May 2, 2010 – Full day for Rose. We herded the sheep at Merck Forest, and then she got back and Darryl Kuehne brought the first load of sheep coming to Bedlam Farm for summer camp, and to eat my grass instead of his. Rose took charge and the sheep – four of them were here before – settled in and waded into the clover.

I have to say this makes me uneasy. Animals are a big  responsibility. The sheep just got sheared, so I have to watch for wounds and maggots. It is good to  have animals here. The farm has come to life, and it is also a surprise to Maria, who will be at work until 8 and doesn’t know they are here.

It did make me a bit anxious, but it also felt good. Some sheep and two donkeys are a far cry from the two steers, a cow, three goats, six chickens and a rooster, four donkeys and nearly 30 sheep. Plus a tractor. I learned a lot from those animals. One of the things I learned was that I had lost touch with reality. Getting it back was hard won. People who have been through that understand. But they are here for the summer, will not interfere with my writing. Rose is happy, for sure.

And I have plenty of grass and fresh water, so I don’t have to do much but take photos and look up in the morning and see them grazing on the hill. That will feel good. Another trailer load is coming in a week or so.