“I am gone. I’m totally lost in this…” I heard myself say. Just 5 minutes before, I had my fingers deep in crimpy wool that was happily still attached to its owner. I forgot her name (don’t tell her). Maybe it was Polly. I must have blacked out from sheer joy. But she graciously played right into my hopes and dreams by cautiously approaching me and then staying glued to my side. If my scratching and petting lapsed in attention she gave me a little nudge - “ehm… aren’t you here to see me?” "Yes, you certainly are the star” my hand would respond.
Rion and I recently had the pleasure of driving up into the mountains to escape the heat and take, what Elke of Wellspring Farms calls, Sheep 101.
Call me obsessed, nerdy, in over my head, or really, call me whatever you want. I will be too busy reliving that afternoon and planning our own fluffball acquisition.
Like I said… I’m gone.
Elke was kind enough to walk us through the ins and outs of raising sheep in this area. Her sheep, meanwhile, were plotting a sly plan to make sure I never focused on anything but sheep ever again. I am fairly certain they succeded.
Elke’s Tunis sheep (of which, Polly, was a proud member) did a particular number on me. Tunis are both a heritage breed (meaning they’re breeds from pre-industrialized farming) and a conservation breed (meaning there aren’t many left). Though they may have recently had the conservation label lifted.
Tunis are linked to our nation’s history, like so many animals are linked to human history. Fat-tailed sheep from North Africa were gifted to George Washington in the late 1700’s. American Tunis came from these sheep making them one of the oldest breeds of livestock developed in America.
They were of such importance that Union soldiers nearly wiped out the entire population to try and starve the Confederate soldiers.
Thankfully they were not completely destroyed, which gave me the opportunity to meet Polly this past Sunday. The Tunis have a sweet red face that may cause, in the observer, violent waves of desire to squish and cuddle. Similar to what happens when you see a floppy puppy or pudgy baby legs. Must squeeze. But of course, you will not squeeze because of respect and all that.
I did scratch though. And both Polly and I were blissfully content.
Next week I will be traveling but I hope in the following weeks I will be able to update you on some natural yarn dyeing I’m attempting. And maybe, in the future, I’ll be able to dye my very own Tunis yarn.
Be still my heart.
In the meantime, enjoy this video of me being overly cautious while learning to trim hooves.
Love this so much! I went to NY sheep and wool fest with my mom one year and made her go back to the sheep multiple times for pets 🫶