OK, I've Been Silent Long Enough!

posted by Dee Vine CALLED BFSS BY THE FLOCK

I've noticed all the other posts the posting names are small. But ONCE AGAIN, its up to me to point out, my name should be seen and LARGE. Certainly, few would fail to recognize My Divine self, I am after all, Dee Vine. {I explained all that in the most important introduction on Meet the Ovines.}

I've taken note that Noah, The Grey One, is campaigning for the position of Easter Creature 2012 and has asked Mr Sparkles to be his CM. I find this a bit annoying since although I have been ridiculed since my arrival, they choose an Ovine with the same fleece I wear.  Because I 'am' THE FIRST SPECTACULAR OVINE IN THE FLOCK WITH LUXURIOUS COLORFUL FLEECE. Mr Sparkles arrived long after I made my debut. I live in the same flock as the candidate but he choose a CM on the other side of the country! But none of this treatment of moi, surprises me at all. 

 Its all about jealousy~and who can really blame the flock. To achieve anything close to my sense of style, brilliant conversational skills, and magnetic personality must be daunting, if not impossible. Which no doubt has led to the flock behaving rudely and just leaving me out of their games.

Two incidences of which I have photographic proof! Now some may not have realized my difficulty with the current banner photo. {Should you read this at a later date all banner photos are archived on our 'Photo Banner Page'}. To assist you gaining a complete understanding of my issue about this photo, I explain the TRUTH, under the photo.

When we posed for our formal 'Duncan Lake' photo in 2009 I SUGGESTED we all face West, it is my best side after all. But since the rest had already decided to look East~~well, I ended up being the only Ovine facing in the CORRECT direction. I'm posed nicely at the left top end of the dock. From clockwise  facing the WRONG direction? At the 1100 position, Esme the Ewe and at 0100 Noah, The Grey One {I hope he listens to his Campaign photographer better than he did ME}, 0300 Ellis the Ram, 0400 Callopie, 0500 Sullivan, 0800 Herzig and at 0900 Piper. Now I realized most would believe I was the one at fault. So I correct your reasoning now! I am the ONLY Ovine who understood the important of the photo being snapped from MY BEST SIDE.

During that same trip it was decided that we ALL should pick berries. Why? There was endless MLGV where ever one stepped. I AGAIN explained this fact to the flock who ignored my flawless insight. And YET AGAIN, they picked berries. I on the other hand took the logical course of taking a bit of leisure time on the swing. Don't you just know they posted this picture explaining I didn't wish to associate with them in their berry nonsense. They posted MY photo on some twit nit sight calling me a Diva!!!

Well, I've had quite enough of their behavior. So I am going to begin my own campaign in the flock. I'm toying with running for MOST DELICIOUS DIVA or OVINE OF DE~VINE or even DIFFERENT IS FAR SUPERIOR TO BEING AVERAGE. {I haven't really decided which 'crown' might suit me best and must be careful to choose which is best~~~~as obviously I will be the winner}. 

Divinely Yours,

Dee Vine

MAYBE, I FIRST SHOULD CHECK WITH OUR MTF?

Posted by Herzig

I was all fired up and ready to tackle our HC. Needles, fiber and pattern I started out of the pasture to find her. Nothing could stop me now! Then, on the way out Himhe stopped me and ask where I was heading. After telling him I had all I needed and of course again thanking him for helping me find the pattern, he asked a question. "I know what a good friend you are and we all have learned a lot about VDD which Piper developed. I am wondering if we need to check with our MTF?"  Confused I asked "Why? Piper is getting better each day so what would be need to ask our MTF about anyway?"

"Well," Himhe began, "we don't know exactly how or why Piper developed VDD but we do know when. It started when he lost his Eggplant. So it might be a good idea to ask Ellis the Original, since he was the person who identified Piper's VDD, if giving him another knitted Eggplant is safe. Piper's may misplace it again. Or some creature may steal it. Since he lost his first knitted Eggplant he might be so afraid of losing another it might be bad for his VDD?"

