Cold and Clear

The weather feels more like October than May. Breezy, cold and brisk. Mia left for NJ after a dream weekend. Non-stop girl talk and such good company. She's so good-natured and eager to do anything she can to help. I miss her so much but she has a busy life and had to get back to it. I gave her the Working Shepherd Hoodie Sweater that was a gift to me from Libby Llop for putting her up at the Md. Sheep and Wool. It fits Mia like a glove and she loves it. It will be good for her hikes with Andrew. I also gave her the Ralph Lauren silk plaid shift and I think she will wear it. Mia knows her own mind and never pretends to like something she doesn't. We went to Panera, then B&N last night to cap off our Mother's Day weekend. Bodie is resting. I hand feed and water him several times a day. He still can't stand up by himself, but he wags his tail whenever I come near him. Matt went to the ER from work today with a back injury and went straight to bed when he got home. The baby goats are doing nicely. Raven's baby is light as air and I fear she will break if stepped on. I gave Raven some grain and a big sheep leapt over the fence and into the pen to get it. I feared she might have crushed the baby but all is well. Time to take the doggies on their night-night walk and get some shut eye.

So Much Excitement

While Mia and I were trying to catch my little runty yearling goats who are choking with mohair to relieve them of their burdens, we spied my black doe Raven next to the back door standing next to a teeny tiny little wet shivering newborn. It's cold today and the barn door is a drafty place. We got a pen ready for mom and baby back inside the barn, with fluffy, fresh green hay, warm molasses water and a bit of corn and feed. I found a tiny sweater for the little doe kid, who Hannah named Jean Vaire. Have to get back to you on the spelling! Raven was thrilled with her kid and the food. Moms get the red carpet treatment here so they can be comfortable, well fed and undisturbed with their little ones. Mia and I only got three goats clipped, but the mohair was substantial. I think I have two more does to kid. It will be cool again tomorrow and I'll be at work. There is nothing cuter than newborn angora goats and I adore the mohair. Speaking of fiber, here is a picture of yarn spun from the wool purchased from me at Maryland Sheep and Wool. Nice to hear from a happy customer.

Heaven

Mia is here with me for Mother's Day. What heaven. We stayed up late, sitting with Bodie. I was so glad Nurse Mia was here to check his pupils and help him through an awful seizure. He went into the "post ictal state" (SP?) as Mia describes it and went to sleep. This morning I could tell he tried to drink water as his whole snout was wet and water was on the floor. I mash canned dog food in water so he can lick it. I know a decision has to be made, but not now, not on Mother's Day, when Mia is here and everything else is so perfect. I built a fire as it is COLD here and Mia made a lovely breakfast, spinach omelettes and toast. We played with Monkey's baby, Jean-Luc (thank you Hannah - great idea!), who luckily had an alpaca sweater on last night. His mouth is warm and belly somewhat full, so I think nursing is going alright. Last night after we came back from a fabulous dinner at Frank's I sat in the pen with Monkey and her baby. She is completely comfortable with me, but any cat who ventures in is quickly head-butted. Back to the dinner...Mia met us there after driving up from NJ, and Frank kept her company until we arrived, even with a full restaurant. What a swell guy! He treated us to his delicious but lethal Limoncello home-made liquor which couldn't help but "lighten" our moods. I had the seafood special and was a very, very happy camper. Home to nuzzle my little Jean-Luc and watch the flock eat dinner. Doesn't get any better than this. Mia and I went up to the hay mow so I could show her the 7 baby chicks. Lo and behold, they were poised way up high on a hay bale, enjoying the vantage point. I got some good shots with Mia's camera which was luckily in the pocket of my vest. Lost count of the amazing pics I've missed due to no camera on me at the moment, and critters don't hold the pose. Anyway, she sat on a bale and attempted to pick up a chick, when Mama Hen flew at Mia on full attack. I watched in horror as Mia's blonde hair went flying in all directions. She broke into a run and fortunately Mama let go. That's how all 7 chicks have survived the Kitty Cadre. Mama is one CRAZY protective Mother Hen! All children should have moms like her. Happy Mother's Day, moms of children, sheep, or whatever. Today is our day. Mia will help me shear goats, then maybe cut out the duvet cover I promised to make her after Maryland is over. If we have any energy left we'll go to Barnes and Noble. Not likely... I will have lots of pictures of Md. Sheep and Wool with critters galore once Mia takes her camera home and makes a disc of the pictures for me. My camera is still in the shop in NJ, which I am glad to get back as it is the one I used to take my BEST in SHOW picture.

