tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671526.post3499574700138622284..comments2024-03-12T03:38:06.706-05:00Comments on <b> A Shepherd's Voice</b>: Bad Karma.....Nancy K.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06061265740359266798noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671526.post-90014071561154561252010-12-13T17:58:25.384-06:002010-12-13T17:58:25.384-06:00Nancy, I'm so sorry for your horrific day. {{{...Nancy, I'm so sorry for your horrific day. {{{VB HUGS}}}<br /><br />It's not all bad taking animals to the sale barn. There are good sale barns and bad and it sounds like you have a good one being the sheep were being treated kindly. <br /><br />It's very very possible the sheep got GOOD new homes. Some folks prefer to "shop" at sale barns and know what they are doing! Some are families looking for good stock and a chance at GOOD luck in finding stock for their start up herd/flock/etc.<br /><br />Please don't berate yourself for circumstances you can't control. It's a bad time right now and sometimes one has to do what one has to do. It's much much better to take a few to the sale barn than to not have enough feed for the whole flock/herd, etc. It does show that you are a GOOD caretaker of the animals in your care that you won't make them go hungry. As hard as it is, it really is better to put some in the hands of others in bad times and it's up to those next owners and their Lord for them to do right by the animals he entrusts to them. I've sold animals and had them end up in a home much lacking compared to what I expected. I've sold in the sale barns and had them go to excellelnt homes.<br /><br />Chin up and you did just fine. I'm sorry for the injuries. Don't you wish we had magic wands to heal ourselves faster?<br /><br />Hugs to you! You have a GOOD heart and you're a GOOD caretaker!~*~ Shar ~*~https://www.blogger.com/profile/11260792476651908080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671526.post-44141122936114964712008-10-28T15:09:00.000-05:002008-10-28T15:09:00.000-05:00Wow! What a terrible experience. I have never take...Wow! What a terrible experience. I have never taken any of my animals to the sale barn and don't think I ever will. This year, I started talking about butchering goats that weren't selling, which shocked my human kids. I didn't think I'd ever butcher goats, but I'd rather do that than take them to the sale barn. They are selling, although VERY slowly, so I think I might be spared that experience for this year at least.<BR/><BR/>As someone else said, the economy has failed you -- and all of us. People can't afford to buy new stock, AND hay prices are skyrocketing WHEN you can find it. That's not a good combination.Deborah Niemannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10754242197245805551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671526.post-25576435352649618392008-10-27T09:01:00.000-05:002008-10-27T09:01:00.000-05:00Poor you Nancy, I've only just been catching up wi...Poor you Nancy, I've only just been catching up with everyone's blogs so just read this.<BR/><BR/>Don't beat yourself up, it is just part of the reality of keeping livestock that we have to sell some of them on and we can't always choose who buys: or at least those of us without bottomless pockets can't! <BR/><BR/>Just remember the great service that you're doing for the Shetland breed and how happy your stock are. It's not all bad news at auctions: I recently helped a friend of mine sell some of hers and she was dreading them going as culls or ending up somewhere horrid. In the end however some lovely people bought a lot of them and they have happy new homes :o)Jenny Holdenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17503427796709597517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671526.post-52929076336308862132008-10-26T11:35:00.000-05:002008-10-26T11:35:00.000-05:00Oh Nancy - how heartbreaking to have to do this. ...Oh Nancy - how heartbreaking to have to do this. It takes so much courage. Please don't beat yourself up over it - it's something that we all as farmers will have to face at one time or another - and the experience is never pleasant. I've been there as well. Have a nice big cup of hot chocolate and go sit with your sheep - they will make you feel better.Tammy W.https://www.blogger.com/profile/10931554158709322638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671526.post-13395727222892925722008-10-26T10:24:00.000-05:002008-10-26T10:24:00.000-05:00As the Farm Witch says, sometimes it's a miserable...As the Farm Witch says, sometimes it's a miserable thing to be a farmer, it comes with the territory.