The Louie Tree.

The excitement was mounting. A very special Christmas date for Maisey and Penelope has been planned. They were both invited to the Christmas Catillion far away in a land down south. A beautiful farm owned by a wonderful Shepherdess who loves sheep too. In fact it is the farm where I was born. My name is CheeZcake and this is our story of

" The Louie Tree" 

A special trailer was being made up and prepared for our ewe's to be transported in,  two days before Christmas. 

The two would be the first to leave the comfort and safety of our pasture. The only farm they had ever known, and travel down south in their special carriage to meet the prince. 

The two ewes were nervous but excited.  From what I heard, at this sheep catillion is a new handsome prince we had only heard about in stories and rumors through the grapevine.  Because his wool was so white and curly just as a purebred Valais Black Nose Ram's should be, he was chosen and crowned to be a prince and was dubbed  "His Royal Highness , Prince Marshmello." 

I don't know if I think he is a prince and I don't think I want my friends to go down there. But, the plans have been set in motion so I guess I'll just have to deal with all the things. 

Rumor has it Prince Marshmello has grown up to be a fine ram and is now being presented to his fellow sheep as the next master and king of his own flock.

He will father this new royal  blood line and in so doing, it will  now be up to him, the new Prince Royal, to choose who helps him create and govern all his heirs, throughout the land so his Royal Heritage Line will stand the test of time. 

He has been taught all the things a fine young ram must learn before meeting all the ladies in waiting. 

I assume they have already had the" fitting of the chest plate " ceremony for him. 

He will be assigned a color that only he will be allowed to wear. The special colored plate sits on his chest as a sign to all who see him, that he is the prince they are waiting to meet. 

Because it is the festival of winter,  with Christmas almost here, Prince Marshmello has been  presented a fine looking shield full of the color "Christmas Red" with the magical powders that he will now be responsible for handling. 

Personally I don't see what the big deal is. I mean, what is there to learn? All he has to do is wake up every morning and remember he is a sheep. Why does he get a ceremony and all this special celebratory woohaw,  but the rest of us don't? 

Anyway, on with my story. 

Prince Marshmello apparently knows exactly the kind of ewe he is looking for.

One that is proper and sophisticated in their behavior of course. Just like my flock mates. I already know he won't find any better suited than them, but they're throwing a huge Christmas Catillion Dance to celebrate his opportunity to choose who he wants, so who am I to judge, right? 

Another rumore I heard, there's gonna be a whole bunch of ewes gathering down there just to meet him. He wants only the best for his offspring. The future princes and princesses. Now, all the ewes all over the country are being pampered and prepped for the occasion. 

Maisey and Penelope bid their farewell to me as they loaded into their awaiting chariot It has fresh hay, clean straw to lye down in and low lighted ambiance to take them to their supposed awaiting prince. Again, I don't see why he is such a big deal to everybody.  If you know anything about me.... I'm a pretty big deal myself. 

Our shepherdess here at Wild Daisy Homestead has really missed the ewes and so do I.  It's been a whole day, I have wandered the pasture searching for my flock but nobody is here. I keep calling out for them but they won't answer. 

I did receive extra visits from our shepherdess who brought me cookies. The animal cracker cookies. Those are my favorite.  But nevertheless, I can't help being sad. They just don't taste the same anymore. 

I'm trying to hold my head up so our Shepherdess doesn't see how sad I am, but I'm failing big time. She knows I am heart broken cause I see the tears in her eyes when she comes to see me. We are both worried.   

"They'll be home soon CheeZcake" she says. 

"Just think,  if he has chosen our ewes as the Christmas Catillion Pincesses, there will be a special sign and many blessings of good fortune and love will be coming our way. They will be wearing his color of marking on their woolen fleeces. We will have to wait and see what happens. But I am choosing to let the dreams of our future flow.

"Woopty do"  I thought to myself, " who cares about his colors anyway?"  I guess everybody forgot about the beautiful lime green collar I wear sometimes for pictures. But, I would never say that to my shepherdess. That would make her sad. 

So now both of us sat there with our heads hung low missing the rest of our flock.

Christmas morning finally arrived. A special messenger  with a loud notification that was being saved for just this moment.  The shepherdess nervously answered and there was this message saying  " Merry Christmas" with a picture of our ewes. And guess what?.... They had indeed been chosen by Prince Marshmello as the princesses he was looking for. 

