Hamilton Revisited

Up late last night to make a big batch of hand creme, up at 5:30 to load up. Rain threatening but it held off for the better part of the day. The market was buzzing with families in town for the Colgate graduation. Just perfect for the marketeers. I had a better day than last time, and with Matt there to stay at the table I was able to wander around a bit. So many garden vendors selling flowering pots and veggies and some very crafty artisans. One fiber artist is opening a studio right on the square in Hamilton. She's a clothing designer from Pa. who weaves and dyes her own cloth. I'm anxious to pay her studio a visit. I met people who had come from very far away, including a lady from Pakistan who travelled 18,000 miles to see her son graduate. She was enthralled with my products and asked if she could take pictures of the table. I sold a bit of everything I had brought, including one little clay button purchased as a gift for the art teacher at their school. How charming. Two repeat customers bought bags, along with a lady from Ft. Lauderdale Florida who bought my Rain Forest bag. We ate lunch at the Hamilton Natural Foods shop, falafell pita as usual. Home to unload and a nap before chores.

Traffic Jam in Upstate New York

The tractors have hit the roads here in Central New York. I don't mind tootling along behind them at 20 mph, as long as I'm on the way HOME not on my way to work. I see sets of 3 and 4 cars passing them all the time. At almost $4 a gallon I am not anxious to pass anybody.

Five Day Work Week

Hard to go the distance. A five day work week seems to last forever. The weather has been lovely and we sometimes take the kids outside for class. We will be moving into our brand new $45 million dollar wing next week. All the sending districts voted for our expansion along with our sister BOCES in Masonville, 40 miles away. $90 million, in an area where our graduates will have a hard time finding jobs. The farms are folding and most industry has left a long time ago. I had my camera in the jeep and snapped this shot. Special ed will be upstairs. Career Academy - where I work - will be downstairs. My favorite critter was near the road so I got a shot of him, too. OH, he's so gorgeous. If only I could climb on his back and wander around the pretty field. He would probably pitch me over the fence.

Monday Blues

Dark, cold, threatening rain...great way to start the week. I can't wake up...the infection brewing in one ear is making me woozy. Mia is sending me some antiobiotics - great to have a family member in the business. I have a giant package to get to the post office - my last Robin wheel going out the door. I spent some time with Gilbert, crafter of Robins, at Md. Sheep and Wool. He has a three year waiting list (he sold over 30 wheels on Saturday at the festival). Wheels are terrific currency in a pinch - as I sadly found out. I am spinning on my old Louet, my precious Mother of Wheels, which was purchased for me with Eric's very first US Army paycheck in 1988. She spins fantastically, but with more effort than the Robins which only take a toe flick to keep on going. My Louet takes a bit of a pump, and with a single treadle, well, there we are. I will NEVER part with this wheel. In the meantime, I am back on Gilbert's list for another Robin. I hope three years passes quickly.

Far Away from My Loved Ones

Everybody called today. I just spoke to Sean from San Francisco, AJ, Eric and Annie from Las Vegas and Mia on the ward at her hospital in Morristown, NJ. How I wish we could all be together today. AJ is coming East on Tuesday for a short visit before flying off to Britain with a friend. I'll have him for one night. Mia wanted to come up to the farm but they put her on the schedule for today. The phone will have to do. In the meantime I will go out into the barn and mingle with all my other children - the four footed wooly kind.