<BR/><BR/>You aren't suffering because of karma - look at all those other farmers who were there, doing the same thing, and they weren't having the problems you were having. You are suffering because you are a good, kind and loving person... and it's not a bad thing that you are a good, kind and loving person. It's just an uncomfortable thing, at the moment.<BR/><BR/>'This, too, shall pass' - until then, treat yourself the same way that you would treat a friend in the same circumstances, a friend who did the best they could and still had to make hard decisions. You deserve a little comforting!Eileenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11442325235793131536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671526.post-84288543234684604612008-10-25T15:23:00.000-05:002008-10-25T15:23:00.000-05:00So sorry to read about your injuries and having to...So sorry to read about your injuries and having to sell some of your sheep. I hope you are on the mend. <BR/>Diane/Bloomington,IN.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671526.post-9063422161874131462008-10-25T15:00:00.000-05:002008-10-25T15:00:00.000-05:00I am so sorry Nancy. I suspected that is why we h...I am so sorry Nancy. I suspected that is why we hadn't heard from you. I am glad you are feeling well enough to share your story and take comfort from your friends.Karahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02306393089259457114noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671526.post-41198274446221089972008-10-25T06:41:00.000-05:002008-10-25T06:41:00.000-05:00I just want to take a moment to Thank You all for...I just want to take a moment to <B>Thank You </B> all for your love and support. It means more to me than you can know. It helps to heal my wounded soul.<BR/><BR/>And thanks to those of you who contacted me personally to offer your support. I am often amazed by the kindness of "strangers".<BR/><BR/>There will be better times ahead in the Bluff Country. This I do know. Thank you all for helping me to get through one of the darkest times...<BR/><BR/>With Love,<BR/><BR/>NancyNancy K.https://www.blogger.com/profile/06061265740359266798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671526.post-90363781063128764012008-10-25T00:21:00.000-05:002008-10-25T00:21:00.000-05:00Dear Nancy, I am so sorry that you had to take the...Dear Nancy, I am so sorry that you had to take the sheep to the auction barn. Knowing how you love your sheep makes me also know what this cost you emotionally. I am holding you in my heart and mind. Thank you for the sweet photo....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671526.post-4672797369500405902008-10-25T00:11:00.000-05:002008-10-25T00:11:00.000-05:00Im so sorry mom, i had no idea how difficult your ...Im so sorry mom, i had no idea how difficult your day had been when i talked to you. I knew it had been hard, but goodness. I just wantedto say how proud i am of you. I know howhard it must have been because you do love your animals so. But I hope that will also be a reason you dont feel as guilty. Remember how we always joked "if im reincarnated i want to come back as one of nancy's animals!"?? You did what you HAD to do, and gave those sheep an amazing life while you had them. I hope you never feel the need to "apologize" to your animals again. If you had them for only a week they would benefit; you cannot, possibly!, be a failure to your flock. The economy had failed you, and you're doing the best you can to help as many of your flock as you can. Again, i am proud of my mom. All my love, <BR/><BR/>Katiecrombiekatiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04925476922009964492noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671526.post-62627900990912094302008-10-25T00:08:00.000-05:002008-10-25T00:08:00.000-05:00Oh Nancy.....my heart and prayers go out to you. I...Oh Nancy.....my heart and prayers go out to you. I cried when I read this post. These are hard times for all...including those creatures we love so dearly. Sadly, none of us knows what lies ahead so we have to do what we have to do in anticipation. Mical told me the barn came in at double the budget. Ouch. And...I didn't even put up those chandeliers or surround sound :-) You know I'm kidding don't you??? But...I'm so grateful to have the new barn this winter even if we have to cut back elsewhere. <BR/><BR/>I think it's a good time for all of us to sit down and count our blessings and take joy where we can in the simple things because it's those that soothe our souls. Even when I've had the worst day I know I can go outside and hug on the goats and pass out cookies and it will lift my spirits. <BR/><BR/>You never cease to amaze me at all you do by yourself. You are an inspiration to all of us. You are the Good Shepherd.Yellow Jacket Ridge Angorashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07465844829245862850noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671526.post-59079015726026588432008-10-24T22:47:00.000-05:002008-10-24T22:47:00.000-05:00What a horrible, lousy day! I am so sorry you had...What a horrible, lousy day! I am so sorry you had to experience it, some days it just doesn't pay to get out of bed. Hang in there, times are tough but I can tell you are a tough person and you will get through this.Jenniferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17664824920459341153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671526.post-91829349202411315942008-10-24T21:56:00.000-05:002008-10-24T21:56:00.000-05:00I admire you strength to do what you did & for...I admire you strength to do what you did & for sharing it with everyone that reads your blogs. I know that choice to go to market/auction is one that I struggle with the most & I know one day I will have to make that hard decision also. I can deny it all I want, but it will happen. I kept reading to hear that you just said heck with it & took them all home but life's lesson are not always like that. Some how we become stronger individuals through moments like this. My heart & warmest sheepy hugs go out to you:)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14070606564603963629noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671526.post-41548356389749501212008-10-24T20:55:00.000-05:002008-10-24T20:55:00.000-05:00I'm so sorry you had such a traumatic time. I've ...I'm so sorry you had such a traumatic time. I've been sitting here wiping away the tears. It is still unsettling for me to take any of them to the sale barn....even after all these years.<BR/>I'm sure your prayers brought the buyers like me. When I visit the barn - I specifically look for your kind of sheep, and we try to visit often.<BR/>I also wish I were closer. I'd bring my boys to finish your wall, while we sat having tea and talking about your beautiful flock. (((HUGS))) for your heart and hopes you mend quickly.Gizmohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12536962650196564993noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671526.post-26950543457478741992008-10-24T20:14:00.000-05:002008-10-24T20:14:00.000-05:00Dear Nancy,I am so sorry for your pain. I hope you...Dear Nancy,<BR/>I am so sorry for your pain. I hope you recover soon. <BR/>Angela in MissouriAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671526.post-46400870399546263532008-10-24T19:34:00.000-05:002008-10-24T19:34:00.000-05:00Nancy,It was painful to read even though you had a...Nancy,<BR/><BR/>It was painful to read even though you had already told me the story when I helped you trim hooves a couple days later on Sunday. I was glad I could help and have missed your postings, too. Did you get that mohair we left on the back porch back in before it rained? Hope so. I still haven't sorted mine--hope to this weekend. Take care and I hope your leg is still healing well.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671526.post-199227635286278112008-10-24T15:44:00.000-05:002008-10-24T15:44:00.000-05:00I knew that something was wrong when you didn't po...I knew that something was wrong when you didn't post for such a long time. I am so sorry that you had to do such a traumatic thing. I still want those two girls if only I could figure out how I could get the dollars. Take care of yourself.Sharriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09631430089056544389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671526.post-67903935014414502452008-10-24T14:46:00.000-05:002008-10-24T14:46:00.000-05:00Nancy I'm so sorry to hear about the awful day you...Nancy I'm so sorry to hear about the awful day you've had. Take a few days off and just rest, would you please? :)<BR/> I cried the first time I took sheep to auction. It isn't even like butchering chickens, the sheep have so much personality comapred to other livestock. I do call some of them friends. <BR/> And although I get attached to the sheep, too, I make myself take them to auction many times a year now, and it does get a little easier the more I do it. I have no choice, I have to move some of them out of here. <BR/> I do not stay to watch my sheep go through the ring. That is way too hard for me.Juliannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08180577028964783681noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671526.post-50561127804064887122008-10-24T14:40:00.000-05:002008-10-24T14:40:00.000-05:00I kept hoping through the various parts (the bent ...I kept hoping through the various parts (the bent lock, the runaway ewe) that your post would end with you taking the hint and bringing them all back home. I'm so sorry that wasn't an option. I, too, would