In the picture we saw both Maisey and Penelope standing together at the fence looking proud and happy as they both wore the color of Christmas Red on their fleeces.

THEY REALLY  HAD BEEN CHOSEN! 

I have to admit, that picture made all the difference in how we were feeling that Christmas morning.  In fact, it lightend our heavy, emotional loads and turned our frowns upside down. 

The Shepherdess was growing increasingly concerned. A big snow storm was expected to hit sometime in the next few hours. Apparently it has been on the news for the last few days. 

She told me that if she didn't make the trip down to get them today, it may be several days or weeks before the snow clears enough for her to make the trip safely. 

I know her almost as much as she knows herself, there was no way she was going to not go down and get them, a little snow never scared her before. But to be honest, I was a little scared knowing I'd be here, alone.  And all the news on the TV was making her nervous. 

Dressed in her warmest attire she left me and the farm to travel south until she found the palace where our ewes were waiting.

Now remember, that's where I came from years ago so I know its a safe place to be. It sits in a beautiful location where the shepherdess down there, can look out over her own flock from her  beautiful windows. 

She finally arrived and was greeted with warm hello"s and excited conversations. 

 With our ewes safely tucked into their traveling trailer she told them of her gratitude and and appreciation for the gifts. Then, she drove down the road looking toward the sky often to see how close the storm was. She later told me she was nervous hauling that large trailer especially if the storm hit before she could make it home with her precious cargo snuggled in the back.  They were putting all their trust in her, we all were. 

Here I was all alone on the farm. Everybody was gone. Quietly, I shed more than a few tears when I saw her pull away that cold Christmas afternoon. My heart ached. 

I eventually fell asleep in our barn, I decided to curl up where Maisey usually sleeps. It helped me not miss her so. much. At some point I fell asleep. Darkness had crept in while I rested trying to dream of happier days when we were all together. 

I opened my eyes when I heard the truck pull in. I knew it was them! It just had to be!

There she was, the large truck that hauled the very special trailer that took our ewes away, was back! Our Shepherdess had made it home safely with everybody we were missing. 

Hope and excitement began to rise in my chest as I let out a holler, wondering if I would hear their reply. Then it came. It was them! They were home. I ran to the trailer  anxious for the door to open. 

"CheeZcake? CheeZcake, we're here. Wait until we tell you all about the Christmas catillion." 

I remember the trailer doors swung open wide, out jumped our two ewes. I have never been more excited to see anyone in my life. I am not ashamed to say I ran to them and they ran towards me. We were all together.  Our flock was whole again.

"Christmas lights marked our path all the way down and again all the way home." The ewes proceeded to tell me. They had all sorts of wild stories to tell. Some I'm not so sure I believe, but we'll save all that for another day. 

 "He chose us!!!" they cried out  " Prince Marshmello chose us." 

They stood still as I looked them over to make sure both were ok. They had a new smell mingling with their regular smell that was strange and I wasn't used to.

Then I saw them,  two beautiful "Christmas Red" marks that had been left by Prince Marshmello himself.

So he was actually the real deal.  There really is a Prince Marshmello and he did sprinkle his magical red powders on our ewes. The ewes were indeed blessed with his presence. 

I have to say I felt proud of our girls that night.  This time instead of my head hanging down low, I held it high.  I was beginning to sense the new, very important life roles they were now engaged in, as the chosen Christmas Catillion Princesses. 

Snow started to fall lightly just as they arrived home. Then it hit with a vengeance. The winds began to howl and the snow fell faster. Where we live, the snow gets deeper than I am tall, very fast. Our Shepherdess was right. If she hadn't gone when she did, she may not have made it home with our ewes for a long time. 

It was a full on blizzard that night, I remember. But we were now back together, snuggled up in our warm barn with fresh laid straw. Our Shepherdess was inside the house. We could see her from our barn. The warm glow coming from the  light in the kitchen as she stood there with her cup of warm cocoa looking out at us in our barn.  What a fine Christmas this had been. I feel badly that I didn't completely trust her when the ewes left. I should have known it would all be ok. When we awoke the next morning ready for our breakfast, winter had indeed set in and we were snowed in our barn until we saw her coming with the snow shovel to free us. 

