHUCugjqrfIme7RO6ZvLv9C989vIeMSRcxwguxFe0jJzxYyQp-udKTlIRQf-7XiR5/s640/blogger-image--2116746195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifsctwUUav4W2CVCOuzYnHRMwzxtMwpS6lcoYZ-j49Hw5ITrdpHT1bEJl2SKV5TyKLbtNEwU34foxkHUCugjqrfIme7RO6ZvLv9C989vIeMSRcxwguxFe0jJzxYyQp-udKTlIRQf-7XiR5/s640/blogger-image--2116746195.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Had a chance to look around a bit today as well, saw some lovely Irish breeds in the breed display tent...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">For Laura and Sara, Irish Texels!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguLZ3Cox3zzcm4B8lKWLsIOejeLwE8SZHRgSjxtDxKrjdJZ_q7Evht_xVKuHVoF_z1vjyTXW2nLH-vmckq8rQ_b09T9r8wA66b19B6xAS7UVs0IYwR_TgZ24NCOztyqDdlv3hc06vPVRJN/s640/blogger-image--706374695.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguLZ3Cox3zzcm4B8lKWLsIOejeLwE8SZHRgSjxtDxKrjdJZ_q7Evht_xVKuHVoF_z1vjyTXW2nLH-vmckq8rQ_b09T9r8wA66b19B6xAS7UVs0IYwR_TgZ24NCOztyqDdlv3hc06vPVRJN/s640/blogger-image--706374695.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDKux97f_V8QtrCvfXsb6yRZTZbggnonxDlL6U3wgE48p-PbRUqR5SsvAUyFwauQzn8td73l2lbvyehCNBQi-3Ls6Uix7WPKNKkCvusz1QBAWce0iP17rnT4PoOwkA5SygP1SAYTEN3iG0/s640/blogger-image-2032007312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDKux97f_V8QtrCvfXsb6yRZTZbggnonxDlL6U3wgE48p-PbRUqR5SsvAUyFwauQzn8td73l2lbvyehCNBQi-3Ls6Uix7WPKNKkCvusz1QBAWce0iP17rnT4PoOwkA5SygP1SAYTEN3iG0/s640/blogger-image-2032007312.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikZS2gpGjamOVWzx9kjOiCwSB8hxfMqYgWef2ZPb5NZAzsg3qwNZYxfohRnC4gEgGXTKqXDh0KEXm2NJfLbvgeM_qCH4ZyV4Qj7Y6OsGQ4jYRXfKlA1AGrUBVJ_-ItaLCXTd3QN5ca_DWF/s640/blogger-image-179166235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikZS2gpGjamOVWzx9kjOiCwSB8hxfMqYgWef2ZPb5NZAzsg3qwNZYxfohRnC4gEgGXTKqXDh0KEXm2NJfLbvgeM_qCH4ZyV4Qj7Y6OsGQ4jYRXfKlA1AGrUBVJ_-ItaLCXTd3QN5ca_DWF/s640/blogger-image-179166235.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8PaZELYQ56gkATnQw3Sc-rQppXyRaUNT9OoN4h6Qc5L5rq005Q6QCfnIeOnfST011JZ0AfKjWI8bai6QrBKCrrkzsau3bb3JygvQl07tdF9ntlcPJh_ltvTXKXJJY2mjWL3dGv_io-EQ5/s640/blogger-image-284269669.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8PaZELYQ56gkATnQw3Sc-rQppXyRaUNT9OoN4h6Qc5L5rq005Q6QCfnIeOnfST011JZ0AfKjWI8bai6QrBKCrrkzsau3bb3JygvQl07tdF9ntlcPJh_ltvTXKXJJY2mjWL3dGv_io-EQ5/s640/blogger-image-284269669.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg9uvPhyLQ3gzfFeavqN3hdfsVOvM1T3rDVDENU-UNoVohOKB_Rd0IhAg1LZx72oqQqGTGr6_IjJ6Mc71mriR1mp58OenmsQp7vBZCN_UV-1DWq9gi3Ja-PCd276mCr_m8PVeJLoV11DqK/s640/blogger-image-385862612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg9uvPhyLQ3gzfFeavqN3hdfsVOvM1T3rDVDENU-UNoVohOKB_Rd0IhAg1LZx72oqQqGTGr6_IjJ6Mc71mriR1mp58OenmsQp7vBZCN_UV-1DWq9gi3Ja-PCd276mCr_m8PVeJLoV11DqK/s640/blogger-image-385862612.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Irish Rouge</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGEj8xRt1kTQOhjE40A5e2q5cRlAJCmlQMSK9sNXSs_roQfhNbGnHbRGNAf-I3pfpmYy6lcMcT7HNYut5I-xEamGKHDDIWwz10let5V8tLSnWS0acxqi1g0-bKlJEYLLHRY54MULCPHFy9/s640/blogger-image--1826944350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGEj8xRt1kTQOhjE40A5e2q5cRlAJCmlQMSK9sNXSs_roQfhNbGnHbRGNAf-I3pfpmYy6lcMcT7HNYut5I-xEamGKHDDIWwz10let5V8tLSnWS0acxqi1g0-bKlJEYLLHRY54MULCPHFy9/s640/blogger-image--1826944350.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBSeKLSvs_6Iu-z8me_RIehFVEcRkpRqrvuLERlaA7vPv44A0gzHdLESuJ_lKu7lwp_nmpv48m-iV5XagJ33Qlwb7hcA6UupLLrxTj5aYXasFEe6MgTqYNLxSCfprYXlz9TRAgm-48T-Tw/s640/blogger-image--979173747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBSeKLSvs_6Iu-z8me_RIehFVEcRkpRqrvuLERlaA7vPv44A0gzHdLESuJ_lKu7lwp_nmpv48m-iV5XagJ33Qlwb7hcA6UupLLrxTj5aYXasFEe6MgTqYNLxSCfprYXlz9TRAgm-48T-Tw/s640/blogger-image--979173747.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Charollais...the devil...</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhejOWh_rO46UkGndgGnwp9EPH8GU-JmtkJev5mXZoPoBOZgpjZsq6jc2M67hEqOGpED1fWb3oRjcT3572LhR-DoXeuF6KOMjPwmd-OIRU5NSxvswItDpYYb4bZYaP2ypzp3zsipYRLsu03/s640/blogger-image--2138023727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhejOWh_rO46UkGndgGnwp9EPH8GU-JmtkJev5mXZoPoBOZgpjZsq6jc2M67hEqOGpED1fWb3oRjcT3572LhR-DoXeuF6KOMjPwmd-OIRU5NSxvswItDpYYb4bZYaP2ypzp3zsipYRLsu03/s640/blogger-image--2138023727.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVB3HqJUZGoG6W8Bl4ojnfTW2hWsLJKaY7Gp-laCNQzcciMSYfAIXwYczanjvb9CaaEMkE0Y-iSPVPadaBL2awfu0j-L3oRyUaKrGlf7IyfLvlF2E6IzqcCTOPx-JUB6Qi7nJsyBeCUXXL/s640/blogger-image-1958542028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVB3HqJUZGoG6W8Bl4ojnfTW2hWsLJKaY7Gp-laCNQzcciMSYfAIXwYczanjvb9CaaEMkE0Y-iSPVPadaBL2awfu0j-L3oRyUaKrGlf7IyfLvlF2E6IzqcCTOPx-JUB6Qi7nJsyBeCUXXL/s640/blogger-image-1958542028.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>The biggest boned Suffolk I have ever seen...</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWwaKyQwKU4L2LpmVMZwXkzKJQDRkp35AAfXAWhyphenhyphenwp5Ot9hmqQAVQ12gBbuWBhxZKw-5YyvcMrBE-IteMTc6BYuroMEj1sqlVhln54U6r7Vi_7noU3Saz_MADDmbXqvLQK4XuR7UWda4P0/s640/blogger-image--805689553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWwaKyQwKU4L2LpmVMZwXkzKJQDRkp35AAfXAWhyphenhyphenwp5Ot9hmqQAVQ12gBbuWBhxZKw-5YyvcMrBE-IteMTc6BYuroMEj1sqlVhln54U6r7Vi_7noU3Saz_MADDmbXqvLQK4XuR7UWda4P0/s640/blogger-image--805689553.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6qccI1GhDTThbk6oiLGECcFRfTOY1xS1xNNBJGXdhh6T8ROTwulYNH9-7-nEqx4dfVuaN-aN4mDTK1uVgJazKBGZPi9MHsAxhbLxDTn9Ia1LOvIh48p46c81a5KKJ-Lo80qs99RfR1Idd/s640/blogger-image--1173014347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6qccI1GhDTThbk6oiLGECcFRfTOY1xS1xNNBJGXdhh6T8ROTwulYNH9-7-nEqx4dfVuaN-aN4mDTK1uVgJazKBGZPi9MHsAxhbLxDTn9Ia1LOvIh48p46c81a5KKJ-Lo80qs99RfR1Idd/s640/blogger-image--1173014347.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Random mix sheep...</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGXnSNcjQce6jcGiLQP1zPuEMTWwPA9MGfLJXkzXS0qXIP_PkqcF0UH9hGniOt1ulIk_L7G3csP10mXSr6qNltYbVM9DAm73o1sRSSndzyVnKTGwPEmk6Y0pLTsIsv-g5Pwz6pz3WQM688/s640/blogger-image--253013540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGXnSNcjQce6jcGiLQP1zPuEMTWwPA9MGfLJXkzXS0qXIP_PkqcF0UH9hGniOt1ulIk_L7G3csP10mXSr6qNltYbVM9DAm73o1sRSSndzyVnKTGwPEmk6Y0pLTsIsv-g5Pwz6pz3WQM688/s640/blogger-image--253013540.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRnjODnZ7QqckaVS2Z9X3Xao-nB4R7bPcrA7hmlDqXwCx_lCJATJNn6d4mvyu6nb5pjwPyUimd0DKu0Eruf1PByDrMj5PvQbezk160K8yHpNob8NnZxdxWWvKTaUChUGQDWHCQCcexWHAO/s640/blogger-image-157777712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRnjODnZ7QqckaVS2Z9X3Xao-nB4R7bPcrA7hmlDqXwCx_lCJATJNn6d4mvyu6nb5pjwPyUimd0DKu0Eruf1PByDrMj5PvQbezk160K8yHpNob8NnZxdxWWvKTaUChUGQDWHCQCcexWHAO/s640/blogger-image-157777712.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Zwartables?!?</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOe71Vy5ZULpRPYMqokZGiqrPPPr_3-p5rcTPrw4IVgdbcy283wR_Meywmcy5wX0ibcR2J3aE-6wXOPM48e1S-XtBo-nZG5g6LlAdOdM3xsROCQOQaI4tZgcxYXXB8r0lgZyY-ettwT2hV/s640/blogger-image--591827698.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOe71Vy5ZULpRPYMqokZGiqrPPPr_3-p5rcTPrw4IVgdbcy283wR_Meywmcy5wX0ibcR2J3aE-6wXOPM48e1S-XtBo-nZG5g6LlAdOdM3xsROCQOQaI4tZgcxYXXB8r0lgZyY-ettwT2hV/s640/blogger-image--591827698.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>After that we took part in a parade through Gory. the weather was traditionally Irish being cold, drizzly, windy and very cold. We had some lovely Hurling kids (hurling is a sport here in Ireland that mixes hockey, lacrosse and rugby, it's brutal) escort us down the road. Since it was so cold I stayed warm by taking selfies with innocent bystanders:) </div><div><br></div><div>Team USA</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDM3iqaWzoNQ_zz4tDC2mBJ-uSvfM6oUO6_9bwhcEVoXC_Vn8YnhSjQDAPFXgXIhpb2gYjPDYdLTU29iRYSP5dkfWNMA0Yuvjjhrzdt3bpJN73qoVQf9yQ-xgzP0PmtvWX3_ybweh0tf_n/s640/blogger-image-1301659751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDM3iqaWzoNQ_zz4tDC2mBJ-uSvfM6oUO6_9bwhcEVoXC_Vn8YnhSjQDAPFXgXIhpb2gYjPDYdLTU29iRYSP5dkfWNMA0Yuvjjhrzdt3bpJN73qoVQf9yQ-xgzP0PmtvWX3_ybweh0tf_n/s640/blogger-image-1301659751.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlrI3aldSli3vr2dgIVJJ9GkLqh_a63TOHmkUw85CBAUjxq4ZELxp0BZcykMAEAKrRTeEq84G7JPnOWsTl4GbMcEt77CtnEpvQh7OYQKoPWZQNSiINtjESMz0UNdjNJNxpyf_EBHvcvK5r/s640/blogger-image-318074664.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlrI3aldSli3vr2dgIVJJ9GkLqh_a63TOHmkUw85CBAUjxq4ZELxp0BZcykMAEAKrRTeEq84G7JPnOWsTl4GbMcEt77CtnEpvQh7OYQKoPWZQNSiINtjESMz0UNdjNJNxpyf_EBHvcvK5r/s640/blogger-image-318074664.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Our sweet innocent hurling escorts:)</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju2KdMAGv-LYah6zsz1Zq4wY_Ri36z9yrTP7Q1HHNCsc9URJ-QpQSoAPtfvVl7tzIixbI5J8yRnl8pTqUwJS5GpwFQYk9etZ_ZetV63j1DVlzCOto56WYhc8lt5BEWT3rCxZYd1dDhzRnU/s640/blogger-image--1789743742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju2KdMAGv-LYah6zsz1Zq4wY_Ri36z9yrTP7Q1HHNCsc9URJ-QpQSoAPtfvVl7tzIixbI5J8yRnl8pTqUwJS5GpwFQYk9etZ_ZetV63j1DVlzCOto56WYhc8lt5BEWT3rCxZYd1dDhzRnU/s640/blogger-image--1789743742.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Manager Selfie!!!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1tOc7zrDcNraBiaH7AWx-KXl_M0XC_ncjDWWKbBow6tWUZtYwNHmuJWprqhGMoirjdQEGLPTUGLbHcCXs0DThbXL6KTgGoma2wC10IQK4ihOJh4Y-c5wArLwfleBUbxTZ6RCSFkc6uDkl/s640/blogger-image-1593580865.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1tOc7zrDcNraBiaH7AWx-KXl_M0XC_ncjDWWKbBow6tWUZtYwNHmuJWprqhGMoirjdQEGLPTUGLbHcCXs0DThbXL6KTgGoma2wC10IQK4ihOJh4Y-c5wArLwfleBUbxTZ6RCSFkc6uDkl/s640/blogger-image-1593580865.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>The parade route...</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDpXlyH65WP-5udZCVfvw1B3E-w0kVUtXD3Dgf8Y4b2_NPn3BfQjqu4UloVkZqUNFs4VnPqis7BkfnUusgo44XOtbo38aBmE9OytzgG1pN2hILaq5HqXWcxWEqhq3lP1FKrwSIUqmMf_h_/s640/blogger-image--1143145737.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDpXlyH65WP-5udZCVfvw1B3E-w0kVUtXD3Dgf8Y4b2_NPn3BfQjqu4UloVkZqUNFs4VnPqis7BkfnUusgo44XOtbo38aBmE9OytzgG1pN2hILaq5HqXWcxWEqhq3lP1FKrwSIUqmMf_h_/s640/blogger-image--1143145737.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Random cop:)</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0cxEXhYKxxHl9BUBECzPumWyo1LgDG-tz3BRBl92GZYBiFtADfAeKutYXdPkQeyIchxwnWhQVui7tKjIw2rRdseJaBagUWg2xlQiNd0gLxQ84Hp1gAbRfj4Bt1OlayD_vot32H2pngmsc/s640/blogger-image-1508456516.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0cxEXhYKxxHl9BUBECzPumWyo1LgDG-tz3BRBl92GZYBiFtADfAeKutYXdPkQeyIchxwnWhQVui7tKjIw2rRdseJaBagUWg2xlQiNd0gLxQ84Hp1gAbRfj4Bt1OlayD_vot32H2pngmsc/s640/blogger-image-1508456516.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjheBYjowt_SiTht3u9IBFyFeXfMT7di6NZtdN47o8lWc0l0z5qa08hgY85oX_WM9zwQVvbTQVulmzaCyTXIVYyEqvQ6oRCqWwsn12bhCGq3OooC-VKJP0bDzG32_LRYVU6Qydy9thRwoq0/s640/blogger-image--252741407.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjheBYjowt_SiTht3u9IBFyFeXfMT7di6NZtdN47o8lWc0l0z5qa08hgY85oX_WM9zwQVvbTQVulmzaCyTXIVYyEqvQ6oRCqWwsn12bhCGq3OooC-VKJP0bDzG32_LRYVU6Qydy9thRwoq0/s640/blogger-image--252741407.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The welsh team bringing up the rear:)</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYvd_HLZ_zQVpkcehnrkTCNNWBA_87lBfHfyAP9NvGoKe5Os-DjVK5zf6ShLP32FcqDMpJzqJKKu9nv2Ubcnk7aMv6iTN2yYhPhyw0JJzmmkgruEGFAcB-RPF_OsCTs6N4C8GIt582Lwq1/s640/blogger-image--680306811.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYvd_HLZ_zQVpkcehnrkTCNNWBA_87lBfHfyAP9NvGoKe5Os-DjVK5zf6ShLP32FcqDMpJzqJKKu9nv2Ubcnk7aMv6iTN2yYhPhyw0JJzmmkgruEGFAcB-RPF_OsCTs6N4C8GIt582Lwq1/s640/blogger-image--680306811.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Sneak attack selfie/photobomb!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu3-GZIsUmvMZv_r3Z__zj5v_L47yJso7sNlCFcU3DQbKtoeesC_VGkdUgnTCTA6VpzZVhr7AM4Z_JQj22646LA8Tik-gTRdY7cEjLcKcpdvI9T8R9BJHNjOfNIxHTx7-f1p34NwZB1R1S/s640/blogger-image-876608388.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu3-GZIsUmvMZv_r3Z__zj5v_L47yJso7sNlCFcU3DQbKtoeesC_VGkdUgnTCTA6VpzZVhr7AM4Z_JQj22646LA8Tik-gTRdY7cEjLcKcpdvI9T8R9BJHNjOfNIxHTx7-f1p34NwZB1R1S/s640/blogger-image-876608388.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Team USA </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe1gbsHJfG3mwEYpObqoQp478YtyglZ74oPm5YwNCzDwp_C4KffWbl84oxIvmxC1X04or4Er3IbGIqIJp6geZWv9g4E82g0lfzyl2NGpOpIPEKmsermtiD_DnaWpTTJi2rrR4lZAdmkrNx/s640/blogger-image-1425954283.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe1gbsHJfG3mwEYpObqoQp478YtyglZ74oPm5YwNCzDwp_C4KffWbl84oxIvmxC1X04or4Er3IbGIqIJp6geZWv9g4E82g0lfzyl2NGpOpIPEKmsermtiD_DnaWpTTJi2rrR4lZAdmkrNx/s640/blogger-image-1425954283.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Holding up traffic selfie</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Yt6WB1JYsXZoZWs36sXT9iyzPAA9jQ0n1rqhb3-rGJebnW9I-9V-wMoxm_B0lOI3LA8cMT-65XPV2KfYg7RVsagcvRz7VkhiBUv2EeEshy9qNGvIq2SGlQ5S7dpa_M0UQlSUYsfniKH7/s640/blogger-image--1539149759.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Yt6WB1JYsXZoZWs36sXT9iyzPAA9jQ0n1rqhb3-rGJebnW9I-9V-wMoxm_B0lOI3LA8cMT-65XPV2KfYg7RVsagcvRz7VkhiBUv2EeEshy9qNGvIq2SGlQ5S7dpa_M0UQlSUYsfniKH7/s640/blogger-image--1539149759.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Dinner at our Pub and met a lovely local who really liked Mark and Anna...</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC5JNc1136Xh1mKlwh9uo5ZTH4V674DKTuH0kekzoUDIkTWEIgvmfmjltwaF9m1B16X7IM9f6GH6ynGDEzJ0pZwdywsrx29giwtpPgNxUXa8sle3VbYDTJK6PAoWgdV4mOF023x2cW3uOM/s640/blogger-image--1311716072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC5JNc1136Xh1mKlwh9uo5ZTH4V674DKTuH0kekzoUDIkTWEIgvmfmjltwaF9m1B16X7IM9f6GH6ynGDEzJ0pZwdywsrx29giwtpPgNxUXa8sle3VbYDTJK6PAoWgdV4mOF023x2cW3uOM/s640/blogger-image--1311716072.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Nope she really just wanted Mark lol!!!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj-GBFoscrHBe1eCoflQ6LqFj0egJMczIxpRjZPeKVQhMrPsnP8QXjqWgjXrAbTNnzs1WMZZ0jR5EKT8QzRBrPKF59wb2zNWVoRGzVjoi2zs7KvTxGeHCCpVM6CjGHx7mZ80DPaNfLf8aP/s640/blogger-image-1249416299.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj-GBFoscrHBe1eCoflQ6LqFj0egJMczIxpRjZPeKVQhMrPsnP8QXjqWgjXrAbTNnzs1WMZZ0jR5EKT8QzRBrPKF59wb2zNWVoRGzVjoi2zs7KvTxGeHCCpVM6CjGHx7mZ80DPaNfLf8aP/s640/blogger-image-1249416299.jpg"></a></div><br></div>GypsyShearerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11867391905489105670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2611306069974780294.post-26176848315074321832014-05-22T11:50:00.001-07:002014-05-22T11:50:01.599-07:00Golden Shears- Day one of competitionToday was a crazy roller coaster day. This blog post is mostly pictures but first a rundown of the current placings for team USA...<div>Alex Moser- 65th Open Shearing</div><div>Mark Hoogendoorn- 67th Open Shearing</div><div>Leanne Brimmer- 17th Open WoolHandling</div><div>Emily Chamelin- 20th Open WoolHandling</div><div>7th Intermediate shearing</div><div>Kevin Hickman- 50th Senior Shearing</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAAma93s1sIB3Vx7tSzd5r9cX2UBTWcETYWyKecVejpgSovzn1wIZnnibh7fR-UfsOPXkfDs7mgiWqbRnjQOvlM9mBxfG1_mrYb2ZPe3bxmZtQ-bs4p1c817ZYL3WtUVMaBBtkg6eNQlGU/s640/blogger-image--979173634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAAma93s1sIB3Vx7tSzd5r9cX2UBTWcETYWyKecVejpgSovzn1wIZnnibh7fR-UfsOPXkfDs7mgiWqbRnjQOvlM9mBxfG1_mrYb2ZPe3bxmZtQ-bs4p1c817ZYL3WtUVMaBBtkg6eNQlGU/s640/blogger-image--979173634.jpg"></a></div>Our rental car is ridiculously small. They say it has 7 seats but the jump seats allow for no leg room.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-wfIpEOUjD6YcZLnBFQhfKvgYHP7YJfePN_D8nNpVh0F4341Xeqn9bbdZdEBea-yzApxaU7SvTIEoqYWLjkyVg8QJEmfbwVqCiBzpEVPdhr5gmoqb3v6X8zB2VA6es8InZBEo1Maq_s56/s640/blogger-image--1135662834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-wfIpEOUjD6YcZLnBFQhfKvgYHP7YJfePN_D8nNpVh0F4341Xeqn9bbdZdEBea-yzApxaU7SvTIEoqYWLjkyVg8QJEmfbwVqCiBzpEVPdhr5gmoqb3v6X8zB2VA6es8InZBEo1Maq_s56/s640/blogger-image--1135662834.