The Perfect Day

During the night there was a loud storm with strong gusts of wild wind and sheets of rain that poured off the roof. At sunrise,though, a bright, warm, beautiful world opened up. Evidently It's Indian Summer and I am enjoying the perfect day.
Harry started our day right by making us a breakfast of omelets, then the Baa Brothers and I did a whole 15 minutes of fall clean up:

















Then, we went for a long walk:





(We are so grateful for our miles of conservation land just a short walk from Saturday Farm and this is such a gorgeous time of year. Sometimes we pack some wine and bread and cheese amd spend hours walking the trails. Harry never seems to mind all of the little stops I make to check things out or to take pictures.











(That's my buddy there, Handyman Harry.)





We didn't run across anyone on our walk except this artist working on the little wooden bridge.











(Our pc is broken, so I took all of these photos with my phone so I could upload them to this blog.)
Now, I'm on the couch writing to you and watching the game with Harry. Like I said -the perfect day. Tell me, what is your perfect day?
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Why Sheep?

This post is for my urban friends and some of my artist friends who ask me 1) How did I even think of getting sheep and why? 2) Is it taking away from my art?
Farm animals appeal to me because they are generally working animals that give more than they take, which is why farmers have them - you have to be very practical to make a living as a farmer; you can't afford to keep animals that take resources and don't give back. Working with animals and giving animals the opportunity to work with us is a way of bringing mystery and magic into our life. A farm animal can give us that and affection, delight, joy and practical, tangible gifts like wool, fertilizer,mowing, weeding, eggs, milk, cheese... the list goes on and on. I'd mention meat and leather, but that is obvious and I'm a vegetarian so I'll leave that for someone else. :-) We need to be aware that animals can live without us, but we cannot live without them. I believe they are happy to work with us, but they do not need to be slaves to us and we do not need to be slaves to them either. They have a lot to teach us and give to us.
The other day my friend, Jenny, brought her daughter Emma over because Emma wanted to ride in the wagon. It was a big success. Jenny asked me how this fit into my life. And, actually, you know what? I realize that I believe this is art. It gives to people most if not all of the pleasure that I want people to get from my other creative work and I approached it like I do an art project. I had a vision of the Baa Brothers pulling a wagon and then I pulled together the media (the wagon, harness, etc) and worked to achieve it for the visual and tactile delight. I believe that if people have time with the Baa Boys (and other animals) they will be changed, delighted, touched, brought into the present moment....

The Baa Brothers on Youtube pulling a wagon

Here they are and I'm very excited that they've been able to pull the wagon so well and at such a nice pace to pull children. If anyone knows of anyone else who has taught their sheep to pull a wagon or a cart, I am very interested in communicating with someone who has done this before.
Here is the Youtube link to see the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTkP3xVYr1I
Two Sheep Pulling a Wagon

Deborah Ann's Rainbow

Yesterday was another beautiful day and the Baa Brothers and I went out at lunch to visit Deborah Ann at her Rainbow- a wonderful shop in Dennisport attached to The Dennisport Natural Market. You can check out her website at http://www.deborahannsrainbow.com. She says she stocks her store with items for the inner spirit and that's definitely true for me. She has books, crystals, CDs, DVDs, calendars, cards, toys, Cape Cod gifts, oracle and tarot cards, chimes.... she fits a lot into s small shop and I visit her whenever I need a gift or an uplift. I also took an art/spirit class at Deborah Ann's Rainbow this week called Soul Collage taught by Brenda Fernandez. I loved it. In the above photo we're trying to get the boys to face the camera. It's not easy because they want to go into the shop. 'After all,' they say,'why are we here?' And, yes; as you noticed in the picture, my hair completely changed color this summer. I think it must be angel hair. :-)

'Do you think after this photo, Bromley, they are finally going to let us shop for our inner spirit?'