Now this was a turn of events I hadn't even considered. All my work finding and collecting what was needed for a new knitted Eggplant was wasted? It was like waking up and going into the pasture for a fresh MLGV breakfast and finding a farmer had plowed our pasture. Nothing to see but dirt. Himhe quickly told me not to be sad as Ellis the Original would probably say it was a great idea and think Piper having a new knitted Eggplant was just fine. Still, when would we be able to visit our MTF? And if we asked to go with our HC the next time she had an appointment, she might want to know why. Then she might say she wouldn't make one anyway, even before we checked with our MTF.  Himhe told me not to worry, he would work it out.....and the next morning he had. He asked Esme to get our HC to take Himhe and I along for an adventure, because our HC had an appointment that very day. So putting our 3 things into a bag then in the car, safely tucked away, we left with our HC that afternoon.

Seeing us with our bag, MTR Ellis invited us into his office telling our HC he wanted to show us around before their appointment. {Such insight is why he is our MTF} 

We pulled the 3 items out of the bag so he could examine them. Then he asked "Is this Eggplant like the one Piper lost?" We explained that it was the same materials and pattern, although I thought the real knitted Eggplant looked much better than the one in the picture. Ellis looked confused for a bit. Then he said "Are you going to knit this eggplant?"

I think that was the first time I ever heard Himhe laugh, although I had to listen quite closely. Guess it wasn't really a laugh more like a chuckle. So I told Ellis of course not, that I was going to get an HC to knit the Eggplant. Still looking confused his next question was "I don't understand why you need to talk to me~~I CAN'T KNIT".  OK, this time it was definitely a laugh I heard from Himhe. After I glared at Himhe, I said "the ONLY reason we came to speak with you was because HIMHE!!! thought we should ask if it would be safe for Piper to have another knitted Eggplant."

"Well, now I understand what is going on here. Because Piper developed VDD and I know about VDD and Piper......you want to be sure making this knitted Eggplant won't be harmful for Piper." Nodding, I waited for his answer.

It was then I knew it had been a good thing to ask Ellis our MTF. He leaned over and patted my back and told me that I was a wonderful friend and certainly, a knitted Eggplant would be a fine thing for Piper to have again. Especially one that a good friend like me had worked so hard to get for him. I told him of my plan of getting my HC to agree to knit the Eggplant and with a wink of his eye he said "I'll hint a bit about it to her myself during our appointment. She often has some knitting in her bag. We have spoken of knitting before and maybe it will plant an idea, then all you have to do work your plan. I only have one request Herzig." "What?" I said. Ellis replied, "I would like to see the knitted Eggplant when it is finished. Maybe you and Piper will visit with the knitted Eggplant."

And I would make sure that would happen.

Back to the plan,

Herzig

A NEW PLAN!

And the colors which will be perfect are Purple and Green. I came home from my search up at the pasture of my HC's parents, in the country. I had looked everywhere I could think of, no knitted Eggplant. That night before we fell asleep I told Piper of all the places I had looked and to keep the faith as I would find the knitted Eggplant. Piper sighed but what he said gave me encouragement. He told me that he wanted to thank me for taking all the time and facing all the danger of looking in holes, under places and even climbing up into a bird bath and a tree. Thanks was all I needed to not give up. And he was talking more and more, and not in Eggplant. Each day more and more of my best-est friend Piper was coming back.

After a night's rest, as we were all breakfasting on MLGV, my mind was thinking away. I knew I was missing something, but what? Start back at the beginning! Our HC reads to us each night from mystery stories, our favorites are written by our GFBFHD and CBFED, I have learned that our hero's~~~VICKY HILL AND PENNY BRANNIGAN often tell themselves~~~Start back at the beginning and think of everything. Think carefully to see if there is anything you missed. Or something you had seen or known but hadn't thought about. Or think about what you do know but from a different perspective {I got that word from Noah long ago}. 