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbOCx0ebtYyH8uWwhVeDZzAJAatwJf4GqNnw-dveS0xu-giV7e3wWBRdLA-FT2DFtShezQ2zKbkh8MOJgKSbQ9d5rLdfDHg-Sg9DTziU94yji3SLaXnyIxE1F20NxHBb4MrW97F6N9_G_/s640/blogger-image-42473188.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbOCx0ebtYyH8uWwhVeDZzAJAatwJf4GqNnw-dveS0xu-giV7e3wWBRdLA-FT2DFtShezQ2zKbkh8MOJgKSbQ9d5rLdfDHg-Sg9DTziU94yji3SLaXnyIxE1F20NxHBb4MrW97F6N9_G_/s640/blogger-image-42473188.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRCD2RWzDF1mSRIHyz1MhMS-Cvle2ztMpj3ddOeHcNZ94_j3bs3n6cIQqzY350zeCFMQabzTCM1MZtCf120JByXB7z0CZJA-qPqk5K_7gPztj94fmjQG5vOBadKPtE5j95VML1O0md51j4/s640/blogger-image-1963544776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRCD2RWzDF1mSRIHyz1MhMS-Cvle2ztMpj3ddOeHcNZ94_j3bs3n6cIQqzY350zeCFMQabzTCM1MZtCf120JByXB7z0CZJA-qPqk5K_7gPztj94fmjQG5vOBadKPtE5j95VML1O0md51j4/s640/blogger-image-1963544776.jpg"></a></div>They haul sheep in these little trucks!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvfNTqhTXBX-s2duAUy6Bq8iqighrXNJk9vV-9gn-ihctkDl1p-MDv_nmyNjdDsBi_H9Rm3rfQ8TOJTreViKA2uD5LJx3fOUTzjt5Wji-X5zFn9oSU5OgpqmRn52DzkhRZ0VoFaWnrNmAX/s640/blogger-image-943877239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvfNTqhTXBX-s2duAUy6Bq8iqighrXNJk9vV-9gn-ihctkDl1p-MDv_nmyNjdDsBi_H9Rm3rfQ8TOJTreViKA2uD5LJx3fOUTzjt5Wji-X5zFn9oSU5OgpqmRn52DzkhRZ0VoFaWnrNmAX/s640/blogger-image-943877239.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMeqBLB3RRV8JB0LXDwiomJfzMMqhJpGp5wQN2BXuiHqrsgFivQZkRL_eN1Skko2SDU9Dva-4SYzNlkYW1o4gMY2PWWCjGPj8b0bO3Fz8VjFYKRotVUtyow6z-DMHFfGHRCi1bzk5-tEsW/s640/blogger-image--284616763.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMeqBLB3RRV8JB0LXDwiomJfzMMqhJpGp5wQN2BXuiHqrsgFivQZkRL_eN1Skko2SDU9Dva-4SYzNlkYW1o4gMY2PWWCjGPj8b0bO3Fz8VjFYKRotVUtyow6z-DMHFfGHRCi1bzk5-tEsW/s640/blogger-image--284616763.jpg"></a></div>My first ever wool roll:)</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIhhOmINsvnR9cbqPzbcCUqKGwpjwfY6cs13Tc798fm5zUJxTVINStG4DkknKE3FEam9u9PqLjbVHW2NJbq0lG6IkP4aNLthc0mf0zJIAY53m4Bpx0M-duiyI91vhWzRRTBjQ0moawYQub/s640/blogger-image--1714345113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIhhOmINsvnR9cbqPzbcCUqKGwpjwfY6cs13Tc798fm5zUJxTVINStG4DkknKE3FEam9u9PqLjbVHW2NJbq0lG6IkP4aNLthc0mf0zJIAY53m4Bpx0M-duiyI91vhWzRRTBjQ0moawYQub/s640/blogger-image--1714345113.jpg"></a></div>They had a taste of Ireland food court that served all lamb! I had curry:)</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhQTagMUh6Y0CorXVb7xzaLaoh1ZR8FMaQa28WJSUrtWvO7Apc04r0OjPZKIUj8enlv6dx3QYbXPuCZlqWqX92PCNkXrzLEIj_38QXjoZsZn3eargQ2EdUFErdWSgHYZdhDt_6WE4fqDvd/s640/blogger-image-323060334.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhQTagMUh6Y0CorXVb7xzaLaoh1ZR8FMaQa28WJSUrtWvO7Apc04r0OjPZKIUj8enlv6dx3QYbXPuCZlqWqX92PCNkXrzLEIj_38QXjoZsZn3eargQ2EdUFErdWSgHYZdhDt_6WE4fqDvd/s640/blogger-image-323060334.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR4TPjIkOGOf75mWfG2u1FU5GKvmxI0s6Pu3XNwP9uv43VpCRvuqKGTQOYL9g28e6rAklRqU05jfkn2qHtRGHXiXpvmK4DHYwpFut7qDPGDokNiyjdm8AH-4sTypJLbRXkSFZMdG4MUIkK/s640/blogger-image--88304447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR4TPjIkOGOf75mWfG2u1FU5GKvmxI0s6Pu3XNwP9uv43VpCRvuqKGTQOYL9g28e6rAklRqU05jfkn2qHtRGHXiXpvmK4DHYwpFut7qDPGDokNiyjdm8AH-4sTypJLbRXkSFZMdG4MUIkK/s640/blogger-image--88304447.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhytimY00fNDd2We9CpqvG6kNlG7ELT3GyiWSrbH5M3IL8ShyXA2UITEvAN-TqIk-WS8f2h5WkPoylxmZzQaH642VZRnxObb5OfdaXSaH9hX4sHjclt8tDjiEHdGIY-PytSUaZ7B4yLARX0/s640/blogger-image-699670872.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhytimY00fNDd2We9CpqvG6kNlG7ELT3GyiWSrbH5M3IL8ShyXA2UITEvAN-TqIk-WS8f2h5WkPoylxmZzQaH642VZRnxObb5OfdaXSaH9hX4sHjclt8tDjiEHdGIY-PytSUaZ7B4yLARX0/s640/blogger-image-699670872.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmOYmgvoAnFQIF3bHUek2Wzx3_zrRs5GWTuA_cGSNcHt0pmCmzkWn8QJQtPogI7orDNIdKY5MfbcGJfUmD5EC7MznfgYMb_2EEocNd73Nt4ZOZwTqA4dxITvduwDuh3KGhzt7GhO_uBis_/s640/blogger-image--131635924.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmOYmgvoAnFQIF3bHUek2Wzx3_zrRs5GWTuA_cGSNcHt0pmCmzkWn8QJQtPogI7orDNIdKY5MfbcGJfUmD5EC7MznfgYMb_2EEocNd73Nt4ZOZwTqA4dxITvduwDuh3KGhzt7GhO_uBis_/s640/blogger-image--131635924.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0xrhEHd9P15pigge3UVE5oK0UXE7v7rEFtlD9aaL32vWmtJeSn2bMLgDLan7AEMLIynZEugmnsKVf7ZLzorA5XZXo2O8P32hoBPSUOtqjHfuuxCXRjqGhrZLLukhJ0IlDBtE76gtetnT0/s640/blogger-image--775180865.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0xrhEHd9P15pigge3UVE5oK0UXE7v7rEFtlD9aaL32vWmtJeSn2bMLgDLan7AEMLIynZEugmnsKVf7ZLzorA5XZXo2O8P32hoBPSUOtqjHfuuxCXRjqGhrZLLukhJ0IlDBtE76gtetnT0/s640/blogger-image--775180865.jpg"></a></div>It was freezing in the tent this morning!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU5LpRcT1rKB9Cam3hOiqJYxoPKD9J-vQQ_VwfVE12p2BpyFdFRNo3YRK9W5rGkOuD0-M49iiJ_K54kHu2fYTuUjB4l0Q9RYvC4rZHe6C944XeMDi1s15dbE3lb72jXtUM94XY1pDBy18b/s640/blogger-image--708799205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU5LpRcT1rKB9Cam3hOiqJYxoPKD9J-vQQ_VwfVE12p2BpyFdFRNo3YRK9W5rGkOuD0-M49iiJ_K54kHu2fYTuUjB4l0Q9RYvC4rZHe6C944XeMDi1s15dbE3lb72jXtUM94XY1pDBy18b/s640/blogger-image--708799205.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6RL1eAybupDa_Iy0_xEYQw7Orvnl5gEFnVi1CIJWvyF1yQ5f207VOkghbmQ4BVbAwa6G8neGq0ZJYRyvlsLWtyPexelMOWMQvT0JMhY0nq2gyuXrxue2GLlxAUlfnB0wsD8R6fvajQhpK/s640/blogger-image-878853520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6RL1eAybupDa_Iy0_xEYQw7Orvnl5gEFnVi1CIJWvyF1yQ5f207VOkghbmQ4BVbAwa6G8neGq0ZJYRyvlsLWtyPexelMOWMQvT0JMhY0nq2gyuXrxue2GLlxAUlfnB0wsD8R6fvajQhpK/s640/blogger-image-878853520.jpg"></a></div>My final score:) so proud!!!</div><br></div>GypsyShearerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11867391905489105670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2611306069974780294.post-36932466568582324522014-05-21T00:27:00.001-07:002014-05-21T00:27:53.469-07:00Day 3...Gorey IrelandThings in Ireland couldn't be better! The flights here were on time and otherwise uneventful. Arriving in Dublin we were exhausted and jet lagged but we managed to find our rental van, find our way to the hotel in heavy fog and check in. Dinner at the hotel (which is quite a swank place) was amazing. Finding out that going to bed at 9:00 (4:00 pm EST) is pretty tough and waking up at 6:00 (1:00 am EST) really sucks. But other then that we are rocking and rolling! <div>The weather has been quite a roller coaster, heavy fog, heavy rain, sunshine, more rain, cool and cloudy. </div><div>The hotel we are staying at is called the Seafield, it is quite a place. Meals are gourmet, the rooms are lavish and it's right on the beach (on the Irish Sea). </div><div>Yesterday we explored the lovely town of Gorey. Most of the businesses in town have adopted a country team and our team business is the Coachman. We had a lovely time walking around. </div><div>The official proceedings begin this morning with a competitors meeting and tonight is the parade and gala dinner. I'm ready to wear a dress;)</div><div>Here are some photos taken over the last few days...hope you enjoy:)</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNELrBWsBFnXh1eFJPMGkkCoYeQpGTQOpsh94guujSqgwDpXXe04bN-aaG-86SXBDzmNeqfyQtUwpGfOusgAW3sZMt3dpdmp_57UiAeqH3Z6Iva8SHz37cd3I6aMP12mHMA_NzQqjFb1lw/s640/blogger-image-1341004985.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNELrBWsBFnXh1eFJPMGkkCoYeQpGTQOpsh94guujSqgwDpXXe04bN-aaG-86SXBDzmNeqfyQtUwpGfOusgAW3sZMt3dpdmp_57UiAeqH3Z6Iva8SHz37cd3I6aMP12mHMA_NzQqjFb1lw/s640/blogger-image-1341004985.jpg"></a></div>All our luggage wedged into the renal car</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3WjDfCAbHxcu7Hbw2Bq1lF-Jcj2r5Xv0f9a9rFmWDkHlWTPHlz3Ruq386Pd9Po7f50ncRUBC0Jc5aOV1c5i7fbpWcNaTTsUDfNWs6LV_o6QR2nuEKMImA9ec8Jb_4Rz3bQI9apbN2GqWF/s640/blogger-image-985238535.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3WjDfCAbHxcu7Hbw2Bq1lF-Jcj2r5Xv0f9a9rFmWDkHlWTPHlz3Ruq386Pd9Po7f50ncRUBC0Jc5aOV1c5i7fbpWcNaTTsUDfNWs6LV_o6QR2nuEKMImA9ec8Jb_4Rz3bQI9apbN2GqWF/s640/blogger-image-985238535.jpg"></a></div>Warning signs in Ireland tend to be pretty graphic...</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_hUTDhOj12uzPdGh2hu0IpAgZm-0vpmQR0iZUBqGXqKbfeVqCTBAaaBDJIDHHgKML65k1h-skqF5fdp4-9s7ulDGpcylcL3RPQ0yLDq5YYi-VaWAIBOIt_PuUn6_xtvR55zPcRXaPiXkw/s640/blogger-image-1246844704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_hUTDhOj12uzPdGh2hu0IpAgZm-0vpmQR0iZUBqGXqKbfeVqCTBAaaBDJIDHHgKML65k1h-skqF5fdp4-9s7ulDGpcylcL3RPQ0yLDq5YYi-VaWAIBOIt_PuUn6_xtvR55zPcRXaPiXkw/s640/blogger-image-1246844704.jpg"></a></div>Seafood chowder...bliss:)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0gOe9NeNwKpnZK7JrqcTjqNKqXQP1ZftmAWohj4BjfUK5TbyVZ1aCLTupgxJZWWcSkMHaZMt5543m79Rfk8yLLm9yxtwtz6thawYnjtkZQ7XNTKO1D2pfAgtiYxPNcoHrgLqgZMzLymLV/s640/blogger-image-138974464.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0gOe9NeNwKpnZK7JrqcTjqNKqXQP1ZftmAWohj4BjfUK5TbyVZ1aCLTupgxJZWWcSkMHaZMt5543m79Rfk8yLLm9yxtwtz6thawYnjtkZQ7XNTKO1D2pfAgtiYxPNcoHrgLqgZMzLymLV/s640/blogger-image-138974464.jpg"></a></div>Irish mutton stew...so good!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCtSt5R12GsFvCCivx1QWs8SDrHC0voc2tS8ZJKfHdlMnvez5-q25mhb4zGhfkiBHdzSGqTZOVOOmYZ013Dnit4tKafTqi8kMlbbT-areSqtBI9KQZ6_N7njkuy12WKU6ASvk1FHA7mKlF/s640/blogger-image--223953689.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCtSt5R12GsFvCCivx1QWs8SDrHC0voc2tS8ZJKfHdlMnvez5-q25mhb4zGhfkiBHdzSGqTZOVOOmYZ013Dnit4tKafTqi8kMlbbT-areSqtBI9KQZ6_N7njkuy12WKU6ASvk1FHA7mKlF/s640/blogger-image--223953689.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUe19N8MbS2Jg4brXbIgtNAKuKGOmQVRT1uNkSLWAGyLUJsMKsEtvVWt_wMJe5jaXNNrHZaO0AR_sCsXsvuMQM6-OVR-TsEnm7xhSsluaPEuoesVqgHSUAYS-lQO6vhaHq_ehNZL6dhLvH/s640/blogger-image--1675905031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHHo2_t-mAOZhG4gJcLEpA3cQIH3UaKMT0aAb6w-FNnSDJ15lesJJTk5f2E8iumuy6sihHJxtrW2JNlNUqg8ypeg0G5dkn0-R6dHNs-tAJ8tUpZY93qP3yZWtwATgO1F2QZ_n0boZqD74u/s640/blogger-image-1853143489.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQFOEotj3KNGyx7UNTVF-X-GTCXt-BoV3EUtZ7VSl1EQ-DFbMfjvwONbtd2P6jflgiHLmPL7Pu1RJjNzoZ_JCVa9DjXyKalGH6MDHHDzFbXWmMrcr-n9DoDRm8ljFglX-Nq6SYN2Zk2lxa/s640/blogger-image--2011242328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQFOEotj3KNGyx7UNTVF-X-GTCXt-BoV3EUtZ7VSl1EQ-DFbMfjvwONbtd2P6jflgiHLmPL7Pu1RJjNzoZ_JCVa9DjXyKalGH6MDHHDzFbXWmMrcr-n9DoDRm8ljFglX-Nq6SYN2Zk2lxa/s640/blogger-image--2011242328.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>GypsyShearerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11867391905489105670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2611306069974780294.post-1532659847845083102014-05-18T06:00:00.001-07:002014-05-18T06:00:25.655-07:00Flying high!It's that time! I am one flight in on my journey to Ireland. It was so much fun hanging with my Michigan family and getting finishing up my work here in the states for the time being. This last week has been one of the toughest I've had to work through in a while. Everything from cut puzzles, fleeces being drug through the straw by an angry ram, two sheep down and every manner of disgruntled client coming out of the woodwork and yelling at me because its hot and their sheep won't survive 2 weeks till I get back in June. Oh well...in this line of work you have to let it go but the accumulated effect has been a very emotional and exhausting week. <div><br></div><div>From this moment on I am looking forward...</div><div>Forward to the world championship contest and doing the best job I'm able.</div><div>Forward to spending time with Kevin, Leanne, Alex, Alison, Mark and the rest of the USA team.</div><div>Forward to seeing a new part of Ireland and enjoying Irish hospitality.</div><div>Forward to eating as much shepherds pie, bangers and mash and fish n chips as is humanly possible.</div><div>Forward to enjoying the longstanding tradition of Irish pub culture.</div><div>Forward to having a couple days off!!!!</div><div><br></div><div>I hope to be posting frequent blog posts full of pictures and to give all of you sofa seat travelers a taste of Ireland. I'm hoping everyone will share my blogs and I'm going to do a special drawing. Everyone who shares my blogs will be put into a hat and I'll pick a few names to bring home special souvenirs as a special thank you for your encouragement and for cheering on myself and team USA Sheep Shearing! </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCspzFHRKzUK-CJ5mcxCB-niwCzqR11Fj4k9Ty7jvdIFsuxmwspRR4UegtYZkOiJu7QZcYmeCb-15qyU013LMGYw7FSG5G-GThnZ0Qr2mbtWhY1gmFAQqsuRi5Cv80ZAunZ3mqMqFIR05U/s640/blogger-image-1971426246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCspzFHRKzUK-CJ5mcxCB-niwCzqR11Fj4k9Ty7jvdIFsuxmwspRR4UegtYZkOiJu7QZcYmeCb-15qyU013LMGYw7FSG5G-GThnZ0Qr2mbtWhY1gmFAQqsuRi5Cv80ZAunZ3mqMqFIR05U/s640/blogger-image-1971426246.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>GypsyShearerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11867391905489105670noreply@blogger.com2Chicago O'Hare International Airport Chicago41.971018 -87.897121tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2611306069974780294.post-31597427513145170882014-05-09T16:21:00.001-07:002014-05-09T16:21:26.782-07:00Golden Shears Ireland!<div>I have been keeping a huge secret from many of the faithful followers of my blog. The truth is I have neglected to tell you about my upcoming trip to Ireland to once again represent the USA in the world sheep shearing championships. The reason for my hesitation is that I didn't legitimately make the team, I was actually a runner up...in wool handling of all things. The last two years I have participated in a few wool handling events held here in the United States, one in Mile City Montana and the other at the Black Hills Stock Show in Rapid City South Dakota. Because of my participation in these events I accumulated enough points to be third in line to go to the world champs and when our reigning champ opted out in February I eagerly stepped up to the challenge. </div><div>This will be my second time representing the USA in world competition. I will not be blade shearing at all this time but I am taking my handpiece and seeing how well I can get along in the open competition that is running in conjunction to the world competition. </div><div>So, all the details! My plane leaves Chicago on May 18 and I'll be flying back on May 29. We are flying into Dublin and then renting a car and heading south about an hour along to coast to arrive at beautiful Gorey Ireland, located in county Wexford. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDrq0MF8SmLzSs_xtlIW6oBvz6W3VInpCZJ0HmAfNuKTTS88mC8Jss0agbsPbHD9z7xNFXMoSjLkuHCgGLH2UlN9bX9anCTTCYgPK9ioR8FhUwgnW2XS_-6tgeR83qdegCWwvQzbanxtek/s640/blogger-image--1022309782.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDrq0MF8SmLzSs_xtlIW6oBvz6W3VInpCZJ0HmAfNuKTTS88mC8Jss0agbsPbHD9z7xNFXMoSjLkuHCgGLH2UlN9bX9anCTTCYgPK9ioR8FhUwgnW2XS_-6tgeR83qdegCWwvQzbanxtek/s640/blogger-image--1022309782.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Once we get there and get settled in the itinerary for the next few days is gonna be intense. If you are interested in keeping tabs on the action there are several links to check out that should keep you up to date on the action.