Recently I had some time to sit down and talk with Mr Tally about his life on the farm. He was more than happy to answer my questions and give his perspective on farm life.
Biography is as follows
Born: 3/24/2015
Age: 10
Mom and Dad: The lovely Miss Lucy and the esteemed Mr Ned
Sex: I am a ram-ly one!
Birth name: Taliesin Mac Ned
Nickname: Tally
Hello Tally, that’s quite the interesting birth name you have, can you explain its origins to our readers?
Sure! Taliesin is the Celtic God of inspiration, magical transformation and poetic wisdom. It is said that he bestowes his creative gifts upon others to fuel their artistic pursuits. Seems my mom had lofty ideas for me when I was but a lamb.
Aw that seems awfully sweet.
It’s really not, you try living up to a name like that one.
Thats me and my best bud Denny and the boy child mashed in the middle. Damn I miss Denny.
Can you tell us about your job on the farm?
My first job was as a ram, and my specialty was first time moms, since my babies all had small heads, it made it easier for them to move into that role. You have to be nice to those gals, they will remember what you did to them and hold it against you if it is not good. I had more than my share of smack downs from pissed off ewes.
You are not doing that job anymore?
No, my mom said it was because genetically I was getting “to close” to everyone in the flock. As the saying goes, when it works, it’s called line breeding, when it doesn’t, it’s called inbreeding.
I think she’s jerking my chain though. Ever since that Douglas dude showed up, it was all downhill for me. I can’t tell you how glad I am that he is gone.
Can you tell us what happened?
One day mom was blabbing on about something, I really wasn’t paying too much attention to her, being that it was breakfast time and all. I do recall hearing the words genetically close, bla bla bla, going for a ride, bla bla, and pup cup.
Well, pup cup caught my attention. I had heard of these mythical things from the house wolves. They claimed they were delicious concoctions you got for getting in the truck and going for a ride.
And you know, I was down for all that. So, I got in the back seat of the truck and away we went down the road. We got to this smallish white building that stunk of other animals I was not familiar with.
Out I hopped looking for this elusive pup cup. Mom said it was inside, so we went thru the door and somehow, I ended up the big red alley thing with my head stuck.
Some dude, who did not have the courtesy to introduce himself started playing with my junk. I gave him a good swift kick to make him stop, but it didn’t work, and the next think I knew, he took my credit cards away! The nerve of that guy! I mean, really???
That does not sound like it was much fun for you, did you ever get your pup cup?
No, it was not fun at all. Mom kept mumbling about how much better this would be for me, how I can live with the rest of the girls and so on.
Yeah, she did get me a pup cup, but I had to wait until I was all the way back in the barn for my recovery from this traumatic experience. I gotta say, it was pretty darn tasty. So, I forgave her.
That was good of you. Now that your job had been taken away, what is your new role on the farm?
Right now, I’m into agricultural grassland management and developing a portable fertilizer plant. It’s a pretty sweet gig.
That sounds like a fancy way of saying you are a yard ornament.
Hey now, that’s pretty rude of you to say.
Sorry..
I’ll forgive you for a cookie. Or better yet, a pup cup.
What are some of the things you like most about living on the farm?
I get to come and go as I please at this point. I don’t much like hanging out with the rest of the flock during the day. They move around too much for me, and if I fall asleep, they walk away and leave me alone.
So I wander around, eating whatever smells and tastes good. Sleep in the shade. I like a nice sunny day with a breeze to fluff my wool up some. Plus, I get to follow mom around, that’s prob the best thing. I got really good at emulating the house wolves in that way.
Mom following is fun for you?
Sure! It’s a thrill when she stops walking and I can jab my wet dirty nose into the back of her leg!! She gives a squeal, and I get to see the nice nose print I leave on her. I can make some really spectacular Rorschach blots on her!! She does not seem to appreciate my artistic talent, even though I’m just living up to my name.
What do you dislike about living on the farm?
Having to live with all those other sheep. I really should be living in the house with the wolves. They are more my speed. I do keep trying to get in, but mom shuts the door in my face.
The big wolf tells me he sleeps on the bed with mom. Since I have more seniority, that really should be my place. Don’t you think? I know I’m big and cuddly and she would love my wet dirty nose in her face all night.
Oh, and rain. I could do without rain. And fences, they keep me from my rightful place. Manicures are not much fun either.
What do you consider your most endearing quality?
Persistence and my puppy dog eyes. I can get almost anything with those two things.
And your least endearing?
Persistence and my strident voice. Mom says that rubs on her last nerve, whatever that means. I just know that if I yell enough, I can get a cookie.
Speaking of, do you have a favorite cookie?
Yeah, right now it’s graham crackers, but I’ll also eat vanilla sandwich cookies in a pinch. I would take a pup cup again anytime too!
What do you see for your future on the farm?
Pretty much more of the same. My ultimate goal though is to get into the house. I’ll have to keep thinking about how to do that. Gives me something to do with my day though. I’ve managed to get my head and one foot in so far! It’s a start!
Thank you Mr Tally for spending time with us today. I really enjoy your insights to life on a farm.
Anytime, tell your readers to stop by and bring me cookies!
Blessed Be!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thank you so much for your donations to the farm! Your generosity means the world to us and will make a real difference in keeping this place going.
Because of supporters like you, we're able to continue running the farm. For example, your contribution will help us to purchase next winter’s hay and feed.
We are incredibly grateful for your commitment to the sheep.
With heartfelt thanks,
Judy and the sheep!
That was fun! Thanks for brightening my day.
glad I read the full blog hahaha..whew.