Arts & Entertainment
A lovable wooly tale
Lesbian leaves city life behind to run sheep farm
You tried everything.
When you had trouble with insomnia the other night, it seemed like nothing would lull you back to sleep. Warm milk tasted bad. That previously boring book on your bedside table suddenly turned intriguing. Even infomercials held your interest, so you started counting sheep.
Then you got to wondering — why sheep? Why not count cows or dogs? Is it because sheep are, well, like sheep? Author Catherine Friend wondered that herself because she has a flock of them on her Minnesota farm, and in her new book “Sheepish,” she writes of the good and the ba-a-a-ad, the wild and the wooly.
Though her grandmother raised them on a Montana ranch, Catherine Friend had little experience with sheep – that is, until her partner, Melissa, wistfully admitted her dream of owning a farm and raising the critters.
And thus it came to pass that Catherine had a little lamb.
Fifteen years later, Friend has morphed from City Girl to Backup Farmer. It hasn’t been a gentle-as-a-lamb transformation, but Friend now appreciates her flock.
Ovines have a long history in North America, she says. Sheep were shipped to the New World in 1609 and within 60 years, there were more than 100,000 sheep on our shores. English lawmakers tried to outlaw the sale of wool but colonists managed to outwit the Brits and wool gathering became patriotic.
Sheep “show up everywhere in our language,” Friend says, and they’re good for supper, of course, but it’s their wool that she fell in love with.
Because of the price of fleece, she says, many farmers shear their sheep and throw the wool away. Most small operations won’t get rich on their wool, but Friend discovered the rich colors of wool dyes. Although she first makes fun of “fiber freaks” (knitters who bleat rhapsodically about wool fibers), she couldn’t wait to see what “her sheep” produced.
But life on the farm isn’t always laid back. Where there’s livestock, “there’s dead stock,” says Friend. Animals, like humans, don’t always do what you want them to do; they’re never born at convenient times; and sometimes, they get sick. When these things happen, even Backup Farmers do their best for their animals – even if it means giving those animals up.
Imagine a serene pasture filled with contented (nameless) sheep. Then imagine a reluctant shepherdess at the helm, add llamas, cats and dogs, chickens and a peacock, frisky calves, knitters, and Elvis, and you’ve got a good yarn called “Sheepish.”
Author Catherine Friend gives her readers a sense of the bucolic. She lulls us into total serenity with her poetic descriptions of her flock and then she knocks us upside the funny bone with asides that are dyed-in-the-wool hilarious. In between, Friend has a way of bringing tears to our eyes before she pulls us back to the funny farm.
If a taste of the country is what you crave this summer, if you’re a farmer or a wannabe, a knitter, or just love a wooly tale, here’s a book you’ll enjoy. “Sheepish” is perfect for ewe.
‘Sheepish: Two Women, Fifty Sheep & Enough Wool to Save the Planet’
By Catherine Friend
$16
263 pages
Sports
Blade, Pride House LA announce 2028 Olympics partnership
Media sponsorship to amplify stories of LGBTQ athletes
The Los Angeles Blade and Washington Blade on Friday announced a media partnership with the Out Athlete Fund, which will produce Pride House LA for the 2028 Summer Olympics.
Pride House is the home for LGBTQ fans and athletes that will become a destination during the L.A. Summer Games in West Hollywood in partnership with the City of WeHo. This 17-day celebration for LGBTQ athletes and fans will include medal ceremonies for out athletes, interactive installations, speakers, concerts, and more.
The Los Angeles Blade will serve as the exclusive L.A.-area queer media sponsor for Pride House LA and the Washington Blade will support the efforts and amplify coverage of the 2028 Games.
The Blade will provide exclusive coverage of Pride House plans, including interviews with queer athletes and more. The parties will share content and social media posts raising awareness of the Blade and Out Athlete Fund. The Blade will have media credentials and VIP access for related events.
“We are excited to partner with the Washington Blade, the oldest LGBTQ newspaper in the United States and the Los Angeles Blade, already a strong supporter of Out Athlete Fund and Pride House LA/West Hollywood,” said Michael Ferrera, CEO of Pride House LA. “Our mission is about increasing the visibility of LGBTQ+ athletes and fans to challenge the historical hostility toward our community in the sports world. Visibility is what publications like the Washington and Los Angeles publications are all about. We know they will play a key part in our success.”
“LGBTQ visibility has never been more important and we are thrilled to work with Out Athlete Fund and Pride House LA to tell the stories of queer athletes and ensure the 2028 Summer Games are inclusive and affirming for everyone,” said Blade Editor Kevin Naff.