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Www.goldenshearsireland.com</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My schedule of events is going to look something like this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">May 22</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">7:00- Open Wool Handling Heat</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">9:30- All Nations Jr Machine Shearing Heat</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">11:30- All Nations Jr Machine Shearing Semi Final</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">May 23</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">10:30- Golden Shears World Wool Handling Round 1</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">May 24</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">7:00- All Nations Open Wool Handling Semi Final</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">12:45- Golden Shears World Wool Handling Round 2</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">6:30 (18:30)- All Nations Jr Machine Shearing Final</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Pretty sure it's going to be epic:)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Keep in mind that the time zone I'll be in is 5 hours ahead of the Eastern Standard Time so keep that in mind if you try to tune in for any live streaming.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Also check out the Golden Shears Ireland Facebook page and Twitter accounts. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Here is another news link to check out if you are pumped about the "Olympics of Sheep Shearing!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">http://www.agriland.ie/news/14-days-counting-world-sheep-shearing-championships/</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">I'm going to be posting frequent updates on both my Facebook and blog, keep checking back as I attempt to make it feel like you all are right their with me!! Go USA!!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div>GypsyShearerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11867391905489105670noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2611306069974780294.post-33914113300548819592014-04-01T18:42:00.001-07:002014-04-01T18:42:19.255-07:00Musings of thirtyOn this the eve of my thirtieth birthday, I am stuck contemplating the end of my twenties and the lessons I've learned through these years. <div><br></div><div>1. Your family will never let you down. My family has been there through my simple farmers daughter childhood, my tumultuous and grating teen years, the directionless early twenties and the empowerment and adventure of the last few years. They have been my shoulder to cry on, the roof over my head, free childcare, "come and get me", good food in my belly, "sure you can stay with us anytime" and all the love and smiles that has fueled and guided me over thirty amazing years. I am blessed to have all my Grandparents alive and well. Only one member of my close family is no longer with us and while we will never forget Uncle Ted, his memory is a constant reminder that every day is a blessing and I am honored to have been given 30 years surrounded by these people I am blessed to know and love.</div><div><br></div><div>2. My parents were always right...except for the driveway, they were wrong about that. Everything else they have been right about:)</div><div><br></div><div>3. I am so glad I had Lydia in my twenties. I can't fathom trying to fit a child into an established career. I am one of the lucky ones who might not have had a kid at the optimum time but I was able to fashion a career and life around my little family and I've never looked back. </div><div><br></div><div>4. I'm glad I found love at this point in my life. I am glad I have found love period. If I had followed the path my brain wanted me to follow earlier in life, I would have never traveled and seen so many great places or met so many lovely people. I waited, and I'm glad. Looking forward to the next thirty years with you Kevin:)</div><div><br></div><div>5. People are so giving. Good people are everywhere. Just today I had the guys at the tire shop stay late to get my little trailer up and rolling again. They didn't have to do that. Good people are everywhere. Years ago when Lydia was still pretty small I remember driving in a freak ice storm and the roads got so bad I had to pull over in a random driveway. The folks in the house invited us in, fed us and wouldn't let us leave till the roads were safe. I still remember those folks and the kindness they showed to Lydia and I that day, good people are everywhere. On the road day in and day out, people feed us, house us, and bestow so many gifts on us. I hardly feel worthy most times but I am grateful, and always look to pass it on.</div><div><br></div><div>6. I love honest hard work. I worked in the public sector. I hated it. Now that I do what I do I won't look back. I'm grateful for all the folks who keep me working and love me for it. </div>GypsyShearerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11867391905489105670noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2611306069974780294.post-35115459719974661382014-02-21T19:09:00.001-08:002014-02-21T19:12:30.733-08:00Time to have "the talk"... About coldOk folks, I knew this was coming, I had hoped I could avoid it, but I'm already sick of answering this question so I am going to blog about it and hopefully this will help people make their own decisions about their own animals and hopefully help avoid any confusion or tension.<div><br></div><div>The question I keep getting is this....</div><div><br></div><div>Are my sheep going to be ok if we shear in the cold?</div><div><br></div><div>I am probably going to run on a bit for this answer and hopefully I don't lose any of you but hopefully I can give you all the information you need to make an educated decision about how to handle your sheep this spring in regards to cold. So here goes...</div><div><br></div><div>The short answer is, SHEEP ARE JUST FINE TO SHEAR WHEN ITS COLD. </div><div><br></div><div>That's the easy answer. It does get more complicated then that and there are a lot of factors that play a part in making sure your sheep are ok after shearing in cold weather. </div><div><br></div><div>Let me just say that I have shorn sheep in VERY cold temperatures (-15) and the sheep have been fine. But most farmers who shear in cold like that follow a few protocols to make sure that their sheep are ok. </div><div><br></div><div>First it is important to make sure that if it is going to be very cold that your sheep remain indoors during extreme cold or inclement weather following shearing. Typically sheep will need a few days to completely adapt but if you carefully manage their environment after shearing (ie letting them out on warmer days and locking them up again at night, or leaving them in when precipitation is expected) then after about a week most sheep can be allowed to manage themselves without any issues. When I say inside, what I would hope that you have is a barn that protects them from the wind and precipitation. It DOES NOT need to be an airtight barn. I have had people line the insides of their barns with straw bales and ended up with pneumonia in their animals. They need some ventilation. My folks run our sheep in a three sided barn and hang tarps to keep out blowing snow/rain. The tarps don't cover the entire opening but prevent moisture from blowing in on them. The barn is situated in such a way that wind coming into the barn is not an issue and because of that the sheep remain dry, out of heaven drafts and happy. When I say inside I also mean that all your sheep need to be able to fit inside. Most of my clients provide too much space inside their barns and worry about overcrowding way more then necessary. Having sheep closer together helps to generate more heat. I hear quite often about folks who cannot fit all their sheep inside when in reality they will fit just fine and do better being closer together (this does not mean "on top of one another", I'm just saying that most people worry too much about their sheep being too crowded when this is not the case).</div><div><br></div><div>The other piece of this puzzle is food. I am frequently reminding people that you cannot look at shearing the sheep as the same as removing a sweater. Sheep do not rely on their wool to regulate body temp. Normal haired animals will grow extra coat during colder times and shed during warmer months. Sheep do not do this so we cannot assume that wool is naturally regulated to provide an optimum internal environment. Sheep are fermentation digesters so when they eat their body uses heat to help them break down their food. This heat is also what makes many sheep stop eating or limit grazing to cooler times of day during summer months. It also keeps them warm and causes them to eat constantly during colder months. Healthy animals in proper body flesh will be fine when shorn in cold temps if you provide your animals with plenty of fuel for the fire. Skinny/unthrifty animals can suffer in colder temps if not watched carefully. Typically these animals are already thin because of parasites or bullying at the feed bunk. Making sure they can get to the food they need is very important. Thinner animals are more prone to shivering which, in and of itself, is not a problem but the extra calories burned while shivering can lead to bigger problems if you can't feed them enough to keep up with their caloric needs. Goats especially need to be managed and fed well after shearing to prevent any setbacks. When I say "fed well" I do not just mean extra grain. Good high quality roughage hay is the key to warmth. Feeding smaller more frequent meals through the day can also help keep the animals happy, but remember this protocol only needs to be followed for up to a week and only during really cold days. </div><div><br></div><div>So to conclude with this discussion, can you shear in cold? The answer is yes. Have I known of sheep that did not do well after shearing in cold? Yes. I have shorn for one lady that had a goat get unthrifty after shearing and later die. The stress of the cold may have contributed to an underlying issue rearing its head. I have known of lambs that will crowd into the corner of a barn to get away from drafts and suffocate the lambs in the back. I have known a breeder with very thin ewes suddenly start having multiple prolapses after shearing. After discussing it with a vet it was decided that the sheep were trying to eat themselves warm and the resulting massive amount of low quality forage combined with babies made their butts just blow out from all the internal pressure. Their are definitely risks. But the average east coast sheep owner has nothing to worry about. </div><div><br></div><div>Every sheep breeder needs to look at their barns, feed sources and their sheep and decide what to do about shearing. Ultimately I am only doing what you ask me to. People constantly want me to make the call about shearing in cold weather. I shear in the cold all the time. I have shorn when my oil was frozen in the bottle. I shear in Iowa when every break we huddle around a heater to thaw out our hands and feet. If the sheep couldn't handle it then we would not be shearing in the cold. But they can. If you don't think your sheep are capable of handling the cold then you need to let me or your shearer know at the time of shearing that your job is going to be weather defendant. If you let me know right away that you do not want to shear in cold then I can almost plan for it or if nothing else Ill try to convince you to just move your shearing to a later time when the weather is reliably good. I am a stickler for keeping sheep on a schedule and if you cannot be prepared year to year to deal with bad weather then don't shear early. </div><div><br></div><div>This year is going to be really interesting. That is the only guarantee I can offer. Many folks bred earlier then normal because last year was so mild. Now they are worried about shearing during cold. Just remember before you call be to discuss rescheduling, how things look on my end. I do not shear sheep during lambing. Don't ask me to do it as its just a mess. Little lambs are fragile and the risk of trampling, mismothering, and the extra time it takes to move ewes in and out of jugs is enough to have me pulling my hair out. I will do ewes before lambing (which is ideal) or after, and when I say after I mean like a month or later after everyone is done. Sheep shear really rough right after lambing. They are hollow bellied, sticky and skinny. Waiting till the lambs are not drawing down on the ewe and large enough to fend for themselves in a pen is the best time post lambing. Plus the wool just peels off better once the sticky lanolin rises a bit.</div><div><br></div><div>Also understand that I can only shear so many sheep a day. Driving lowers that number. I schedule every day of the month. Let me restate that...I DO NOT TAKE A DAY OFF DURING SHEARING SEASON. I am so busy that I can't take days off. The few days I get rained out during a typical season can usually be rescheduled, but larger jobs (10 or more) can expect to wait a month or more for rescheduling. Right now I'm getting at least one call a day about rescheduling. If I have one person a day back out and want to go later then we are going to end up with a huge back up in the schedule. I often debate how to deal with this scenario. Who should suffer...the person who canceled from their previous shearing date or the person whom I normally shear during, say, mid April, who now has to wait till May because nobody wants to shear during their normal March time frame. This may become a big problem and I'm trying to avoid it by scheduling everyone early to lock in the schedule but that also means that if you need to reschedule your gonna wait a long time to get back on the list. This is the unfortunate reality of my work. Please understand that I am gonna bust my butt to get to everyone and do the best job I can all spring. But I just need all my folks to bust their butts and do everything in their power to be ready for me on the day we scheduled. Cancellations are a huge inconvenience but I ultimately want to do what's best for your animals. If you feel your animals can't handle the cold then you might want to seriously consider moving your date to a more reliably warm month (April or December) because worst case scenarios are the norm in this line of work. I have come to expect that if you can't keep your sheep dry then it WILL be raining on the day you schedule with me. If you dont think your sheep can handle cold then the day we plan to shear WILL be the coldest day of that week/month. Plan ahead, learn from every shearing experience and strive to improve your facilities every chance you get because that is where you will save the most time and effort in dealing with your sheep and help you shear them at the ideal time every year.</div><div><br></div><div>Here is a picture from my calendar from last year...please just keep this in mind.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJCQx3Snv06PocDtNe8Fa7SY-imyC9frardgJeM51JWylXMapiXvOnhVWn8imIpnwqmAI4LDnAWimifY841UcU9klBmAiuc0L5OiYegmj5tEH9PKFjKGH3z-ghQpVb15gfbhrKxLQ7kZ9o/s640/blogger-image--1343804899.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJCQx3Snv06PocDtNe8Fa7SY-imyC9frardgJeM51JWylXMapiXvOnhVWn8imIpnwqmAI4LDnAWimifY841UcU9klBmAiuc0L5OiYegmj5tEH9PKFjKGH3z-ghQpVb15gfbhrKxLQ7kZ9o/s640/blogger-image--1343804899.jpg"></a></div><br></div>GypsyShearerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11867391905489105670noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2611306069974780294.post-2308986450551788222014-02-19T17:24:00.001-08:002014-02-19T17:24:36.382-08:00I made it down the coast in 17 hours...I've been driving and shearing a bit and driving and shearing some more. I'm ALMOST home. I want to share some pictures and insight into my last few days and some advice going into the start o shearing season (yes, whether you realize it or not, SPRING IS HERE!!!!)