Shipping Sheep by Car

Desert Weyr BaaBaa and Desert Weyr Martha are traveling to their new home via back seat of a Subaru Legacy.

Black Welsh are small and fairly well behaved. I bet not many folks carry sheep in the back of their cars.

BaaBaa is going to be a ram buddy and Martha will be a breeding ewe and show sheep.

I just heard from the buyers. They arrived home safe and sound. Sheep in the back caused a number of double takes on the freeway though.

Tanked Sheep

We've got the adult rams in the corrals to let the grass grow a bit before letting them go graze again.


I guess this ram got tired of being butted while he slept and decided to find a more secure place for a nap, in one of the empty water tanks!

Sheep Trick

Some lambs start early learning how to jump on mom. A few continue this into adulthood and stand on top of others to get the top layer of hay.

Spock's Sweater Revealed

Stardate -314370.83

I have been authorized by the Torchwood Institute to reveal the following history:

On star date -444413.69 Queen Victoria founded the Torchwood Institute. During the events leading up to the founding, some natural substances were discovered to be effective in deterring aliens. Torchwood 3 in Cardiff embarked upon a research project to identify and productize candidates for this use. One program looked at natural resources common to the area. Scientists, craftsmen and women were recruited to look at and research possible uses for natural products in the fight against alien technology.

During one experiment the researcher Dr. Guido Lizardo (father to the famed Emilio Lizardo), was experimenting with directed energy weapons. He was wearing a sweater knit from the wool of the local Black Welsh Mountain sheep. An accidental discharge left a significant hole in the sweater but left him only slightly singed. His cover story, told to his wife and others, was that moths had feasted on the sweater causing the holes.

Such resistance was not perfect, but further research determined that it seems to be related to color as the Torwen and Balwen varieties as well as the Blacks all have some resistance to energy weapons. It was surmised that the early exposure of Welsh mountain sheep to dragon fire in the 12th and 13th centuries selected for this resistance while decimating the population. Certain monasteries were already breeding these special Welsh sheep and some early sumptary laws restricted black to persons of noble birth and the clergy.

Eventually, a blend of Black Welsh Mountain Sheep wool combined with specially produced stainless steel and kevlar fibers was found to be an effective shield against most hand held directed energy weapons. The resistance so provided, is far in excess of that which would be expected based on either of the component materials.

A small cottage industry was formed to produce these items for high profile individuals. Unfortunately, due to the efforts of radical animal rights activists, the technology to spin and produce these garments was lost by the middle of the 21st century. At the time of TOS, no Federation officers were protected. The political and environmental implications of this loss are still keenly felt.

During the Eugenics wars very little of the Torchwood technology survived.

After first contact, the Torchwood Archive was rediscovered and some of the specialized programs were moved to off-Earth locations. Agents of Torchwood spread the resistant wool technology to certain alien cultures that incorporated it into the development of garments for high value individuals. Spock’s human mother, Amanda, was one such agent and she knit Spock’s sweater specifically to provide some protection for him when he attended the rowdy Federation Star Fleet Academy.

Sheep Maternity Wear

Ovine Fashion icon OogieM held her spring fashion show with her line of maternity coats for the well dressed ewe.

Last years' patchwork has given way to this years new bright red color. Contrasting black stitching is a nice detail. Coats are being made in the larger sizes for the well endowed with a new line of wide and fat options in 34W, 34F and 32W sizes. There are plans for an extra fat size for the particularly chubby.

Tail tuck tailoring needs work and it was evident that some coats were not fitted as well as in years past.

Fabrics this year are all 500 denier Cordura from Seattle Fabrics. Although it is a coated fabric the coating is minimal and so far is not causing any felted fleeces. Updated size and construction info can be found here.

Ovine Haute Couture Part 2

Models relaxing after the sheep sweep show held over several days in western Colorado.

Ewes raved at the latest designs from Oogie M at the final showing of the new fall collection of Ovine Barn Wear this week. With over 100 pieces in the new collection there was something for every sheep. Colorful patchwork was a highlight of the show as old coats were refreshed with new purple edging and contrasting patches on the sides and neck.

It took nearly the entire flock to show all the new styles but there was much duplication with only minor variations in the detailing around the tail tucks, neck lines and leg straps. However a surprise was the prominent sizes written on each and every coat. No modesty for ewes this year, if they wear a 34W everyone will know.

A model displays the latest in patchwork coats for the fashionable ewe.


No fear of too thin models being banned from the runway in Colorado. All the models in the show were plump and fluffy. A few delicate lambs sported specially tailored coats to accentuate their diminutive features. Many ewes are in the smaller sizes now but are expected to be wearing the new maternity line soon. In addition to the nearly 100 coats displayed on models an additional 58 coats were made for the show but not displayed.

And in an unexpected move Oogie M has declared that she will be introducing a mid winter line of coats based on the same styles but in different colors. "I'm not sure what colors to use yet. Dark ones do not show the sizes well and our stable of models is always growing so we need to have a variety of coats in all sizes for them to wear." She is planning a trip to the fabric store during the fall sale in November.


"Our ewes are very concerned about pricing so taking advantage of discount fabrics is important to our line. Fashion doesn't have to be expensive but it does have to be well made. As you can see from this collection a well made sheep coat is a staple of the ewes wardrobe for several years. A few of our older models are sporting coats they have had since lambhood."

All in all it was a successful show.

For information on how to adapt Oogie M patterns for your own flock please see her simple directions here

Ovine Haute Couture

It's fall and time once again for the latest in ovine fashions to be unveiled prior to coming in off pasture and into the corrals for winter hay feeding. Fashionable sheep will be sporting the latest in ovine coats for the winter as designer and manufacturer Oogie M is feverishly working on her new line to debut later this week. All the best ewes will be wearing coats this season to protect their valuable wool from contamination.

This season the watchword is patchwork. Last season's mid range coats are being refreshed with a variety of colorful patches across the body especially prevalent along the sides and around the neckline. Many are made even more eye catching with the addition of contrasting overstitching in black, white and brilliant purple. New this year is the addition of taupe overstitching to highlight some of the more colorful patches. While there are still a few styles with gathers at neck and tail the most stylish coats now sport attractive tail darts instead. Mid range sizes include darts at the girth for a better fit along the forequarters and shorter body hugging leg straps.

Young ewes are forgoing the girth darts in favor of a lean look with only a single pair of tail tucks. Their main colors this year are black and red with white and black stitching visible along all the seams and edges. A few edgy ewes have opted for purple edges making a classic statement against the snow and hay. Leg straps can be in many colors with purple and khaki most common this season in addition to the standard red and black.

We haven't forgotten our plus size ewes with a new line of maternity wear. Styled like their younger sisters' coats these new pieces include ample belly room and discrete darts at the girth to prevent unsightly gaping. The same short leg straps are in evidence but large sizes now sport two pairs of tail tucks. A few of the styles include additional girth darts that can be easily let out as needed.

Fabrics this year are durable, rugged and easy care. Designed to survive harsh Colorado winters they are sunlight and manure resistant. 120 denier nylon Oxford weave is the standard for this Fall collection. Machine washable and built to survive the rigors of fences, this season's new line of sheep coats is sure to be a big hit with all the ewes.