June 1, 2008 – I loved this photo this morning of a slice of my life. Keith Mann, a Hospice honcho, and his wife Laura came over to go grazing with me early this morning, and it was very meaningful to me to see the farm work its magic on them. Under Rose’s watchful and vigilant eye, they came up the hill (and brought Dunkin Donuts coffee, very welcome) and walked with Rose and Lenore and I as we grazed the sheep. Mostly because of Annie, I think, the animals have a pull over people, and make them feel welcome, even loved.
  I don’t have much to do with sheep, but they call came over to visit Keith and Laura (Lenore was kissing everybody in the background) and, standing back, with my camera, I made a note to remember how fortunate I was to have a farm like this, and animal who are so welcoming and sociable.
  I don’t really think about it that much, but there aren’t all that many sheep who would make it a point to be go gracious to visitors. I’m badgering Steve McLean to come grazing. After all, he ought to be drawn to the notion of a shepherd, since he is one. But like me he does a lot of joyous racing around.
  It was, to me, a lovely scene, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Keith didn’t go out and get some sheep. Keith is  director of volunteers for Washington County Hospice and Palliative Care, and my boss as a volunteer (I call him “Sarge”) and I am grateful for his friendship. He is one of those honest, open and conscientious people I respect and feel comfortable with.