Emma carries Robin, her new daughter and my new granddaughter, in a pouch hung across her chest, Robin slept all through a walk we took and then during lunch we stopped to have. I was touch by the image of the hand supporting this child, it seemed a timeless symbol of daughter love to e.
I rarely try to photograph the moon, it always feels like a cliche to me, but the other night, driving with Maria around dusk, this big sweet moon rose over some farm fields and hills,and it was just too beautiful, sitting there in the clouds, to ignore.
It is a daily treat for me to see Red and Fate working together in the same pasture, two remarkable working dogs who approach working with sheep in completely different ways. Yet if you watch closely, you will see they are always aware of each other, always working together
Fate is full of excitement and joy, she has no interest in controlling sheep, Red is purposeful, focused and intense. Fate is always aware of Red and his movements, she is always reacting to them. The sheep pay absolutely no attention to Fate, and it may be that I messed up her training. Most of the time, though, I think it is just not her nature, she is sweet and anxious around dogs and other animals, very careful.
I have never, even in close quarters, see her challenge a sheep. But she sure loves to be around them and run and run and run. That is her spirit. Come and see.
The October Open House is set for October 8-9, from 11:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is an important Open House, for me, for us, I think it has found itself again, after a bit of wandering in the wilderness. It began as an effort by Maria to provide a showcase to gifted artists in our area, and to her own work. We also wanted to share our lives, we are committed to openness and a search for authenticity and creativity.
The crowds have been enormous, the art exciting, but I think this year, we are returning to a purer kind of celebration of the art of rural life, a calmer, more easy-going kind of sharing. One in which I have time to actually speak to people, and in which we can continue to focus on the enormous energy and creativity of our community.
Our animals are always a centerpiece, Red is eager to show off his herding skills, Fate will be happy to race around like a fiend for anyone to see.
This year, Ed Gulley will bring a cow to milk and talk about farming, Jim McRae is coming to shear the Gang Of Four, the wool-heavy rescue Romneys who have come to our farm. Deb Foster will conduct visits with the donkeys and Chloe, our pony. Carol Law Conklin will demonstrate her Batik and Susie Fatzinger will spin, she makes the most beautiful scarves and gloves and hats. Rachel Barlow is selling her beloved sketches and water colors.
Maria has a stash of potholders and hanging pieces and quilts to share and sell. I will be conducting frequent herding demonstrations with Fate and Red and the sheep. I will also be talking about my next book, “Talking To Animals,” and the one after, and demonstrating my visualization work with the dogs and other animals. Ken Norman is coming to trim hooves, this, along with the shearing, will be open to the public.
Scott Carrino is going to come by to sing some songs. Poets will read their poems.
The Open House is not about huge crowds, not about socializing really, it is about the spirit of our farm, the love of our animals, an acknowledgment of Maria’s growing success as an artist and a curator, and her genius for recognizing gifted artists. I see that it is more about that than anything else, and it makes me very happy.
People were coming to the open houses for all kinds of reasons, most having nothing to do with our or or farm or are values.
The Open House seems back on track, I am very excited about it.
I will be wandering around, eager to talk with people as much as I can. You will have fun seeing or quite remarkable and social animals. And the art show is nothing less than spectacular, a wonderful place to buy original and interesting art for Christmas at affordable prices.
We will once more be asking for voluntary $5 donations to defray the cost of putting together the Open House. Hope to see some of you there, details on Maria’s website events page.
