Feb 2011

So far one lamb out of a ewe I purchased from a different flock! Winter has been very dry! Other than things are well at the ranch.

The Bluebird, a symbol of peace and happiness, is generally beloved by the Navajo, being herald of the dawn and a manifestation of Talking God, who told Corn Girl and others of the Night chant he would appear among the Navajo as bluebird.

The Horse Song

FROM THE NAVAJO WAR GOD'S HORSE SONG
I am the Turqoise Woman's son.
On top of Belted Mountain,
Beautiful horse--slim like a weasel.
My horse has a hoof like striped agate;
His fetlock is like a fine eagle plume;
His legs are like quick lightning.
My horse's body is like an eagle-plumed arrow;
My horse has a tail like a trailing black cloud.
I put flexible goods on my horse's back;
The Little Holy Wind blows through his hair.
His mane is made of short rainbows.
My horse's ears are made of round corn.
My horse's eyes are made of big stars.
My horse's head is made of mixed waters--
From the holy waters--he never knows thirst.
My horse's teeth are made of white shell.
The long rainbow is in his mouth for a bridle,
and with it I guide him.
When my horse neighs, different-colored horses follow.
When my horse neighs, different-colored sheep follow.
I am wealthy, because of him.
Before me peaceful,
Behind me peaceful,
Under me peaceful,
Over me peaceful,
All around me peaceful--
Peaceful voice when he neighs.
I am Everlasting and Peaceful.
I stand for my horse.


NAVAJO HORSE SONG (Blessing Way)

How joyous his neigh!
Lo, the Turquoise Horse of Johano-ai,
How joyous his neigh,
There on precious hides outspread, standeth he;
How joyous his neigh,
There of mingled waters holy, drinketh he;
How joyous his neigh,
There in mist of sacred pollen hidden, all hidden he;
How joyous his neigh,
These his offspring may grow and thrive forevermore;
How joyous his neigh!

Sunrise from my front porch

Update

Just giving you an update! We've had a very wet winter. We have received over 2 feet of snow. Sheep are doing good regardless. A day after the snow storm my foreman and I saddled up the horse and plowed the snow. We made a path into the nearby hill so the sheep can eat shrubs. Our sheep aren't satisfied with hay. They prefer to go out and eat after eating hay. So far we have 2 lambs on the ground. I don't expect any lambs until April (cross fingers). But all is well from the ranch!

JB Azalea 2007 ewe. NSP Blue

My two Navajo-Churro rams I used for breeding for 2010

(L) SDA Fleetwood (R) RNJ Hamlett