<div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCJBQZQ7d2dLyDeB7OczcqrCOU2WrZI4zo8cz81WafjlYmXEyHTP-iZcvfFyWYu_ljusJonP340uxTHU3ZCaiJlkiA5PTbBqYiM91zoCsSLIgbGl5QUnxamfmCuKkgFUmYOonlX0O8u48I/s640/blogger-image-708662442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCJBQZQ7d2dLyDeB7OczcqrCOU2WrZI4zo8cz81WafjlYmXEyHTP-iZcvfFyWYu_ljusJonP340uxTHU3ZCaiJlkiA5PTbBqYiM91zoCsSLIgbGl5QUnxamfmCuKkgFUmYOonlX0O8u48I/s640/blogger-image-708662442.jpg"></a></div>Heading down through Iowa...we had a lovely "beam me up" sunrise:)</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRKWIb87hMqyhFBRVJdJWq9T2fxkzku1umXTUcbXImptEGq2Z-wCmGI52jByfa9PfhklF3cC7yKJuiTax-q8qtB1rQpe0BRM66X5abl0c0L-2TYPjUVsJtUAtqbguDI-xIKBfUdlUHqNy-/s640/blogger-image--338491445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRKWIb87hMqyhFBRVJdJWq9T2fxkzku1umXTUcbXImptEGq2Z-wCmGI52jByfa9PfhklF3cC7yKJuiTax-q8qtB1rQpe0BRM66X5abl0c0L-2TYPjUVsJtUAtqbguDI-xIKBfUdlUHqNy-/s640/blogger-image--338491445.jpg"></a></div></div><div>Sheep at the USDA research center in Nebraska. Just restin'.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6uMZwi84sZA3OyfGUitmGWt8Ji4LwzhQiu8tW50sM0D0aKHY-TkC-B2SK7rzCbpxNUBVyq9yt-Y1CvrZPshO3waGzfa1JbKB3Ksn98Yr_V6juVdCTeTzCcK-UMIfL4hr37b3KdVBpVt8P/s640/blogger-image-1181088217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6uMZwi84sZA3OyfGUitmGWt8Ji4LwzhQiu8tW50sM0D0aKHY-TkC-B2SK7rzCbpxNUBVyq9yt-Y1CvrZPshO3waGzfa1JbKB3Ksn98Yr_V6juVdCTeTzCcK-UMIfL4hr37b3KdVBpVt8P/s640/blogger-image-1181088217.jpg"></a></div>Outskirts of the USDA center is full of these little shelters that now stand empty, they used to be full of munitions and supplies for the war. Can anyone say intentional community? They would make perfect small homes:)</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhneGZQBIswBP_L4ZVWafl9V6rnS8U5QzwxEDD0nEw0KqCQkUXEoDpQuHH_5b8A5tuM6XxVWNryBT4Xfppcx21V_mCJT7EKqn2K9qKf-ZDBPdMOF7JVxHwnBbI0PADyBMeqGQZaY_D1uSyV/s640/blogger-image-384556242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhneGZQBIswBP_L4ZVWafl9V6rnS8U5QzwxEDD0nEw0KqCQkUXEoDpQuHH_5b8A5tuM6XxVWNryBT4Xfppcx21V_mCJT7EKqn2K9qKf-ZDBPdMOF7JVxHwnBbI0PADyBMeqGQZaY_D1uSyV/s640/blogger-image-384556242.jpg"></a></div>Heading through ST Louis, MO. Saw the arch:)</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0gzOaPkY1a-ZX_9chQ_Rk0qdTOQvDOMWcbzbPGao7sNf9IvxTEhNGe1QQOIJFIE40RaT994HGcSGB8dck_zfDdL8tsvUmP6wCSYypveMV679xZILQfOR0UIDfs6cL5C1YgHPEAHS0XLH4/s640/blogger-image--2132861673.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0gzOaPkY1a-ZX_9chQ_Rk0qdTOQvDOMWcbzbPGao7sNf9IvxTEhNGe1QQOIJFIE40RaT994HGcSGB8dck_zfDdL8tsvUmP6wCSYypveMV679xZILQfOR0UIDfs6cL5C1YgHPEAHS0XLH4/s640/blogger-image--2132861673.jpg"></a></div>Shearing some of the BeST sheep in the east...no seriously:) Those white face beauties must be mine:)</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYY3Sy10WClGDxrcdazlbWcvM1p752GZ5FS-a-i-6LVNarKdAFFDQaMxfHQ-NEaPgc44pUT0PBmxchS8ujWWGJ4K1VNTJMOhnv03KGED16iF9RWhov-OMSgCsXQcBhiW46kuYmsTM229IX/s640/blogger-image-275304997.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYY3Sy10WClGDxrcdazlbWcvM1p752GZ5FS-a-i-6LVNarKdAFFDQaMxfHQ-NEaPgc44pUT0PBmxchS8ujWWGJ4K1VNTJMOhnv03KGED16iF9RWhov-OMSgCsXQcBhiW46kuYmsTM229IX/s640/blogger-image-275304997.jpg"></a></div>Yes her.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSZtUWB157utbxNu8mv7XRs20ZsmrD3-MFT-Xo4nqXxR12QBK-35BZjs9x3uc-j9tj1Fonv8yCwfclZXHw2eIK22UZ93yabb1M9PBOtL5c13bAKi5H_VYW3AU_6PW_8OaB2bchtrLdDDEC/s640/blogger-image-415154698.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSZtUWB157utbxNu8mv7XRs20ZsmrD3-MFT-Xo4nqXxR12QBK-35BZjs9x3uc-j9tj1Fonv8yCwfclZXHw2eIK22UZ93yabb1M9PBOtL5c13bAKi5H_VYW3AU_6PW_8OaB2bchtrLdDDEC/s640/blogger-image-415154698.jpg"></a></div>Got to visit the Zeilinger Woolen Mill in Michigan! Fabulous folks work there. It was quite a treat.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Hl6fwG3f5zW0uQO5S8iwFEfHHR3buvVI5t10_lZGmnrGzJIgGzkAXoI3KtXbnLvBihYbN425FKkFBLsxs5lT-L_BvbComxXW1E6VVUTpX2besuxwmbUbm9bNfYI9UwfudY819G57K5hh/s640/blogger-image--874612649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Hl6fwG3f5zW0uQO5S8iwFEfHHR3buvVI5t10_lZGmnrGzJIgGzkAXoI3KtXbnLvBihYbN425FKkFBLsxs5lT-L_BvbComxXW1E6VVUTpX2besuxwmbUbm9bNfYI9UwfudY819G57K5hh/s640/blogger-image--874612649.jpg"></a></div>Carding and roving machines...</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB-2384bmhikDmrLvtcGvBi262W6G4e-Q-c2wydiWBN0S52Gb21lIn42IOxVpYNC32IYTWzV2pCEUa5RqUtjpoEx9yQ0juqdXhj-dKgiiy9PvOeDnzvaBk_ifFNVG4dhQoR-RNlXk_FECz/s640/blogger-image-303547979.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB-2384bmhikDmrLvtcGvBi262W6G4e-Q-c2wydiWBN0S52Gb21lIn42IOxVpYNC32IYTWzV2pCEUa5RqUtjpoEx9yQ0juqdXhj-dKgiiy9PvOeDnzvaBk_ifFNVG4dhQoR-RNlXk_FECz/s640/blogger-image-303547979.jpg"></a></div>Yummmm:)</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBlp4vVdqiXzs2qkSWqILgZAAX8N2fqryybGI2wZK0yCsqCP8wslno9FNUsI6UPkxve2fUGfsjicnkpDOOQwPkUk_2KmoI31oGkTFY-x594HQ8wmXjnm4GdEPWzG2rVzFqVkTqoQDMEROX/s640/blogger-image-2081573869.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBlp4vVdqiXzs2qkSWqILgZAAX8N2fqryybGI2wZK0yCsqCP8wslno9FNUsI6UPkxve2fUGfsjicnkpDOOQwPkUk_2KmoI31oGkTFY-x594HQ8wmXjnm4GdEPWzG2rVzFqVkTqoQDMEROX/s640/blogger-image-2081573869.jpg"></a></div>Wool washing room...Got Bathtub?</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6oTz9yPbOQoqwHam2gG0J96dUkurl5xwL7N3gvW-35sfcnaRYApbpGxd84-sNR1l0l8JoJMfwN4lL5OkwyBVuDxBe50xqv6Vp4WOO3sIKE5XShpihJ7QblIHjBDedkxjthJ3DU69PIHHm/s640/blogger-image-1226781194.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6oTz9yPbOQoqwHam2gG0J96dUkurl5xwL7N3gvW-35sfcnaRYApbpGxd84-sNR1l0l8JoJMfwN4lL5OkwyBVuDxBe50xqv6Vp4WOO3sIKE5XShpihJ7QblIHjBDedkxjthJ3DU69PIHHm/s640/blogger-image-1226781194.jpg"></a></div>Somehow bath time seems less relaxing.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtPoTk5fRl7NF2t7PY9lsWP9mGBZNRUQbMUUgkrWlYAALGBNbOkIkc_9SYOUai5ojV1RLfkSqk3EJby1KDQAxSkUq-gE8xMCAKdO-OmdxsvF_mkjjyyiorgWkIhUWaXVdkmQg65n_OlJya/s640/blogger-image--1317490011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtPoTk5fRl7NF2t7PY9lsWP9mGBZNRUQbMUUgkrWlYAALGBNbOkIkc_9SYOUai5ojV1RLfkSqk3EJby1KDQAxSkUq-gE8xMCAKdO-OmdxsvF_mkjjyyiorgWkIhUWaXVdkmQg65n_OlJya/s640/blogger-image--1317490011.jpg"></a></div>Drying racks...</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiPccGbPS6r9w6_CSFW59RAFQ1xmaj5RwiNUFkzLDCa06eMfGe3VmPi27vfqeLUrEZOK5FEf6nCnoNBPCnqTg1956Z3nX5dOI_b3uJEVkT9roo_4a7iWl_DgVioamOXMgFeDVtlkr_sheL/s640/blogger-image--859174551.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiPccGbPS6r9w6_CSFW59RAFQ1xmaj5RwiNUFkzLDCa06eMfGe3VmPi27vfqeLUrEZOK5FEf6nCnoNBPCnqTg1956Z3nX5dOI_b3uJEVkT9roo_4a7iWl_DgVioamOXMgFeDVtlkr_sheL/s640/blogger-image--859174551.jpg"></a></div>Picker...</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQNhtVQxFMwwjwhZEGW3AhQfgIkjysY8GunzKJlQf92WwtZFt8iZYZuK_7ywGR14nwI0W6gJcgnwZ0og9A5RGFVe5-_XnGmkWYMBgRQwmiK_WKlv5MWEhWu0aOfC8apeVqiufr-4hINJMR/s640/blogger-image--1510247814.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQNhtVQxFMwwjwhZEGW3AhQfgIkjysY8GunzKJlQf92WwtZFt8iZYZuK_7ywGR14nwI0W6gJcgnwZ0og9A5RGFVe5-_XnGmkWYMBgRQwmiK_WKlv5MWEhWu0aOfC8apeVqiufr-4hINJMR/s640/blogger-image--1510247814.jpg"></a></div>Comb top machine...</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKTLwXb9M-gp6zDNCcXIG-W4gN5130qBlKj3sTGZdCChwlEEB9dmBtt1iTngJ1fa8io9tuxs6PfqaWJ8-MUaCcjN0Y7xeJ0c6kynNeFLWJ_Wex-Q-lSBnnxozTSsw1k4ewdo2iVOvsftzr/s640/blogger-image-963572629.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKTLwXb9M-gp6zDNCcXIG-W4gN5130qBlKj3sTGZdCChwlEEB9dmBtt1iTngJ1fa8io9tuxs6PfqaWJ8-MUaCcjN0Y7xeJ0c6kynNeFLWJ_Wex-Q-lSBnnxozTSsw1k4ewdo2iVOvsftzr/s640/blogger-image-963572629.jpg"></a></div>Carding into batts...</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcvir5rv9E_2ejOmKKDiGHuVnKSLGmiUiOEm5-I9y-o0FAaSG1n603lgwgML5q-sj1rTxdyENBzXfZB42AKMKT_tfOwOzRwJnJEJAkjTj29v9EBltaWD5ikQt8eywkjXn8mcxfVjS-ZpOJ/s640/blogger-image--1655175701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcvir5rv9E_2ejOmKKDiGHuVnKSLGmiUiOEm5-I9y-o0FAaSG1n603lgwgML5q-sj1rTxdyENBzXfZB42AKMKT_tfOwOzRwJnJEJAkjTj29v9EBltaWD5ikQt8eywkjXn8mcxfVjS-ZpOJ/s640/blogger-image--1655175701.jpg"></a></div>Wool batt bliss!!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdC1-fWSgVPA_-_hzZTAyfK9xRg_424taOeEuX5Zzlts4XrkVcYfkNtRj1CNtRKOPWNWi1qJEDLbR9PGtmHIf9-_N-MQv4oWU37Tb5R2dhm0qIxqFRColpJyOmAqs4PjL7rxnDJG0dZqRv/s640/blogger-image-383819957.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdC1-fWSgVPA_-_hzZTAyfK9xRg_424taOeEuX5Zzlts4XrkVcYfkNtRj1CNtRKOPWNWi1qJEDLbR9PGtmHIf9-_N-MQv4oWU37Tb5R2dhm0qIxqFRColpJyOmAqs4PjL7rxnDJG0dZqRv/s640/blogger-image-383819957.jpg"></a></div>Combed top</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYJozh2JebgX-tjByN-yIq0HWDJgxNsDFd8PsbKeqTN9J-tQZDq-CjhIpIbI3tHTti_vUVqDX37ii3R7groMkz19mYepHfxuDJNzFBggAUTRgyRp3e-0CQUjczCj6oLM19HYY_5FJ-JAu4/s640/blogger-image-1954928074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYJozh2JebgX-tjByN-yIq0HWDJgxNsDFd8PsbKeqTN9J-tQZDq-CjhIpIbI3tHTti_vUVqDX37ii3R7groMkz19mYepHfxuDJNzFBggAUTRgyRp3e-0CQUjczCj6oLM19HYY_5FJ-JAu4/s640/blogger-image-1954928074.jpg"></a></div>Spinning machines...</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZbUI3_rYVFkN-S0ztA6TGo9V1djy6vJtF3l2lQ2q2UMcvi99ZA5RB2_QIcDwx6501a6JmzhIM4M923mRPZOz8cWAHo6Ex2t_0fumgogDEaMVnhia576wmTSNm5NhtE1ITqKVx7IpayUR5/s640/blogger-image--411347112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZbUI3_rYVFkN-S0ztA6TGo9V1djy6vJtF3l2lQ2q2UMcvi99ZA5RB2_QIcDwx6501a6JmzhIM4M923mRPZOz8cWAHo6Ex2t_0fumgogDEaMVnhia576wmTSNm5NhtE1ITqKVx7IpayUR5/s640/blogger-image--411347112.jpg"></a></div>Piles and piles of wool...</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv7mSviQitNbyEdRI2bWbZHtdnK82LGX_zptQ6SzxiqVF7UIOZ-hyvKRricJyLrcRrAdCNQbN_RwrybeH2Wb4nZmOjEwPjmXy6JynhgE3Oaho1u9z7vVENiSfbpFc05CjtFExjdNtrAe4h/s640/blogger-image--1470659291.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv7mSviQitNbyEdRI2bWbZHtdnK82LGX_zptQ6SzxiqVF7UIOZ-hyvKRricJyLrcRrAdCNQbN_RwrybeH2Wb4nZmOjEwPjmXy6JynhgE3Oaho1u9z7vVENiSfbpFc05CjtFExjdNtrAe4h/s640/blogger-image--1470659291.jpg"></a></div>Spools of yarn:)</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWfyNTpLZ4RGZ0Hmr4omuYOCxBxCQGxYRiLV6HuO0WZGHZg2u7bPUvg0Tq8vA8eRTXHB3oJ2koIpf-x2y57x-H_hjX8QDlrZkoU8yNIpTuxzBc0wA4SUYk9UrQ_VYsx05OKtZucFmrOlHv/s640/blogger-image--973535138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWfyNTpLZ4RGZ0Hmr4omuYOCxBxCQGxYRiLV6HuO0WZGHZg2u7bPUvg0Tq8vA8eRTXHB3oJ2koIpf-x2y57x-H_hjX8QDlrZkoU8yNIpTuxzBc0wA4SUYk9UrQ_VYsx05OKtZucFmrOlHv/s640/blogger-image--973535138.jpg"></a></div>Fat sheep eating...happy customers:)</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGqvbre-3p_LJ4PQXjj_5zUhhtuZiNaB3sxkZfklHIl8DsgBKR9IuQYZLOVC7kTKN7w15GMKALHp-lRAyKlJ1oiLXR0bgdPfHgwKRwwGzzumhplh6QIFpXl4ON5XvjOvlllN7Dz26E7B_u/s640/blogger-image--1806387572.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGqvbre-3p_LJ4PQXjj_5zUhhtuZiNaB3sxkZfklHIl8DsgBKR9IuQYZLOVC7kTKN7w15GMKALHp-lRAyKlJ1oiLXR0bgdPfHgwKRwwGzzumhplh6QIFpXl4ON5XvjOvlllN7Dz26E7B_u/s640/blogger-image--1806387572.jpg"></a></div>Good friends eating...happy clients:)</div>GypsyShearerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11867391905489105670noreply@blogger.com0Americas (null)43.073768 -83.455902tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2611306069974780294.post-39309455974385083882014-01-19T17:54:00.001-08:002014-01-19T18:01:28.172-08:00A week in Roswell New Mexico<span style="font-size: large;">This week has been pretty amazing. Here are some of the "only in Roswell" things we have been up to...</span><br>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Kristen hugged an alien. They are everywhere here...it's very easy to hug an alien.</span><div><font size="4"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3t2EQUcRMQlyDPYjF_GphYIi4P4lqoEnYIsH6bJ9DDB9EWjeo8eBh56seEkofcZzu-qlGPjQLeohwo04cb3fcqlC8gmYMPI1pkF2Rx2nIGrpGAzKR8jfGvOTG7SNLA-a9L9z5ucnEEgHm/s640/blogger-image--2114491665.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3t2EQUcRMQlyDPYjF_GphYIi4P4lqoEnYIsH6bJ9DDB9EWjeo8eBh56seEkofcZzu-qlGPjQLeohwo04cb3fcqlC8gmYMPI1pkF2Rx2nIGrpGAzKR8jfGvOTG7SNLA-a9L9z5ucnEEgHm/s640/blogger-image--2114491665.jpg"></a></div><br></font>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Lydia almost got </span><span style="font-size: large;">beamed up.</span></div><div><font size="4"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-70MwRjKIfRhFFTpXQOKJfvFZ76eFk0FyKoDMhyphenhyphenAeGNzuFpG9NUyfO68k-7oV3LwV8UiWrY3BHzl1N0atfxjNmQ9bkkrrsVMdnBQ5Lmn59p99jq5YzUy_sQ-98rAA5gs6ZWVnPAwz7Yky/s640/blogger-image-1355345051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-70MwRjKIfRhFFTpXQOKJfvFZ76eFk0FyKoDMhyphenhyphenAeGNzuFpG9NUyfO68k-7oV3LwV8UiWrY3BHzl1N0atfxjNmQ9bkkrrsVMdnBQ5Lmn59p99jq5YzUy_sQ-98rAA5gs6ZWVnPAwz7Yky/s640/blogger-image-1355345051.jpg"></a></div><br></font>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Lambs waiting to be sheared.</span></div><div><font size="4"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-TJ86GAeF1isfQtTDNAyEfUF3cKItenUuyfYjRSXALBLDNqtWwFR1CzzIX2scMg7vJwHt9QLGW6Drp5M0AJfTXqTFD3knWRr3cZ8Nvaxm0Fc-5jrqFGV_HttmmZZJaBOcKBQvlg6Wxj3v/s640/blogger-image--612638211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-TJ86GAeF1isfQtTDNAyEfUF3cKItenUuyfYjRSXALBLDNqtWwFR1CzzIX2scMg7vJwHt9QLGW6Drp5M0AJfTXqTFD3knWRr3cZ8Nvaxm0Fc-5jrqFGV_HttmmZZJaBOcKBQvlg6Wxj3v/s640/blogger-image--612638211.jpg"></a></div><br></font>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My office. (Did my first American 200 this week!)</span></div><div><font size="4"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgpSVbNB7D_OF1aztcOo9N4pN6nN-DqQ7voFE2O3rOZrY7pXq97pKtJXUzT2cT8g7221F0j1gI9VHUZPbnVmlZ_c7oG6yMkSyPfPGjekz91xP2V_0EIfYkA4cx4LCZUddKoXVOLS7xWjck/s640/blogger-image--573394412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgpSVbNB7D_OF1aztcOo9N4pN6nN-DqQ7voFE2O3rOZrY7pXq97pKtJXUzT2cT8g7221F0j1gI9VHUZPbnVmlZ_c7oG6yMkSyPfPGjekz91xP2V_0EIfYkA4cx4LCZUddKoXVOLS7xWjck/s640/blogger-image--573394412.jpg"></a></div><br></font>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sheared lambs.</span></div><div><font size="4"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1_njuVxmfVty1e2EqDg4LRppLSYSWU3ZtTMv6IUHIFRFEm0CbK_4gtMYk-2P0tPLTtzjtKwHcsrRNa6pFmUnlw70KtkcZSH35I4ZblUInTzPCr8VOeWbNgp1q8TRwrTe6oxZHchSeiIp_/s640/blogger-image-1178329331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1_njuVxmfVty1e2EqDg4LRppLSYSWU3ZtTMv6IUHIFRFEm0CbK_4gtMYk-2P0tPLTtzjtKwHcsrRNa6pFmUnlw70KtkcZSH35I4ZblUInTzPCr8VOeWbNgp1q8TRwrTe6oxZHchSeiIp_/s640/blogger-image-1178329331.jpg"></a></div><br></font>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A hard days work.</span></div><div><font size="4"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgANFu9x30dXZaERzChD66Ut6CNTNxlXI1VEz0rawXG7iL0NDUBKkMvnN2KbBDhxRm6eWd9eOSBrd3EgQaw5wcS-2MxYbogp6A-yvzl_HcDNwRPfEwWFok8c5xa30vtWyex2PcJw1bW84Ad/s640/blogger-image-659657457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgANFu9x30dXZaERzChD66Ut6CNTNxlXI1VEz0rawXG7iL0NDUBKkMvnN2KbBDhxRm6eWd9eOSBrd3EgQaw5wcS-2MxYbogp6A-yvzl_HcDNwRPfEwWFok8c5xa30vtWyex2PcJw1bW84Ad/s640/blogger-image-659657457.jpg"></a></div><br></font>