First Day at the Farmer's Market

Took a while to get there but it was worth it. The weather was perfect, warm and breezy. After taking care of Bodie, who has to be helped outside and fed by hand, and getting Monkey and her new baby situated in the jug with cord snipped and colostrum milked, there were no close parking spaces left. Matt and I had to hike the goods to my spot. The trailer was still packed from Maryland by my teamster friends so I knew everything was in there. Matt left to go buy the underground stuff for my septic system. I have until the 28th to get it in or "move to a compliant structure," which, for me, would be the trailer. Been there, done that, no thanks. The excavator is coming on Wednesday to dig and Matt will do the rest. There goes my Maryland money, but sure am glad to have it over with. Then the firewall, then more insulating, and we will be tight as a drum next winter. I just paid off the electric company from the mother lode of power we used last winter on heat. Back to the farmer's market. It was moving out day for the Colgate kids, and new Hummers were circling the square, but I don't think many parents were shopping. Still, I sold two bags, including one that I "bought" from Carol with my roving, (Debbie Zahn's doctor hubby bought it for her) and another that I've carried around for a while. I couldn't understand why that bag never sold, and was thinking about keeping it for myself. It's the red and green checked bag with the square red button...so cute. LL Bean colors I call it. A woman bought it for her mom. I was tickled because I bought the ONE YARD that was left on the bolt for $4.00 and made a terrific bag out of it. I said hello to some market friends who I had not seen since last summer. Suzanne Farrington, the local potter, wanted some of my yellow roving so a barter deal was made. I got a cute covered butter dish and some more cups for shaving soaps. I wandered over to Edie's stall, another local potter whose wares I have been lusting after for some time, and struck up a conversation. Lo and behold, we made a barter deal as well. She wanted some soap and creme and I got two square blue dinner plates from her. I've wanted those plates for a couple of years. They match the Errol Gumer pottery I bought ten years ago in Woodstock, NY. Works for me!! A few people bought soap but it was mostly a social time. We hit the new Tractor Supply in Hamilton on the way out and drove home on the lovely Larkin Road to North Brookfield. The fields are being plowed and wild apple trees are blooming everywhere. Back home to check on Bodie, do chores and check on the new baby. Monkey has to be "crotched," that is, the hair around her udder must be clipped away to enable the baby to find a teat. Mia is on the way to help me clip some yearling kids who are running around with very valuable mohair on them. They are too small for the shearing stand and need a patient person to hold them. I can't wait to see her and hear all the hospital news from NJ. We'll go to Frank's Pizzeria tonight. Thunderstorms have been raging all afternoon and I don't want to go far from home. I have two orders for small bags from Maryland to make. Have to make a bunch of small bags for the farmer's market. Next weekend is graduation and a big day at the market. I want to put my soap in smaller boxes that are easier to carry to my spot and put out. After coming home I went back out to the trailer to get some scissors, opened the back door and two giant boxes of soap came cascading out on the grass, with bars everywhere. Simultaneously the skies opened up and I was frantically scooping up wet bars. If the labels aren't perfect people don't want to buy them. So I will be shopping for some small boxes, then I can leave the bigger tubs home. Always trying to improve the operation. I'm open for ideas...

