Too hot for sheep…they are ready for the shearer, complaining now that it is over 70. Too hot for shepherds, now that it was over 80. But, not too hot for Elizabeth, our most spectacular magnolia. She must be nearly 30 feet tall and covered in pale yellow  flower goblets of light lemon scent.  Too beautiful for words…a true delight to the eyes and nose.

Speaking of eyes and nose and delights… the dreaded blackflies are back!  taking their delight in our eyes and noses and ears.  Vicious little monsters, they. But, as I am reminded by David every year. they are not out there at night feasting on our bodily offerings.  That feast is left to the mosquitos. These blessedly cool nights have discouraged those summer visitors  from joining us on our nightwalks to check the sheep.

Helen is on deck for lambing..and has been for a couple days.  She is tired of me checking on her, raising her pretty head with that “please, just let me sleep, I’ll get to it when I am good and ready” look this early morning.  Me, I’m ready, can’t wait to see those lambs..she always has pretty lambs.