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<span style="font-size: large;">More sheared lambs.</span></div><div><font size="4"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy6gzGMFzeviK5jWxn4l292JtyKfs5cbwLHUL7XZTW_4IR2tWjTIJVP35pklk-uGkv699txambuBmWFvM0sWstx7oR1AtW3RgEYjP3Aq1QcNekYRGBfcabKu7i7ureh4wndcSzChrjy3Up/s640/blogger-image-1751294224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy6gzGMFzeviK5jWxn4l292JtyKfs5cbwLHUL7XZTW_4IR2tWjTIJVP35pklk-uGkv699txambuBmWFvM0sWstx7oR1AtW3RgEYjP3Aq1QcNekYRGBfcabKu7i7ureh4wndcSzChrjy3Up/s640/blogger-image-1751294224.jpg"></a></div><br></font>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A day off on Sierra Blanco.</span></div><div><font size="4"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-e445ML-2wtorC3mlQKGTqiPOtzwjxxrjQ9gXHF5vG-yZfJSc8W2NUlrMwYo6CIzB_Q-XHyMICO9fcTWr5cIxB0hjG9nc-EraNv2lkBh3Tck0ktb3rdlbebqHY49vUahZ7y9LFgmco9iA/s640/blogger-image-1065729322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-e445ML-2wtorC3mlQKGTqiPOtzwjxxrjQ9gXHF5vG-yZfJSc8W2NUlrMwYo6CIzB_Q-XHyMICO9fcTWr5cIxB0hjG9nc-EraNv2lkBh3Tck0ktb3rdlbebqHY49vUahZ7y9LFgmco9iA/s640/blogger-image-1065729322.jpg"></a></div><br></font>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br></span></div>GypsyShearerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11867391905489105670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2611306069974780294.post-41397118241517278132014-01-12T16:29:00.002-08:002014-01-12T16:45:25.220-08:00A week in photos...<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">I know New Years was 12 days ago, but I find that this week represents the beginning of the year for me as a shearer. After getting through the holidays and making it through some seriously cold days in Iowa we are now working most days and it is officially "spring" in my mind. The last week has been pretty full with work and driving and here are a few photos to show you what we have been up to. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-size: large;">We left Iowa on Wednesday after shearing one job of nice white face ewes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On our way south we passed a lovely rendering truck full of cargo. This frozen pig seemed to be waving goodbye to us as we cruised south. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our next stop was at a research facility in Nebraska. We sheared lots of sticky Romanov hair sheep...not the most fun we have had but the thermometer is going up and we rolled out of there in good time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our next stop was still in Nebraska. Crutching sheep isn't much fun but in spite of that I enjoy seeing their white naked butts all lined up eating. It will make them easier to shear come summertime and cleaner during lambing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">From there we had a brief stopover in Missouri and then we started the long, long, long drive south. Lydia begged us to get a picture next to the Texas sign and luckily we made it before nightfall. From there we made it till just inside of the New Mexico line and I got to spend my first night in a Walmart parking lot! I'm officially a hobo:)</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">The road into Roswell. El Capitan the mountain is just cut off in this picture over on the horizon to the right. Nothing but flat dry land full of cactus and tumbleweeds. The thermometer was up to 75*!!! This next week is gonna be full of shearing, sun, and fine wool. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div>
GypsyShearerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11867391905489105670noreply@blogger.com0Americas (null)33.345416 -104.458727tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2611306069974780294.post-28957376489414240842013-11-07T09:12:00.001-08:002013-11-07T09:12:53.775-08:00The view from my windowIt's about time I do another blog post to update everyone on my hand status and my location in the world. At this moment I am in a little speck on the map town called Lester Iowa which I have adopted as my second home. Lester Iowa is about 3 miles from the tri state marker showing where the boarders of Iowa, Minnesota and South Dakota come together. I have attached a picture of what I can see from my kitchen table as I write this. We have already had two snow falls this year and it is only early November!<div><br><div>Since my last blog post my life has been a bit of a roller coaster. I have worked through 2 months of pretty intensive physical therapy and I am now able to make half a fist. My pinkie and ring finger still do not bend enough to be useful to me but I have enough hand strength that I am able to shear again and that is the important thing:)</div><div><br></div><div>I started shearing again in the middle of September, staring with small jobs. I was able to knock out just a few at a time and slowly begin to get a feel to what my limitations are. Since my left hand was the one that was hurt and I am right handed I found that I did not have too many issues with shearing even without being able to bend all my fingers. I found the hardest part has been shearing goats. Goats require more manipulation of the skin and a firm hold when shearing around the head. I had some rough days fighting with goats because of my weakness but I did get them all done (with a little help from my sweetie:)</div><div><br></div><div>People have been incredibly understanding this year since I have has to move around shearing dates and refer out jobs that I couldn't handle. This fall had to cater to my healing and the availability of my help so I want to take a second to thank everyone for their understanding and encouragement as I continue to get back up to speed. I found this fall also was nice because I was able to group my work into chunks instead of having it spread out over 3 months. It was nice to get everyone done and then be able to go visit friends and have time for all my physical therapy and doctors appointments! I feel like I am going to continue with this schedule in the future as it really made life simpler.</div><div><br></div><div>I am currently out in Iowa where I have been able to push myself to my limits and really work my arm to try to regain my strength. We shear about three days a week out here and for the most part they have been long days so I have been able to see how my hand responds to stress (answer: not so well). I have woken up a few times the next day and was unable to move my hand at all. But with stretching and soaking in hot water and rest days it comes round again. I am now aware of the phenomenon of weather changes and how it effects compromised body parts. When people complain that their bad knee hurts when a storm is coming, they are not kidding! My hand aches when the weather is changing and there is nothing that helps completely to numb the pain. But I hope that the more time I put between this incident I will think about it less and less. </div><div><br></div><div>So for now I am achy but working so I am happy. It is nice to be working with a team of supportive shearers. Nice to have lots of lambs to shear. Really nice to be healthy. </div><div><br></div><div>As for my future plans, right now I have one more surgery scheduled right before thanksgiving. This is a quick outpatient deal where they will open up my hand and remove the scar tissue connections that are preventing my fingers from fully closing. I will have about a week to recover (just to let the stitches heal) then I am ok to shear again. From here on out I am supposed to move my hand as much as possible so that scar tissue doesn't re-adhere the tendons. I really hope I can make a full fist after this. But even if it only gives me back a fraction of my flexibility I think I will still be happy. I know what it feels like to not be able to move those fingers at all and I am functioning well enough with my current limits. I am so grateful for what this year has taught me and I'm looking forward to finally putting it all behind me and focus on next year and the opportunities I will have. </div></div><div><br></div><div>I'm already thinking about spring and can't wait to see everyone again:)</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-N481eoGO55Tram1vFB5hUSQeW8yUCtYLCIDp-PXRmphUweixi9yPK6lhl72ma2RrH3Glh_sxtkgfIytQy0E6vMBruW0qYflPUx6VSgQRZEjOV306ggCaJkITZSCF3xuHB034FZK5Rufb/s640/blogger-image--1299976650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-N481eoGO55Tram1vFB5hUSQeW8yUCtYLCIDp-PXRmphUweixi9yPK6lhl72ma2RrH3Glh_sxtkgfIytQy0E6vMBruW0qYflPUx6VSgQRZEjOV306ggCaJkITZSCF3xuHB034FZK5Rufb/s640/blogger-image--1299976650.jpg"></a></div><br></div>GypsyShearerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11867391905489105670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2611306069974780294.post-49347245224947660182013-07-30T17:04:00.001-07:002013-07-30T17:04:01.304-07:00Living with intentionIt's amazing how its so easy to take health for granted. I have spent many hours since my accident looking at my good right hand, flexing it, watching the muscles and tendons moving easily underneath the skin. Appreciating all the wonders of a healthy hand. My full time job lately has been getting better. After meeting with my physical therapist, I'm doing a set stretching regime followed by massage and skin manipulation for ten minutes every hour. It was almost horrifying to see how little I was able to bend my fingers when I started and to see how much my skin had fused to the tissues underneath due to scar tissue. Every time I move my fingers all the skin moves with it! But I've been working through the yuck factor and being diligent. I am already seeing improvement. <div><div>It's been tough avoiding using my left hand. It is mind blowing how many things you can't do with just one hand. You... can't... twist... anything... bottle tops, medicine caps, salt and pepper grinders, or even door knobs. How often does anyone pass through a door without carrying at least one thing? So that uses up your one hand allotment. That has been the most frustrating part, never being able to open doors! It takes twice as long to go to the bathroom since its harder to button or zip pants. You can't cut up food. Poor Kevin has to cut up steak for all of us lately! </div></div><div>But being one handed forces you to think through every step of every action you intend. Making a bowl of cereal? Figure out the maximum number of trips you will have to make back and forth between the table and refrigerator to get the bowl, spoon, cereal, milk etc...multiply that number by 4 and plan on that number being the necessary number of trips needed to make that one bowl of cereal. I can't complain since walking back and forth is the only real exercise I get these days! But it has done wonders at slowing me down, making me think through my actions, living life with intent. I have to think about what I am doing to not only prevent myself from inadvertently trying to use my left hand but also to keep me sane as I try to help out around the house as much as I'm able.</div><div>This period of my life will definitely be remembered as a time of inconvenience and discomfort, but I'm hoping the life lessons I've learned from this will stay with me when I'm back and running. I hope I can continue to live life with intent and appreciate my health and I hope everyone who reads this can take a moment to be thankful for their health and to think about slowing down, even for a moment, to appreciate everything they are able to do. We are all very blessed.</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCt-MCwjGzXHwP1iv4kIAUSo2O61aEaIjAudpkToBxuIFQWV6frDz5J7JVuoL3xkrw9Zqx9ChX_ZX9BNCkKazCqWZVezuzkuQfvCNrAtxnwAmoMEnyVBUOmuJekdPLonP6WyYc4-T0pZzn/s640/blogger-image--1541655948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCt-MCwjGzXHwP1iv4kIAUSo2O61aEaIjAudpkToBxuIFQWV6frDz5J7JVuoL3xkrw9Zqx9ChX_ZX9BNCkKazCqWZVezuzkuQfvCNrAtxnwAmoMEnyVBUOmuJekdPLonP6WyYc4-T0pZzn/s640/blogger-image--1541655948.jpg"></a></div>GypsyShearerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11867391905489105670noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2611306069974780294.post-6619026714247841602013-07-20T13:28:00.001-07:002013-07-25T08:15:51.008-07:00Wool warehouses and mills of North America:)This is mostly a photo blog, but over the last 7 months I've had the chance to visit several wool warehouses/mills. For the most part they all look the same, a nondescript building in a shady area of town. Neatly stacked bales of wool lining the walls, usually a pile of loose wool in one corner. It's funny to think that large portions of the USA wool clip passes through these buildings on their way to being processed (mostly in china). But a small portion is lucky enough to stay in the country. <div><br></div><div>The first warehouse was Roswell wool in New Mexico...fabulous folks.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMmBdRbXRVyVBuswqGmIMLrYhJz6EhFa-MlxDfNEH8tD_IXS1FkOz_yQt1tGrSqbMoBa5Tlg4os-f0PfupoHmWEmUnSvTJyuO8Ema_w5miaEEuEn8eY2-V8VEvh0avWIGL7Ksfhyphenhyphen9RfVK7/s640/blogger-image-1186518644.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMmBdRbXRVyVBuswqGmIMLrYhJz6EhFa-MlxDfNEH8tD_IXS1FkOz_yQt1tGrSqbMoBa5Tlg4os-f0PfupoHmWEmUnSvTJyuO8Ema_w5miaEEuEn8eY2-V8VEvh0avWIGL7Ksfhyphenhyphen9RfVK7/s640/blogger-image-1186518644.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Neatly stacked square bales, most of these weigh around 400 pounds. Notice the farm name initials on the front of each bale along with info on the wool that's inside.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia57gU0RXIMoSc1fueWCdhkoztSjoT01Rs7wozUFPy8rxCZ0OfPbAyURWldEVxqoU-ZdUd5S-1IPOUUXJzAjxRCarRONgz8eG1JMFDKil2DDutuCJ80rvieDw6qrLf76GReqcQgHn6cBrG/s640/blogger-image-287058533.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia57gU0RXIMoSc1fueWCdhkoztSjoT01Rs7wozUFPy8rxCZ0OfPbAyURWldEVxqoU-ZdUd5S-1IPOUUXJzAjxRCarRONgz8eG1JMFDKil2DDutuCJ80rvieDw6qrLf76GReqcQgHn6cBrG/s640/blogger-image-287058533.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>These are New Mexico sheep...</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJINGJLzB_0n8aq9DffK_4BHQblClk97UhYioYAHyVtO_DGSxYDMp9a2IHHbHGFV0LpVqUStLM09q2Aab7jlK2geEcF7u78O5l-YPz3i5QbC_UyURL-D3vLCZLa5y-5Sz6eaUdn0RfX35t/s640/blogger-image-482463599.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJINGJLzB_0n8aq9DffK_4BHQblClk97UhYioYAHyVtO_DGSxYDMp9a2IHHbHGFV0LpVqUStLM09q2Aab7jlK2geEcF7u78O5l-YPz3i5QbC_UyURL-D3vLCZLa5y-5Sz6eaUdn0RfX35t/s640/blogger-image-482463599.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div><div>Next up was Center of the Nation Wool in South Dakota. </div><div><table width="570" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="1" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><tbody><tr><td><p align="left"><font color="#000000" face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 17px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.300781); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.234375); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.234375); background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span></font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font color="#000000" face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKohdSmJekBjNS-wnmkQr7egqU_ImGlijL4HFyJ076JtE-_hrcnhSRVgfhLsdEDgfTJxe7XIGXRvs0CkYzVRWIJG7PR94bxkp2OFd1nAiBrZK9Dr1AbYW-8aZbZbwhBxx22uzLTF4g20ls/s640/blogger-image-1467564488.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKohdSmJekBjNS-wnmkQr7egqU_ImGlijL4HFyJ076JtE-_hrcnhSRVgfhLsdEDgfTJxe7XIGXRvs0CkYzVRWIJG7PR94bxkp2OFd1nAiBrZK9Dr1AbYW-8aZbZbwhBxx22uzLTF4g20ls/s640/blogger-image-1467564488.jpg"></a></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font color="#000000" face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><font color="#000000" face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">(Yeah, that's all I got on them!)</font><p></p></td><td><p align="left"><font color="#000000" face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 17px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.300781); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.234375); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.234375); background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br></div><div>Last year I was able to visit Chargeurs in South Carolina as part of an ASI tour. That was eye opening!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Yi8ZPoemmF9obEtFLaTk8xgXWg7DsPm5RMHCL-Dsc3o2PUl6LwZRbePFlH2bnEeIpf0VfTiatJPr49jc3kMf-CXnaJ_mevODUaykGloj9Rt9Ydaheupd9LVwK0JoHic0W4R8pLPwckvC/s640/blogger-image--856370270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Yi8ZPoemmF9obEtFLaTk8xgXWg7DsPm5RMHCL-Dsc3o2PUl6LwZRbePFlH2bnEeIpf0VfTiatJPr49jc3kMf-CXnaJ_mevODUaykGloj9Rt9Ydaheupd9LVwK0JoHic0W4R8pLPwckvC/s640/blogger-image--856370270.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Wool being washed</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirVafeWimGeOEG3lrB-fhs2f_JmI25O1B2uB9VEyw3f9ULY5ejPJ3lT5TsUI-IeSbbVtiSIt3OHfWBVebW2LIHMh6qrw7kvwL4exA9FsUzYnJqB1KMWsblmESrfkEAgTvFH0681GrIhdXD/s640/blogger-image-1612207779.