Spring Has Sprung

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Well, that (springtime in Kentucky) escalated quickly!  Like it always does.  

Most people look forward to spring.  I'm more a of fall person, looking forward to the quiet of winter.  I haven't finished my Iknitarod vest yet, but I'm still working on it.  I stopped to knit a small sweater for a chilly new sheep friend (not at bottle lamb...sorry) who I'll introduce maybe tomorrow.  I have garden news to share.  An exciting new fiber tool.  Plans for the summer.

Just not enough hours in the day, even though the days are getting longer.

Sigh...

 

Old Ladies

Short Round has really had a hard time this winter.  Well, she was okay until the real winter weather hit and then, even though things sure felt like they were headed north, they were actually headed south.  I kept hoping if she could make it out to spring grass that maybe she'd get her legs back under her.   

When I saw her totter out the other night I knew I'd made the right call.  Everyone stays here as long as they're happy.  And seeing her happy sure made me happy. Taking care of pensioners is not easy.

"Neither is getting old, but I'm doing okay."

It's had to believe that Betsy is going to be 17 this summer.  She's still tottering about as well and I always like to see her out on the spring grass as well.

"What am I doing in a post about old ladies?"

Maisie still got a few licks in on some folks in for the I-64 Spring Fiber Fling last Saturday.  She's hoping to get a few more opportunities tomorrow.  She will be greeting visitors between 11:00 and 4:00.  I'd bring some cookies...just saying ;-).

I love twilight photos.  Here's a new puzzle.  Enjoy!

Wednesdays Are For Painting

I painted this several "Wednesdays" ago, but forgot to share it.  And when I was taking a picture of it I forgot to take one that showed exactly what it is.  It's a drop spindle.

This picture really doesn't show them that well either...and looking at it now I see that I'd forgotten to completely tighten down the hooks after they dried.  This picture was from the November Kentucky Shepherd's Market.  I am nailing this marketing thing!

I just love these colorful spindles.  I especially love to spin with them.  As the spindles twirl they look like kaleidoscopes.  The spindles on the bottom picture are just generic sheep.  The spindle in the first picture is a custom order with Pinto, Short Round, Tabitha and Maggie.  

It's hard to beat spinning with your friends...and actually spinning your friends.  The roving the spindle is nestled down into is some of Tabitha's.  I'm glad it has good home :-).

Bullseye

"I'm Bullseye and I'm the new kid here.  Except I'm not a kid anymore.  I am officially a big boy and this is my barn.  I keep an eye on everything up here.  It's a Big Job."

"I watch everything including the sheep and the chickens, but mostly I watch for the lady who feeds me.  I really like food and I've learned that I really like pets and cuddles too.  The food lady says that's a Big Job too!"

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This is where things started.  I heard a cat crying at the back door one snowy bitterly cold morning early in February.  I opened the door and found a half grown kitten...and Archie.  I'm not sure if it was just a coincidence they were out there together or if Archie told him to follow him home and get some breakfast.

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We tried for several days to trap him, but while he was young he already had some street smarts and I realized it was going to take some time.  If we'd have known for sure he was a boy, I wouldn't have been so panicked, but for a good while I was pretty sure he was a she and fixing to be a teen mom :-(.

I set the heated box up on the porch and he sat in there for a little while, but I think Possum ran him off.  Possum can be very not nice to other cats and he was no exception.  He'd find a warm-ish spot and the next day he'd have moved on to a different spot.  I was not sure what I was going to do about that, especially if there were kittens coming.

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One night I got him trapped in the greenhouse and hoped I could get a better look at him, but the greenhouse is frail and he figured out how to break out one of the back panels.  A day or so after that he moved up to the barn and started sneaking in for offered food up there.

I set up the big dog crate, started feeding him at the front, then the middle and then the back and then shut the door and we were off to the vet where we learned he was just a potbellied wormy boy and not a way too young girl getting ready to have kittens.  Whew!

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I kept him in the cage for several days and got to where I could pet him some and I thought he was good and settled and wouldn't split at first chance and then finally opened the door. I told him he was now an Equinox Farm cat and that it was a pretty good place to be a cat...except for Possum ;-).  

That was Saturday and he's taken over the barn and even seems to be winning over Possum...or at least flying under her radar.  He's super friendly with me and just needs some experience with strangers and I think he's going to be one of the nicest kitties we've ever had :-).

Things To Know

If you are headed out on the I-64 Spring Fiber Fling Trail this weekend, here are some things to know if you are coming here.

Yes, the Wool House is my studio, but it's also a fiber shop, class room, gathering spot, place of respite.  Please come on in!  

Everyone is welcome here.  This is a safe space.  

If you want to just stop by and get your passport stamped, that's perfectly fine.  

If you only want to meet the sheep, that's fine too.  I'd  probably bring some toll "money" - vanilla wafers or saltine crackers ;-).

If you'd like to spend an hour or two sitting on the porch with your spinning wheel or current project, watching the sheep and horses and listening to the birds (or the rain fall on the metal roof), that's also fine...and encouraged.  Bring a picnic lunch!

If you are stumped by your current project or spinning wheel or spindle and feel comfortable asking for help, I'll do my best to get you back on track.  Note that I am more hack than genius, but sometimes it's better to be lucky than good :-).

And obviously, if you are looking for some unique local yarns or spinning fibers, learn to spin kits, wool sheep ornaments, farm inspired folk art cards,...  please fill your free My Favorite Sheep bag to the top :-).

Yep, if you stop by during the I-64 Spring Fiber Fling, you'll get a free tote bag (while supplies last).

And if you've enjoyed your visit, but just don't need anymore yarn (whatever), but would like to tip the sheep, you can always Buy Them A [Bale Of Hay]

* * * * *

The forecast is not great, but it's Kentucky in the spring...  The Wool House will be open from 11:00 to 4:00 on Saturday and 1:00 to 4:00 on Sunday and again next weekend.  Other hours can probably be arranged.  Just email to make an appointment.