First Day at the Farmer

Total Drama Farm

As I was rushing around getting ready for the farmer's market early this morning, I heard a maaaa, maaaa in the barn. Sure enough, there she was...Monkey had a tiny little white buck kid this morning! She gave birth on Thor's bed and left the afterbirth as evidence! Monkey and Thor are great friends. She loves her little guy. I was hoping she would have a black doe kid. Black girls rule around here, but I guess Monkey didn't get the memo in time. I don't mind. I'm relieved she gave birth on the weekend when I was here, and that mom and kid are doing fine. I think this is Hecky's first kid, and he has Celeste's (Monkey's mom) blue/green eyes! Soooo beautiful.

Good News!!

Bodie is Back! Matt came in the apartment door with Bodie in tow! He's not dead! Matt got out of his truck after coming home from work and thought he would stroll down Chris, our farmer neighbor's, driveway. He heard a sound and turned to find Bodie, flat out on the ground, near the small barn where Chris' dogs live. Bodie is the same, dizzy and weak, but he ate part of a can of wet dog food and part of our dinner of sweet potatoes and chicken. I have him lying next to the baseboard heater in the living room with a blanket over him. I want to get his old bones warm. Matt called the vet who said this behavior is common in old dogs. I am so grateful to have my Bodie back for however long we have left together. Thank you, thank you for all your kind wishes dear friends! I'm so sorry to make everyone worry so much!

Time to Say Goodbye

I know what Bodie was up to when he slipped away. I was surprised to see him standing by the door waiting to be let out, when, for many days I had to coax him to get up and make him go out. Bodie had somewhere to go. My mother told me stories as a kid about how her patients, bedridden for a long time, would suddenly get up and go to the closet in the hospital room to put their street clothes on. It was time to go. What perfect timing. I had the back of the Jeep open to load him in, and then he was gone. He must have picked a good spot, as neither of us can find him. It was a beautiful moonlit night and I hope he was able to enjoy it from wherever he is resting. When I do find him I will bring him back to lay beside Jasper, who drew his last breathe in my company, and I will be able to visit them both every day. That's enough for now, it's just too soon to talk about it...but I'm not going to go off the deep end like I did with Jasper. I'd rather celebrate the life of this amazing dog, who spent his last years roaming 50 acres of fields and ponds, a dog's Shangri-La. Always a belly-full of food, with varmints to chase and chew on and a warm bed at night. There is no greater love than the love of a faithful dog. I don't know what we humans did to deserve them.

Still No Bodie

Out again walking the fields. So many dips, rocks, bushes and trees. Wish I had a horse. I can't imagine how he got so far. I don't think he was dog-napped. Who would want to pick up an old dog walking sideways with a tilted head? He had a license on. I kept asking Holly to find Bodie but she was more interested in the ground hog holes. Talk about a ruined day...Full moon tonight. Matt came home and covered some places I hadn't thought of. Wouldn't it be nice to wake up and find him lying out in the barnyard next to the White Boys? I'm going to make some herb tea and go to bed. Maybe the morning will bring some good news, but I'm doubtful. Bodie doesn't roam far from us and is never on a leash or tied. He doesn't want to be found, I am sure.

Bodie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That is what I have been screaming most of the morning. I got up to call in sick and take Bodie to the vet. I had begged an apt. from Pittsfield Veterinary and they gave me 9:45. I gave Bodie the leftover chicken and gravy with biscuits for breakfast, which he eats sideways with one side of his mouth. I'm convinced he had a stroke, which accounts for his walking sideways and tilting his head. I thought I would leave him be this morning, but he got up and walked to the door and waited. I slipped a Carhartt over my nightie and helped him out. After getting him situated on a grassy spot near the White Boys I went back in to get Matt up, who, just my luck, was not anxious to get up this morning. I can't believe it, as not only am I sick but I have to take care of Bodie, maybe for the last time depending on what the vet says, and Matt's in a bad mood. Went back out to Bodie and no Bodie! He's GONE!! I combed the fields which are cold and wet, acres and acres, up to the dead pile (one of Bodie's favorite places), down to the road, checked the test hole for the septic that Jack fell into last year, but no Bodie. I see Matt driving up the road to work, waving goodbye. It's late and I have the apt. I begged for. No choice but to call them and explain. Thinking they will never give me an emergency apt. again, I ask if I can bring a sick kitten and they say yes. Throw on some clothes and off to Pittsfield, west of New Berlin, about 15 miles. Get kitty taken care of with all the staff wondering how this crazy woman can lose a dog that's about to die. On the way out the door she says, I hope you find your dog. Rush home, no Bodie. All the time I prayed he had come home. I think he knew what was happening and said no way, I would rather crawl in a hole and die than take the needle. I don't blame him. Have to go back out and look. I took Holly and Izzy to find him but they didn't help. I have to go up the ridge through the apple orchard now. My farms' not that big but there are many nooks, crannies, trees and rocks to hide behind. And it's cold. And I'm sick. Oh, Bodie, I'm so sorry. I won't take you to the vet, just come home!