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirVafeWimGeOEG3lrB-fhs2f_JmI25O1B2uB9VEyw3f9ULY5ejPJ3lT5TsUI-IeSbbVtiSIt3OHfWBVebW2LIHMh6qrw7kvwL4exA9FsUzYnJqB1KMWsblmESrfkEAgTvFH0681GrIhdXD/s640/blogger-image-1612207779.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Wool roving going into super wash</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmLEDKyZEONZpQDjpK-WeMTthlwxMxH94IEZ8E5UKgmfOUWAraVADS6Og8_35XxU4ajd8UZjX99-za8r245UDPGFiRjO3IB91_OEQVntJYbpIMQgfXTI8ySaF7YDUvv1qDjxhckaL-CDkx/s640/blogger-image-1707371663.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmLEDKyZEONZpQDjpK-WeMTthlwxMxH94IEZ8E5UKgmfOUWAraVADS6Og8_35XxU4ajd8UZjX99-za8r245UDPGFiRjO3IB91_OEQVntJYbpIMQgfXTI8ySaF7YDUvv1qDjxhckaL-CDkx/s640/blogger-image-1707371663.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhuvf3_69ysmtdLfASyObIbMyBJ8IcsaHuQ3dmPl3lINIZ2z_VnhPPMR0TYDqTqHFQe36i3B3XOhi5u_QTOH84vvZ4QyBePGoh_CPAsC3wIiKFZ9z_NDkbQscBP2B5sK9cn_lbFFZdAJhj/s640/blogger-image--1928521736.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhuvf3_69ysmtdLfASyObIbMyBJ8IcsaHuQ3dmPl3lINIZ2z_VnhPPMR0TYDqTqHFQe36i3B3XOhi5u_QTOH84vvZ4QyBePGoh_CPAsC3wIiKFZ9z_NDkbQscBP2B5sK9cn_lbFFZdAJhj/s640/blogger-image--1928521736.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHyGAktfE78h2LCDTqhimiIwI0rB_3aJoxapowa16NvaFul0d7QWuDlZS0MvjDMhqIvEptczTzNgIjH_aSCPMFNBLKfYejFwCRRRE7TI3ZBvQiku7DXhdmbJCi5bHN8ugwv4udooZPciN-/s640/blogger-image--942733479.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHyGAktfE78h2LCDTqhimiIwI0rB_3aJoxapowa16NvaFul0d7QWuDlZS0MvjDMhqIvEptczTzNgIjH_aSCPMFNBLKfYejFwCRRRE7TI3ZBvQiku7DXhdmbJCi5bHN8ugwv4udooZPciN-/s640/blogger-image--942733479.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Wool roving is carded numerous times...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi68zvFpSbmQZxifzNg-Qozxi61ebamNKQSbqzNndOndslbeCYvcZrPS2CQj84yZiF_FKlkh2Kse9wa-DEqK_BqgxrvB3KNkI-bIq2j4VhdHh5zO0abgjGsNQ8RM1T-2zG19TExnV_Fb0i3/s640/blogger-image--100175217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi68zvFpSbmQZxifzNg-Qozxi61ebamNKQSbqzNndOndslbeCYvcZrPS2CQj84yZiF_FKlkh2Kse9wa-DEqK_BqgxrvB3KNkI-bIq2j4VhdHh5zO0abgjGsNQ8RM1T-2zG19TExnV_Fb0i3/s640/blogger-image--100175217.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIu5H472psYLbK0RcTZ9SOXpKaosgDBcht2qMFnztGS7YB_srXNI7Uni3gehZFd7i0MRdhhf8ho8vqf455v2aB-mGafdi5Q8MXhDJJbJSPQloGn7coL5xx5HTaOwJ3U5VOnz2jkc7ISYHm/s640/blogger-image-142500029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIu5H472psYLbK0RcTZ9SOXpKaosgDBcht2qMFnztGS7YB_srXNI7Uni3gehZFd7i0MRdhhf8ho8vqf455v2aB-mGafdi5Q8MXhDJJbJSPQloGn7coL5xx5HTaOwJ3U5VOnz2jkc7ISYHm/s640/blogger-image-142500029.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8UREjqeOedQUs2wzOQhc8B4bMLgEuBzjhRARz1oDgDdVOhAVM7n1w2_slkfg_ggTa5KBi8pQfB-c1OF63rdLm38r5gHd3AzAWdQqvp9flJyBoyXr8o6HKfM_sxjhVWss19KpS9D_iSj9X/s640/blogger-image--1559392813.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8UREjqeOedQUs2wzOQhc8B4bMLgEuBzjhRARz1oDgDdVOhAVM7n1w2_slkfg_ggTa5KBi8pQfB-c1OF63rdLm38r5gHd3AzAWdQqvp9flJyBoyXr8o6HKfM_sxjhVWss19KpS9D_iSj9X/s640/blogger-image--1559392813.jpg"></a></div></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGNSWEO7weZZCe5gMp6QwKXRjUhIkhPIENIdWeUEs22H0WaYCK4L4Gc0rP6_Y6MMCxziqkVIVgQmcJoL1L-9nvoEMBQ8YuiLGTYlmMdyEeoMSqKTxqVAMI8pvKG_6OI-7ggkMwZ3t1hK0x/s640/blogger-image--1675309982.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGNSWEO7weZZCe5gMp6QwKXRjUhIkhPIENIdWeUEs22H0WaYCK4L4Gc0rP6_Y6MMCxziqkVIVgQmcJoL1L-9nvoEMBQ8YuiLGTYlmMdyEeoMSqKTxqVAMI8pvKG_6OI-7ggkMwZ3t1hK0x/s640/blogger-image--1675309982.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Final tests to determine quality of roving (ie no black fibers, poly twine, hair)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdyacheTvqjKLXmt-uScyEjS-oIogwcNx39H7LJtHtSSCp2sbtN-GIeGAxnevjoLhWL0VI31aM6tu4TB59G9x_6ucaV-t9E4jPg8QQAWFAV0CtcS2UbdCgCLVdf1xtAqtIQWVm3KS_tLYi/s640/blogger-image-1049611512.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdyacheTvqjKLXmt-uScyEjS-oIogwcNx39H7LJtHtSSCp2sbtN-GIeGAxnevjoLhWL0VI31aM6tu4TB59G9x_6ucaV-t9E4jPg8QQAWFAV0CtcS2UbdCgCLVdf1xtAqtIQWVm3KS_tLYi/s640/blogger-image-1049611512.jpg"></a></div></div></div></div></div><br></div><div>Another warehouse I got to visit was Groenewold Fur and Wool.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy3X1q4ZKqSVccTkNFu4jigglnspI1RriPCVMhOKUVKyldNRi6fPvgUcYReSh228cuWITAHiVaGqoVOrTbAPLjQORXmMgi0Tu9ab6V4fkCUCu_oB3qumHijBsAD3Vm1Y7JV_HA7ds6kHd9/s640/blogger-image-451433612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy3X1q4ZKqSVccTkNFu4jigglnspI1RriPCVMhOKUVKyldNRi6fPvgUcYReSh228cuWITAHiVaGqoVOrTbAPLjQORXmMgi0Tu9ab6V4fkCUCu_oB3qumHijBsAD3Vm1Y7JV_HA7ds6kHd9/s640/blogger-image-451433612.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>There was wool everywhere, most of these bales weighed around 1000 pounds.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM0bpKcjqc39RerXGfhF8QKGRrd1R7W7WwnyQ9Ux_lmY4vhkFRIyrurkacJEZfCcqcPYK_mxO19M9pTKUw92Br-l8yXe4usc04XsyLgz05T_sCeubmu1z6fkPfXsiWbgk8A1eZ_KAsmmF1/s640/blogger-image--670989272.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM0bpKcjqc39RerXGfhF8QKGRrd1R7W7WwnyQ9Ux_lmY4vhkFRIyrurkacJEZfCcqcPYK_mxO19M9pTKUw92Br-l8yXe4usc04XsyLgz05T_sCeubmu1z6fkPfXsiWbgk8A1eZ_KAsmmF1/s640/blogger-image--670989272.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>The wool sorting machine...</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSrhPmsdnLqLEkKy4ne39MHtMhyV_HS6sLqc2Z8zFyce97GwxwvR0zXLuO62hakZCp3WcVbI5TeL-ef7i45kL14fDghdbOLh7q4_RZQ2kINdcLzCOpHF8ewNDpE8fM7On9o1q9U8w2kZpM/s640/blogger-image--1210174429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSrhPmsdnLqLEkKy4ne39MHtMhyV_HS6sLqc2Z8zFyce97GwxwvR0zXLuO62hakZCp3WcVbI5TeL-ef7i45kL14fDghdbOLh7q4_RZQ2kINdcLzCOpHF8ewNDpE8fM7On9o1q9U8w2kZpM/s640/blogger-image--1210174429.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Setting the wires to make a bale. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQrDpH-04ujEYbRvOJh-LHQJrWqskNPGKHaRqsMnZrdduzMRSOUkyS3p-sYucOJBsAY-vpy7PKZxkENVpK1yubs1r49Z5z9-vtfVWj2j3ObBe22bx4hPj9LaKXr_cpFcG5dEiTZdf11nt5/s640/blogger-image--743569829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQrDpH-04ujEYbRvOJh-LHQJrWqskNPGKHaRqsMnZrdduzMRSOUkyS3p-sYucOJBsAY-vpy7PKZxkENVpK1yubs1r49Z5z9-vtfVWj2j3ObBe22bx4hPj9LaKXr_cpFcG5dEiTZdf11nt5/s640/blogger-image--743569829.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Up close look at a bale.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXxV4x97cPMNJ7sersdJXg6BfB8bn3uWeCccmpRXEK0eY1uPczQGCoVCbcqqsjl36Dye8cDPjCYGLc8gUjmzRwGYiAZyhIObE4xutEYHEktR_a_AeA5SlvA-gBXFxIG3X7EaEY4YinBSac/s640/blogger-image--1842866983.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXxV4x97cPMNJ7sersdJXg6BfB8bn3uWeCccmpRXEK0eY1uPczQGCoVCbcqqsjl36Dye8cDPjCYGLc8gUjmzRwGYiAZyhIObE4xutEYHEktR_a_AeA5SlvA-gBXFxIG3X7EaEY4YinBSac/s640/blogger-image--1842866983.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Big pile of sorted wool.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJevuAEhAdXoh-3oPx8bRNTJAGrj2n4wPvr9JW6_gXLKaBS-auXRVD8-K4C_B9euZOSFLgfyunIuPHd7FBJYhvEsF1TnJpd4A9iN5s-goctrqMXyIu-zfgnq3wn0YotS5wMxw103ORZn6P/s640/blogger-image-74224625.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJevuAEhAdXoh-3oPx8bRNTJAGrj2n4wPvr9JW6_gXLKaBS-auXRVD8-K4C_B9euZOSFLgfyunIuPHd7FBJYhvEsF1TnJpd4A9iN5s-goctrqMXyIu-zfgnq3wn0YotS5wMxw103ORZn6P/s640/blogger-image-74224625.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Sold the last of my spring wool here!</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>We also got to go see MacAuslands wool mill in Prince Edward Island Canada.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhryn4sPNpdrQhze5Hn2dQXme73AzYO4HaUfHDnliwnbTJF3vxRsJVhQKluiC11LzyZlKEPJhsk_tDH8L1V4Brao0pv5ugtZGHgNv-ceZbyWXrPuJ-7zl3fvFQLxxo3V-iIVxaVDAWANE0Q/s640/blogger-image--1714816656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhryn4sPNpdrQhze5Hn2dQXme73AzYO4HaUfHDnliwnbTJF3vxRsJVhQKluiC11LzyZlKEPJhsk_tDH8L1V4Brao0pv5ugtZGHgNv-ceZbyWXrPuJ-7zl3fvFQLxxo3V-iIVxaVDAWANE0Q/s640/blogger-image--1714816656.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Unloading wool for processing.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfqH9aoeIuIYsI1vH9yPkz_b-SBBtQYxhTqefumhe6v9fUcFPwyCc5vSup6gYygGP5REcneMTbNYglOhLryvjwkrJRiwaK5SLDbcfadQGPceiQTy64doGV_uYEmdw55TZFeAOoLpXVWu6v/s640/blogger-image--623148837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfqH9aoeIuIYsI1vH9yPkz_b-SBBtQYxhTqefumhe6v9fUcFPwyCc5vSup6gYygGP5REcneMTbNYglOhLryvjwkrJRiwaK5SLDbcfadQGPceiQTy64doGV_uYEmdw55TZFeAOoLpXVWu6v/s640/blogger-image--623148837.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Wool waiting to be washed...</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipGsFJ8bkSekZ22ROA3QNzgPLmg9NRXKpDC5VVJOII6PfY4Cc_Vo_Br1WpKbHQTY80IKaA8GKQ6QEO3lSD6axpN5KWwTvE8njBIm-kQt6xINSYd14lRmL_p7zyRXT_BG9XAVPDNn06kXgu/s640/blogger-image-450825683.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipGsFJ8bkSekZ22ROA3QNzgPLmg9NRXKpDC5VVJOII6PfY4Cc_Vo_Br1WpKbHQTY80IKaA8GKQ6QEO3lSD6axpN5KWwTvE8njBIm-kQt6xINSYd14lRmL_p7zyRXT_BG9XAVPDNn06kXgu/s640/blogger-image-450825683.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjncTb1QkaiHCVuh4CrhfTZK6gSLCXSIzSwnu6WaGk0lMPNHlLFSlCBHxdDVFWIMW5xsnn2jMInkKh64AShogkNq_ZT849-zAnUqC_1MKvjlpbPocqEkkQagPFGECgZHiQqwDQECkbA7x-N/s640/blogger-image--1138963460.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjncTb1QkaiHCVuh4CrhfTZK6gSLCXSIzSwnu6WaGk0lMPNHlLFSlCBHxdDVFWIMW5xsnn2jMInkKh64AShogkNq_ZT849-zAnUqC_1MKvjlpbPocqEkkQagPFGECgZHiQqwDQECkbA7x-N/s640/blogger-image--1138963460.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>The washing (scouring) equipment...</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEXqlfaGJ5M-of3O5nd2nEb3V4bdywnlL2m6cVKiqN9_chLWhWzCPhTQN-7B2WQaflhFaf9mPwLPK2suGohCoqbM_BXqQzqR9gC4paPz609M6Sreh8u4w22lOKMAvNsNpW46ARVHIJU0HX/s640/blogger-image-1528425556.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEXqlfaGJ5M-of3O5nd2nEb3V4bdywnlL2m6cVKiqN9_chLWhWzCPhTQN-7B2WQaflhFaf9mPwLPK2suGohCoqbM_BXqQzqR9gC4paPz609M6Sreh8u4w22lOKMAvNsNpW46ARVHIJU0HX/s640/blogger-image-1528425556.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Inside the mill, this is all the equipment. Hard to believe so many blankets get made here every year.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGvFs4XXp4-mKxRwQqrSiYFGZ9KcPbbHbDtk92BUZCSgogbim2Po0pwwPVnk07oXaFDU2EyDCAbeQS_PS1-yJqT2P1mWbSBhzqBiySgXc8mi83QZ0jEPz_g5gUZPbETjAmq2PkFXrDgzwI/s640/blogger-image-1565246125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGvFs4XXp4-mKxRwQqrSiYFGZ9KcPbbHbDtk92BUZCSgogbim2Po0pwwPVnk07oXaFDU2EyDCAbeQS_PS1-yJqT2P1mWbSBhzqBiySgXc8mi83QZ0jEPz_g5gUZPbETjAmq2PkFXrDgzwI/s640/blogger-image-1565246125.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Inside their store...we bought 2 blankets:)</div><div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj03PhDzx2BMffUyKLoLbhIbexX45qBVQhhKFDqRL8AkdI1LHd2kjJEmh4NNrnK2XO-S-qN4DR9veKqYzbquzvQtt9A-WP2l0Ug__dmyQj_o-IXIFBorzX09tyyWQHQ5ounqJ8cNlfHzKti/s640/blogger-image-586278856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj03PhDzx2BMffUyKLoLbhIbexX45qBVQhhKFDqRL8AkdI1LHd2kjJEmh4NNrnK2XO-S-qN4DR9veKqYzbquzvQtt9A-WP2l0Ug__dmyQj_o-IXIFBorzX09tyyWQHQ5ounqJ8cNlfHzKti/s640/blogger-image-586278856.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>Being able to visit all these wool buyers and processors really was a wonderful experience. I'm hoping to continue to visit other mills and buyers in the course of my travels and report back about all the great people that are involved in making every wool product. I always like to brag that sheep are the greatest job producers out there since they seem immune to automation. Even while visiting the mills it is people doing hands on work every step of the way. Wool is amazing:)</div>GypsyShearerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11867391905489105670noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2611306069974780294.post-88044395781293635802013-07-17T13:41:00.000-07:002013-07-17T13:47:53.104-07:00Long hard road...<div style="color: rgb(54, 52, 49); font-family: 'Aaux ProMedium'; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">On July 2, 2013 Kevin and I were shearing out west of Frederick Maryland on a farm with about 160 big Charolais/Southdown cross ewes. We got a good start on them but we knew right away it was going to be a tough flock. On my 19th sheep I was moving into the long blows (ie. the sheep was laying on its side) when the sheep kicked and got its foot in behind my handpiece which drove it into the back of my left hand. </div><div style="color: rgb(54, 52, 49); font-family: 'Aaux ProMedium'; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></div><div style="color: rgb(54, 52, 49); font-family: 'Aaux ProMedium'; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Kevin took me right away to Frederick memorial hospital where we sat for 6 hours before a doctor saw me. I had a large gash in the back of my hand and could not lift my middle and ring fingers. When I finally saw a doctor they cleaned it out and referred me to another doctor who said he wanted me to come see him the next day to clean it out again and possibly sew it up.</div><div style="color: rgb(54, 52, 49); font-family: 'Aaux ProMedium'; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></div><div style="color: rgb(54, 52, 49); font-family: 'Aaux ProMedium'; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">The next day I called this doctor to verify my appointment time and learned that I could not see him because he did not accept my insurance. I was told that I would have to pay "possibly several thousand dollars" to see him and they told me to look elsewhere for care.</div><div style="color: rgb(54, 52, 49); font-family: 'Aaux ProMedium'; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></div><div style="color: rgb(54, 52, 49); font-family: 'Aaux ProMedium'; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">What followed were several stressful hours on the phone calling doctors and my insurance carrier trying to find someone to fix my hand, which at this point was still an open wound and two dangling fingers. Even my insurance company couldn't help me find an appropriate doctor. My own family doctor declined to see me because they knew they couldn't fix the tendons. I did finally end up getting an appointment with a doctor in Frederick for A WEEK LATER. I kept up with the calls and finally spoke with a sympathetic nurse who told me I had three options, call my insurance for doctor recommendations (did that), wait for the appointment I already had (no freakin way), or go back to the emergency room. So that's what I did.</div><div style="color: rgb(54, 52, 49); font-family: 'Aaux ProMedium'; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></div><div style="color: rgb(54, 52, 49); font-family: 'Aaux ProMedium'; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">24 hours after that conversation, one hospital transfer, and several OxyContins later I was in surgery (on July 4th, God bless America) getting my tendons sewn back together. I was discharged later that day in a soft cast with orders to keep it dry and follow up in 2 weeks. </div><div style="color: rgb(54, 52, 49); font-family: 'Aaux ProMedium'; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></div><div style="color: rgb(54, 52, 49); font-family: 'Aaux ProMedium'; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">This worked out to my advantage as I was still able to go on a planned road trip to Canada. The week of sitting in a car helped keep my hand still and clean and I didn't go crazy with boredom. </div><div style="color: rgb(54, 52, 49); font-family: 'Aaux ProMedium'; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></div><div style="color: rgb(54, 52, 49); font-family: 'Aaux ProMedium'; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Upon returning I went to see my doctor for follow up and the drama continues as the doctor whom I was scheduled to see in my follow up was not the one who did my surgery. Somehow because of it being a holiday the doctor who was on call when I was admitted was not there on the 4th and so my paperwork was mixed up and I ended up seeing the wrong doctor. He did check me out though and prescribed a full finger brace and no physical therapy.