So while we all were munching away I did just that, I thought about the knitted Eggplant which could be viewed as the start of the story. I STOPPED MUNCHING AND REALIZED, a knitted Eggplant. Quickly I bounced over to Piper and asked him where he got his knitted Eggplant and he told me he found it. Where did you find it was my next question. Piper explained that one day when he had no one to play with he had been looking about in our HC's room. And he had found the knitted Eggplant sitting in a basket full of yarn and knitting needles. It looked lonely and as he was lonely he carried it out of the basket and went to find our HC.

I asked Piper what he went to ask the HC. "If I could play with the Eggplant and keep it with me in the pasture" he said. "Why ask our HC?" I said. And there it was, the answer to the puzzle.

No, the answer wasn't finding the lost knitted Eggplant. But there was an even better answer!!!! Because Piper answered my why question by saying "Well since the knitted Eggplant was in a basket in her room and because as anyone in the flock knows~~~our HC knits. The only reason why the knitted Eggplant was in the basket in her room was she must have KNITTED THE EGGPLANT!"

At that point I started HLBing all around the pasture bleating "THAT'S IT THAT'S IT".  "What's it?" said all the ovines around us. I loudly bleated, "THE ANSWER!!!!"

I was Vicky Hill and Penny Brannigan all rolled into one, except of course that I am a boy and they are girls. NOW, I knew what had to be done so I began my quest.

HERZIG 

ACROYNMS UPDATE

With moving the Acroynm of the Day {AOD} to its own page and the complete listing of Acroynms/Friends/Terms already on their own page.....flock asked me to do a SHORT {and they emphasized the word SHORT} post to let everyone know if you are confused when the 'letter abbreviations' are used they can be defined on the latter.....and if the FLOCK would do its own administrative task, on the AOD page on the day a new acroynm is used.

"YEA YEA I KNOW SHORT!"

Bunch of Flock PIA's.

BaaHaa back at you flock, S. E. Van Hyning

HFBBB HFBBB HFBBB HFBBB

{Happy Flock Bouncing Bouncing Bouncing}

posted by Ellis the Ram and Esme the Ewe

Do you believe it? It is almost time for Esme and I to prepare for our annual sojourn with all our HCFs and Ovine friends at Malice Domestic. In case someone is unfamiliar, we will explain all about this Malice Domestic. Or in our typical acronym mode~MD XXIII. {For any who may fondly recall times past? This MD is not the acronym for the toxic alcoholic beverage which was the drink of choice for many as it was CHEAP. Which by default meant LOW QUALITY} I digress.

MD XIII?

A wonderful gathering of authors, readers/fans, and those professionals who deal with the bits and pieces of authors getting their works to the readers/fans. Our HC and MPU began attending several years back and absolutely love every minute of the weekend. In 2008 it was my turn to attend, my=Ellis the Ram. Of course. As head of flock both my duty and privilege. It was wonderful. And I met so many lovely people who interacted with me as ones who GET IT.

ELIZABETH J. DUNCAN {CBFEJD} author

IN THE COLD LIGHT OF MOURNING~BRUSH WITH DEATH

That was the year Elizabeth J. Duncan and I met. Actually she stopped my HC and spoke directly to me. I knew she was the right sort as she immediately commented on how perceptive I was, she knew that, she said, simply by my eyes. We have been friends since through many adventures. Alas, she has been so busy our correspondence has trickled off but it doesn't change our friendship. Next morning, as we nattered away, she asked my HC if I was going to the banquet. {I HADN'T BEEN ASKED} HC said I had nothing appropriate to wear to such an event and friend Elizabeth quickly offered to provide 'formal attire'. Next post I will have photos of 2008 MD where you will easily note, CBFEJD has great fashion sense. A wonderful time, not only the Banquet but the entire weekend.

HANNAH DENNISON {GFBFHD} , author

A VICKY HILL EXCLUSIVE~SCOOP~EXPOSE~THIEVES

The next year having noticed Esme in my of my pics, shared with Elizabeth, an invitation was extended to include Esme. Imagine, Elizabeth brought lovely fleece clips for Esme to wear to the banquet. That year we met our GFBFHD, Hannah. She also 'gets it' and it was like we'd always known each other. Hannah is extremely funny and very gracious. She began corresponding with us also but alas is often so busy we have long spells without hearing from her. But she always writes eventually and that is all that matters to us. Most importantly, it is all due to GFBFHD that this blog exists and for that alone we are eternally grateful.

