Sheep

Latest news on sheep

Thought for the Week

Matthew 25:31-46 31?When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. 32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, 33and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. 34Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ?Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; 35for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.? 37Then the righteous will answer him, ?Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? 38And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? 39And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?? 40And the king will answer them, ?Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.? 41Then he will say to those at his left hand, ?You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; 42for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.? 44Then they also will answer, ?Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?? 45Then he will answer them, ?Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.? 46And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.?NRSV Although, it seems strange to end the Christian year, the Year of Matthew, not with the crucifixion and the resurrection of Jesus. Rather with the Reign of Christ and this passage. However, it is really true that when we have said all that we have said about Jesus from Birth to death and resurrection, where does the action of the community (and individual Christians alike) most meet the test of what we are called to be: when we react to hunger, thirst, loneliness, poverty, illness and isolation. For surely the separation of the followers of Jesus and the inheritors of the Kingdom of God are going to be measured by this passage. JimClick Here for Sunday Readings

Sapporo

The view of sheep field, Sapporo, Hokkaido

Fruit and veg boom needed to feed Britain

It is an image worthy of a Keats poem or a Constable landscape: great orchards bursting with fruit, fields crammed with ripening vegetables and hillsides covered with sheep and cattle.But this is no dream of long-gone rural glories. It is a vision of the kind of countryside that Britain may need if it is to survive the impact of climate change and higher oil prices, according to leading agricultural experts.They have warned that only a total revolution in the nation's food industry can save Britain from serious shortages of staples as world oil production peaks, the climate continues to heat up, the population grows and our dietary needs continue to evolve.In turn that means a complete shake-up in the way we farm the countryside. At present Britain imports more than 90 per cent of the fruit it consumes.'We face some awesome changes in the way we deal with food production,' said Tim Lang, professor of food policy at City University, London. 'For the past century we have relied on oil to produce more and more food for ourselves - mainly through the use of petroleum products to make cheap fertilisers.'The problem is that oil is becoming more and more expensive and is also linked to dangerous emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. As a result, food experts such as Lang have been pressing the government to develop a proper strategy for ensuring that Britain is able to supply itself with food for the rest of the century, but in a way that fits in with the nation's goals on climate change.It is simply not acceptable for Britain to continue to import foodstuffs such as beans from countries like Kenya, they say. The nation needs to be self-sustaining and to do this in an environmentally friendly manner.One key approach relies on a return to past methods of food production. The nation needs to re-learn the gardening skills it lost a century ago and to change its diet to one that includes less meat, fewer dairy products and more fruit and vegetables, said Lang. 'This country produces less than 10 per cent of the fruit it eats. That has to change. We need to consider orchard planting on a massive scale as well as encouraging people to eat more fruit and vegetables.'Nor is it acceptable that 40 per cent of the grain produced in Britain is used to feed the cattle and sheep that provide us with meat and dairy products. Growing grain which is then fed to animals is an inefficient way to deliver protein to the populace. Instead cattle and pigs should be confined to hillsides where they can graze and not use up grain that has required oil-based fertilisers for its growth. Prime land should be used to feed people directly, Lang insisted.This point was backed by Dr David Barling of City University's Centre for Food Policy. 'The debates around what and how much food the UK should produce and import should be based upon the priorities of providing a vibrant food economy that is socially just, environmentally benign and provides for a healthy population. This is not the case currently,' he said.Such changes in the use of the countryside have other implications, however. More people will be required to work this altered landscape while productive land will have to be protected from development. 'We are going to have to revolutionise the way we use the countryside,' said Lang. That transformation will require a return to old ways that might be welcome but equally there could be changes that might cause upset, such as the building of more rural homes to house those needed to work there. 'We will have to face up to these challenges as well,' Lang concluded.AgricultureFoodClimate changeClimate changeguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2008 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