What Did You Say?

I asked Nurse Mary at school to look in my ear. She looked in both ears and told me I have two nasty ear infections. No wonder I hear buzzing like a telephone line and everything is muffled. People have been telling me I'm talking funny. I guess that's because I can't hear what I'm saying. Otherwise I'm perfectly fine, but when the ears are messed up... She said go to a doctor. Guess what - there are no docs around here. We had Nurse Bigger in New Berlin but she retired. I bought some Sudafed on the way home. Maybe I can find some sample antibiotics around the house, left here by my future "doctor" Nurse Mia. I was afraid to go in the house for fear of finding Bodie dead. He was laid out but started wagging his tail when I called his name. Not dead yet. I got him outside but had to carry him up the steps with two other dogs pulling on my arms. Bodie is now totally exhausted and so am I. Think I will lie down. I'm excited about the farmer's market on Saturday as the weather report has improved. I am right across from the vegetable man who always has nice produce. I am excited about blueberry season here and plan on putting up as many jars of jam as I can. I dream about being a blueberry farmer but it takes years to get a blueberry farm going and I plan on retiring from teaching and working in Mia's office and being nanny to her babies someday. (No hurry, Mia!) I better go check the barn for goat babies first. I am expecting two little bundles of joy real soon.

Tired and Cranky

I think the excitement of the weekend hit me today. I felt it when I was on the way to work. Gretchen said how are you and I said give me a fast horse and a bag of hundreds and I'm outta here. It was Teacher Appreciation Day and the administrators served breakfast to the staff. You had to be there earlier than usual to get it and I didn't make it earlier than usual. I had completely forgotten about it anyway. The only thing left was a giant stack of pancakes which I shared with some hungry students who came in at the same time I did. It was kind of funny watching the Superintendent stare at me carrying the plate with the tower of pancakes swimming with syrup to the kids I eat breakfast with every day. They are supposed to go through the student line and get their own. I saw the kid later, walking down the hall still holding his plate of pancakes. Food is really important to some of our students! I wasn't that nice to the kids later when one of them was rolling around my room on the teacher's chair while I was trying to teach them Regents vocabulary. He plowed into the wall and knocked my Princess of the Flowers picture which went crashing to the floor. By some miracle the glass didn't break, but a chip of plaster came off the frame. I was not amused. Here I wanted to share my joy with them and this happens. I took it out of there. Mrs. A. is now a crabby rules freak who doesn't tolerate any fooling around. Home from school and all I wanted to do was play with fiber. I decided I would get some of the new roving out of the trailer but it was packed so tightly under everything else no pulling or pushing would loosen it. My two travelling teamster friends did a real good job of making everything fit! I'll have to wait until Sat. and the farmer's market to see it. Weather forecast is good for Saturday, let's hope it holds. Cold and gray today. I have two custom bag orders and can get busy on them. No baby goats yet. Bodie is not good. I'll call the vet tomorrow. I am reluctant to call but Matt insists. I don't know if I can get him in by myself and I don't want to leave him there. I've had bad experiences before. Matt managed to get him outside for a pee tonight. I fed him cottage cheese but had to make him eat it. I think he has reached the end of his stay here on this earth. I knew this day would come but not this soon. I thought Daisy and Bodie would live forever, along with Shana, Prissy, Sparta, Georgia and Jasper - my dog children who have left me these past few years. Matt tells me we'll all be together again someday in the world to come. I better stop here. I'm tired and need another good night's sleep to be human again. I hope to get some Maryland pictures up soon. Off to do chores then go night-night.

