Thanks for the warm welcome so far guys (and possibly gals).

 

As my title says, I am three weeks away from a major life change. My big house of two here in Maine (myself and my 5 year old daughter) is about to add a new wife, and her two daughters. For those that care about such things, that will be me and the wife, and three daughters 4,5, and 6. Now with ages like that...think 15,16,17 in 11 years....what guy worth his radial arm saw WOULD NOT think of such things!! I'll never get the bathroom!!  :-)

 

I don't do a lot of woodworking as much anymore as I have since gotten into sheep farming in 2008 and that takes up much of my time now. My woodworking projects do not include wooden models anymore, nor train shaped cradles or that sort of thing, but instead revolve around sheep feeders, hovels and gates! Its okay though as I love the sheep, love watching the kids deal with the lambs, and how it connects this Christian family with the bible.

 

The woodworking aspect is about to change with the arrival of my bride Katie though. Deeply involved in architecture, she wants to gut the house, redo the kitchen and living room and feather her new nest in a plethora of ways. So in the coming months this house will see some major renovation. But I have always wanted to build a really nice crib, complete with lovetails, heart shaped spindles and the like, and just maybe our honeymoon will produce the inspiration for a new heirloom crib. Yep, despite 3 girls, Katie and I are really looking forward to having a baby boy; after all I need someone to help deed this farm over too, and for this family that is important because we have been here since 1757, 9 consecutive generations. Another generation would be nice.

Welcome aboard Travis. Wow it sounds like some major changes are for sure on the way. I guess taking care of the place puts woodworking into the practical woodworking instead of hobby or even business. The things that have to be built just to keep the place going.

 

So our old friend Norm built a coffee table from a sheep sheering table. If you got any of those I guess that could be a woodworking project. On that subject, do you also do the sheering or are they people that come around and do that? I have no idea so I'll ask the question.

 

I sure the Biblical relationship with the sheep is an interesting process to watch.  I enjoy just watching people and get fascinated but some of the things we all do.

 

Well we look forward to your joining in with us and don't be bashful, jump in on the discussions on the forums, post pictures of your projects, we all love to see what others are building.

 

Best of luck with the coming changes in your life, it sounds like they are grounded in all of the right places. Maybe we will get to see that heirloom crib.

 

If I can be of any assistance to you here, please let me know.

 

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John Moody
John Moody Woodworks

First, congrats on the impending nuptials. Three daughters, Travis, you are a glutton for punishment!

 

But seriously, I am sure you and your new bride will find happiness and fulfillment with life "on the farm". I can't think of a better way to raise children in today's world. It is the perfect environment to provide grounding in a society that seems to have gone crazy with materialism and envy.

 

Lew

Welcome Travis!  I hope you find this place a respite from the busy world.  Where is Thorndike in rationship to Dexter?  I went there on business several times.

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Ron Dudelston
Above and Beyond WoodWorks

 

Allow me to extend a welcome, also.

Helped my uncle during shearing time for several years. He hired a guy to do it, I just held the animals. We did it on the barn floor. His sheep were not close to tame.

We live a stone's throw from the Navajo Nation and I worked at several places on the Nation. They raise some really neat sheep. I think they are Angoras. Long, silky wool, anyway.

I love to watch their dogs work. I've seen a lot of working dogs who respond to a shepherd's whistled commands. But the Navajo's dogs need no commands. They can be seen herding sheep without any one around. It's all open range and the dogs keep the sheep from wandering on to the high ways. They are a marvel to watch.

 

Thanks guys. Yes the sheep are a lot of work, but I really don't mind, we ultimately go back to the Mayflower before landing here in 1757, so sheep are really a family legacy. My Dad and I an both shear, but our backs won't allow us to shear many, so we hire it out to a 20 year old girl that loves the shearing.

 

As for the new bride, yep she likes sheep to say the least. That is good as Lambing Season is pretty intense. Here are a few pictures you might enjoy.

 

 

Travis

Welcome aboard. Congrats on your pending big day. 3 girls ..... I have one all grown and married with babies of her own. As for having to wait for the bathroom, if your redoing your home you might want to add one or two more   trust me on this one with only 2 in the house and 1 bathroom it was hard. I also wish you guys all the very best the future has to hold and offer. Remember when you need a break and a change of pace, we are always here.

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Wayne
God Bless our Troops and Protect them.

Travis, welcome aboard. I haven't had much time to spend at this site but I finally have time. Sounds like you are ready to have many changes. My wife and I live in Tennessee and we have 8 children and getting ready to adopt a little boy. He will be a real blessing in our home. Our 9th grandchild was born Wed. 6/15/11. Life is so grand with a wonderful wife and a house full of laughing children. It's better than Christmas. Well Travis it's time to go to church. Just think 3 high school graduations in a row, 3 college graduations in a row, and 3 weddings in a row. WOW

I have always loved kids so that part is not a big deal, just going to change my rather quiet and low key lifestyle right now, that is all. My parents were foster parents so I grew up with 9 brothers and sisters, us three children were biological but they adopted 6 more kids. (41-14 years old) I look at the girls as being blessings, and just look forward to improving their life and loving their mother.

 

As for Dexter, Maine...all I can tell you is that I am about 90 minutes south of that town by snowmobile. Not sure how far it is by car, probably about the same amount of time.

 

As for farm life, we got the corn in the other day (a little late this year) and got the upper field bushogged so things are looking up. I need to get a pile of stuff done before the Honeymoon you know.

Oh by the way, one of the reasons why this is such a big deal to us is, I live in Maine and my fiance lives in New Hampshire...nearly in Vermont ,and is 174 miles away. So this is a huge change for us! No more 3-1/2 hour trips one way to see each other every other weekend or so.

Congrats Travis! And I can relate the long distance between you guys, it's a real bear. I admire the lifestyle your kids get to grow up in. What a wonderful up bringing.

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John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker