A Week in the Life: Spring Stay at the Farm
A few winters ago, I spent some time as a farm hand here at Fern Hall. I loved being here, all bundled up, fighting freezing temperatures and stubborn sheep. I have to say, this early Spring farm stay I just had was a little less challenging and I loved it even more.
It’s taking a few days (and hopefully longer) to shake this positive and content feeling. The early morning walks onto the farm, being hungrily greeted by lots of animals. The rainy midday bottle feedings and grain runs to the merino sheep. The sunset walks to the farm being hungrily greeted by lots of animals! Being on the farm filled me with, well, happiness.
I wouldn’t dare tell you my favorite part of the week. What I will tell you is this: I was tasked with feeding a bottle to a lamb 4 times a day and nothing else compared to the sound of her loud *baaa* when she heard me coming. I’d call, “Millie” and she’d run to the gate where I could pick her up and let her slurp down the bottle with great enthusiasm. Once the feeding was over, came the fun part. I got to hold her and snuggle; she’d look up at me and rub her face on mine as if she was giving me kisses and thanks for the milk. I’d set her in with her siblings and cousins and watch them bounce around together. Five lambs. A few times, I sat in the pen with them all and waited quietly as they approached, sniffed, and decided to nibble on my pants, boots, and gloves. What joy that brought.
Of course, each time I approached the main farm gate, I was greeted by 1 to 5 of the Great Pyrenees dogs – sometimes they’d let out a small warning bark before I got close enough for them to see it was me. If they were in any state of nap or comfort laying down, they would get right up and crowd me at the gate, pushing each other and me for the best pets and scratches. If the dogs are around, you feel safe. Those huge protectors deserve all the love and attention you have to spare. I find it hard to move onto the next thing when they’re around.
The quirkiest of the animals were all in together at the top of the farm: chickens, pigs, ponies, and Churchill - the one dog that is not a Pyr. If you have a bucket in your hand, you better be ready to feed this crew! One of the funniest things to see is a crowd of chickens running down the hill to greet you. It’s even funnier when your eyes pick out that there’s a pig or two running in the crowd too. They’re a similar size and color and definitely share a love of food! Once I get up the hill and spread out the food for the chickens and pigs, I can focus on the ponies who happen to be right behind me.. seemingly at all times! Each of the animals on the farm has their own personality and it’s so fun to get to know them. Churchill, the family dog, has so much excited energy that he almost dances as you approach. I imagine you could play fetch with him all day or just pet him and he’d be thrilled. The petting goes for Thunder too, one of the cats. Perhaps the only animal on the farm that prefers to be pet before being fed!
Finally, the Merino flock. Their white wooly coats spot the beautiful, green landscape as they graze on healthy grasses. If they’re near the gate when you start to rattle the chain to open it, they start in a chorus of baas and meander towards you in hopes of getting grain or hay. As I look at each one and take photos, I see that they all have their differences. Some are still and confident, while others want nothing to do with me being so close by. When I look back at the photos, I can see those personalities. The rams seem to have even stronger personalities!
Overall, getting up early and seeing the sunrise each day (even all those cold, rainy mornings) is so worth not hitting snooze. Heading out to the farm throughout the day to see a bunch of friendly animals is really the only way I want to be spending my days. And catching the beautiful sunset on the farm, at the lake, or shining through Fern Hall is like nothing I can experience on a daily basis. One whole day here would be enough to make a difference, but the more days you spend here, the longer the feeling of peace and happiness – from the fresh air, animals, and beautiful views – can stay with you.
Mary