What's "Rolle Bolle" ?!
The best way I could describe it is, in comparison to horseshoes. In Rolle Bolle, (pronounced: Roll-e Bowl-e) you have a "bolle", which is basically a giant hockey puck with one side slightly beleveled so it turns when it is rolled towards the stake at the other side of a dirt court. Like horseshoes, you aim is to get your bolle the closest to, if not leaning on, the stake. Unlike horseshoes, you roll the bolle, (instead of throw) just like you would a bowling ball, towards the stake. ... I don't understand it, but its a big deal and people from around the country and the world come to compete here. Actually, next week is the International Rolle Bolle Tournament after the Lyon County Fair in Marshall, Minnesota.
The best way I could describe it is, in comparison to horseshoes. In Rolle Bolle, (pronounced: Roll-e Bowl-e) you have a "bolle", which is basically a giant hockey puck with one side slightly beleveled so it turns when it is rolled towards the stake at the other side of a dirt court. Like horseshoes, you aim is to get your bolle the closest to, if not leaning on, the stake. Unlike horseshoes, you roll the bolle, (instead of throw) just like you would a bowling ball, towards the stake. ... I don't understand it, but its a big deal and people from around the country and the world come to compete here. Actually, next week is the International Rolle Bolle Tournament after the Lyon County Fair in Marshall, Minnesota.
I did not get to be as participative in the BA Day festivities, as I was in Spencer, Iowa for the Center of the Nation NSIP (National Sheep Improvement Program) Seminar & Sale. This sale, unlike most sheep sales, highlighted sheep and auctioned them off based on barn records, EPD data (Expected Progeny Difference... it's complicated and I hope to clear the air in a later blog)and overall productivity vs. the typical "who looks the best contest."
The way I like to describe it is: The sheep that are able to perform outside of one day in the show ring.
The way I like to describe it is: The sheep that are able to perform outside of one day in the show ring.
Not that there is anything wrong with "showy" sheep, I just prefer the production aspect. I consigned 5 sheep from my own flock, dating back to the year 2002 when I purchased my very first ewes, to be auctioned off. I spent the week cleaning up my sheep, (just so they didn't look like they rolled out from under the manure pile), and studying up on their history so I could do my best in my "sales pitch" to prospective buyers. Of course, we had lots of lamb to indulge on for supper and for lunch! I helped the University of Wisconsin Animal Science Department with ultrasounding the rams for ribeye area. I found out that my ram lamb had the largest ribeye of any sheep there!!
After a good day in the barn amidst fellow sheep producers, it was time for the auction. I won't say how much I got (just for confidentiallity of the buyers) but I had a great day, and got what I hoped to earn! The best part is, these are my sheep for my FFA Sheep SAE.
Today, we went to church for the BA Day mass, because the majority of the town is Catholic as well. Afterwards we enjoyed a delcious meal of Belgian waffles with all of the toppings you can imagine. My waffle, if you can imagine, was coverd in a purple rainbow of blueberry, blackberry and boysenberry syrup topped with a cloud of whipped cream. ______ words can't describe the taste. My family also won certificates to the Chicken Connection, a restuarant, in the church raffle. The weekend finally culminated with a bean-bag tournament with over 52 participants and the end of a softball tournament. I worked at the bean-bag tournament selling beverages in the heat to thirsty competitors and watched my parents lose! (sorry mom and dad)
While working, I "hired' two girls: 5 & 6, to help me hand out pop and water. (They were bored, young and wanting to do something). Working with them was a lot of fun, and a good time to think back to the days when I was that old. They gave me a mouthful of information about their cats, the "105 thousands" of rabbits they own and casterating pigs. They told me,
"You're lucky you don't live on a farm!"
I told them I actually do live on a farm, and that my family raises sheep and chickens.
"The laying kind?!"
Yes!
... I now have a 6 year old in dire need of a laying hen so she can, "eat the eggs."
I'll see what I can do, but it might have to come out of her paycheck...
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