The Baa Brothers first Gig

This week I was all busy and anticipatory getting ready for the boys first gig at the
Harwich Junior Theater. (www.hjtcapecod.org) The Harwich Junior Theater is a wonderful theater and they continue to impress me with their outstanding performances. It's not just for children; people of all ages love this theater.
You are probably imagining that I was putting in a lot of effort training and costuming the boys because they were going to be in a big production. No, this was a children's class and the Baa Brothers were only asked to show up. I'm the one who got a bee in my bonnet about dressing them up. I also decided they had to have a magical impact. I started making costumes and knitting little socks with bells. Of course, the night before it started raining and then pouring and pouring. When I went to put them to bed in their little house, they were soaked. (They live outside, but they sleep in this little house that Handyman Harry built for them.) Their gig was in the morning, so I decided to thoroughly dry them before putting them to bed. This took about an hour and about 5 bath towels. The next morning it was still pouring so they were all wet again. I dried them again, but it was useless because it continued to rain. I put their costumes on and their little socks became so soaked that they started stretching and stretching and falling off their feet. The boys also looked soggy and smelled of wet wool. When we arrived at our designated area it turned out that the children AND their parents were there - a bigger group than I expected. The boys had only seen this many people at the nursing home and all of those people were in wheel chairs. The children had puppets and as part of the story the children were acting out, they were to touch the sheep with their puppets. As this mass of children, adults and puppets started descending on them, Bromley and Jobey panicked and ran circles around my legs. Quickly I crouched down and put an arm around each of them. They calmed down and eventually let the children touch them. After the children touched the sheep they all got into their cars to go home and the little Baa Brothers took a couple of steps forward and said, 'Baa... Baa...? ' . It was as if they were now disappointed that the children were leaving.
At the time I thought the event was a little bit of a fiasco, but, as you can see in the pictures, it really wasn't - the children loved them, they loved the children and I actually think the magic really did happen.

Speaking of the Land of Oz..

It looks like the house landed on Bromley instead of the witch!

"Bromley, what are you doing under the house and why haven't you been reporting the weather?"
"Because I think I've figured out a way to graze and avoid the weather all together."
"Hmm... there doesn't happen to be a beach under there is there?"

Follow the yellow brick road

(www.oz-farm.com ) I just drove Jason, his guitar, and duffle bag to the P & B bus that will take him to Logan Airport. He's flying to San Francisco where he will meet up again with his girlfriend, Rebecca, and travel to Oz Farm for an internship. Here's the description of Oz Farm on their website: 'Oz Farm is hidden in a quiet, private valley on one of the most pristine stretches of the scenic Mendocino County coast, 130 miles north of San Francisco. (Map & Directions) Bordered with redwood forest, and with the Garcia River running through its 240 acres, Oz Farm is blessed with tranquility, fresh air and clear water. Oz Farm is 'off-the-grid', using solar and wind power for all its operations.' It's an organic farm. They also rent out cabins, accommodate weddings, and yoga retreats, etc. Sounds wonderful, doesn't it? Jason is especially interested in their goats, chickens and organic farming. So, you are not in Kansas anymore, dear Jason and Rebecca! Happy Trails! And don't forget to call your mom.

Baa Brother Weather, June 14

"Bromley, what is the weather going to be like on the ranch tomorrow?"

"Relax, Jobey. Live for today. There's no way the weather is going to be this good tomorrow."

"Bromley?"
"Yes, Lambo.."
"What did you put in my drink?!"

Saturday Farm and the Baa Brothers

Saturday Farm
Good morning! This is a picture of Saturday Farm, a house we love and care for and rent to vacationers in the summer months ( www.vrbo.com/164673 ). We live in another magical house that Handyman Harry built on the other end of the property. I'll tell you about it one day, but our energy still orbits this wonderful Saturday Farm house. This year we adopted two lambs that graze on the property. We chose a small, ancient, gentle breed of Babydoll Southdown Sheep that we call the Baa Brothers - Bromley and Jobey. I asked them to pose for me today. Jobey loves the camera; he comes right over when he hears it clicking. They are therapy lambs - good for the spirit; they've been to a nursing home several times and they have a couple of play dates coming up with children of the Harwich Junior Theatre.
We work hard here and long hours; but, yes, we do live a happy Saturday life!
Here's dear Bromley:
And dear Jobey:
They are as endearing as they look.
Have a happy Saturday!
Love,
Itsa Cin

Good morning! It's Saturday!

Happy trails to you! You've arrived at a very enchanting land where there are fields and fields of Saturdays. 100 % stress free and all organic. Saturdays are healthier and happier. I have a lot to share with you and I hope you'll stay and experience a world of Saturdays with me.
:} -Itsa Cin