OH YEA, MD XIII ?

We are HFBBB because it will soon be time to leave our pasture and journey to the convention. This year in Bethesda Maryland, which we've learned is not far away. Nevertheless we will be 'sleeping over' as in past years. Our HFBBB is due to our HC finally making our reservation for 'sleeping over' accommodations!!!!! And this year due to GFBFHD's plan to bring her entire flock we plan to select a few of our flock to accompany us also. And we certainly hope CBFEJD will bring members of her flock also !

I realize this is a slight detour from our interrogation of the 4 MDIs but fear not, the flock is fleece deep in that investigation and Flock on the Trail updates will detail it all.

Our Post minus 'titles and such' in red and black? Those are MD colors. Which we will be sporting at the banquet as will our HC and MPU.

For the Flock,

Ellis the Ram and Esme the Ewe

FLOCK ON THE TRAIL UPDATE #1

posted by Piper, OOC at command central

I've been designated as OOC~Ovine of Contact, to keep everyone informed of events as they occur in the matter of 'the flock within the flock'. After returning from the Ocean, with all but Willy, Ellis and Esme briefed the entire flock regarding this Purple, Green and Gold issue which we all agree must involve 'the flock within the flock'. With the discovery of something brought home in the bowl~bed and the subsequent disappearance of the bowl~bed contents, we are coordinating a east to west and north to south search of the entire Pasture. Often we gather together in some point in the Pasture and in complete silence try to detect any sounds which may give us a clue to a hiding place. So far no sounds have been detected.

Our Flock will leave no rock un~checked, no foliage un~searched and not a single sprig un~munched in our quest, of that all can be assured. I will post the next update~#2~on the morrow. So as not to confuse you by my signature which differs from the byline above, we are both one and the same.

EGGPLANT aka Piper

Ellis the Original !!!!

THE TWO ELLIS....ES

posted by Ellis the Ram

&&&&&&

Although our HC is 'clueless in Carolina' {or anywhere else on the planet-galaxy-universe} regarding posting, we are not. So we sent an email to our MTF {Most Trusted Friend} Ellis Berkowitz~MSW, ACSE, LCSW. Although he functions as a therapist to our HC assisting her to co-exist with the rest of the world {you wouldn't believe how long that will take~FOREVER}, to the flock Ellis the Original is our MTF. As a matter of fact it is from Ellis Berkowitz~MSW, ACSE, LCSW..... that I acquired my own name.

For future reference and to ensure you can tell us apart..................Ellis the Original-see above. And I, ELLIS THE RAM. Yes we both have very stylish similarly colored fleece but while his fleece confines itself to his head, mine encompasses my entire body. I feel a bit sad for Ellis, the original, but that is the advantage to being Ellis, the ram. We both are extremely insightful, highly intelligent, extremely humorous served with witty and pithy commentary on all subjects. In other words, ALMOST EXACTLY THE SAME. But again-Ellis the Original AND Ellis the Ram. Separate but equal.

I simply wanted to announce that when we do post and there may be accompanying photos relating to the post~~~~~~~I have received the appropriate approval. I hope now you all can rest easy knowing I have taken care of this. I know I will.

Rest Easy

ELLIS THE RAM

Delinquents Return

Guess I'll have to Start at the End of

The Day's 'Adventure'

~~~~~~~

Esme the Ewe

As you can see Ellis the Ram is a bit 'involved' dealing with Callopie and Ovi who have just returned from their 'unauthorized' adventure. And right after we went through this issue with Callopie just a few days ago. Ellis and I did see that she posted of her sneak about, despite being 'under punishment'. When she returned that day Ellis was absolutely spinning~~~went into FTRM {Full Tilt Ram Mode}. Any who may have dealt with unruly groups for which they are responsible will no doubt recognize FTRM.....Or if an HC, their version of it. May I say some handle such situations in a more calm frame of mind. And at times Ellis, through sheer force of will, can manage to control his temper............but this was not the case when Callopie was returned by our HC the other day.

