Empty Nest Syndrome - Again!

15 July 2025

My friend K.F. was teasing me last night about my ‘empty nest syndrome’ when the last lot of lambs were weaned, with a reprieve for one of them. The last one, Lammertjie [little lamb], was a little cheeky, walking into my huisie [cottage] when he felt a bit peckish. Usually, it would be sometime around sunrise and then again mid-afternoon. Sometimes, his buddies would tag along to wander through the huisie. Maybe they want to buy?

This morning, at 02:40 am, Lammertjie walked in again. Mêh, mêh, mêh; feeding time! No use putting him out, he just stays on the stoep [veranda] until he gets fed. Klein bliksem! [Little rascal!] This morning, I saw he’d left me a bokdrol [droppings] review. Then again at 08:00, as I was walking across the plaaswerf [farmyard].

Lammertjie was not keen on going to the veld

Feeding done, I get a WhatsApp from plaasvrou. The last lamb can be weaned now!! Could I please take the lambs to the skool kamp, i.e. they’re going to the veld.

Genades, nie al weer nie! [Oh dear, not again!]

Not my farm, not my decision. I fetched Lexi, she was on the bakkie [pickup truck] as oom Toekie and the crew were going out the farm. She likes the bakkie and oom Toekie! Lexi then helped me gather the lambs and drive them through the gate¹. Not the best sheep drive we’ve done together; we achieved the objective².

Ag shame! Lammertjie seemed to sense what was happening and loitered behind the rest of the lambs before going through the gate.

Lexi pitched up last night (Sunday). I’d closed my door, which I don’t do when she’s around, and was already in the kooi [bed] when I heard her barking on the stoep. Lexi was reticent to come inside, and it took some cuddling and cajoling. She’s very submissive, pack instinct in a good way. Eventually, she went to her blanket, re-arranged it in a circle and lay down.

In no time, Lexi was asleep. Her breathing rhythmic, it did me some good!

In my previous Story, I’d mentioned that Oruna (the horse) had a special moment after my blommetjies [flowers] road trip. On Friday afternoon, things got a little ‘hot’. The filly from the Bo-Dorp that had been getting Oruna somewhat excited was on the other side of the fence! This had Oruna and the filly running up and down, trying to get to each other. Oom Dirk and some kids were trying to entice the filly back to the Bo-Dorp. Nothing that I could do to help, I’m more than useless when it comes to horses, and left the rodeo.

On Saturday morning, a pleasant surprise! The filly was grazing next to Oruna, both completely at ease! I gave Oruna some treats, his girlfriend standing back, still a little nervous. Later the same day, I walked to the top of the koppie [hill] behind my huisie when I saw Oruna and the filly next to fence. He was looking at me, so I walked over. I didn’t have any treats on me, but Oruna insisted on giving me a few nibbles to try and find them!

As a part of my “empty nest” therapy, I went to see Bowie, Lily and the other puppies yesterday morning. Lily was lying on the roof of the dog hut and was very excited to see me, and then the puppies came out. Bowie seems to recognize me now and was very keen on a belly rub. The puppies are 7 weeks today and eating solid food as part of their weaning. I’ll be collecting Bowie over the weekend (8 weeks).

How will Lexi deal with Bowie?

I also took a walk down Rolbos Straat [Tumbleweed Road], where many of the inkomelinge [newcomers] live, and had a catch-up with T, C & H. In these plaateland dorpies [rural towns], it takes a long time to become fully ‘accepted’ by the locals. I reckon it’s three generations or more³.

What else has been happening in the zoo? The Cape Weaver birds are starting to build their nests, with the females probably tearing a few apart, though I have not seen this yet. They fly into the kitchen and nibble on bread on the counter or dip their beaks into the pots if I leave the lids off. I now leave some dog pellets on the stoep, which they’re eating.

Also, there’s a stray cat that comes at night, though Lexi is not keen. I’ll maak ‘n plan [make a plan], maybe put a bowl of food further away from the house.

I’ve started painting again, as it was a little warmer yesterday. I get some constructive feedback on social media and am now trying to paint more in layers, rather than all in one go. Let’s see what happens - keep that feedback coming!

1. Druk hulle [Press them]; Bring hulle [Bring them]; Kom agter [Come behind]; Mooi! [Beautiful, well done!

2. Not bad for someone who had not worked sheep until 15 months ago and had only seen sheep herding with Border Collies on tv. Lexi knew the basics and we’ve developed a good understanding of how to work together. In an ideal world, we’d be working sheep more often, as we were a little rusty on Monday.

3. The bush telegraph will probably be buzzing 😎