About 10 years ago, I was wondering what I could do with the rest of my life. While driving the back roads of Idaho, I began to notice ranches that had sheep. Well, I had always liked sheep and after all, my Grandfather was a shepherd.

Arriving home, I got on the computer and discovered a whole new world of sheep. I had no idea that there were so many different breeds! One breed in particular kept popping up as I was searching for more information - ICELANDIC SHEEP! I visited a few web sites, but one site that kept coming up was Susan Mongold's Tongue River Farm - www.icelandicsheep.com


Well, Susan's site is where my love affair with these colorful and just plain stunning sheep, The Icelandics, began. Her site was my touchstone and she always encouraged me to continue on, which I have. Susan was my mentor, never making me feel that my questions were "dumb", always providing guidance and telling me "You can do this!"

And she was right! I have increased my flock and have learned what to look for in conformation, horns, and wool and what I would like to pass on to the rest of my flock. Currently, I'm now where I want to be - the colors are so vibrant and many and the wool is the kind that I had always been looking for.

I knit and weave and I'm never bored with their wool. I even know the sheep that it came from, which makes each project that much more special.

My foundation flock: Mr. Frodo, Atticus, Irish and Scout, are getting older, but, oh well, so am I. We age together.

Take a chance with this breed - perhaps they are what you are looking for, but beware, they are like potato chips - you can't get just one! They are absolutely wonderful! They are wonderful listeners. They even make you laugh!

In closing "About me", I want you to know that the community of Icelandic Sheep Breeders, www.isbona.com is very helpful and I wouldn't have been able to be where I am today without them.

Wind to your Wings,
 Elayne, Shepherd