Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! I'm just back in town from a family gathering in California, myself. So I'm a little late, but I wanted to send out a reminder that we are scheduled to meet, this Wednesday at 7pm to discuss
The Shepherd's Life. As always, to help with room set up, please shoot me a quick note if you plan to attend.
Below, I've attached a couple of my own photos from a walking trip through the Lake District a few years back. However, if you really want to get into the mood, you'll want to check out the Herdy Shepherd
Instagram or
Twitter feed. Since the publication of his book, James Rebanks has become a social media phenom.
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| Herdwick sheep |
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| Fells and ghyll above Windermere |
"The Shepherd's Life" was an interesting book to read and an eye opener for how much care and attention is needed to successfully raise sheep in a very trying geography. It seems that some of the flock need attention every day, as there are predators, diseases, snow and other weather challenges, and the entire breeding and lambing processes. The shepherds have great love for the sheep and admirable support for one another. Having been raised in Boston, I have never cared for any farm animals; many of the work requirements actually scare me. I cannot image working so hard every day of the year, from predawn to dusk, and being so isolated from the rest of the world. Shepherding is a dedication far beyond my comprehension. If I can make a recommendation to the author I suggest including a glossary of terms, and a map of the entire farm and the grazing areas. While it's an interesting read, and one I never would have selected, I can't think of whom I would recommend the book to.
ReplyDeleteDick, Thank you for posting this concise summary. I opted out of this month's selection on account of low interest in subject matter. Although I love roast lamb, and enjoy the warmth of a wool jacket, that is about the extent of my curiosity about the daily life of shepherds. (I was not a fan of "Hillbilly Elegy" either.) Just finished "Trapped Under The Sea" (2014) by Neil Swidey, about the construction of the 10 mile long Deer Island sewage tunnel. I'd recommend it, if you like reading the gory details about an amazing engineering project that was 5 times the length of the Ted Williams Tunnel, and is credited for helping to clean up Boston Harbor.
DeleteOther recommendations: "Rules of Civility" and "A Gentleman in Moscow" by Amor Towles were superb reads. Also liked Walter Mosley, "Down to the River Unto the Sea." And T.C. Boyle "When the Killing's Done."
Dennis Noonan