Comments on Farm Tales: The Great Sheep Escape (Or, My Ten Minutes of Terr...

Sabrina,I love the image of black cows with tan ba...

2008-12-05T16:01:00.000-08:00

Sabrina,

I love the image of black cows with tan babies...and of the black baby lambs.

It's good to know there are still small farms out in CA!

Great story telling, Catherine! (And a nice rewar...

2008-12-04T15:37:00.000-08:00

Great story telling, Catherine! (And a nice reward for my visiting your blog for the first time since reading Hit by a Farm last year.) I loved your story-telling, and then the pleasure of seeing the scene of the escape. . . and round-up. I think of you and Melissa nearly twice daily, especially this time of year, when I drive by two farms on my way to and from work--one where there are about a dozen black baby sheep kicking up their heels (so cute!), and another, just down the road, where the easter-basket green hill is dotted with 20-40 black mama cows, all with suckling golden-tan calves--for a second year in a row. Guess all the mamas get inseminated w/ the same batch of sperm?? Anyway, love your stories! And love hearing about two strong women living their dreams. Sincerely, Sabrina, Santa Rosa, CA

Axiety anyone. Too cute!

2008-11-16T15:23:00.000-08:00

Axiety anyone. Too cute!

Uniknitter---I'm flattered to be one of your favor...

2008-10-20T09:04:00.000-07:00

Uniknitter---I'm flattered to be one of your favorite blogs. No photos of knitting projects here, I'm afraid. (Maybe some day!)

Shel---The sound we make to call the sheep is silly and I hate doing it when people are around. But Melissa trained them to it... I don't think I'll be recording myself and putting it up on youtube anytime soon!

Hi Catherine -- I'm a long-time reader of your boo...

2008-10-17T08:50:00.000-07:00

Hi Catherine -- I'm a long-time reader of your books and blog, but first-time poster :-) Loved your real-life adventure, but what I wanna hear is the sound of your outdoor yodeling whilst having a flaming sore throat -- must've been something. You're lucky the sheep didn't run the other way in terror lol. Have Melissa make you a sheep-herding trophy and put it up with your GCLS ones.

Catherine, Wow! What a nightmare, but you really c...

2008-10-15T06:53:00.000-07:00

Catherine, Wow! What a nightmare, but you really came through! I love your blog, and in fact, wanted to tell you that it's the only one I read. I could be reading one of the thousands of knitting ones, but I prefer your humorous farm-life stories!
Holly

Thistledog....Hmmm, masochist is a good word...or ...

2008-10-07T05:43:00.000-07:00

Thistledog....

Hmmm, masochist is a good word...or perhaps INSANE...

I just reread most of my blog entries to see if any would work for my next book, and nearly put myself into a deep trance...

Hope you enjoy the books. (And I'm gonna steal that 'Holy Ewe' and use it sometime!)

I must be a masochist, because I just sat here at ...

2008-10-06T22:47:00.000-07:00

I must be a masochist, because I just sat here at my desk this afternoon and read your entire blog from beginning to end... ;)

...and am simply delighted to have found you and your farm and your writing. Holy ewe! So refreshing and funny and down to earth!

*hurriedly ordering books on Amazon*

Must have more. Will send several copies out as gifts; several sisters and friends will be as delighted as I am, I'm sure.

Thank you for the glimpses into your daily life, the photos, the humor and the pathos as well.

OMG, Catherine, that must have been so scary for y...

2008-10-06T19:59:00.000-07:00

OMG, Catherine, that must have been so scary for you! Good thinking to grab that bucket of corn and those sheep were smart enough (or hungry enough) to follow you. (I would cry from relief too.)

Good grief, this brings back very bad memories of ...

2008-10-02T16:13:00.000-07:00

Good grief, this brings back very bad memories of the day my neighbor called to tell me my pigs were in her pasture. And I was home alone, and pigs freak me out! Got the little (&$^#()% back in the pen, with the aid of the neighbor's husband and a big stick. A whole flock of sheep? I think I would need a little lie down afterwards! Good job!

You can write suspense like no one's business, the...

2008-09-30T08:57:00.000-07:00

You can write suspense like no one's business, then bring me to tears. You are amazing, my girl.

oh man, I get all worked up and run like a bullet ...

2008-09-30T03:07:00.000-07:00

oh man, I get all worked up and run like a bullet when my three sheep escape... I can't image what another 97 would put me through! Congrats on being such a tough farm chick.

Thanks, everyone....Though I know I couldn't have ...

2008-09-29T07:29:00.000-07:00

Thanks, everyone....

Though I know I couldn't have done it with a broken leg! And to step outside my front door and find a bull out there? Uh-uh. No thank you.

As for the type of sound one makes, I think the sound follows the rule I use when Melissa gets hurt out here (bangs herself with a hammer, hits her head, runs into something---she's creative, that girl.) If she swears and yells in pain, I know it's not bad, and I ignore it. But if I hear this shocked intake of breath and no cussing, I come running because that means she's really done it this time!

I'm not sure how to spell that sound made when you...

2008-09-28T18:16:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure how to spell that sound made when you inhale in horror. I'm glad everybody came back safe and sound. Hope the exertion didn't set your cold back.

I think we've all had an experience somewhat like ...

2008-09-27T17:12:00.000-07:00

I think we've all had an experience somewhat like this -- although probably not with as many as 100 escapees! Good thing something within us kicks in and we don't even stop to think "CAN I do this?" but rather just go into action on automatic pilot and DO it, WHATEVER it is that HAS to be done . . . and then collapse when it's over.

Who says women are the weaker sex? I have absolutely no doubt you would have done it with a broken leg and on crutches too!!

Now take care of that cold.

Mama Pea

OH MAN OH MAN!!!! I so feel your terror! Anytime t...

2008-09-26T07:41:00.000-07:00

OH MAN OH MAN!!!! I so feel your terror! Anytime the critters are out, your mind just races as to the best plan of action. And all alone, too. 100 sheep, though, oh my gosh! I had 36 goats out just last week. Fortunately they had not had a chance to wander far, still lots of nice lush grass to graze right outside the gate they pushed open. (A new paddock, no electric in it yet, and the gate wasn't secured very well.) Mine are very tame and friendly, and I was able to get most of them back inside by just walking back into the pen, picking up an empty bucket and rattling it. They probably would have all come if my not so smart, but ever faithful dog hadn't planted herself at the gate! The older ones weren't too afraid of her, and came in, only a few youngsters remained, and they were easily lured inside later. I didn't even have to run that time!
Of course the morning we awoke to find the cattle had opened their gate, and our 2,000 lb Scottish Highland bull was grazing in the yard, that's another story. He's a very gentle guy, but he isn't going to move unless he wants to! Heifers running around, out to the busy road (nothing like Hwy 52, thankfully)That was quite the morning, lots of running, cajoling, and buckets of sweet 16. Always have something you can slosh around in a bucket, preferably with lots of corn in it! You never know when you'll need it!
Good job, Catherine, I can truly appreciate your terrifying task!! May it never happen again!

Hell! I'M PROUD of YOU! I cannot believe what you ...

2008-09-26T05:20:00.000-07:00

Hell! I'M PROUD of YOU! I cannot believe what you did on the spur of the moment, feeling the way you did! You GO Girl! :) I love your blog, and am going to read your book if i ever get time to sit, and i want to tell you that sometimes i surprise myself in emergency situations too. Know that ability is in you and let it out more often. It works!