</div><div style="color: rgb(54, 52, 49); font-family: 'Aaux ProMedium'; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></div><div style="color: rgb(54, 52, 49); font-family: 'Aaux ProMedium'; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">When I went to the in house PT she was very concerned about the unnecessary use of a full finger brace and highly recommended follow up physical therapy. They eventually decided on a half finger brace but still no doctor ordered PT.</div><div style="color: rgb(54, 52, 49); font-family: 'Aaux ProMedium'; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></div><div style="color: rgb(54, 52, 49); font-family: 'Aaux ProMedium'; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">The next day I searched online for possible physical therapy references in Sioux Falls SD (where I will be the next few weeks) and ran into more problems since I didn't have a doctors notice and then ran into another problem that now my surgeon wanted to see me himself. Well that does me no good when I'm halfway to Missouri. </div><div style="color: rgb(54, 52, 49); font-family: 'Aaux ProMedium'; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></div><div style="color: rgb(54, 52, 49); font-family: 'Aaux ProMedium'; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">To say that this injury has been a constant struggle would be an understatement!</div><div style="color: rgb(54, 52, 49); font-family: 'Aaux ProMedium'; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></div><div style="color: rgb(54, 52, 49); font-family: 'Aaux ProMedium'; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">But in spite of it all my prognosis looks good. I'm going to continue to push for physical therapy and hopefully I'll be able to shear by the end of September. </div><div style="color: rgb(54, 52, 49); font-family: 'Aaux ProMedium'; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></div><div style="color: rgb(54, 52, 49); font-family: 'Aaux ProMedium'; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Which brings me to the important info for anyone who was planning to have me shear this fall. Because of the uncertainty of my hand strength and because there are only 30 or so jobs that I already had counted on for this fall, I've come up with an acceptable (for me) option for helping get everything done safely and efficiently. Kevin has agreed to come out for 2 weeks (around sept 22-oct 5 roughly)to help me. This will allow me to shear only as much as my hand will allow and Kevin can help get the work done. There is too much work going on out west for him to stay much longer but we will do what we can on a first come first serve basis. I know this option isn't ideal for some of you as you may have planned on earlier or later shearing dates but I cannot commit to shear anything on my own until I know how much my hand can handle. I am happy to refer you to other shearers if you would feel more comfortable with that option or if you decide to stick with dates when Kevin will not be here.</div><div style="color: rgb(54, 52, 49); font-family: 'Aaux ProMedium'; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></div><div style="color: rgb(54, 52, 49); font-family: 'Aaux ProMedium'; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">I want to thank everyone who has been so supportive through this whole ordeal. I don't see this impacting my spring 2014 run at all. But I'm going to have to take one day at a time for a while until I'm back to cruising speed:)</div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsLW_tzi2bbLAK3Hqzw-jtdbdh1okvobze0svxU-gP8ZnEPUOdpz5WX3X14-FmdyoGs5S5LrFePd0zgqucyEHuvbVICRKg24TUA6zlPQRtNUVc6k6vgOsQOUpjPbgetPUyMOGoYlGuuXdy/I/photo_29913.jpg" border="0" class="bloggoimg"></div>Photo curtesy of Pieter DeMooy <br><br> <br><br> GypsyShearerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11867391905489105670noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2611306069974780294.post-26942736894389404822013-03-06T19:11:00.002-08:002013-03-06T19:12:13.822-08:00Hey it's good to be back home again:)Lydia, Hedgehog and I have finally returned to Maryland from our round the country winter trip! 2 months, 20 states, 2,330 sheep/goats shorn, so many wonderful memories. And while it is great to be back home with my family I already miss all my new and old friends I got to know out on the road. It is always touching when complete strangers open their homes and lives to Lydia and I. In this day and age it is hard to open up but time and time again I am blown away by the generosity and kindness of people. This job really gives me a glimpse into people's lives and I am constantly overwhelmed with not only the responsibility and trust people have in me but also how quickly people can become some of my dearest friends. I really had such an amazing two months. Starting in Virginia, out to Iowa, down to New Mexico, up to South Dakota, back down to Missouri and the long way back home through Ohio, Michigan and New York. I will be so relieved to finally clean out the van and reorganize. I find it to be a miracle that we had no major spills until today when some smoothie got dumped on the floor. Other then two new tires and a new battery my trust van made the journey pretty much unscathed:) such wonderful memories. To everyone who I have had the pleasure and privilege of seeing already, thank you again and I am already looking forward to seeing you all again. And to my local crew, I am ready to knuckle down and get to work here. I am really thinking this is gonna be a good season. If I have already touched base then I am looking forward to seeing you and if we haven't spoken yet then don't worry. I'll be tracking everyone down soon enough:) Happy Shearing!GypsyShearerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11867391905489105670noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2611306069974780294.post-61907984675482714812013-02-01T18:05:00.000-08:002013-02-01T18:05:25.903-08:00Going Pro:)<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">If I had to describe last weekend in one word, it would have to be pivotal. As many of you know I competed at the Black Hills Stock Show in Rapid City South Dakota on Sunday. This was a very important competition for me as it is the American machine shearing national championship. This competition (which used to be held in Denver) draws a huge entry pool and is always very competitive. This year there were over 50 shearers competing in 3 divisions. I was able to compete in the Intermediate division. The divisions are usually decided based on experience and previous contest results. I could have gone into the professional division but having never won this contest I was given one last go at this level. Thankfully I was able to capitalize on the opportunity and finally am able to say that I won the intermediate level at the national contest. The last time I was there I made it into the final only to place fourth which was a good placing but I have coveted winning this competition for many years and really wanted one last try. The consequence of my winning this division is that I now have officially "gone pro". This means that I am now forced to compete with "the boys" from here on out. While I think I have them running a bit scared, I have seen Alex slam out a sheep before I even get to the undermine (the blow right under the tail, right before you step up to shear the neck. Basically I'm not even halfway) and they look pretty good. I have watched Mark and Nolan cruise through a day of shearing and never break a sweat. These guys continually put sheep around me and I can't figure out what happened. I can usually keep pace with Kevin but he is better at making them look good. I'm still working on making nice even blows when I'm moving fast. Thinking about this helps pass the time when working long days in the sheds. Like this last week which has been bone chilling cold. We are back in Iowa temporarily till we head south again. Shearing a lot of ewes. It's all good practice and its money in the bank, but I can't help but feel like I have turned a corner in my shearing career. I'm excited about this upcoming year. Im shearing with some of the top guys in America and its time to really step up. I'm happy with how I shear. I know I can shear clean. I have been getting faster. It's just a matter of putting the two together so I can bring my "A" game to the next competition. I'm gonna be ready:)</span><br />
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GypsyShearerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11867391905489105670noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2611306069974780294.post-9348155758506573682013-01-19T07:36:00.003-08:002013-01-19T07:36:52.307-08:00I remember when...I lost my mind:)<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">Hello from New Mexico! </span><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">This has definitely been a different experience for me. Not only is this my first official time working as a rousie (which means I pick up the wool) but it is also the first time I have been this far west and the whole look of the land is quite beautiful in its own way. Kevin told me repeatedly on the way down here that I must prepare myself. He was sure I wouldn't like it here but on the contrary I find that the openness of the land is quite refreshing. Yes it's brown, yes it's dry, but so far the weather has been nearly perfect, there hasn't been much dust and being able to see some gorgeous sunrises has really made this place grow on me. </span><br />
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Now to the actual working part of this trip...first off I would like to point out that Kevin runs a pretty awesome crew. All the guys (yup that's you too Leann) have been wonderful. There are no whiners on this crew! Kevin keeps things pretty organized and its a smooth running machine...except for me. This is my first experience at being a wool handler and while there are a few positives ("wow my back doesn't hurt!") there are a few negatives ("wow I don't think I have used my leg muscles since high school"). I would like to point out to everyone reading this that being a rousie is all the work of shearing but none of the glory. My legs were so sore the second day I could barely walk down a flight of stairs. I guess in my usual day to day activities I am not using my quad muscles as much as I had hoped. But I have high hopes that doing this for a few more days might even out my fitness regimen and all my shearing pants will fit me this spring:) that's what I'm hoping! But back to the work, I am still getting the hang of the broom,which is actually a plastic paddle that we use to "sweep" the board. I have hit Kevin in the head twice and my first day I about took Paul's toe off. But shearer injures aside I think I'm getting quicker and more graceful. I'll just keep working on it. Although It was brought to my attention last night at I make a lot of noise with my broom, that I wield it like a hockey stick and I am always slapping it on the board. Well duh! I am a product of my environment, hockey is in my blood! I am beginning to see that you can never make shearers happy, if your not fast enough your too loud, go figure:) </div>
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But all in all things are pretty great, I have been able to shear a few and they shear really nice. I have really enjoyed being able to take this chance to watch the guys shear and really see what their doing. Each one has a particularly good part of the sheep and a spot that gives them trouble. Being able to watch what they are doing will help me pick up tricks to make myself faster, cleaner and more well rounded. I am embracing this time at the broom to learn not only about the wool, how to keep it clean and properly skirted, watching experienced shearers shear and getting my legs in shape. I can't believe that a whole month has all but flown by. It won't be long till I'm on my way back home to begin my own shearing run. But until then Ill keep working on my broom skills and that freckled pinkish color I call a tan and Ill keep my fingers crossed that the good weather holds. </div>
GypsyShearerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11867391905489105670noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2611306069974780294.post-36539119604119455862012-12-30T19:23:00.000-08:002012-12-30T19:26:16.457-08:00Parting is such sweet sorrow...For those of you who do not already know, I will be leaving this week to head out to Iowa and then on to New Mexico to shear. This last month has been devoted to preparing for that trip. To be honest I have spent more time packing for this trip then I did when I packed for New Zealand! Maybe it's because Lydia is coming with me this time, but maybe it also has something to do with this being a transition phase of my life. I am now completely settled in my life as a sheep shearer, I really enjoy what I do and I like it enough to want to go find work when work around Maryland is slow. January and February are notoriously slacker months, so I find I enjoy the opportunity to see new places and meet new people on the road during these months. But with that it also means I have to figure out what is important enough to me, to justify taking up space in my little van. So this entire month has been devoted to sifting through my already meager belongings trying to figure out what I can leave behind. If you have never had to sit down and go through your things, laying out your life in objects, I don't recommend it unless you are prepared for a bit of emotional fall out from the weight of all those memories!<br />
The first thing I did was to go out and buy bins, 10 Tupperware bins, that I put all my things into. One bin for Lydia's books, one for all the objects on the shelves, one with all my business papers, another two bins were devoted to my books, one bin had all my cooking things in. Packing it up wasn't the problem, my next task was to go through each bin to see if I felt I would need anything on the road. Do you realize that the first few times you sift through your belongings you can't imagine living without any of it!? I took several bins out at a time and stacked and restacked everything in them. I pulled out books and read them, looked through photo albums, shed a tear or two when looking over Lydia's baby things. It's nice to revisit those times in my life but it is hard to leave those things behind, even if temporarily.<br />
Finally I got the "important stuff" narrowed down to 5 bins, 1 duffle of cloths and a duffle of odds and ends. But I still wanted to take even less stuff. Today was probably the hardest...I'm a book person, I love books with a passion. I have gotten together a tidy collection of shearing books that I just love, some of my favorite classics from when I was a kid, plus books I want to read to Lydia. The books had become my biggest hurdle. My sensible half tried to talk some sense into me..."your going to be working all the time, when are you going to have time to read?" Ok, ok, I know that but when your a book person you can't just leave them behind! It's like leaving a toe or ear off of your body. You just can't do it...but I did, sorta. I was able to narrow my books down to one small box. I know I won't read any of them but the peace of mind I have knowing they are with me is all that matters. Plus I was able to narrow it down to only my absolute favorites:)<br />