Out Athlete Fund is a 501(c)3 designed to raise money to offset the training cost of out LGBTQ athletes in need of funding for training. The Washington Blade is the nation’s oldest LGBTQ news outlet; the Los Angeles Blade is its sister publication founded nine years ago.
In honor of Black History Month, the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center will host a series of events uplifting the histories, artistry, and resilience of Black LGBTQ+ communities through dialogue, film, and intentional gathering.
The series begins with “Ballroom Culture: Rhythms of Resilience,” a panel discussion on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026 at 7 p.m. Artists, activists, and leaders from the ballroom community will explore ballroom’s historical, cultural, and political significance as a site of resistance, kinship, creative expression, and social justice within Black, Latinx, and LGBTQ+ communities.
On Friday, Feb. 13 at 12:30 p.m., the Center will host a screening of the groundbreaking documentary “Paris is Burning,” which chronicles New York City’s ballroom scene and house culture while examining themes of race, class, identity, and survival through the voices of legendary performers including Willi Ninja, Pepper LaBeija, and Dorian Corey.
The month will conclude with “Soul Centered: A Black LGBTQ+ Gathering” on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026 at 3:30 p.m. This free, RSVP-required event invites Black LGBTQ+ community members into a space of rest, connection, and reflection centered on love in all its forms. The gathering will feature a panel conversation with Black LGBTQ+ creatives, healers, and community members, followed by intentional speed connections and a closing social mixer.
For more details and to RSVP, visit the Center’s website.
Friday, February 6
Center Aging Monthly Luncheon With Yoga will be at 12 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. Email Mac at [email protected] if you require ASL interpreter assistance, have any dietary restrictions, or questions about this event.
Spark Social will host “RuPaul’s Drag Race Watch Party S18 Watch Party” at 8 p.m. Drag Entertainers TrevHER and Grey provide hilarious commentary and make live predictions on who’s staying and who’s going home. Stick around after the show for a live drag performance. The watch party takes place on our heated outdoor patio and cozy indoor space. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Go Gay DC will host “First Friday LGBTQ+ Community Social” at 7 p.m. at Silver Diner Ballston. This is a chance to relax, make new friends, and enjoy happy hour specials at this classic retro venue. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Saturday, February 7
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ+ community, including allies, together for delicious food and conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
LGBTQ People of Color will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This peer support group is an outlet for LGBTQ People of Color to come together and talk about anything affecting them in a space that strives to be safe and judgement free. There are all sorts of activities like watching movies, poetry events, storytelling, and just hanging out with others. For more information and events, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc.
Sunday, February 8
DMV Gay Dog Moms will host “Puppy Love” at 1 p.m. at Wunder Garten. This a Valentine’s pawty and market for dog lovers. Get gifts for your loved ones – both human & canine at this event. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Monday, February 9
“Center Aging: Monday Coffee Klatch” will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more information, contact Adam ([email protected]).
Genderqueer DC will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a support group for people who identify outside of the gender binary, whether you’re bigender, agender, genderfluid, or just know that you’re not 100% cis. For more details, visit genderqueerdc.org or Facebook.
Tuesday, February 10
Coming Out Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a safe space to share experiences about coming out and discuss topics as it relates to doing so — by sharing struggles and victories the group allows those newly coming out and who have been out for a while to learn from others. For more details, visit the group’s Facebook.
Trans Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is intended to provide an emotionally and physically safe space for trans people and those who may be questioning their gender identity or expression to join together in community and learn from one another. For more details, email [email protected].
Wednesday, February 11
Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom upon request. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.
Thursday, February 12
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. To be more fair with who is receiving boxes, the program is moving to a lottery system. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5:00 pm if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email [email protected] or call 202-682-2245.
Virtual Yoga Class will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This free weekly class is a combination of yoga, breathwork and meditation that allows LGBTQ+ community members to continue their healing journey with somatic and mindfulness practices. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Spanberger signs bill that paves way for marriage amendment repeal referendum
Blade, Pride House LA announce 2028 Olympics partnership
D.C. non-profits find creative ways to aid the unhoused amid funding cuts
Celebrate Black History Month
Calendar: February 6-12
Unconventional homes becoming more popular
Out dancer on Alvin Ailey’s stint at Warner Theatre
D.C. Council urged to improve ‘weakened’ PrEP insurance bill
LGBTQ Minnesotans speak out amid ICE crackdowns
