I’ve decided that there is an actual limit of the amount of hours of US Medical Dramas that I can physically watch while I make my sheep.  Today, I reached that limit.

I have cut back to making two sheep a day because if I make any more than that I will be an emotional wreck.

This is not good for me.  I feel like I haven’t stopped crying all day what with all the emotional high’s and low’s.

However, I take regular breaks to find some normality.  That is a must.

This afternoon, after completing my second sheep, I went to talk to the real thing.

Barrel is feeling a bit more sociable now, though he severely distrusts me and any ideas I might have that might involve injections, oral painkillers, spraying his wounds…… I don’t blame him but I am beginning to think he only limps when he sees me.  After this morning’s ministerings, Barrel went and beat up Gussie so I think he will live the day.  He is a bit grumpy.

So I sat on a rock refusing to think about medical misery while various sheep came to talk to me.

I need something normal to keep me on this earth.  Just doing a few chores around the place helped. I mucked out a little shed and watched Gussie tip over the bucket afterwards.

Perhaps I should find something else to watch – I have access to Netflix, Disney, Amazon by various means.  Any suggestions? Something light, well written and no murder, violence or scary stuff.

I spent the day in my shed making sheep to sell.  Money is needed desperately (vet bills, feed bills, just bills) so I have to create my sheepie creations while the demand is here.

It was beautiful outside which meant I didn’t have to worry about any animals and could concentrate on binge-watching my latest US medical drama (New Amsterdam, which I highly recommend) while frantically stabbing away.

Occasionally, I would look up to my beautiful view outside.

And I had my ever-faithful companion with me.

And so today I made three sheep (the one on the right was from last night) and the smaller pale brown one is made from some of the last of ‘Ster’s washed fleece (small, but special).  When I emerged from my shed at 4 p.m., I decided that actually I shouldn’t do this.  Two sheep a day should be my maximum effort.  More is a killer and not particularly good for me and my back either.

For exercise afterwards, I went out with my bucket and Marigolds (rubber gloves) to poo-pick the track.

OH, who possibly has not found out about Barrel’s chocolate biscuit habit, kindly offered to strim/cut back the long grass from the electric fence.

This has made a huge difference as the grass was impossibly long and every time it touched the wire, it negated any zapping effect (this part of corridor is not currently in use or attached to the fence unit) but you can see just how long it is.

Science Fact: the grass is taller than a small orange terrier.  It is that long.

It was a misty start to the day but I got everyone fed and sorted without much hassle.

And then quickly to town to refill my field, again.  I left feeling so much better knowing there were sheep in the shop, ready for the visitors.

And then onto Mareel (the UK’s Most Northerly Cinema and Arts Centre, apparently) for the Shetland Summer Craft Fair.

We arrived pretty much when it opened so the crowds had not got going.  A craft fair in Shetland is always a very popular event.

There were lots of Lovely Things to admire.

Including a 3 piece model broch that comes apart. I was fascinated.

And then home for some flute duets as that is always part of my Saturday routine.

Barrel was wondering around looking miserable so I gave him a special secret bowl of food and some TurmerAid which he ate very enthusiastically.

Then he followed me back to the house looking for more edibles.

Still feeling very sorry for him, I raided OH’s biscuit tin and gave him one of the last chocolate Digestives that I found.  Please don’t tell OH, he will possibly implode if he finds out.

I think the biscuit did the trick.  Barrel seemed much cheered afterwards.

As did his little Tidy-Up friend.  Anyway, it’s been a good day.  Stuff seen, field filled and Barrel is a bit perkier.

** Sigh **

A day full of ups and downs.

I had a hair appointment so I had to go into town (off south to Edinburgh for a long weekend soon so I must at least look like I tried).

My list was long of Things I Had to Do first which included dropping off sheep to my little field at Jamieson’s Knitwear on the Street.

I finally found a parking spot and looked around the car only to find I had forgotten my little flock of sheep to sell.  Dammit.  I had even spent the morning making another one as need is great at the moment (both for me (££) and for the visitors).

My little field in the shop was looking very empty too.  I went in and apologised profusely.  I hate letting anyone down after giving my word.  That’s just not me.

There were two huge cruise ships in the harbour and the Street was full of folk looking dismal with brollies – it was pouring with rain.

An upside to my day – I got my car mended (no charge too).
A downside to my day – Barrel and Edna got out of their field.
An upside to my day – Edna and Madge (!) returned to the field later.
An upside to my day – my hair is cut very well.
A downside to my day – they had run out of my favourite coffee at Tesco’s.  Meh!

Luckily, I am going into town tomorrow for a Craft Fair (gotta love a Shetland Craft Fair – the very best of the best) instead of playing flute duets and I can take my sheep in then. I have already put them in the car.  I will not fail this task.

So I bought myself a large bar of chocolate to get over today’s failure that’s in my life.

First thing this morning, I decided that I would call the vet surgery and make an appointment for someone to come to look at Edna and Barrel.  I just wanted to know that everything was actually alright and that Harrel had not done permanent damage to himself, like dislocated his hip.

I also wanted a second opinion on Edna’s chronic lameness.

A visit was booked for lunchtime(ish) and, while we were waiting, I gave my two patients a few branches of willow that I had lopped off in the garden.  They tucked in.

Meanwhile, the dogs needed walking so out we went, over to Clothie (my five acre croft).  Lambie came too and went off to talk to the hill sheep.  They left and Lambie was very put out.

While the dogs walked themselves in my field (bunny rabbits everywhere), I sat on a rock and Lambie came back to talk to me, giving up on being nice to the hill sheep.

He did try and I told him it was their loss.

After a while, I had to go home as the vet was coming soon.  I called the dogs and Lambie and we all went home again to wait.

Vet diagnosis:
Barrel has given himself a gluff (a fright) and stretched his back leg so it is sore but, as he is now weight-bearing a bit better every day, and there is no sign of dislocation, then a few days’ bedrest and he should be fine.
Edna has very soft hooves and the front one is sore from a papilloma that was cut out a few months back and has not healed properly.  So I must keep spraying with zinc/copper spray and see how we go.  She can stay on bedrest too with Harrel.

Oh the worry but good to know Harrel is ok.