direct-market lamb if someone HAD to die to make room on the place; while it would be terrible for me, I do think it would be easier on the sheep.Michellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01550786937196525098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671526.post-34689145720887036132008-10-24T14:06:00.000-05:002008-10-24T14:06:00.000-05:00Oh Nancy, what a horrible day that was! I have to ...Oh Nancy, what a horrible day that was! I have to admit though, the way you told it had me laughing at times. I'm still chuckling at the truck part - wouldn't that be an ironic way for a shepherdess to go? LOL. I've never taken sheep to the sales barn either. I just don't like not knowing their fate. Of course, you can always hope that Gemini is now living in someone else's flock though. I like to line up buyers for the lamb and then bring the sheep directly to the butcher myself. Or even better is when we can do the slaughter right here. I know it sounds morbid, but after witnessing it, I've seen how little stress they go through that way. The other good thing about direct marketing the lamb is that you can have the pelt/fleece. I have three gorgeous 3/4 ram lambs and two very sweet Shetland boys with tight horns that need to go also. We'll be direct marketing them - even working out trades for pottery, etc. Let's hope we all have better years to come in our shepherding endeavors!Becky Utechthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08664957352385337093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671526.post-66189447002812383162008-10-24T12:57:00.000-05:002008-10-24T12:57:00.000-05:00Nancy, I am so sorry for the anguish you've had to...Nancy, I am so sorry for the anguish you've had to go through. We are in the same boats here. I have even offered a ewe to a person who said they just can't afford the gas to come get her. It's been sad here too. We have a much smaller place, so have to keep our numbers small and the genetics moving. You will see on my blog that even Skit is for sale. It was an incredibly hard decision for me as I love hime dearly, but I need a new ram for genetics and don't have room for two. (But don't worry if he doesn't sell - he's my buddy and I'd sell Ralph before I'd let Skit go to any auction or worse. He just needs a home where he has more ewes to "play" with.<BR/>Those of us who haven't had to make these kind of decisions should consider themselves lucky. <BR/>Hugs to you from us here in the SW...Kathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16933105773412843275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671526.post-28427303608271489032008-10-24T11:51:00.000-05:002008-10-24T11:51:00.000-05:00Oh what a sad time for you! I don't know how much ...Oh what a sad time for you! I don't know how much it costs to keep a sheep but what if you did a sponsorship with people? They get the fleece each year and pay for the cost of keeping the sheep or part of the cost? I would be interested.Jodyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15665272462573135734noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671526.post-14707708369963652442008-10-24T11:42:00.000-05:002008-10-24T11:42:00.000-05:00I can't even imaging how difficult a day this must...I can't even imaging how difficult a day this must have been--both physically AND emotionally. This is why I slap myself twice really hard when I think maybe it would be nice to breed Big Face and have another little lamb.Pamelahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02853793959909472712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671526.post-54397903738264682092008-10-24T11:19:00.000-05:002008-10-24T11:19:00.000-05:00Nancy you had me in tears in the first part of the...Nancy you had me in tears in the first part of the post. And between grimacing and shuddering to your unfortunate luck, the way you were writing made me laugh. Only because you are a great story teller and I love the way you describe things (and picturing you TELLING me about it) Some days its better to just stay in bed. I think you are right....stay away from the sale barn!Ebonwald Cardiganshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17749634503191909772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671526.post-77009485185426225482008-10-24T11:04:00.000-05:002008-10-24T11:04:00.000-05:00Oh! I was choking up as I read this post!! I have ...Oh! I was choking up as I read this post!! I have been there once before myself and swore I would never do it again either. It was horrible reading about how you kept getting hurt too, wish I was closer to help you...and to give you a hug. TammyGone2theDawgshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07138393137324890048noreply@blogger.com