Mother's Day 2008

Matt asked me what I wanted to do for Mother's Day. He intended to make me breakfast but forgot to buy what was needed at the store. I told him we could go to Joanie's Cafe in New Berlin, a favorite of local farmers. We picked up the NY Times and paged through it over our meal. Back at the farm Matt offered to get out my shearing stand, something I've wanted to do for a long while. I bought it from a woman in NJ, along with the three angora goats that went with it. I've been meaning to buy a stand for years, but every time I had an opportunity to buy one at a show, my truck was filled with booth stuff. Over the years I've spent way too much time bent over an uncooperative goat with an assistant holding their horns. With the stand the animal's head is cradled in a head holding device which tends to keep it immobilized. Matt helped me catch two goats and one sheep - Malcolm, my old wether and only coated sheep. His fleece had grown too long under the coat and really needed to come off. We got him situated, loosened the straps and pulled up the coat. What a lovely, although mashed a bit, white clean fleece was hiding underneath. Matt went off to lay out fence posts while I clipped away with my Fiskars. A lovely breeze was blowing under the warm sun. Baby Thunder and Pip kept us company. Malcolm complained a bit, but took it like a champ. I would like to shear all my sheep and goats myself someday. Bluefaced Leicesters have clean faces and legs which makes the job much easier. I will have a shearer come in for the great big Merinos and Rambos. The shearing stand is a good way to start.

Hamilton Farmer's Market

It's Farmer's Market time again...my summer job. I tried to get the same space as last year, but it was taken. So were all the others - they sold out before I got there. Luckily they decided to open 8 more spaces and I got one of them. The weather was spectacular yesterday. I got up at 5:30 to load up, still tired from Maryland and the 5 day work week. I arrived in Hamilton in plenty of time, but there was some discussion about where my space actually is. There was a giant food booth set up in the space I thought I had, complete with a large portable barbecue the size of a Volkswagen. The "Monitor," Chris, came around and told me I was to set up right next to the big oven. Hah! I would be barbecue myself when the weather turns 90 plus. I took it on myself to move to another spot closer to the fountain on the main sidewalk. When the supervisor came around and told me I had to move two spaces away from the food guy, I pleaded sheep. Who else has almost 200 sheep and goat mouths to feed? I am the quintessential poster child of the farmer's market...besides, people love to watch me spin. She said she loved to watch me spin, too, and would let me stay on the main sidewalk but I had to move over one space. That I could handle. I guess my old funky Louet spinning wheel, along with some begging, helped. The patrons wandered in and I earned enough to pay for my space. Next weekend Colgate Univ. is having their graduation and there should be some good crowds. Rain is forecast but I will keep my fingers and toes crossed. I have a pop-up that is a real pain to put up.

Still Musing About Maryland

After years of applying to Maryland Sheep and Wool and receiving those rejection letters I still can't believe I got in. I paid for next year before leaving the festival. I had to pay for my booth for this year AND next year, seriously cutting into my profits, but that's okay. I remember walking up and down the aisles in years past thinking, "They got in and I didn't? I can do what they are doing!" I thought they must "know somebody" or live in the right geographic area, or some such nonsense. Who knows what made them pick my name from the waiting list? I don't need to know...all I need to know is if they thought my booth was good enough to come back next year. Everyone has to apply again for the following year. Traffic in my booth was steady all weekend - not a crowd, but a steady trickle. Fine with me. My next door neighbor, The Fibre Company, had a mob in the booth all weekend. Real nice folks from Maine, they have their own mill. At first I thought they processed their own yarn, but they told me they import it from all over the world. Hmmmm. I'm not crazy about that idea. Their carbon footprint is enormous, and I like to know where my wool comes from. But their customers were crazy about the yarn, waiting in line with big armfulls. I told Jan we need to invest in spinning equipment. She is thinking more about a house to live if hers finally sells in NJ, and I am thinking more about a tractor to make hay to feed my sheep next winter. Hay almost killed me this past winter, but I held on to my sheep. Don't know how I did it, but I am still here and so is the flock - and the flock is forever.

So Many Vendors - So Little Time

The only time to view the booths of the other festival participants is late at night after closing, or early Sunday morning. Jan and I left for the Strawberry Inn as soon as the gates closed to get ready for dinner at Mealey's, a fabulous restaurant across the main street of New Market. We didn't get back to the fairgrounds early enough to really tour the festival, but we did take turns getting away from the booth to take a look at what other vendors had to offer.