Maryland Musings

Got a good night sleep after many nights of intermittent snoozing. If only I could shut off this mind and not worry in my sleep. Not even all those lovely bed covers in that gorgeous brass bed in the Strawberry Inn could lull me to sleep. Guess I needed to hear three big white guard dogs barking through the night with cats running in the hay mow on top of me to put me to sleep. Work yesterday was surreal after the weekend of fibery fun. I miss my booth. It's so much work to travel to shows and put it up, but it hardly feels like work at all. Does that make sense? I have a lot of ideas I want to work on for the fall shows. In the meantime, I have farm concerns. Monkey was scratching in the dirt by the pine tree yesterday. I wonder if she will give birth next to Knut's igloo where she likes to nap. I can't imagine that Knut would eat her baby, as the dogs love Monkey, but that warm juicy package might be tempting. I have another black doe due any minute. I think the weather is warm enough for newborns to do alright until I get home and put them in the jug. Rainy and cool this morning. Better get crackin' and get to school. Many vendors were headed to the New Hampshire Sheep and Wool this weekend. No can do. I tell them, look, I'm a high school teacher and they look at me like, so? You mean you can't drive 8 hours after work on Friday and put up your booth? Then drive home Sunday night 8 hours and be at work on Monday? Many of them do it. I know my limitations! Or do I?

Best in Show and Back in the Barn

Trip to Maryland was fantastic. So many happy memories. My little Bluefaced Leicester lamb photo "Princess of the Flowers" earned me a First Place and Best in Show...a dream come true. Very pleased and proud. Kim and Carol were so much help I don't know how I could have done it without them. They are tireless workers with terrific ideas about how to set up a booth and display wares to the best advantage. We checked into the Strawberry Inn where we enjoyed a fire in the morning when we came down to breakfast. The crowds came out on Saturday and many friends stopped by the booth. Everything I brought was validated with purchases. The carded fiber I picked up from the mill was as nice as I hoped it would be. Lovely sunflower yellow, pumpkin orange, scarlet red, brilliant blue and some multicolor mixed with natural colored wool. One pound balls marched steadily out of the booth all day. My bags were carried out by delighted ladies. Some bought two. One Chinese college professor bought two bags to take to Russia with her. She picked out a bag with mauve colored medallions all over it that I've had for a couple of years. Another woman came in the booth and asked her if she was going to buy that bag. The Chinese lady handed it to her, then wanted it back when the other woman decided to buy it. I couldn't believe my eyes. I've wanted to go home and sew some more ever since. Soap sales were steady. Kim, Carol and Libby had their handspun skeins, sweaters and felted bags on display and they all had sales. We went out to a nice dinner on Saturday to celebrate our success. Sunday dawned gray and rainy. We said our goodbyes to Miss Jane and her son Bud after a lavish breakfast and made our way to the fairgrounds. The skies opened up and torrential rain poured down all day. It put a damper on attendance but we still had good sales. Libby and I attended a fascinating but sobering lecture by a South African scientist on parasitology. My friend Henya of Chicken Stitches came by and we had a lovely visit. My new booth neighbor, Jennie the Potter, a big blonde Norwegian girl, came all the way from Minneapolis to display her wares. My neighbor on the other side came from Montana with her woven sheep wall hangings. Susan's Fiber Shop across from me came from Wisconsin. She tried to sell me a $900 Teeswater ram, but there was no way I could get him home. It was a steal for a magnificent sheep who would have put some density onto my BFL lambs. The ram's brother was going for $2,500! Neither one sold at the festival. Libby found a cute little Jacob ram lamb to bring home. I know she had a great time, although her family at home seemed to be very anxious to get her back. Libby's cell phone calls "MOOOOOMMMMM" every time it rings! We packed up and got on the road around 7 Sunday night and pulled into the farm after 2. Got Carol off to Freeville, then got ready for bed. Izzie and Holly went to bed with Kim!! No Izzie on my first night home!! Two hours sleep and we were up and ready to go. Kim set off for the Canadian border and I went to work. So nice to be back with the sheep tonight. Much more to tell but I'm so sleepy. Good night!

