A friend took me to Vashon Island for the day, to see the Vashon Sheepdog Classic (more here). What a surprisingly great day! Watching the border collies herd sheep from far off to the right . . .
. . . up and down the rolling hills towards us, where the sheepdogs would do what they do, finally corralling them. (It was the book/movie "Babe: The Gallant Pig" in real life!)
There's much more to it than that, but I know nothing about dogs, herding or the competition, but enjoyed it all just the same.
Bagpipers played as the entire group of sheep came down to graze.
There were also tents of fiber demonstrations and lessons- spinning, weaving, needle-felting, etc... but I forgot to take any photos, but here are more sheep!
The highlight for me was seeing Dr. Temple Grandin in person! She's long been a hero of mine. She is an animal behavior expert, who help to create more humane methods for livestock handling. She was able to do this because she "thinks in pictures," which is one part of how she sees the world as person with autism.
Twenty years ago, when her book Thinking in Pictures: Other Reports from My Life with Autism came out, I was working with a boy on the autism continuum. Her book helped me to better understand him, and validated the belief that our differences are gifts and part of what make our world so rich. Dr. Grandin is delightful, so very smart, and funny. It was thrilling to see and listen to her.