Strawberry Inn

When visiting the Md. Sheep and Wool Festival I have been staying at the Strawberry Inn for years now. This antebellum house in historic New Market is full of lovely antiques, brass beds and quilts. Miss Jane makes her guests feel like they are family come home for a visit. After a busy day in the vendor booth, her kind hospitality is just what the weary shepherd needs.

Maryland Musings

Was it really a week ago when I was barreling down the highway at this time with every bit of saleable product I could muster in one week of notice? I had new tires under me and I confess the F150 I have been cursing for the gas it uses was such a pleasure to drive. It got me to the show in airconditioned comfort after being stuck in a four lane parking lot around the Baltimore expressway. Jan met me shortly after I arrived. My building was perfect as it allowed me to pull the truck right up to the side door to unload. We managed to put the booth together before getting back into Jan's SUV for the ride to the Strawberry Inn. There were several ladies laboring to put together the gigantic Susan's Fiber Shop - Wisconsin - across from me. I was thankful I didn't have thousands of books and a dozen spinning wheels to assemble. Those gals made me feel like a slouch. Miss Jane was waiting up for us and greeted us with open arms. We crawled up the stairs and fell into our brass beds...after my hot soak in the bathtub, that is. I slept like a log for the six hours we allowed ourselves. Miss Jane got up early to make our breakfasts, complete with fresh strawberries on strawberry plates, place matts, glasses, etc. It was too lovely. Giant peacocks graced the wallpaper in the dining room. I had not been there in two years and it was just like coming home to a dear Auntie who thoroughly missed me. Miss Jane told the story of how I brought my new lamb - Baby Thunder - my very first sheep - into the dining room for the guests to admire. She recited every word of my proud announcement. I felt so loved...

On The Road Again

I'm off to Maryland, loaded to the gills. I wanted to hook up my trailer but it is filled with half thawed sheep dung and hay from when I rescued the Merinos and Rambos. Poor planning on my part. I did get new tires yesterday. Brought it to the place across the street from school to get them rotated, but when he told me they were all bald it scared me. I have to make to Maryland! I'm an hour late but will hopefully get there in time to beat rush hour traffic around Baltimore and get the booth set up tonight. I am exhausted but that doesn't matter, have to get the job done. Just took the last bag off the machine - while packing found it with pins and a seam still waiting to be sewn. My Beastie Boy left for work. He's so helpful but the emotional roller coaster with yelling and stomping is more than I can take sometimes. My Rambolina girl is not doing well and it breaks my heart. Must be this lousy hay...mom is not getting enough nourishment to make good milk. She was lying on her side this morning, just the thing I need to see going out the door! I gave her Vitamin B and penicillin, just in case, and some milk replacer. Have to get them out on good, green grass...better get to Md. and make some fence money. I apologize to all the people who are waiting to hear from me, I have been a crazy woman this week. Fortunately had a good observation yesterday. The kid really worked with me and my supervisor liked the math lesson - what? me? teaching math? Very, very, basic math!

Countdown

Okay, let's see. Got the shaving blocks done and they came out fantastically...just the right amount of mashing and cooking made a lovely texture kind of like granite - perfect! I cut them by hand which gives them a funky look. Mia's brushes and dishes are tied on, ready to go. Tonight is hand creme night. Have to stop and get more jars on the way home, pray Wal-Mart has them. Make creme, roll out clay for the few more buttons I need, cut them out, cook them and try not to burn them up again. I decided to have a Hand-Spun Grab Basket with all my little bumps of hand-spun. If I have time I will empty all my bobbins on the ball winder. I love the little bunches of wool, they feel so good in my hand. Maybe someone will see the potential that I do. Still have to find peck baskets for my dyed locks. I wonder if Auntie Jan has had any luck. Matt passes a hardware store on the way home but it closes at 5! With gas at $4.50 a gallon here and time precious I can't ride around looking for them. Gotta hit the road and head for work.