Spring arrived and the snows began to melt. Things were got  exciting around our homestead. 

Our shepherdess brought sweet oats and grains for the ewes to eat. I got some too as nobody wanted me to feel left out, but I  knew it was most important for the ewes to get their fill first. I wasn't exactly sure why, I could just sense something was different, and I wanted to be true to the nobility of my breed 'a 50/50 cross Valais Black Nose and Baby Doll.  Everybody knows first and foremost the Valais are  gentleman. 

We were excited to see the man who comes to release us from our heavy woolen winter fleeces. Yes, shearing day had arrived. We all received a haircut and a pedicure. We don't exactly appreciation to the fullest our shearing that takes place when its happening, but we  sure looked fresh and stylish by the time he left.  We all celebrated and told each other repeatedly how great we all looked for the next 24 hours. 

Delivery week has arrived is what our Shepherdess said as she sat out in our pasture while taking a break. She had been busy fixing the fence line, making these cool looking little pens, cleaning things up, stacking the hay and making sure everything was clean and orderly. 

She showed Maisey and Penelope their very own private rooms and called it a lambing pen. Each had their own, yet they were joined together so we could all  be together. She knows how frightened we would be if we got seperated. 

I knew something was happening, but again, I didn't quite know what. Penelope grew more restless and the Shepherdess said it was time for her to stay in her private accomodations until the little surprise bundle arrives. We all waited anxiously. 

The lambing pen was just the perfect size. It had fresh straw to make a soft bed, her very own small water bucket that was kept filled with nice cool water to drink. She also had her very own basket of sweet alfalfa hay mixed in with the usual grass, hanging on the side of her divider. Everything was ready. 

I of course was set up in my sheep shack right in front, where I could still be near and see both of our ewes and they could both see me. 

That night, in the wee morning hours,  I was sleeping when I  heard a noise I have never heard before. It sounded like sheep but....  they were very faint and barely a sound at all. I stepped out as I saw our shepherdess arrive outside as well. Ok, something was definitely going on. She will come visit us late into the night sometimes but never at the hour of 2:00  in the blessed A.M. 

She hung a small light on the gate. It was a very soft lighting. Just enough to see but gentle enough as not to alarm the two tiny lambs that were snuggled together on a bed of fresh straw.  

We all gathered around, listening to a  quiet song Penelope was now calling out and singing to her twins. Both were girls. We now have two new ewes in our flock. 

We were all delighted at the tiny new creatures who were indeed sheep, just very very small and brand new to life. Brand new to our farm. Something like this has never happened here before. Truly a time to celebrate. 

They called out  for their momma in their wee little voices. Penelope stood there, cleaning and encouraging them to drink their very first taste of warm milk she had for them. 

Maisey was also in awe, smiling at the very small set of twins who now resided in the pen next door to her. She continued to sniff and investigate as did I . 

"They're  beautiful Penelope" our Shepherdess whispered.

Penelope finally laid down next to her new babies. The new additions snuggled together resting quietly until morning, 

Our  Shepherdess arose early that morning and hurried to get everything done so she could give full attention to the new lambs. They were now standing and looking around at everything. So many things to see and smell. They even tried to hop and jump, but kept falling over their own little hooves.

She quietly and carefully walked into the lambing pen, cleaned up all the old straw, laid fresh straw down for the new little residents and their momma. Penelope was very gracious, allowing our shepherdess to meet her babies full on. She stood tall, proud and accepting of the praise she was receiving. 

"You're such a good momma Penelope," she said  "you've done such a good job." 

She finished giving loves and pats to all inside that cozy pen. Then decided mom and babies needed some time alone.

Filling the water  bucket, hay basket and grain tray once again, she quietly stepped back out. 

Now, you may be wondering about now

" what exactly does this have to do with a tree named Louie?" Bare with me, it is all going to come together soon. 

A couple days later excitement filled the air once again. The feeling around the farm was magical. Everything was just perfect. Calm and peaceful the animals waited their turns to great the new arrivals as they were released from the  makeshift maternity ward, out into our play pen area. I must say, their momma had a look of relief on her when they started to hop outside of their pen instead of on her. 

Thats when I saw Maisey lay down inside of her private room. She looked tired and ready to have her surprise arrive as well. Would it be the same kind of surprise? We all began to wonder. 

