Bluestem Springs Farm

Bluestem Springs Farm Bluestem Springs Farm raises grass-fed sheep in east central Illinois. Sharing the everyday joys and challenges of caring for animals and the land.

08/23/2026

Apparently, the chickens have decided I make a pretty good perch.

The Buff Orpingtons are usually the first to climb into my lap, but today one of the Silver Laced Wyandottes joined in, and even one of the shy Ameraucanas decided to give it a try.

They don’t all appreciate being picked up, but they’re definitely getting tamer.

08/22/2026

Harvested my first green beans ever yesterday! Today I’m learning how to preserve them. Blanching, cooling, drying and freezing some of the harvest for later.

There’s something satisfying about growing your own food and eating healthy out of your garden. 😊

08/21/2026

The horses had a deer friend visit tonight. I recently noticed deer prints in the arena. They don’t go over the woven wire sheep fence, but the horse fencing is easier for them.

08/19/2026

A little porch time with my sidekicks, King, Osage and Tuffy. ❤️

08/17/2026

Finally! The sheep are back out on pasture after all that rain. 🐑🌱

The ground finally seems sturdy enough that they won’t potmark it with hoofprints, so everyone is happily back where they belong.

I’m pretty happy about it too. Maybe now they’ll stop eating all my hay in August. 😂

08/16/2026

Quite a day here around Potomac. My rain gauge had already overflowed at 8 inches yesterday, and today we got another 4 + inches. Water is everywhere, and there is still more rain in the forecast.

This morning, my neighbors had to canoe out through my pasture because the roads around their house were flooded. Later in the day, I went back to the area where they had dragged their canoes across my pasture earlier. By then, the river was rushing through it. It’s a very good thing they got out when they did.

By evening, I rode Freedom down to check the road. Water that had been just below my fence earlier in the day was now completely covering the fence along the road.

We’re dealing with significant flooding around Potomac, while parts of Indiana have been hit even harder. Hoping everyone stays safe as we wait to see what the next round of rain brings.

08/14/2026

As you can imagine, I'm going through some grief after losing Biscuit two days ago. We were together for 23 years. I was there the day she was born and the day she passed, right by her side.

After spending almost half my life with her, her absence changes my daily routine. I've been going through old photos and videos, trying to remember her foal days, her training, her antics and all the ordinary moments in between. I'm afraid of forgetting. It feels like I'm losing pieces of my past too.

I did find this video from 15 years ago. Biscuit never became quite the riding horse I'd hoped she would be. She was a little too nervous, but I worked with her a lot. What strikes me now is that I'm laughing and having a good time with her in this video.

She brought me joy. That's enough.

The first time in 23 years I didn’t give Biscuit breakfast. 😢🐎💔
08/13/2026

The first time in 23 years I didn’t give Biscuit breakfast. 😢🐎💔

R.IP. Biscuit - April 5, 2003 - August 12, 2026Run free Biscuit.You were the most vocal of the herd. I will miss your de...
08/13/2026

R.IP. Biscuit - April 5, 2003 - August 12, 2026
Run free Biscuit.
You were the most vocal of the herd. I will miss your demanding calls and so much more.

08/11/2026

Notice King, my GSD, laying on the other side of the chicken fence. He’s learning not to chase chickens. I think I’ll keep the fence. 😀🐕🐓

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Potomac, IL
61865

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