Darlene and I went to the Pennsylvania Farm Show. I hadn't been in many years. Parking was difficult. Before we found parking, we ended up at an insane asylum, a.k.a. the Harrisburg Mental Hospital (ca. 1851), on the National Registry of Historic Places. We drove around. It was interesting. The Farm Show was crowded. I enjoyed it though. They had "goat cuddling." Seemed like a gold mine. Lots of food to choose from. I went to Delaware State University for a program. I had my 6th MOHS surgery. On my forehead. No big deal.
February
I took a quick trip to Mississippi State University to speak at their sheep and goat conference. After the conference I was given a tour of the university farm. I was surprised to learn that they had a rabbitry. I met the graduate student doing research with rabbits. Alex and Gabby celebrated birthdays, 17 and 10, respectively.
March
Lambing dominated the month. The first lamb was born March 9. A second group of younger ewes (housed in the carport barn) began lambing March 28. A total of 82 lambs. A few problems, but mostly a good lambing season. My first Nigerian was born on March 20. Thelma had two, but one was in the bedding dead. "Ramen" (named by Gabby) quickly became a favorite. I turned 62 this month. Mom celebrated her 94th birthday. Lara is 42.
April
Ty and I hiked to Annapolis Rock, along the Appalachian Trail. It was a moderately challenging hike, 5 miles in total. Ty and I visited Trough Creek State Park in Pennsylvania. Attractions included a balancing rock, swinging bridge, picturesque waterfall, ice cave, and old furnace. Ty and I weren't brave enough to walk up along the waterfall to reach the summit where the balancing rock was. The drive was picturesque, but there were no places to stop and get snacks or use the comfort facilities. April 14th marked the 5 year anniversary of Dad's death. ☹️ The last lambs of the season were born on April 19.
May
The other Nigerian Louise had triplets on May 3. Her kids weren't nearly as friendly as Ramen. I organized two wool judging workshops for the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival and helped with the Junior Sheep & Goat Skillathon. Ashley is now in charge of the skillathon. Later in the year, I resigned from MSBA and the festival committee. Mom and I visited Fort Ritchie. They had just reopened the church. We met an interesting lady (a local) who told us fascinating stories about the area.
June
My friend Renee and I kayaked in Mallow's Bay. Mallow's Bay is home to the Ghost Fleet: a bunch of WWI vintage ships that were sunk in the bay. Parts of them rise above the waters. Oliver (age 4) was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. Highly unusual for a cat his age. He started receiving medication. His next visit showed his T4 levels too low, so his medication was halved. Cash turned 1 and continues to be a bundle (large) of joy.
July
I spent a little over two weeks in England, Scotland, and Paris. The first week was a "sheep safari" of the Yorkshire Dales. It was my second visit to the region, but different and I enjoyed it very much. We spent two days at the Great Yorkshire Show. Instead of Kiplin Hall, we stayed at a big (private) house in Reeth, a picturesque village near Yorkshire National Park. The goal was to spend the second week in Scotland and travel through Paris on the way home. I spent my first day touring Edinburgh, then I came down with Covid. It hit me fast. I had to opt out of my 5-day tour of the Highlands. Instead I stayed at a hotel in Falkirk. After a couple of days, I started venturing out. I visited Stirling Castle, the Kelpies, and the Falkirk Wheel. I took a 5+ mile walk along the Forth & Clyde Canal. I was still able to go on my Outlander tour. I loved it. We had a great tour guide, ironically named Jamie. My layover in Paris seemed like a good idea when I arranged it, but turned out not to be so good. It was a week before the Olympics and I was still recovering from Covid. Well, at least I knocked Paris off my bucket list. I saw the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triumph, even found a magnet with the only two things I saw in Paris.
August
My great niece Gabby stayed with me for a few days. She's a hoot. We had fun. She loves Ramen the goat. I took my Mom to Trough Creek State Park. From there, we visited Raystown Lake. This time we saw the dam. We got twisted around driving home. I volunteered to help with the 4-H Rabbit Judging Contest (and skillathon) at the Maryland State Fair. I always enjoy the state fair.
September
Ty and I took an epic trip to Maine. The destination was Acadia National Park. It's been on my bucket list for many years. It was worth the wait. On the way back we stopped to visit friends Jim and Carol. We stayed overnight. I began fostering a kitten. There was a stray kitten (orange tabby) hovering around the road a few houses down from me. I was worried that it might get hit by a car. A neighbor trapped and brought the kitten to me. I made a pen in the basement. It didn't take long to gentle him. I named him KC -- short for "kitty cat." I found a home for him with my good friend Dahlia and her son Eric. My friend Steffanie and I bought two new stud rams via an online auction at North Carolina State University. We named them Thunder and Lightening. Lightening turned out to be on the small side (didn't know if he could breed some of my big ewes), so I renamed him Munchkin. We'll see what he bred and how he grows out. The best ram I used was one I bred (Falkirk). He's sired by the USDA ram and out of a Weeks ewe. He's a big boy. Was nice, now he's getting pushy. Typical ram.
October
I took a three day trip to Virginia State University for a hair sheep field day. I stayed with Dahlia. I had not seen her since before Covid. I brought KC with me. Her son Eric loved him. He decided to keep the name I had given the kitten. They had all sorts of stuff for the cat already. Dahlia and Eric continue to send me pictures of KC. October is a splendid month to travel. I took Mom to Berkeley Springs Park. I dipped my feet in the "magical" waters of the hot springs. On Halloween, I took Ty to the Catoctin Aqueduct on the C&O Canal. Ty and I made several other trips to the canal during the month. Robin and Kevin celebrated birthdays on the 27th. We celebrated Kevin's 40th at a "Brazilian Steakhouse." Forgot the name of it. Rams went in October 15.
November
Ty and I visited Lock 56 and Lockhouse 56. It was in a very remote area. Later, I took Mom on the same scenic drive. Mom and I took an overnight trip to Delaware. We had lunch with Wayne. I hadn't seen my "old" boss since I left Wicomico County in 2001. It was great to see him. He's in his early 80's and is doing well. Next we visited with Kevin, Briana, Isabella, and Jack. Jack seemed to have made progress since we last saw him. We enjoyed our visit very much. Our last stop was Lewes to visit cousin Karen and her husband Ira. They have a very nice place. It was a nice visit. We hadn't seen Karen since Dad's memorial.
December
Oliver went back to the vet. It seemed as if he'd lost weight (he had), and his vomiting had become too too frequent. The vet did more blood work. Some of his numbers were high, so he was dewormed and underwent a 10-day treatment with an antibiotic and medicine for gut inflammation. I also started giving him extra food to try to put weight back on him. Ty and I spent a brisk day walking around historic Harper's Ferry. I learned a lot. Mom and I attended the annual Rowe Christmas party on the 14th. The WMREC office party was on the 16th. I brought Mom along. Christmas was me, Robin, Mom, and Robin's friend Sally. I made roulodan. It's been several years since we had it. Robin celebrated Christmas with her kids and grandkids the Saturday before Christmas. The Redskins/Commanders had a great December and clinched a playoff bid. Our QB is unbelievable.
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