May 30, 2008 – Warm, cloudy. Rain coming. It’s supposed to rain much of today, but the sheep have to graze either way, so I will get out the rainslicker and hike up the hill with Rose. One of the most annoying cliches I hear – and I hear it all the time – is that problems are often a gift, and like most cliches, this one is often true.
 I was frantic to see how two of my pastures have been worn down by over-grazing and under seeding and yet, it is one of the best things to happen this summer. I take the sheep out twice a day, for a couple of hours each time. It is tiring, and eats up a lot of the day. I love it.
  It has been wonderful working so much with Rose, and it has reconnected me and deeply, to the farm.
   Sometimes I take Lenore, but I always take Rose (Izzy isn’t ready to go solo with the sheep off of my property – too risky). It is always a pleasure to watch Rose, who wades through grass, fends off flies, hot sun and sometimes just gets tired. The sheep never stray far when she’s around, and while I sit sometimes and read- mornings I walk with Rose and the sheep through the woods – I love working with her. It has been good for her. Four hours of herding sheep a day hones our work together and it is getting sharper and more reflexive.
 When I show up with Rose at the gate, the sheep head up the hill. If I walk, they will follow me, Rose bringing up the rear. I love when they find good grass, and spread out and crunch away. When they are full one or two of the ewes lies down, and then I walk to the gate and they follow me, Rose shooting behind.
   I am always learning something about herding, including the strange dance that goes on between shepherd, dog and sheep. I almost always go alone, but will invite some friends. This morning, Lenore lay at my feet and dozed while I read, then listened to Eva Cassidy and EmmyLou Harris (I do think she has a crush on me) while Rose tore through the meadow grass keeping an eye on her flock. It is a wonderful day to begin any morning, although my ankle is already sore.
  I dread re-seeding these pastures, but I am glad they are shot through. Troubles are sometimes a gift.