~~~

So imagine my surprise when this afternoon we hear the door open and the noisy bickering and fussing as our Callopie and Ovi made their way down the hallway. THEY DIDN'T EVEN NOTICE US STANDING THERE. I was prepared for a FTRM times two. Instead my Ellis simply planted himself at the end of the hallway and waited. So busy were those two arguing and fussing it took a while for them to notice The Head of The Flock. Ellis was the picture of calm. After the 2 delinquents finally realized they were being watched the silence became complete. Ellis told me, "Esme, would you kindly go and post on our blog that 'THEY' will not be reporting on their 'adventure' for a while." Then to Callopie and Ovi....."So how was your adventure today? Have fun? I see you didn't injure yourselves. Perhaps you would care to explain what the two of you are arguing over?"

~~~

Callopie and Ovi uttered not a bleat or baa............complete Silence. {Music to my ears after the din that accompanied their return.} Ellis and the two walked toward the back of the hallway and into another room and we haven't heard a sound, as of yet. Perhaps later, when all the issues have been hammered about, Ellis has said what needs saying, and they return to our Beach Pasture~Callopie and Ovi will be permitted to post of todays adventure, perhaps tomorrow. Perhaps with an explanation of what all the fuss was over.

~~~

{{I didn't tell Ellis I thought Callopie posted a nice account of her adventure ~~probably wasn't a good time :):) }}

For Ellis, Esme the Ewe

Sorry Ocean Birds !!!!!!

Sorry Ocean Birds !!!!!

{I forgot this photo of my adventure}

posted by Callopie

I watched 3 Seagulls as they braved the Ocean as it came and came and came while it went and went and went. {I wonder if their toes get cold? }. They never swooped down and threatened me as other 2LFC {2 Legged Flying Creatures} have as I am eating MLGV in the pasture. The 2LFCs like the Hawks, nasty Blue Jays and Grackles. And they didn't make annoying noises as do the Grackles and Crows. Their wings did make sounds when they flew but nothing as fast as the Hummingbird. Although I saw white, grey, black, brown and tans from their feathers nothing as bright and lovely as the Gold Finches, Cardinals, Red Winged Blackbirds or Hummingbirds~who move so quickly I find it hard to decide just what color each may be. And although not unpleasant in form they didn't make the lovely rippling movements of the Morning Doves. But I am very glad we met and so sorry I forgot their part in My Adventure.

Cold we say? YES !!! Shear you say? NO !!!

posted by Ellis the Ram

In regard to winter.....Ovine Angst !

There are several issues with which we are constantly forced to face and frequently must voice our concerns. {Our HC Susan defines it as complaining. We disagree OF COURSE!} . So here we are yet again.....the arrival of another winter, unseasonable cold invading where such temperatures are seldom seen. Perhaps?? hearing at times a buzzing from the distance. Buzzing which may or may not be the sound of SHEARS, so we can not relax. ~~~~ The Flock is beginning to ripple. Why? Cold always leads to the subject of ~~~~~~

THE DREADED SHEARING.

Realizing many may not understand why we may be concerned? A few situations to consider...... 1. There is the indignity of being grappled, flipped, and wrestled as we are sheared. 2. The imminent and fearsome knowledge that we may be nicked, cut or suffer the scraping of our skin. 3. The horror of being the target of some novice with shears in hand, for the first time. 4. The grating sound of the shears as it attacks our fleece and the deafening buzz as it nears our neck and head. 5. That shears would break, leaving us to be incompletely sheared~WHO KNOWS WHAT WOULD BE GONE AND WHAT WOULD REMAIN. How Humiliating!!!

And then if the dreaded Shearing occurs WE would be COLD.

