You know when it rains it pours.  And that isn't just a saying in this case.  First, the Storms missed us again but provided much needed rain to our area.  On the other hand I have to tell you that there has been another who has passed from my life.  This time it wasn't a lamb though.  It was my Dad's Uncle.  His Name was Shoat Webster and I think it is safe to say he was one Hell of a man.  He was everything I want to be.  A real Cowboy for one.  This is taken from the ProRodeo Hall of Fame web site. 

The Sky After getting through the worst of the storms...

She has a boo boo on her knee from jumping out of the pen She was in waiting for me to get there to pick her up.... It is fine just scraped ... And look finally a sheep that makes Jethro look small ... They are the same age ... LOL

The cutest Blue Butt ever ... Yup she should be bred ...

    Most the time farm life is great but then sometimes farm life isn't so kind.  Last night was one of those nights.  Cheyenne, Chicksaw and Quapaw are the littlest lambs and we had been fighting coccidiosis for  the flock for the last week.  I guess I have to come clean and tell you that Chickasaw lost her fight earlier to coccidiosis.  And then last night Cheyenne finally gave up as well.  With them being the smallest lambs and bottle babies the cards were stacked against them.  Powdered Milk just doesn't have the antibodies that little one need  to get the best start on life but we do the best we can with what we have and that is powdered milk, Vitamins and Electrolytes.  At this point Quapaw is holding his own and if we just can get ahead of the scours the Vet says he will be fine (that is what he said about the other two as well and we just couldn't get a handle on it with them even though we tried)  We are staying on top of things with medications about every 6 hours or so.  And as always we are saying our Prayers .... yes we are asking that you say a prayer for him too Please or send Mojo or what ever it is that you do. 
    After Cheyenne past I could tell Mom was heart broken.  Most the time Mom is the one trying to make everyone else feel better and tries to keep laughing and keep things upbeat.  Last night however for the first time in along time Mom didn't laugh or really even say anything at all.  She even went to bed early.  Then the storms moved in.  Mom was up and down with thunder and lightening and even hail at one point.  Then some time between the hail and the rain Momma Shetland went to sleep never to wake this morning.  Mom went from Heartbroke to crushed because those were her favorite buddies.  Both would run up to her when ever she said anything.  It was like her voise spoke to them and when they heard it they would come running.  Even as Momma lost her sight she would always find Mom by her voice and get treats.  
    As for me I am not happy about it but I kept busy today working cattle for a guy to pick up some cash to pay for my gas to go get the New bred Dorset tomorrow.  I am trying to be positive and believe with all my heart that the worst of this has passed and that everyone including Quapaw will be fine.  I am also trying to keep my thoughts occupied with good thoughts about those babies still to come.  Wendie's, Carrie's and the new Dorset's.  By the way I am looking for a name for her.  It needs to be a famous Oklahoman.  If you have any ideas let me know.  The only one I can think of is Reba but Mom says Patti Page (who ever that is) is also from Oklahoma.... The boys I have covered.

Will Rogers
Roy Rogers
Roy Clark
Blake Shelton
Vince Gill
Ronnie Dunn
Toby Keith
Garth Brooks
Dr. Phil
Paul Harvey
Johnny Carson
Pretty Boy Floyd

The list men goes on and on but the new Momma isn't a ram so I am over my head with this one ...

    So I thought today would get better.  I was wrong.  I went to work normal enough.  Only to come home and find that Dimples had given birth while I was gone.  The baby wasn't cleaned all the way and wasn't alive.  I don't know if me being here would have made a difference but I do think that I am going to give up on Breeding Angora Goats.  I know I made a good product but without the herd growing I can't keep going.  Mom still believes with all her heart that it is just another way that we are being guided to the Original RJ's Qts Designer sheep .... The Quads and the Trips.  I am thinking it is time to sit back down and rethink this whole thing. 

    I know that sometimes things aren't for us to understand.  But I am human and I still ask why.  Today the Question is Why did Juneau have to pass from this life so soon??  I called the Vet this morning after I did chores and he told me the news.  The only thing that we are 100% sure of is that for whatever reason Juneau's blood sugar bottomed out yesterday and he never recovered.  While he showed improvement yesterday, he didn't make it through the night. 
    Mom is going a bit overboard and has all the Alpaca's penned.  She is watching them like a hawk.  And when she isn't checking them she has me running out to the barn yard to check them.  She has questioned everything we have done.  From Shearing to weed control to a vitamin deficiency.  She has even dug up her flowers along the fence line because she read that some were poisonous to Alpacas.  The flowers aren't in the pasture but they are along the fence line and she said she is just moving them because she isn't taking any chances.  
    I guess it is Mom's way of dealing with what has happened.  Some how I guess she thinks some how she can keep it from happening again.  The truth is we can't prevent it if we don't know why it happened.  So that brings me back to my question of Why.   As for me, I want to try and think of things that I am thankful for.  It kind of puts a good out weighs the bad spin on things. 

As a Son I am thankful for my Mother who is emotionaly Strong.
     And for a Father who corrects me when I am wrong. 
As an Indian I am thankful for the land which I come 
    And for the heavens that watch over me since my journey begun.  
As a farmer I am thankful for the rain and the sun 
    For we need both not just one.  
As a country boy I am thankful for the ground on which I live.
    And for the harvest that it is sure to give.  
As a rancher I am thankful for each animal that we have in our care 
    And I Pray they will always be there. 
And when my time comes to visit the purley gates, I can only Pray
    that I am told that my footprints on this Earth will never be washed away.    
                
                                                                                                        Author
                                                                                                          Christy Straw

    Mom wrote that for me years ago and yes it is simple but sometimes it helps to reread it ... Expecialy when the going gets tough.
    Tonight Juneau was brought home to rest here on the farm right next to Statler.  Before we committed his to the land I did trim the front tough of hair from his forehead for Mom.  As most of you know the alpacas were part of the shares and therefor we never kept any.  I thought Mom would at least want a little bit to hold on to.  And just so you know ... until further notice there will be no flowers along the fence line.  Mom is however saying she will put in a flower spot near the spot where we have treasured loved ones buried.   
    I do need to add one little thing here... And that is a word of Thanks to my "Fairy Godmother"  When we got to the Vet's office to settle up and bring Juneau home we were handed a receipt that said the bill was taken care of by my Fairy Godmother... So to you I say from the bottom of all our hearts,  Thank you ... It was a beautiful act of kindness.

    I know I already posted today but there is some bad news that I need to let everyone in on.  Little Rerun was wobbly at his feeding so I called a fellow shepherd and doctored him once more.  I left him for one hour to get some other things done around the house Mom wanted done and when I went to check him Mom said if he wasn't any better we were going to move him into the house.  Well, When I got to the barn he had already passed.  I don't understand it but I do know that he had been sick since he was born and his Mom was sick just before she was bred.  (If you remember we put her in with Elliot because he was young and we didn't think he could breed with her.  The plan had been to NOT breed her but it didn't work out that way.)
    Anyway,  Mom and I both shed our tears for the little one and Pray that all the others will be just fine.