Arrive he did.. 4 days after the twins were born, Maisey stood proud and protective over her beautiful little boy who made his entrance that morning. Everyone including the new lambs gathered around Maisey as she introduced the newest member of our flock. 

"I would like for all of you to meet Louie, my new lamb." 

Maisey too was congratulated and praised for a job well done.  

Our shepherdess waited a while just watching the new mom and son bonding. Then stepped inside of their pen, began to clean up the old straw and all the things that were left after the birth of little Louie. 

She collected everything and set it in her wheelbarrow. Laid down a thick layer of fresh straw, filled the water bucket with cool clean water, topped off the grain tray and quietly left Maisey and baby Louie to rest, just as she had done for Penelope. 

I watched her take all the leftovers she had just cleaned up and set inside the wheelbarrow over towards the  compost pile. She stopped when she noticed the tree.

Well, she called it a "tree just waiting to decide if it wanted to live." I just thought of it as a stick. Because it was literally a stick that had been stuck in the ground. No leaves or buds or flowers just a bare stick. I thought it was a silly gesture at the time. 

She seemed to love this stick, I thought there was no hope for the big beautiful tree she kept telling the stick it could be someday if it would just try a little harder to live.  It did have a  few roots when she planted it, it just wasn't showing any signs of growing or even desire to become a big tree someday. The way I was seeing things, it didn't even want to be a tiny tree or a tree at all.  I wandered over to see what she was looking at and why it had suddenly caught her attention. 

"I wonder" she said out loud . " I wonder if I dig a hole right here next  to this tree and place all of the straw and things I cleaned up after louie's birth, inside the hole, then cover it back up.....  just maybe it will give this sad little tree the nutrients it needs to start to grow.?" She looked at me as if she wanted a confirmation to her theory. I just stood there, you know in a kind of an emotional support type role for the moment. 

She did exactly as she felt inspired to do. Digging the hole right next to the tiny twig. Once she had placed everything the wheel barrow had been carrying inside of the hole, she covered it with all the fresh soil and dirt she had just dug up.  Looking at the stick with hopeful eyes, I think I heard her utter a small prayer. 

 She spoke to the tree softly as she turned and walked away. 

A few days later our Shepherdess was out doing the morning chores. Checking all of us animals, filling water buckets, feed buckets and mineral pans. She went over to the stick and began to give it some water just like she does every morning.

"What? What is this?" A big happy smile covered her face " There are leaves and buds! They're tiny but they are there just as sure as the sun came up this morning." 

We all stood trying to see what it was she was so excited about while munching on our  sweet sprigs and blades of grass hay. She continued with her excitement. 

"Louie!!!! Maisey!!! You did it. It's because of you this little tree has found the will to live.  I'll be darned." 

Maisey and Louie stood proud and noble as they witnessed the pure joy our shepherdess had in her voice for both of them and their contribution to the cause. 

I am proud and happy to report here today that, this tree now stands tall continuing  to grow 2 years later.  It has become a beautiful willow tree, the branches heavy with leaves as they hang down. They are now creating the beautiful canopy a large full grown weeping willow has. Her vision is literally growing in front of our eyes and providing us the comforts we all once dreamed of. 

Today is Louies birthday, it is also the  birthday of the tiny stick that  decided to live and become the shade and cool comfort for all of us to lye under in the summer. 

Our miracle tree has been named " The Louie Tree" during a celebratory ceremony of our own creation. I have to agree, that's the perfect name. 

It will stand for decades to come growing larger and stronger for all who sit under its weeping willow branches to feel the whimsical and enchanting feeling that was felt on our farm during such a magical and unforgettable time. We as residents of this homestead know of the magical powers it possesses to all who come and sit under it.  The Heavenly energy felt while relaxing here under this tree is unmatched when it comes to any other magical trees.

Thank you for reading my story of " The Louie Tree" 

Wishing Louie A Very Happy Birthday. 

Love CheeZcake.  

Written from the thoughts and inspirations of CheeZcake, The first little Valais Black Nose Sheep In All Of Cache County Utah.  

Planting of the placenta you retrieve from left over birth debris from your farm animals is a natural and very healthy way to give nutrition to trees and plants around your property. The iron rich blood is incredibly nutritious for the growth of roots and leaves