January has been a hard month on the farm. I lost two of my oldest friends, Haycock Aubrey and Ginger. It was not unexpected but still it is hard to accept.
The first was Aubrey, my Jacob ram. He was just shy of his 12th birthday. Rams don’t usually live this long. Life for them is hard especially when living among other rams. He was one of the most gracious and respectful rams I have known. Never aggressive but still very proud. His fleece was so soft and I am currently spinning it into yarn. I still have several of his offspring in my flock so his legacy lives on.
Next was Ginger my thoroughbred mare I owned since she was 9 years old. Ginger was 31 years old when she died. Before she came to live with me, Ginger had belonged to my friend Gayle Stinson who raised her from a foal. She was to be her riding horse but unfortunately she was unable to ride her due to health reasons. Her registered name was Native Charm but we always called her Ginger. She was the greatest trail horse and was a pleasure to be around. Her pasture friends Arbee and Max miss her and so do I. It is a privileged to know and care for these magnificent animals. They have so much to teach us about life.
RIP Aubrey and Ginger.