Recently I saw this herd of sheep, and at first I saw only the sheep, but then I saw a dog working the sheep.
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| Sheep herd |
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| Sheep herd |
I didn't get a photo of the girl or the dog, but I enjoyed seeing that some of the old traditions are still being followed.
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| Interesting sheep herd just outside state park. I'm told that sheep meat, (mutton) is a common part of the Navajo diet, and that when they shear the sheep, they send the wool to be processed into yarn which they get back and then weave into blankets for use or for sale!  |
I grew up on a farm with sheep, and we had Border Collies to herd them, but it's a lot of work to train them. Ours were never particularly great at it, but they were fun to have along as company when I had to go out and count them for my dad and drive them up to the barn. We used to go and watch the Border Collie trials where they do competitive herding and it's a lot of fun to see! We sold sheep at the market every year, but I've never eaten mutton. At least, not that I'm aware of!
ReplyDeleteOut here, the Navajo get mutton stew in cans for when they want a quick meal, but also cook a whole sheep for big celebrations, etc.
DeleteI work in the farming industry and used to eat a lot of mutton, it's yummy. I often see teams of dogs working sheep, it's awesome, great team work between farmer and his dogs. And I used to spin my own wool and knit it up. I've kept my favourite spinning wheel and hope to have time to do it again some day.
ReplyDeleteYour knowledge of the entire process of the sheep to weaving awes me! I grew up in a town and never saw anything like it!
DeleteBeautiful blanket. It is nice that old traditions are being kept alive.
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