Fun at the Boundy farm

After a full day in Silverdale yesterday, we arrived home (at 6:30) to a message on our machine from Sharon Boundy asking us to come and help catch some sheep to be sheared at 7. I had been asking/begging for her to call us when she was ready so that I could selfishly get the wool. We were so excited. Our whole family (minus Myron and plus a friend of Nathans) jumped in the van and sped to the Boundys. I was afraid that we wouldn't get there in time and that the sheep would already be corraled. Boy was I wrong! It's not as easy as one might think. Bishop, Sharon and Sol were out in the pasture with lassos trying to chase down the sheep and had been unsuccessful. They are quite fast and big jumpers! Shane and the older boys headed in and together they all tried to corner them again, this time all spreading out. Wouldn't you know it, the sheep weren't intimidated at all. They just kept running and jumping right through the blockade. Bishop fell down a couple times as well after being knocked over by the sheep and sustained a few nicks and scratches. Nasty business having to be the "lassoer". After another friend came to help, it was apparent that this might end up being an all night sort of event. Shane, exhausted and frustrated with the long chase, finally decided to get down and dirty. As soon as one of the sheep came near enough to him, he grabbed the sheeps wool and threw it down to the ground like a pro wrestler. I couldn't believe my eyes! Then he held the sheep down until we could rope it and put it into the truck. It was amazing! Barbaric.....but amazing all the same. Thats my man! After an hour and a half of chasing, that's all it took. After getting the first sheep on the truck, it was time to catch the second. Shane had the technique down, not 5 minutes later, he had tackled the second sheep. Rylan was so excited watching from the fence. He said..."Good catch dad"!. Too cute. Here is the sheep shearer. The bishop said "isn't it so amazing to see a professional at work".
It is true. It is neat to see someone that knows what they are doing and knows the ins and outs. It is a beautiful thing. This guy didn't even use gloves!

This is the wool that was just sheared. I get to wash it and dry it...long process. It will be worth it to have Mae's felt toys be 100% natural.
On to the second one. There were a couple of funny quotes last night. First was the bishop looking at the sheep and asking the sheep shearer, "So do people really call them dingleberries".

Second was when Brad (guy in the truck above holding the second sheep) was asking for us to hurry while the shearer was slowly taking his time showing off his yarns and talking about techniques for washing. Brads bottom was numb and he had been sitting in that same position for at least 45 minutes. I walked up to Sharon and the group and asked that they get started on the second sheep to relieve Brad and the shearer rather curtly replied "we'll get to you". It was hilarious. He couldn't have acted more uninterested in Brad's situation if he tried. He actually continued showing the different wools and dyes, etc for another 15minutes. Poor brad. He didn't even volunteer to hold the sheep in the first place. He just happened to be the one holding the sheep last! Too funny. Stay tuned for extra photos of the men and woman sheep wrangling.

It was a fun night and we ended up getting home around 9:20. The second sheep ran off after being sheared and as of today still hasn't come home. Where is little bo peep when you need her?

Ciao.