Guest Blogger

Preface:

Shorn. After missing the 2nd annual shearing of our sheep, Lauren assisted with experience, and was also gracious enough to jot down her version. I wanted to note that these two young ladies that came to the farm had scheduled us for 8 am. They communicated all the way up to the day of the appointment, via text, with reminders and requests. They do not miss a beat, and this is what they do for a living. It's worthy to note that they shear many animals, not just sheep. Later that same day, we would find them at a friend's farm shearing their llamas. Llamas who spit and fight, and are a delicate shearing experience due to the need to keep the wool clean and bagged appropriately for the sale of that material. They use knowledge as power, to maintain control of animals far larger than themselves. While they were with us for a matter of 30 minutes, start to finish, their flow is certainly to be commended. I appreciate their dedication to their craft, their reliability, and their communication to the clients. Thanks, Katie and Darian! Nice job. Up next, is Lauren's take on that morning.

The Tao of Shearing

Tao: the path or method      

~ Katie and Darian, the ladies of Right Choice Shearing, came to the house at 7:59am. Immediately, their routine began: preparing equipment, changing into their matching jumpsuits, and gathering all supplies needed. I led them to the barn, where the flow of their routine continued.

Wu Wei: effortless action      

~ By 8:05am, they were ready. Each of them had fulfilled their pre-shearing obligations. One effortlessly tossed an electrical cord over a ceiling beam in the barn and began to connect the machinery. The other was oiling blades, scoping out the space provided, and determining a plan of action for each animal that would be brought out. By no means is wrangling a sheep effortless, but their actions made it appear effortless due to their practice and preparation. 

De: power, virtue, integrity; inner nature that leads one to living the Tao      

~ Both women were are able to handle, manipulate, and move these melodramatic sheep in ways that I had never even imagined. They used their full bodies, especially their legs, to keep the animals in certain positions. The power they displayed was impressive and completely badass. They were supporting each other emotionally and verbally throughout. Their flow continued as one handed the other the clippers at the exact moment they needed to be in her hand, as if a dance had just begun. 

Yin and yang: every action creates counter-actions      

~ The shearing did resemble a dance. Each move one lady made, the other reacted to. Each move the sheep made, the ladies reacted to. I watched them spin the sheep in circles and glide. It felt as if I was watching a live art performance. In reality, I was watching a performance. More so, I was bearing witness to a strengthened relationship between two ladies who knew what the other needed before they even needed it and following their own Tao. 

Thank you, Lauren. For being there and making it all happen. Couldn't have done it without you that day. Things happen in life that take us away from our routine and plans. And family is here for each other to step in.
The ending is now Shorn. A new word in my vocabulary. A word I've never had the need to use in my life, previous to a farm. The sheep are very content. They are beautiful. They are happy. These are my projections on them, but to my naked eye, it's My Story. Shorn. Until next year.
Cyndi