The arrival of the sheep shearer is another of those events that remind us of nature and the special feeling of being in the country and having animals. I wanted it all of my life, and I’m grateful to have found it. This is where I belong.

Our friend Ian McRae, an experienced sheep shearer, came to shear our seven remaining sheep. I was especially struck by his gentle work with Kim, our oldest and most fragile sheep. Maria and I don’t believe in letting our animals suffer, and Kim barely has enough teeth to eat. One way or another, this will be her last winter on earth. She is limping and confused and needs special grains to continue.

Ian did a great job, and “B” and Terry, his grandmother, came to watch the shearing for the second time. “B” helped open and close the fences and has become both a helper and a visitor. I decided to focus on Kim’s searing.

Kim is a sweet and shy sheep. She is 13 years old, and is the last survivor of the herd on the first Bedlam Farm in Hebron, the first Bedlam Farm.

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“B” and Terry came by to watch the shearing. “B” helped out.

It’s amazing to see a shearer keep the sheep under complete control and shave the wool carefully and calmly. Maria will be taking her wool to the knitting company in July.