What will Hurricane Irene mean for our farm? Like everyone along the eastern seaboard, we're being told to brace ourselves and be ready for the worst. High winds, torrential rain and extended power outage.
Yesterday I rounded up the flock in the high pasture and brought everyone down to the barn to ride out the storm. Without power, electric fences are useless; I don't want to chasing sheep all over Patten Hill in a hurricane.
I picked as many pears as I could from the tree beside the sheep pasture. Our pears are lumpy and imperfect to the eye, but tasty. The trees are loaded this year. I'm sure the storm will shake them all loose.
The sheep love pears. I chucked a handful of bruised ones into the paddock. Clover was the first to notice.
And then Cocoa. And then everyone else.
With pear juice dripping from their wooly chins, they begged like dogs for more. I'm sure tomorrow they'll find all the pears they can eat tossed about the pasture.
It's quiet here today. I'm finishing my coffee, then on my way to the farm now to fill extra stock tanks with water, fasten windows and put storm keepers on the barn doors.
I'll ride out the storm with my knitting and a good book.
I'm sending my strongest wishes for safe passage to all readers bracing for Irene. Be well, let me know how you fare!
Those pears look beautiful! You're right the storm will send them all everywhere. The sheep have good taste in fruit. :-) Be safe and I hope the outages are minimal. I'll be thinking of you all.
Posted by: Manise | August 27, 2011 at 10:56 AM
Good to hear the sheep will be indoors for what is coming. Thanks for the pictures...the pears look delicious!
Posted by: Pamela De Leon | August 27, 2011 at 11:38 AM
Wow, who knew sheep loved pears? Well, obviously you did. They look so sweet standing by the fence waiting for more.
Stay safe. It looks like it's weakening, but still a doozy.
Posted by: Cheryl Adams | August 27, 2011 at 01:25 PM
Your pictures and postings are so sweet--they make me cry because they touch such a deep sweet spot within.
Here in California we do have earthquakes, but I can't imagine how scary it is to anticipate a hurricane.
Thanks for sharing, and here's hoping the worst of the storm doesn't touch you.
Posted by: Marcy | August 27, 2011 at 02:04 PM
Mmmm, Pears! I love how everyone crowds up against the fence. Good luck with the storm!
Posted by: Kelly | August 27, 2011 at 02:55 PM
I hope you can ride out the storm and keep safe. I hope there won't be much damage or power outage. The pears looks good. They bruise so easy especially when they are really ripe.
Posted by: Knittingdancer | August 27, 2011 at 03:22 PM
Sounds like you have it under control!
Posted by: Jennifer | August 27, 2011 at 03:32 PM
Hoping all of you come through the storm safely and without any serious damage to the farm. We'll be thinking of you, Barb!
Posted by: Valerie | August 27, 2011 at 03:40 PM
thanks for the update - it did look like you were in the path. I hope you, Mike and all the sheep/llama stay safe, warm, and dry!! I guess everyone is just expecting to stay without power....
Such cute pictures of the sheep going for the pears!
Here in MD we're still doing ok inland - west of D.C. - rain most of the afternoon, wind just starting to gust. We'll see how we fare.
The best to the rest of you all having to deal with the storm.
Marcy - we just had an earthquake out here in VA - felt it at work in MD - kind of creepy to me! I come from tornado country. I think I'll take the tropical storm effects of a hurricane if I have a choice :)
Posted by: Torre in MD | August 27, 2011 at 06:19 PM
It sounds like you have battened down the hatches well. I hope the storm will be calmer than we can imagine, so you and yours and the sheep will be safe and cozy inside :)
Posted by: Debcee | August 27, 2011 at 08:43 PM
Hope you and your farm stay safe and sound!
Posted by: sue | August 28, 2011 at 02:51 PM
I hope all is well...saw that your neck of the woods is getting hit with lots of rain and flash flooding. Definitely thinking about you today and sending best wishes...
Posted by: Susan | August 28, 2011 at 03:13 PM
I loved this image - of tossing pears to the sheep. It made my day to think that my Sheep Share yarn (which arrived just prior to Irene) came from happy sheep.
Posted by: bullwinkle | August 28, 2011 at 08:36 PM
How are you doing Barb? Franklin County got some of the worst rain totals ever with rivers still yet to crest. So many evacuated in Shelburne Falls and more in the area without power. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Posted by: karoline | August 29, 2011 at 09:13 AM
I have been thinking of all your animals every time I tune into the Weather Channel and hear the updates on the storm. I hope everyone is safe.
Posted by: Ann | August 29, 2011 at 10:19 AM
Thinking of you and all those swwet sheep faces and hoping the storm was not too hard on your beautiful farm.
Posted by: lisa | August 30, 2011 at 11:12 AM
Inquiring minds want to know: is everyone OK, now that the storm has passed?
Posted by: Susan | August 31, 2011 at 11:28 AM