Some may question why they should be concerned about THE DREADED SHEARING. Worldwide there are countless Ovines not fortunate enough to have chosen a HC with whom to reside. Thus don't have the option of their flocks having a pasture indoors. Ovines may live in bitter cold or even terrible heat. In our pasture we have an ovine who originally resided in Iceland. 4LLL {Four Legged Limp Lamb-we should ask him to introduce himself in 'Meet the Ovines'} and he could tell of the cold. THEN. Today we happened upon a photo sent to our HC by another HC. Our hoofs felt like ice, our skin immediately developed goose bumps {why are dreaded afflictions always given animal names?} and our ears and tails shriveled inward. All of which makes us look beyond ridiculous!!!!! Our HC Susan was sent a postcard from a pen pal who lives in Australia, they met on Ravelry. {What's Ravelry? Browse and you will discover}. THIS POSTCARD WAS, A postcard of an Ovine, who was 'actually being sheared'. HORRORS !!! Are HCs sheared? Without consent? NO. If 4LCCs or even 4LFCs are sheared they have the privilege of residing indoors. Plus they are often given a treat afterwards. But we Ovines face THE DREADED SHEARING. WHY? So that other creatures may be warm. So HCs may don garments to keep out the cold, NORMALLY MADE FROM OUR SACRIFICES. For coats or beds for 4LCCs and others of the domesticated variety....your fleece isn't at risk PLUS you are allowed indoors with your HCs. Many Ovines aren't invited indoors.

So we....we.....the soft, the fluffy, the ORIGINAL owners of the woolen garments, are at great risk. Especially from COLD. So should you find yourself being offered a pair of shears, decline! Should you see in front of you an Ovine atop a table, leave! If you are asked to grapple and hold an Ovine while others with shears are in the area with intentions to shear, intercede! Remember, for all those not blessed at birth with being Ovines......maybe the next time you travel through this earthly plane you may luck out and find yourself in our pasture.

The wool you wear today~~next time COULD BE SHEARED FROM You ! You may be atop the table facing The Dreaded Shears. So, DO YOU REALLY NEED ANOTHER SWEATER?

In hopes, Ellis the Ram for our Ovine brethren everywhere. FLOCKISM for the post~~~~ Shearing is a drastic action which should be controlled not by those holding the shears but rather by those being sheared.

Common Ground

FINDING COMMON GROUND

posted by Ellis the Ram For those familiar with my story, my life with the 4LCC, Molly with whom we reside has been one of growth and acceptance. Both of which I will admit when compelled, has been ALL on my side. As anyone familiar with domestic creatures will attest, specifically 4LCCs....4LCCs are simple creatures. {As much as I would like to exclaim--simple~minded} by simple, I mean their needs and desires aren't wide ranging. If I were to prioritize the list:

1} AFHC {Attention from Human Creatures} 2} Food with AFHC

3} Water with AFHC 4} Sleep within the same territory with HCs or in reality on top of HCs

5} Walks/Car Rides with AFHC and finally

6} AFHC.

Understanding these priorities has encompassed 99% of my growth. The acceptance portion running wwww-aaaa-yyyy behind.

So with the sad discovery of the destruction of 2 of 3 ears of Indian Corn, which our HC used for seasonal decorations, many of the flock were bereft. Quickly we determined that as they had been outdoors, the criminal element was Squirrels. Squirrels who much to our amusement, have been the bane of the 4LCCs existence. Well....WE are no longer AMUSED.

One may question our attachment to these ears of Indian Corn. For the flock they represent the central focus of our existence~~THE PASTURE. They grow next to pastures. Although not munch-able leafy green vegetation, they do rise out of the soil as does munch-able leafy green vegetation. And if there is anything the flock loves, it is MUNCH-ABLE LEAFY GREEN VEGETATION. Sadly the Indian Corn was eaten, damaged, mauled.

The ears had been placed in a basket being used to collect seasonal decorations, in order for the HC to bring out more decorations. {Why? We have no answer} But the 3 ears fell onto the floor, which can be seen by the photo at the top of this post. And I was compelled to see for myself if it was true..............IT WAS!!!!!