Cold, Crisp and Clear

Winter is back, with temps going down to the 20's tonight. I came home from school and put on my ski underwear and wool socks. It is gloriously beautiful outside, with the grass so green it hurts your eyes, and it's still bright daylight at 6:30 at night. I am crazy busy getting ready for Maryland Sheep and Wool. I found a box of lavender soap that needed wrapping. I managed to get a collection of bags together, so much work but they came out so beautiful. Three or four need buttons and I need Sculpey clay. I got a tray of clove oil shaving soap poured last night and breathed some awful fumes which made me quite agitated and feeling ill but the worst part was that it made me feel so wide awake. I last looked at the clock at 2 and had to get up at six. It was a rough day at work but the kids were okay. I am working with one student on some very basic skills and I find it so gratifying. Funny how kids who are so unruly together are pussycats in a one on one situation. Came home and got to work wrapping the soap which I had gotten half done last night. Kelly is running off labels for me tonight. Mia, Bless Her Ever So Wonderful Heart, sent me the ingredients for my Shepherd's Friend Hand Creme, and brushes/dishes for the shaving soap. I shudder to think how much she spent on shipping, but she wanted me to feel good about my booth. I have more wool than I can cram into the booth. If I manage to get there in one piece and keep my wits about myself I should be okay. I'm sure I won't be the only one there pushing myself to the limit. The weather will be cool and rainy, better for the sheep being hauled in trailers from all over the country. Last I heard they get 30,000 people through the gate. They don't charge admission and that helps. Maryland is very supportive of the sheep industry. Have to get through dinner and chores, then I can make some cream. The animals don't know that Mommy is busy and doesn't have much time for them. The sheep are yelling for hay and the dogs want to be walked. The bunnies wait patiently for their food, and the chickens always look happy - clucking and scratching around. I have a little hen sitting on eggs high up on a rafter. Last year she hatched chicks up there. Luckily I heard the chick that fell out of the nest before the kitties got it. Better get going. I have to get some sleep tonight. I am definitely going to stay away from the steaming clove oil.

Maryland Called

A miracle happened Friday night. Now I am not the best at checking messages on the voice mail. I am out in the barn quite a bit, or at school, and miss a lot of messages. I have to call up to get them and would rather leave it to Matt. My kids email, or keep calling, fortunately. Matt waits for me to get the messages, therein lies the problem. Friday night Matt sat down to get the voice mailbox freed up. He said You have a call from somebody in Maryland. That could only mean one thing...I had applied to be put on the wait list for the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival. Could that be what the call was about? How old was the message? Did I miss out due to no response on my part? My chest tightened as I dialed the number. A nice lady picked up and asked me if I would like to come to Maryland. She had a cancellation and was offering me the spot. Now, I have applied to this festival for four years, and have attended for twelve. It is probably the toughest show to get into, and I had given up hope. I was told by people who listen to the buzz more than I do, that they have too much wool and are always looking for something new. Many of my sheep friends are in the show, but they got in years ago before it was so big and competitive. I couldn't believe it was finally happening for me. After the initial euphoria subsided, panic set in. I have fewer saleable items in my stash than ever before. With lambing and spending ALL my money on hay, I don't even have any of my famous lavender soap. I love to give away soap and my stock is way down. You can't make soap in a week. I have spent the weekend sewing bags. Today I will take inventory of my roving. I spent $45 I don't have to spend on ordering in more shea butter and beeswax for hand creme - something I can make at the last minute. Somehow I will pull this off. I have taxes to pay and fence to buy, and owe just about everybody money for something. Matt will stay home to take care of the farm. The only legal vehicle I have able to make the trip is Mia's Jeep. I have to fit all my stuff in there, which means no giant baskets and a lot of stuff will have to go on top. Jan, God bless her, will meet me in Maryland to help me with the booth. I hope to make a good impression so they will have me back next year. Rain all next week and a wet weekend in Maryland is forecast. Luckily, it's an inside space. Better get back on the sewing machine. My Bundaflicka Bags will look great in the booth and make a "statement." I have lots of dyed curly locks that I will put on the table in bushel baskets if I can find some.

