I was heading out to the gym this afternoon but when I opened the back door, I was startled to see a woman pulling and coaxing a white lamb towards the pasture.

I couldn’t imagine who it was. When I got closer, I saw it was our friend Liz (and our shearer) wrestling a fiesty lamb. She had told us earlier in the day that she would probably bring the lamb she wanted us to have (we just got two of hers a couple of weeks ago.)

Liz has too many sheep and she can’t bear to send these little guys to market. Liz doesn’t believe in making phone calls. When she feels like it, she comes, and we are always very happy to see her.

We are delighted to see our flock refreshed. I realized today that since Red died, I’ve stayed away from the sheep. I just realized it is too painful for me to spend much time with them. Red and I always did this together.

I didn’t realize that until today, I was so happy to see the flock with three lambs. Maria was glowing all afternoon.

We’d like some help in naming this guy, who is four or five months old and has a speckled nose. The lambs are re-kindling my love of being a shepherd and having sheep. They will also provide Maria with some spectacular yarn.

Liz stayed to talk for a few minutes, then got into her truck and headed back to Vermont.

Maria and I would both like some help naming him. Maria is willing to offer some free magnets to the winner of the naming contest, details here.

Please send your name ideas to her, she’s giving out the magnets.