Jim McRae and Tom came this morning to shear our sheep, it took them less than an hour, and Maria got some nice, clean and very soft wool out of it. Jim says it was the softest wool he has seen in a long time. He is always a pleasure to see, a gentle, strong and competent man, a border collie trainer and photographer. This is one of the best rituals of farm life, Maria sells the wool as yarn, it has become very popular. Red did a  stellar job keeping the sheep in a corner and out of everybody’s way.

When the shearer comes, I feel very close to nature, to the farm, to our life here.