New Zealand Bound!
Yes, that's right! This country mouse is busting out of the Western/Northern hemisphere and jetting out to sheep-paradise.
How did this come about? Well, here's the short story long -
I woke up one morning with the sudden realization that my parents are OLD....no, no, I'm kidding! But I did get to thinking as I approach my 34th year and my oldest "baby" suddenly looks like a teenager, about how many years we have in this season of life that I have so relished. I was hit with the thought that, of course I knew all along, but hadn't accepted - life is never static.
My current arrangement is one I so enjoy. I get to help my Dad with moving sheep, shearing, flock-management days here and there while also slinging yarn myself and plotting up the newest yarn idea with my mother. All the while, four little shadows toddle behind me and run like the wild things they are through the fresh air and sunshine.
But that morning, I started wondering exactly how many years we had left in this season and, frustratingly, it is impossible to ascertain a numeric value. But what it did grant me is a sense that the time - no matter how long - would never be enough. So the only logical thing to conclude is that I MUST make the most of it.
Later that day, I was moving sheep and cattle with the head shepherd. The air had just begun to take on the tartness of fall. The children were up a tree, throwing sweet, red apples down to the bossy cattle below, keeping them distracted while we set up their new pasture. Offhandedly, while pulling up fence charger stakes, my Dad mentioned that he had been nominated to be a shearing judge for team USA at the Golden Shears, but that he probably wouldn't do it.
The kids are treed
In that moment, it was like a spotlight from the heavens saying, "Here it is!"
"What! Of course you're going, and I'm coming with you!"
Now, perhaps you're unaware, but the Golden Shears is the Superbowl of shearing. And shearing is a big deal in most of the world - there hasn't yet been a way discovered of relegating shearing to a machine or a factory. It has to be done by blood-and-sweat; by humans. And competitive shearing is taken very seriously! To be nominated out of everyone in the whole country is an immense honor. My Dad had previously been a judge in Scotland, however leaving the farm is not something he does very often. But it seemed like providence - a trip to the land of sheep together with my Dad.
When we got home, my Mum decided she'd join us. That was an even bigger surprise! And so, we made our plans. Ambitious plans they are, especially for someone who doesn't even drive on the interstate (shhh don't tell anyone, it's embarrassing).
So I'll bring you along for the ride, which I am hoping will involve lots of yarn and sheep (maybe if I do that, I'll be too sheepish to back out last minute). I will just so happen to land in New Zealand on my birthday at the end of February, which means I will postpone the annual birthday sale until after I get back. Thanks for reading if you made it this far!
New Zealand photos from Eventfinda and The Times.