Dent in It

My new "closet" is a step in the right direction.   I came in from chores last night to find Matt had installed a clothing rack and shelf in my bedroom, and removed a support post that I had to squeeze around every time I walked in the room.  I had pounded large nails into it to hang clothes on which compounded the problem.  Now I have a sleek rack against the wall and no post.  What a difference a small improvement makes.  Trouble is there is still half a room full of piles of clothes and sweaters on the other side.  The clothes I rescued from the possums in the tractor shed are safely stashed in my bedroom where I can protect them from the myriad form of varmints that live here on the farm.  I have to make some serious decisions about what to leave out and what to stash away in tubs in the hay mow.  I hate to give up good clothes.  I'm still obsessing about a plaid suit I gave away thirty years ago.   I'm the child of Depression era parents and have a hard time letting a glass jar go.  You never know when hard times are going to hit, which they certainly have now, and good classic clothes are forever. I also have a job to go to every day - the best excuse ever to hoard clothes!   Interesting that I found little mouse droppings on my bed table, and a little hole in the ceiling above where a milk line pipe used to be with the insulation pushed out.  A brave mouse apparently ran the kitty gauntlet to come down and play in my bedroom.  That's so Beatrix Potter - she used to put out crumbs for the mice at night.  I found my book "Spinning Designer Yarns" by Diane Varney and am inspired to make some feather yarn.  When I attempt to catch the wild roosters and hens to put in the chicken room I invariably end up with a handful of feathers.  Maybe I can put them to good use.  Sadie is the star of the show right now, and we're enjoying her so much.  She is growing like crazy, and is a sturdy, happy, fun-loving farm dog.  I love watching her play with Reba, her mom, as it gives us a chance to see what Reba must have been like as a puppy.  To think we might not have found Reba if the absentee neighbor had not come to complain about my sheep wandering onto his grass...Lucky for us.  Now we have two very country Bloodhound/Coonhound dogs to love.  Yes, more mouths to feed, but they "fell out of the sky" and here they are.  Gotta deal.  I have a Bundaflicka tote on the machine, and my mind is swimming with ideas for more.  Yes, the basic design will remain the same as I just can't think of a way to improve on it.  I get eight, sometimes ten pockets in a tote, with loops for drop spindles (only spinners recognize their purpose)  and I still like the self-straps.  I think about purchasing wooden handles, or designer handles, but I don't think they are as practical as the fabric straps that can go over the bulkiest coat or sweater.  If I had money to burn I would hire a woodworker to make cherry wooden handles and do a line of old-fashioned knitting bags, but plenty of people are doing them - God Bless Them - and I am doing fine with my bags.  I am excited about the fabric I just ordered online.  I'm finding that two designs sell well in my totes - big graphic contemporary tapestry chenilles,  or flowery romantic tapestries.  FabricGuru.com had an incredible sale with fabric down to $3 - $5 a yard with delivery only $5.  Sometimes after a long day at the office seeing a bundle of new fabric waiting for me, even just a couple of yards, on the milk room steps is just what the doctor ordered.  My code won't let me buy anything for myself that doesn't contribute to the running of the farm, and fabric can always go for knitting bags.   If only time was as easy to come by...speaking of time, morning chores are calling and two lamb bottles are sitting on the shelf waiting to be consumed.  I think Joseph and Gabriel are close to weaning time, along with worming and second vaccinations time.  There is always something that animals need.  I have to call Jim Baldwin to set up shearing.  This winter has been so mild, and continues to be so, that I will shear sooner than later.  The fiber is ready on the sheep and goats and leaving it on won't improve it.  I have to sort it and dye it to get it ready for Maryland in eight short weeks!  The animals live in the barn and need never be exposed to the weather, unless they want to be as the doors are always open. I think I'll make a spinach duck egg omelette after chores.  The thought of it will get me out there and get the job done.  We had a lovely snow yesterday afternoon, turning the fields white again after a day or two of thawing.  I'm enjoying this mild winter, but I like it white, the way it should be in January, in northern Appalachia, on the farm.