So my journey now begins, after a few more shearing jobs I will be heading west. I have 3 bins of belongings, 1 duffle of cloths, 1 duffle of shoes, 1 backpack with a portable dvd player and some movies and Lydia has a bag of toys. I think I am ready to go. My life has been slimmed down as much as I'm ever going to get it. I'm looking forward to the adventures I will have this winter in the desert but I am already looking forward to coming back and reuniting with all I have left behind:)GypsyShearerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11867391905489105670noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2611306069974780294.post-75924746142867577732012-12-05T17:55:00.001-08:002012-12-05T17:55:26.472-08:00All is merry and bright:)I don't know about all of you but I am really enjoying this stretch of warm weather in December! This is the kind of weather that really helps me catch up on all the back logged busy work I need to do. So in the last few days I have been able to wash all my mats and shearing tarps, clean out and reorganize the back of my van, grind all my blades, plus do a pretty major animal inventory at my temporary farm. It really feels good to be outside and really experiencing the animals in a way that I don't always get to when I'm just a visitor to your farms. I have really begun to bond with all the dogs and I know I'm really gonna miss them when I leave. I enjoy cursing the goats for finding every hole in the fence (have you heard of the Irish fencing method called willow fencing? That's what it's starting to look like out there!) I like calling the pigs back to the barn every evening...unaccustomed to admitting that I was wrong and that pet pigs do have there charm:) I am glad Lydia has this chance to see the day to day work of farming that our transient life sometimes neglects. Years from now I am going to look back on these two months with a whole lot of fond memories.<br />
It has also been a good time for shearing. After thanksgiving is a huge rush of work as several of my larger clients shear now since they lamb in late December/early January. This gets the wool off before the lambs dirty it up and makes housing the sheep through the winter a whole lot cleaner. I am always a bit perplexed when people ask me about being concerned about the sheep staying warm during this part of the year. As we can all see the weather is a whole lot warmer now then it typically is in march when most people want to shear, plus one month of wool is plenty to keep them warm when the cold weather finally hits in January. Freak blizzards and freezing weather are much more common in march so I always enjoy converting as many folks to a fall schedule as I can. They are never disappointed:) So for the last few weeks I have been doing pretty consistent business shearing some larger flocks and finishing up my angora goat jobs. Most of the people I work for this time of year are wonderful and I really enjoy taking the time to really visit with people when I have the opportunity. Today I had the privilege of shearing a few angoras for a long time friend. We had such a nice conversation, a fabulous lunch, and shared some good laughs. Days like today are such a blessing and I really enjoy them as much as I can. In the spring I can get so busy that I sometimes lose sight of the people behind the animals. I get so rushed and pressed for time that I can't fully enjoy each moment. It's days like today that really bring my work home and make me truly thankful for what I do.<br />
At my visit today I was also able to really pick her brain about several issues that have been preying on my mind about goat care and livestock guardian dogs. I really am in awe of the vast amount of knowledge that is available to me through my clients and today was no exception. I was given some great suggestions about dealing with problem dogs, feeding goats and caring for goats that have traveled long distances. It was such an incredibly productive day. I really value the knowledge my clients are willing to share and love being able to pass it on in return to someone else needing advice. Another wonderful scenario is while I was shearing at a farm a while back I saw an unusual abscess on an animals chest. While chest sores and calluses are normal this abscess was large and circled the entire brisket of the animal. I had never seen anything like it. My client later emailed me and told me what the vets diagnosis of the sore was and also gave me the prescribed treatment. I was so happy that she thought about me and passed on that info because it means the next time I see a sore like that, I'll know it isn't a big problem and I'll know how to advise treatment. While I am not a vet the information I have gleaned through the years of wonderful people working in the trenches and seeing it all, I now really feel like I am more of an asset to people. I not only get to shear for them but if they need advice I can offer suggestions and experiences gathered from so many brilliant sheep and goat farmers. It really is an exciting place to be in. I'm truly grateful for so many people being willing to open their homes and barns to me and letting me handle their animals and being able to call so many of them friends:)<br />
<br />GypsyShearerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11867391905489105670noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2611306069974780294.post-56789626168191181482012-11-12T08:57:00.001-08:002012-11-12T09:13:10.608-08:00Digging deep?Lets just begin this post by listing a few things I'm thankful for...first I'm thankful for an up to date tetanus shot (otherwise I might be in the throes of lock jaw and blogging would become my only means of comunication!) Second I'm grateful for an amazing daughter who is patient, supportive and loving. Last I'm grateful for hot baths and neosporin. Ok now that I'm in a positive frame of mind I want to recount what happened yesterday. I knew yesterday was gonna be a long day, I had three stops scheduled with a total of 70 animals. We were on the road early and made it to the first stop feeling great, it was looking to be a beautiful day and the sheep were going to be great. First stop was Sue Bundy, for those of you who do not know her she is co-owner of a yarn company that creates single breed, locally sourced yarns which they sell under the name Solitude Wool. They are doing some really neat things and have lovely products. Check out her website and blog at <span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap;">http://www.solitudewool.com/about-us/. B</span><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">ut yesterday morning we were at her farm bright and early to shear her 20 Karakuls. I love shearing Karakuls with their goofy fat tails and luxiorious dual coats. They really are a breed with looks. This job went smoothly and was quite a pleasure. The sheep were healthy, the wool was lovely and they had a very nice setup which kept me and ths sheep very happy. Warm temperatures made my long sleeve shirt unessesary but it was such a pleasant morning. From there I went over to a neighbors house and did 10 more lovely Karakuls. More beautiful wool, more healthy sheep. This was sheaing at its beat. We got done right on time and we jumped in the car to tackle the last job. One that I knew was going to be tough, these were "dorsets" but they were huge, with most of the ewes weighing in at ram weights of 200 odd pounds (meaning at by the end of this job I can reasonably assume that I had wrestled 8000 pounds of sheep). He had 40 sheep to be done and I had scheduled him last because I knew these sheep were going to completely wear me out. But them he ran them into the barn and all you could see were the burrs. Big sheep is one thing, big sheep with burrs makes your blood run cold. Well we got set up and ready to roll. The last thing I remember was looking at my arms and thinking..."wow it feels great to have strong arms with no cuts". Then I pulled out the first one. This was the beginning of the end. As a sheep shearer people need to be aware that this is a hard job and when I was just learning, it wasn't unusual to cry over the sheep. Your back hurts, the sheep don't cooperate, the gear starts to fail...it's not an easy job but when it goes right it is such a buzz. Working on these dorsets was a major buzz kill. Big sheep fight, show type sheep typically have very long legs with wool the whole way down to the hoof. Non show type sheep tend to be fatter/rounder but there is the issue of the extra weight to move around although I find they tend to be more relaxed. Show type sheep are fighters and the long legs are always just missing your face when they kick. So we were slowly making our way through them, about ten sheep in I got a really bad fighter. This really just starts to break down your confidence. Shearing in the direct sun also didn't help and I felt my head starting to bake. By 15 sheep my arms were shredded and I had lost one sheep mid shear and another I lost trying to get her out of the gate. By 25 sheep my arms were shaking and bleeding, my head was pounding, and the sheep were still big and angry. By 30 sheep I was completely starting to break down and it was starting to get dark. Somewhere in this time I broke a blade which is so maddening since they cost $25-40 dollars depending on the brand and breaking blades on these sheep makes you really question whether its worth the fight. By 36 it was really getting dark and the sheep just kept coming. I kept asking how many were left, he had told me it was 40 and it looked to be close but there appeared to still be a lot of sheep in the barn. At 38 I asked again, "HOW MANY ARE LEFT!?!" There was still 6. It was dark and 6 sheep was going to be pretty close to another hour of shearing at the rate I was working. I crumbled. I couldn't stand up straight for the pounding in my head. My arms were bright red with cuts. I was shaking and could barely get the sheep down. I couldn't do it. I just couldn't do it. I would like to think that had it not been dark (there were no barn lights where we were shearing) I might have pushed on. But it was dark and I was completely spent. Do you know in the movies when the high school football team has to make the last run to win the game and they dig deep and pull off the big win? I felt like I was in that scene and I wasn't able to make it. The movie of my life was completely anticlimactic and now people would feel sorry for me. The farmer kept saying it was fine and that I should be proud I did as many as I did. I hated the pity. I hated knowing I couldn't finish the last 6 sheep. I hated being weak when it means so much more because I am a girl. Some days I hate this job, and I hate the big sheep. I pulled over twice on the way home to throw up, definite heat stress. I cried, Lydia comforted me. My sensible half gave me the greatest text hug. I finally was able to eat something and I started feeling better. When I got home I took a long bath with oil and Epsom salts. Slathered my poor arms in neosporin and went to bed. Looking back on yesterday through the sunshine of today, I start to think that maybe yesterday wasn't the end, maybe at was just the sad low of the movie to let you emphasize with the heroine. Hopefully that is it. Yesterday was tough. No doubt about that. But you wanted to know the reality of this life and career...hopefully me crying "mercy" is a case of knowing my limits and not an example of my inability to dig deeper in the face of difficulty. </span><img src="webkit-fake-url://0625DA33-5306-46E5-A495-3711F761830F/imagejpeg" />GypsyShearerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11867391905489105670noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2611306069974780294.post-91651778550301837452012-11-10T10:58:00.000-08:002012-11-10T11:16:38.148-08:00Living the dream!I never thought blogging would ever become something that I would do, just like smoking cigarettes, in middle school every child will tell you they will NEVER do that but come high school most children will give it a try. I hope blogging turns out to be just as addictive:) A brief introduction about myself, I am currently 28 years old, and I sheared my first sheep when I was 16 at the Maryland Shearing School. From there I went on to shear for friends and relatives, slowly building up a loyal clientele to the point where about 5 years ago I decided to pursue shearing full time and I have never looked back. I have a 6 year old daughter named Lydia whom you will meet often within this forum. As I stated before I am a full time sheep shearer who works mostly in Maryland and Virginia but also travels...well...pretty much everywhere else to shear when things get slow back home. Last summer I was able to visit Ireland to shear in competition, I did not get an opportunity to shear on the farms there since it rained the entire time but the country, it's people and its competition were enough to sustain me. I spent the winter of 2012 in New Zealand shearing for 6 weeks in the sheds on lambs and then competing in the Golden Shears World Sheep Shearing Championships. I was a United States representative in the blade shearing even though I do not consider myself a blade shearer, I do it more as a hobby. That was an unbelievable experience. More information on that trip can be found on my website (www.chamelinshearing.com) where I did a valiant attempt and charting my shearing progress in the Canterbury region. Lets just sum it up by saying my high tally was 236 and yes it hurt:) This summer I spent a great deal of time shearing in Iowa and surrounding states with my sensible half (I wouldn't call him my better half as we both have our vices, but I do let him do all the thinking when we are together...he is just better at that kinda stuff). Shearing in the Midwest is also a bit of an eye opener. I was able to keep working on the skills I learned in New Zealand and was able to broaden my knowledge of raising sheep in America. I am always fascinated by the different ways people do things and adding those ideas to my forever expanding library of thoughts. My current situation finds me residing in Palmyra Virginia where I am farm sitting for a dear friend till after Christmas. Most of my posts between now and them will be more on the farming and the day to day life and observances. As an itinerant worker, I can get arrogant sometimes in offering up advice and forgetting about the actual bonds these animals forge in out hearts and the mindless day to day work that goes into the product I get to gladly harvest when it's ready. Anyway enough about me:) Today has proven to be a wonderful day so far, rising with the sun (for some reason I'm trying to keep my body on summer time so I am rising at 5:00 every morning because it will make it easier to get up at 6:00 in the spring...I hope...if this backfires I'll let you know!) I took care of all my animal charges which involved feeding 6 dogs, watering everybody and then catching a calf to wean her from her mother. Needless to say there has been a lot of bawling coming from the barn all day! When that was finished I was able to make an actual farm breakfast of organic eggs, sheep sausage and blue potato hash-browns with onions and peppers. It was glorious! I usually don't get to eat a real meal most mornings because the best shearing starts early. So a day off puts a delicious meal in my belly and I feel all domestic and motherly:) the rest of the morning has found me making phone calls and emails as driving and shearing most days does not allow much time for the day to day book work that is necessary in running your own business, but somehow It all seems to come together. Now I am getting ready to go back outside to check and feed everyone again. With mild weather and healthy animals, farming can be such a pleasure on days like these:)GypsyShearerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11867391905489105670noreply@blogger.com2