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I took some time in the studio today to work on my handpainted yarn line. I am developing a number of colorways and seem to have this blend set now. I varied the mordants while using the same natural dyes on each skein to achieve two complimentary colorways.I knit up a sample swatch and decided it will be the handpainted I will use to knit myself a pair of socks and do them on one needle. I learned how to knit a pair on one circular needle a few years ago,the magic loop concept. Recently I found a pattern where the heel is added after the sock is knitted and I thought I’d throw the two concepts together this time around.
Shelley joined me in the studio, napping on the sheepskin and comfy as can be. She is doing a bit better. Tomorrow we do one more round of bloodwork regarding the liver issue. But she has been eating more often and not showing visable signs of distress. Last night Jack fed her venison (her abslooute favorite food) and she didn’t let us down. It’s still a prize winner in her book.
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There are many good women but today is dedicated to my most special Auntie Dot,
my Mom’s sister, pictured here with her daughter in law, Mary. After spending the past month struggling from a difficult stroke, she slipped quietly away yesterday. I was able to get to the hospital to say goodbye yesterday. No words can describe spending those last minutes with a loved one. But I held her hand, kissed her forehead, told her I loved her and prayed for her safe journey. She was gone hours later. God speed, dear Auntie Dot.
Shelley is doing OKAY. She is not worse and next Monday she will have another round of blood tests. Meanwhile she is snacking, keeping with the daily routine as best she can and showing true loyal colors.
Last it’s those hens. Two eggs a day now…..and each of the six have names. Penny, Francine, Ruby, Bianca, Eunice and Buffy! I never thought I could identify one chicken from another but these women demanded it! This is Francine pacing the fence gate to get in with the sheep. Jack penned her a “shicken”.
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My beautiful Sheltie, Shelley, has been so sick these past two weeks. She started with just throwing up a few times, but I took her right to the vet and after a barrage of tests they found she has congestive heart failure and also elevated liver numbers. She wouldn’t eat (who would!) and has been so listless (makes sense). This was her before I knew what was going on.
She is 10 years old and now taking pills to shrink her enlarged heart, pills to increase her appetite, pills to regulate (I pray) the elevated liver numbers and recently she finished the anti-nausea pills! She is a terrible pill taker. She holds them until I walk away and then she spits them out! This is what her days consisted of the first week, sleep, sleep, sleep.
It is touch and go but just last night she wolfed her after dinner bones (wouldn’t eat dinner) and then a small piece of boiled chicken breast, and a Puperoni. She was on a roll. Here she is enjoying that Puperoni!
Shelley is my loyal and loving companion. I adore this dog. Who knows the outcome at this point, I just hope her days are still ahead of her for awhile to come. She loves her life here on the farm.
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This is my very special hen….Henny Penny. She really is unique now that I know her. She lets me pick her up anywhere and loves to be carried around. Sunday I brought her into my studio and she drank water and then stood on the stairs for awhile and just listened to the music. So photogenic!
I put her out and all the other hens joined her on the studio steps to listen to some jazz I was playing on the radio. They loved it! That’s Bianca (cause she’s the whitest hen!) in front, Penny in the middle and yet to be named hen in the rear.
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The best fiber show in the East…Rhinebeck,NY at the Duchess County Fairgrounds. What a beautiful weekend it was. A bit chilly to start both days but the sunshine was abundant, the fall colors glorious and the attendance without par.
I didn’t get a chance to take too many pictures as our booth was too busy to get away. And I knew if I stayed put I’d get to visit with everyone that stopped by eventually. I met so many great people who stopped to shop and was I able to catch up with others that I often only see annually. Saturday night my friend and assistant, Sandy, and I joined Tom and Diane Golding for dinner at the Double-O, always a treat to get together with them both. Regrettably I caught a nasty cold Thursday and wound up with laryngitis by Saturday AM. So the entire weekend I only managed to squeak out some words and fill in with hand signals!
A wonderful band played outside my building for a bit, they moved around the fairgrounds, smart marketing! They were from Peru, and called Espiritu Andino. The music was beautiful, I could have listened for hours…so I bought a couple of their CD’s to play in my studio later. Great creativity music.
One of the other entertainment highlights of the weekend at Rhinebeck is Loretta in the ladies’ room next to the First Aid center. That happens to be the bathroom nearest my building. Loretta is the attendant there and she is an experience without compare. Not only does she do a fine job of keeping the bathroom clean but she entertains as well! All the while you are visiting the bathroom, Loretta is there and she has all sorts of rhymes and sayings that just flow from her mouth like water in a stream.
No sooner are you in the building but you’ll hear “See no feet, grab a seat”; “Gotta go, let it flow”; “Gotta pee, visit me”; Where would you be without me?”;”The lady in blue is here for you”; “Welcome to the relief center where everybody’s a winner”. And there’s Loretta all the while smiling, calling out the lines and handing out paper towels to ladies after they wash their hands. Loretta is a hero, a shining example of a strong work ethic with a personal touch that works. Her tip basket was overflowing by days end. God bless Loretta!
I found just enough time to walk over to the sheep barns to see the breeds. I love to also see the 4-H kids working with their animals, learning the lead line and show techniques. It’s a healthy way to grow up and teaches lessons even in the barn! My camera batteries died by the time I got over there , darn it!
This is me with the owners of Unicorn Fibre Products. They stopped by to visit and make sure I had everything I needed regarding the product line. Wonderful people, fabulous products! Try them out by visiting our store at www.longridgefarm.com See the link to the right!
Sometime Saturday afternoon this sheep walked though our building to do a little shopping for herself. She was so cute, she had a ribbon on her back she had won!
I know many are saying that the show is just too crowded but if you want anything to do with fiber, and I mean anything, it is the destination. If you like it more laid back, come Sunday instead. Actually there is talk of having it three days next year, Friday after noon and then Saturday and Sunday.
A great big thank you to each and every one of you that stopped to visit us!
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RDS….as in Rhinebeck Derangement Syndrome. This is the weekend for the NYS Sheep and Wool Festival in Rhinebeck, NY along the Hudson River. I have been running around like my happy chickens do for weeks preparing for the show and promise to have many beautiful yarns and products for sale!This hen wonders if she can come along.
The fall colors are at peak in New England this weekend and the drive to NY will be an eye-popper! So jump in your car and come to the show. It is the best and you won’t go home empty handed!
Please stop by and say hello to me and my assistant, Sandy. The show is Saturday 9-6 and Sunday 9-5. I am in the same place as last year, Building A, #40.
Have a great weekend what ever you do!!
