Cape Cod in June

Visited with my mother for an overnight in Eastham and had a memorable time walking the beach, meeting fiber artists, biking around town on their excellent Rails to Trails system, and making new discoveries. One was the at Cape Cod National Seashore's Salt Pond Visitor Center. Their small but fascinating museum included objects relevant to . . . fiber! I hope the don't mind the publication of these photos, but it is free publicity! 

Free standing yarn winder, so similar to mine.

Not fiber-y, but a lovely example of craft from another era.

Whale bone tools for fiber and other arts.

The whalebone swift.

Cape Cod fiber artist Sue Pellowe and some beautiful Navajo Churro fiber  I brought home.

Sweet Fern in my neighborhood . . . another dye plant waiting in wings

Comptonia  peregrina: UW-Stevens Point Freckmann Herbarium: Plant Details Page

I've been eyeballing this lovely low growing shrub on my regular dog walks for years. Now, I finally understand it's instintual appeal to me. It's a dye plant! My guild used it when we did our day long workshop at Windy Hamlet Farm a few years ago. I want to dig it up! Plant it in my backyard. Get the dye pots ready. Here we go.

Lovely new video from Colin's Creatures

https://vimeo.com/41418696

Sheep School Summary

I had a fun, full day at Sheep School in North Grafton MA. The staff of Tufts and the organizer (New Entry Sustainable Farm Project) were terrific and so informative. I got to tip a ewe and a ram lamb, examine hooves, udders, and testicles, learn about bio safety, parasites, nutrition, fencing and predator control, and take photos, of course. Thanks to all responsible for the very good day.

 

 

 

Wednesday Visual

Working Caption: This flock makes me tired.
Alternate suggestions? 

I'm a Sheep School Student (tomorrow)

So excited. Attending the annual Sheep School at Tufts Cummings School of Vet Medicine tomorrow. It's run by the New Entry Sustainable Farming Project folks. Will be dressing in my best jeans, barn boots, and gloves (?) for the 6 hour program covering lots of hands-on topics, like hoof trimming! My virtual flock will be all the better cared for after I absorb my new found knowledge. I'm sure there will be some detailed photos for sharing when it's all done.

Crochet?

I'm taking my first crochet class at The Sheep Shack in Holden MA. Jen is our instructor; she's lively, crafty, and sports a ball-of-yarn tattoo. I think we'll have fun. She has us working with cotton to make a dishtowel that will incorporate different stitches . . . a good beginner's sampler. Nice to learn something new and RELAXING right now while the rest of my life is in a state of stress. Found a crochet pattern book by one of my favorite designers, Teva Durham, in the sale bin at the GROCERY STORE! Who knew?!

Hot Weather Sheep Sighting

I had limited up close access to sheep in Costa Rica. Only at a petting "zoo" located at INBIO Park in San Jose was I able to view this example of  a tropical breed, which I think is the Pelibuey, mentioned in an earlier post. I can't be sure but they look somewhat similar. As you can see, there was multi-species co-habitation going on here. I manged to sneak a sample of the fleece home with me, provided by the generous sheep "molting" in the photos. Considering the warm temps there, I don't think it is missed.

Mothers and New Lambs at OSV

Saturday morning I dashed off to Sturbridge to arrive early for the annual three-day Sheep & Woolcraft Days at OSV. The first shearing of the weekend, bestowed upon the wether and senior resident Alabaster, was caught on video tape. Fascinating demonstration of hand shearing, like it was done back in the early 19th Century. He was a patient fellow, and the master shearer was very gentle.

In the sheep pastures were several new lambs and their mothers, including one just a day old. Merino and Gulf Coast Natives are the two breeds that have been bred to closely resemble the form and character of flocks the villagers would have owned at the time. Wool was big business then, and a small flock could apparently turn a nice profit for a farming family.

I shot over two hundred images. No surprise. Here is just a taste of the delightful time I had.

Back to Earth after 10 Magical Days

I am in full reacclimation mode after an unforgettably extraordinary time in the magical land of Costa Rica. Photos and video clips are still being reviewed and saved, so for today I only have words to express the sights and sounds and smells of this charming, beautiful country. I am so grateful to my mom for inviting me along for the experience. We made many delightful memories together and I marked several new personal firsts, including zip lining, whitewater rafting, tropical jungle hiking, and volcano sighting. Add to those monkeys, iguanas, tree frogs and more, and you have a delicious soup of visual and audio stimuli I will carry with me a very long time. Best of all, my boys at home seem no worse for wear as a result of our temporary separation.

Pura vida!