Palo Duro Canyon

Palo Duro Canyon http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96833445 When it comes to geography, West Texas doesn't exactly have the greatest reputation. From Mack Davis' song about how happiness is Lubbock in his rearview mirror to Larry McMurtry's haunting novel The Last Picture Show, the flat, treeless, endless landscape inspires feelings of windswept loneliness. There's just so much of it and so little of you. And that's why, when you get to the edge of this monotony and look out over Palo Duro Canyon State Park — with its fork of the Red River meandering gently through the grass along the wide canyon floor — you almost sob with relief. Palo Duro is 120 miles long and 8 miles wide. It lays claim as the second largest canyon in the country after the Grand Canyon. The canyon and river sustain a habitat that would have little chance on the open plains. Big horn sheep, mule and white tail deer, coyotes, bobcats and even a mountain lion recently took up residence. But it's the big birds that put on the real show. "The real spectacular presence is the raptors," says Randy Ferris, who is in charge of Palo Duro Canyon. http://ozreport.com/12.154#0 http://ozreport.com/12.154#3 Discuss Palo Duro Canyon at the Oz Report forum   link»

Sligo RFC Fundraiser for injured out-half

Sligo RFC is trying to raise some funds for their young New Zealand out-half who was severely burned while attending a party at the club. Paddy Pearson was dressed as a sheep at the fancy dress party when he went to the aid of another party goer who had been set alight as a prank. It was then that Paddy's own synthetic costume caught alight and he now has third degree burns across his entire body.

Blue Lake Springs (Arnold) $227 3bd

Large Cabin in Blue Lake Springs (Arnold, CA) (>2000 sq feet) This 3-story chalet style cabin has 3 bedrooms, plus a loft, recreation room and deck. Blue Lake Springs has 2 lakes, swimming pool, tennis courts, and Lodge with restaurant. Sleep 10-12 2 night minimum for $455.40 For availability please contact www.cedarcreekrealty.com Arnold is surrounded by the Stanislaus National Forest, Big Tees State Park, the Gold country of Sonora, numerous lakes and rivers, 12 wineries, 3 golf courses, Mercer Caverns and much more. You will be 5 minutes from Calaveras Big Trees State Park, 30 minutes from Bear Valley Ski Resort, 20 minutes to Stanislaus National Forest, and just 15 minutes from historic towns of Murphy's and Angels Camp. HIKING, MOUNTAIN BIKING, camping & backpacking are all at your doorstep in this scenic and vast Stanislaus wilderness area. WINE TASTING with award winning wineries such as Stevenot Vineyards, Chatom Winery, Black Sheep Vitners, Indian Rock Vineyards, Kautz Ironstone Vineyards, and Milliaire Winery. SKI/SNOWBOARD at Bear Valley Ski Area for downhill, cross country, and ice skating. FISHING is plentiful in one of the many lakes, streams and rivers including the Stanislaus River, Mokelumne River, Bear Creek, Rattlesnake Creek, New Melones Lake, Alpine Lake, Mosquito Lake, Union & Utica Reservoirs, New Spicer Reservoir and many others. BOATING and WATER SPORTS at one of many lakes including New Melones, Don Pedro, Hogan, Tulloch, Comanche & more. CAVING is also available at Moaning Caverns, Mercer Caverns or Cave City. Its location is perfect for a quiet weekend get-a-way or, better yet, a weekÂ’s worth of fun! Dogs are allowed. Price is discounted with 3 or more days. Minimum 2 night stay, $227 per night.; AMENITIES: Wood-Burning Stove (wood provided on site), Full Kitchen, Microwave, Stove, Refrigerator, Most Cooking Utensils: Plates, Cups, Glasses, Flatware, Charcoal Grill (BBQ), Large Gas BBQ, plus a briquet weber Wireless internet access Outdoor dining nook with umbrella Very quiet street Big Screen TV (with cable) with assortment of movies Find wine tasting, golf courses, fishing, skiing, kayaking, biking, gold mining, hiking, casinos, water skiing, swimming & boating. We are in the gold country/high Sierras containing a rich and colorful history including: Mokelumne Hill (Moke Hill), West Point (Kit Carson), San Andreas (Black Bart and Joaquin Murieta), Valley Springs (Sierra Nevada Narrow Gauge Railroad), Copperopolis (Olive Oil), Sonora (Gold Rush), Angels Camp (Mark Twain's Frog Jump and author Bret Harte), Murphys (Mercer Caverns), Avery (downhill and cross country skiing), Dorrington (formerly Cold Springs Ranch), Bear Valley (downhill and cross country skiing), Ebbett's Pass ( "Tour of the California Alps, The Death Ride") and Columbia (Gold mining). Arnold surrounded by Stanislaus National Forest, Big Trees State Park and timber lands.