See You At the Fair

Weather is gorgeous and we are off to Maryland. Kim came down from Ontario last night and has been helping me take care of critters and put fibery stuff together. She's out in the barn feeding everybody right now. I got a good night sleep and feel great. We're loading up and waiting for Carol Crayonbox to pull in from Freeville. All systems go!

The Mounties Are Coming

Kim is driving down from Ontario today to spend the night and help me load up. I grew up with Sergeant Preston and the Royal Yukon Mounted Police. The first thing I thought of when I opened my eyes was Sergeant Preston in his red Mounty outfit with his trusty dog, King!! Don't tell me TV shows don't leave an impression on kids. I asked Matt if he remembered Sergeant Preston and he immediately got excited and said Sure I do! Those Canadians are great in a pinch...they know how to git 'r done! Matt is leaving for Malone NY to teach Lead Safe Weatherization. It will be great to have Kim to help with chores and, yes, wrap some more soap. I made creme until 1. Came out great and the new Sunburst Bottle Company jars are adorable. One sleepy camper am I. I had to wake up in time to receive one more lesson in hooking up my little cargo trailer to the F150. Nothing like parking a big truck hitch, which you can't see, precisely over a little ball mounted on the trailer. What fun. And all those chains, locks and wires so I have lights and my stuff doesn't disconnect from the truck and go backwards down the highway causing major pile-ups. Heaven forbid if I have to back it up. With only one axel the cargo trailer swings this way and that if I need to go backwards. Wish I bought a two axel trailer, but at the time I didn't know what an axel was much less the benefits of having one or two. If people only knew what it takes to get to these shows with the goods in one piece maintaining one's sanity...and then have a smile on your face the whole weekend like oh, this is all so easy and fun! I'm being observed in a science class where the teacher is teaching how to get your bearings and read orienteering coordinates and follow a trail. Maybe I will use these skills someday when I'm lost on my way to a sheep show somewhere. I'm outta here.

Failsafe Time

Yes, I am a Cold War Kid. Cold War Kids know what Failsafe means. When pilots take off on a mission to drop the bomb they cut off radio contact. No information can get in. Their focus is on completing the mission, and they won't think about anything else. I am almost on failsafe. Mia understands what failsafe is. When she was getting ready to take her nursing license boards she went into failsafe. The world could be falling apart all around us but we can't let go of the mission. Once I get out of work tomorrow I am going into failsafe. Throw the stuff in the trailer and get on the road. Matt came home with my new NY commercial plates on - only took three years - but now I am all systems go. Last year I had a weeks notice that I got into Maryland, after years of trying, and I went into a panic trying to get up enough product. I did not even have a whole box of soap. This year I have eight boxes of soap and forty bags. I'm making creme tonight. I picked up my entry into the photo contest from the framer today. It's my "Princess of the Flowers" picture. Kelly brought her soap into school today, Candace has some, Susan Carr has some, and I'm bringing the Tea Tree with me to wrap in the truck and at the B&B. John Erlinger called from Frankenmuth to touch base about dropping off the roving. He says it's very beautiful, especially the 50 pound run I gave him last fall. That's the purply/teal/red run. The others are colbalt blue, red, yellow and orange/yellow. I'm very excited. He also told me not to give him any short staple Merino without other longer, stronger fibers to mix with it. No problem there. I'm bringing him a big run to give me back at Rhinebeck, saving on shipping, but the Merino run won't be ready. I'll be working on that over the summer. Better get some dinner ready then clean off the counters for creme making. Heather, my friend Rebecca's daughter, sent me some samples of the soap she made. It was such a thrill to receive it. So nice to know I inspired a young person to make soap. It's the gift that keeps on giving...Speaking of gifts. I had something so lovely happen to me this morning. When I got into my room this morning I found a little white bag with a container inside. The note was from my friend Sharon Winans, the special ed. dept. secretary. She had spent the weekend in Marblehead, Mass., and was planning on going in the ocean. I told her to play in the ocean for me, as I adore the beach and hardly ever get there. She brought the beach to me! Inside the container was some salt water, a clam shell, a mussel shell and a live snail! The card said "Sniff the beach - from Marblehead, Mass." I was too thrilled and feel so fortunate to have such a thoughtful friend. Thank you, Sharon! You are Toot Sweet!

