Summer officially arrived last week, but in the mountains there are still some ups and downs. In my area the weather usually "settles" sometimes after 4th of July. We have some 85 degree days matched with 35 degree nights, and this week we have been having steady rain, and 60 degree days,much to the dismay of those with hay already on the ground. Our hay crop does not look to be great this year, due to the fluctuation of growing temperatures, but my hope is to get it cut and baled and in the barn before it gets rained on! As you can see in the photo, The grass has matured, but is not as tall an thick as I would like.
Some year I will get one more good fence, to keep the sheep grazing where I want them until after I cut the hay, but until then, my pastures do double duty. The sheep won't eat the long grass, but leave short grazed areas in my hay field. They are all fat and happy and healthy though, so I have nothing to complain about. June is always a month of growth. And sometimes it is hard to notice the changes because we are so anxious for things to grow and flower. You can see my neighbors hay bales in the background, drying out after the 3 days of rain.
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The cabbages are growing fast, and greens and onions and peas, but the warm weather crops are just biding their time.
Most amazing of all is those tiny little lambs that are now half grown sheep!!! They are all over a month old, the oldest about 10 weeks. I have had them in the shed twice for their CDT vaccinations. I have occasionally lost a lamb to Enterotoximia type D and it is an awful thing to watch. Although I do not grain my lambs, their mothers are on rich pasture and put out alot of milk. This disease strikes the biggest, healthiest lambs, and takes them down in a matter of hours. After helplessly watching a few of my best lambs die this way I am now very careful to make sure all the lambs get their two vaccinations. A cheap way to keep them healthy. |  June's full moon is known as the full flower moon, and this year things were in full flower. This is the first time in 4 years we have not had the lilacs or the fruit blossoms freeze off the trees. The lilacs were happy and smelled so good! And the cherry holds the promise of a bountiful harvest if I can beat the birds to them! 
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 It is hard to believe the little guy in the photo above has grown into this handsome young ram. Still cute, but little Comet will be weaned in another month, as even a 4 month old Jacob can be a breeding ram! Well June is over, July will bring Haying and 4th of July, along with our big rodeo, and lots of weddings. Each month on the farm brings something new and miraculous. | 
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