Happy Earth Day

Another Earth Day. In Global History class we climbed the mountain behind the school, a bit of a struggle in the heat and the wrong shoes for me, but it felt good to stay ahead of most of the kids. I was grateful for all the climbs up my own hill to the pond with the doggies. The grass is greening up but still not long enough to let the sheep out on it. We have to put up fence first anyway, or else they will be across the street on Jan's fields. By the time we get the fence up the grass will be a foot high and the sheep will think they have died and went to heaven. I keep listening to all this energy talk, and now that Matt is working for an energy non-profit I hear it from him. We were so excited about the bio-fuels but that turned out to be a global disaster considering all the forests being torn down to grow the corn, soybeans, palms, etc. I never thought I would consider drilling for oil a lesser evil, but it seems to be less invasive. Sweden is making energy from wood, but that doesn't seem practical in the US. I don't know what the answer is, but I know that using corn for ethanol is driving the price up so high I can hardly afford it for my lambs. People in the third world are starving. Hillary has just won Pennsylvania - there is hope for her candidacy. Many Obama supporters say they won't vote for her if she wins the Democratic party nomination. Well, that doesn't make a lot of sense. They care more for a candidate than the party and what it stands for? That makes them no better than a bunch of groupies following a rock star. I personally don't have anything against Obama, but I'm afraid those Republicans would chew him up and spit him out. Hillary would not be intimidated by anyone. It should be a very interesting summer.

Back to Work

It's just so very springy outside. There are a few daffodils here and there on my way to work, and I think I saw one cherry tree. They left a cherry up in the courtyard gardens that they ravaged. Last night I decided to sleep on the sofa and watch movies all night as the "last hurrah" of my vacation. It was fun at first but I had a hard time holding my head up in classes. Much of what I do consists of watching other people teach and it can be hard to stay frosty sometimes. Matt is so excited about his new job. State Dept of Energy people are coming to visit his weatherization teaching lab tomorrow. He's pretty energized himself about it. I'm very happy about him, and wish I could feel the same excitement. Very hot today, and I'm not ready for it. I LOVE cold, clear weather...but the grass has to grow.

Visit with Friends

Happy Hour Saturday night by Beaver Creek, dinner at Frank's, breakfast by the creek with New Jersey bagels, non-stop chatting with dear friends, what could be better? Jan got her critter-fix, Dave got to discuss all kinds of building matters with Matt. Beautiful day, rain coming tomorrow...fitting for a back to work day.

Last Day of Vacation

Could it be over? How will I spend my last day of bliss? Let's see...have breakfast with Jan and Dave, play with lambs, give haircuts to the bunnies, cut out a bag, skirt fleeces and get something going in the dyepot, post pictures on Adopt a Lamb, skim the Sunday NY Times (all I ever really do) play with doggies, find something to wear to work tomorrow, watch John Adams and the Tudors tonight - anything else? I'm sure there will be.

The Continuing Saga Of Hay

Mr. Pearson is out of round bales. He sent us to a dairy farmer friend of his in Madison Center. Jan promises me this won't happen again next winter. She and Dave are up visiting for the weekend. They are camping on Beaver Creek. Oh, how very lovely it was to sit by the flowing water, eat Brie and drink Margueritas. We went to New Berlin for pizza and then came home so they could enjoy the full moon over their fields, which used to be part of this farm. We are looking for someone to hay their property, which may be a problem with the price of diesel. (What about you, Mary?) Jan brought bagels from New Jersey for me.....hmmmmm, good. I better get going - Jan and Dave are walking over for breakfast. It's so good to see them again. If only they could get their house in NJ sold...