So, imagine my shock when the 4LCC gently came to stand by me and inspect the damage, and then consoled me.

This was so shocking I called out to Esme to come and witness the 4LCC's behavior and she was so taken aback {I've often told her she is too sentimental} she joined us on the carpet. Then in a totally unexpected turn of events the 4LCC reclined next to us. If I were as kind hearted as Esme I might say the 4LCCs behavior was a show of support for our loss. But the reality is........we have found common ground~~~~we both detest

SQUIRRELS!!!!!

Sadly, ELLIS THE RAM

Why I'm in the freezer....

Your first question would be, So why am I sitting in a freezer?

Opening post by Ellis the Ram

Well, it is one place I could be alone. Even the youngest or most troublesome of The Flock wouldn't sit next to me beyond the first moment, cold~OBVIOUSLY! And these were my berries and until they froze they were in great danger of being eaten, by everyone ~ especially Esme. Esme has in the past done just that and having learned the hard way....WHEN IT COMES TO BERRIES TRUST VANISHES.

Esme? She is my lifelong friend and co head of my flock. Chain of command runs , I~Ellis the Ram and my partner Esme the Ewe. Bit by bit, when we permit their participation, our friends {HC-Human Creatures}, our peers {Ovines-Sheep} and even the housebound creatures which may reside within our Pastures homes of our HCs, namely 4LCCs and 4LFCs. All who may reveal themselves as our blog grows. Or you may meet them first, when they are key to what we wish to speak about in a post.

Definitions, yes. Many times we speak and write using 'acronyms'. No we had no clue what they were either when we first decided to reside with Susan, the HC in our Pasture. For some reason she seems to use them to the extreme. Several months into our living arrangement I finally had my fill of 'acronyms' and expressed a desire that she speak ENTIRE WORDS. It was at that point we learned why 'acronyms' were her norm. She is a Navy Veteran and it seems HCs who spend time in the Navy are trained to speak in acronyms. {The flock thinks it strange but we compromise on this point as it has caused trauma all around when we complain about the frequent new acronyms.} And trust me when I say learning to live with HCs is no small feat if one wishes to maintain their sanity.

Knowing of our difficulties with questionable groups of letters, we commit , when using the acronym for the first time, its definition will immediately follow in these {)[ keys on Susan's laptop. To backtrack then, these creatures we refer to as 4LCC and 4LFC? That would be 4LCC {Four Legged Canine Creature} and 4LFC {Four Legged Feline Creature}. Learning to live in harmony with THEM we have come to regard our species as highly evolved. This based solely on their behaviors.

My 2 best HC friends live in Canada and California and after meeting me, Ellis, they requested to live with Ovines in their own Pastures. With our blessings, Esme and I, they enjoy the benefits of sharing their Pastures. Of course those 2 flocks are no where near the population of The Van Hyning Pasture where we reside. At last Flock census, our numbers are well over 60 Ovines, each with their own terminally unique personalities, quirks and excellent qualities. The Flocks of Dennison {California} and Duncan {Canada} contain single digits of Ovines but are very clever and unique in their own ways.

As this is my first post I will end here. And no, I've long been out of the freezer. The photo was taken in August of this year while Esme, I and selected members of our flock went on holiday with our HC, her PU {Parental Unit-Polly} and the 4LCC, Molly. The berries.....Blackberries and Blueberries picked daily, frozen and returned to our pasture in Pennsylvania. I love berries!

For The Flock and Esme, I bid you good evening and sleep well.

ELLIS THE RAM

P.S. We must share the laptop with Susan our HC. We sometimes rely on her to research and inform us on the best method regarding ways and means to achieve our goals. Did I mention she is severely ADHD thus easily distracted co mingled with serious hyper focus issues and quick to fume when multiple inconsequential requests are made of her? {I think the word overload would easily describe the issue we deal with at times}. We request patience from you......so if you have any extra patience you don't need...WE ARE ALWAYS IN DIRE NEED!!!!!