Crowded House Story

One of my favorite Yiddish stories goes something like this...

A man goes to his rabbi with a problem. His house is so crowded he can't stand it any longer. There are kids everywhere, piles of clutter all over, and there is not a bit of extra space for a man to relax a little after a hard day's work. The man was completely miserable and at the end of his wits. The rabbi ponders the man's situation for a minute or two, then says "I have the answer!" He looks the man straight in the eye and directs him to, "Go home and bring all your farm animals in the house - your cows, your sheep, your chickens and your dogs. Keep them in the house for two days. At the end of two days, let them go. The man did as his rabbi advised. He went home and pulled and shoved his livestock into the little house. His family thought he lost his mind. At the end of two days, he let all the animals out of the house. A miraculous transformation took place. The little house seemed roomy and comfortable without all the animals in it. There was plenty of room for parents and kids. The man was happy as can be in his new home.

NIghty-Night

It's 12:30 and I'm going to bed. Wrapped the rest of the Patchouli (heavenly) and the box is full. Kelly and Candace are wrapping for me - Bless Their Hearts - and will bring Kelly another box tomorrow. Waaayyy too hot today, got up to 90. When I got home from work the kitties were lying flat out in the driveway and around the barn. Izzy had somehow been locked in the bathroom and was barking out the window. I was a little late getting home as I had to go through Hamilton to drop off my sheep portrait at Evergreen Gallery to be mounted in the frame I brought them. Would have done it myself but I needed glass cut. Had to drop soap off at Hamilton Whole Foods where Candace works anyway. What a sweetie she is. I didn't know how I was going to get this soap wrapped but brought the Clove Bud and Expresso to work with me anyway, praying something would happen. Much drama at school today. Mis-alignment of the planets? Then I thought wait, Candance works in Hamilton, she's going to Maryland Sheep and Wool, maybe she would wrap the soap. I called her and she said she'd love to. She keeps telling me how happy the sheep have made her. Makes me feel so good to add the sheep dimension to someone's life. Will start making creme when I get home tomorrow. That will be several hours but has to get done. Clearing the decks to get set up is the worst part. Will load up Wednesday night. My supervisor gave permission for me to take two personal days - whew! Was a little worried but no problem with her. Beautiful crescent moon tonight, with the full moon silhouted behind it. Brilliant stars and planets glowing in colors. Love this clean fresh upstate air.

New Products

I'm bringing some shaving cups with brushes to Sheep and Wool this year. They were made by my Farmer's Market friend, Suzanne Farrington. She's a local potting legend. The German brushes are lovely, a step up from what I have been selling. I still have my big, funky blocks of shaving soap. Just emptied a lot of stuff from the Rhinebeck trailer into the cargo trailer, lights, Bundaflicka sign, more roving, etc. I could survive a war with all this wool. Yes, Wool is the Mother of All Fibers. I ordered jars and labels for my Shepherd's Friend Cleansing Grains, but I don't think they will come in time for this show. There is always the farmer's market and the fall shows. The cleansing grains have my handmade soap, ground up with wheat germ, corn meal and oat meal. It's a great way to use my end pieces and bars that don't cut right. I brought Annie a bag of end pieces at Christmas time. She lets the kids have them in the bath tub and leave them in the water. That way they get washed and they don't know it.