Friday, January 28, 2011

This Just In

When Ian came home from town yesterday, he found this box waiting at the gate. My fleeces are back from Morro Fleeceworks! I'm pretty certain this is last time I'm going to have any of our fleeces processed - it's just way too expensive.
These bags are over 17 pounds of roving. I think that will keep me supplied for the rest of my life. I'm thinking that this year when we shear, I'll just offer to fleeces to anyone who wants to process it themselves.
It's disap-
pointing that all three of our wethers have become almost the same color. Left to right: Mickey Mouth, Robbie the Ram and Oliver Twist. The black is Sven, a gift last year from Kathy LeFevre in Flagstaff. They all are lovely, soft and silky. I LOVE to spin Shetland.

And of course they're not going to fit back in the box. Charlie gave up trying to figure out a way to get into the box, so he's settled for just being close to the box.
I wanted more than anything to spin up a few samples, but this is where I've spent the last couple of days. After I got home Wednesday, a cold virus moved in on me like a swat team and has completely disabled me. It's kinda scary that a "common cold" can do that.

This is the last week for my old sofa. You can see how problematic not having an arm is. The stuff that doesn't fall off the end, falls into the cracks between the cushions. So I've mostly read and slept. I did take Theresa's suggestion and knitted my vest button bands in seed stitch - that was the extent of knitting.

I picked up my hold for David Baldacci's latest book Hell's Corner on Wednesday and read half that night and the rest yesterday. It was the perfect mindless read. I've also finished You Had me at Woof by Julie Klam, nonfiction about living in Manhattan with dogs, getting involved in Boston Terrier rescue, and how becoming a responsible dog owner helped her become a responsible adult. Loved it!

I wanted to share this from the book: “A very wise dog woman once told me that dogs find their owners, not the other way around. They pick you and they choose to stay with you. In that way, they are also giving you the end of their life. The deeper the bond, the harder it is to say good bye. I know I’d rather have any amount of time with a dog I love and suffer the mourning than not have the time at all.”
It was a lovely day, sunny and 57 degrees. My doctor's advice for a virus is to get lots of rest, hydrate yourself well, get warm and stay warm, even if that means soaking in a hot bath. I swaddled myself and sat on the deck all afternoon. At times I was too warm, but I stuck it out.

I'm reading Midnight's Children by Salman Rushdie on my Kindle for book group in another week. I'm surprised at how unintimidating a large and complicated book like this is, when I'm just pressing the turn page button. It's easy to get lost in the story. I'm not aware of how much is left and all of a sudden a quarter of the book is read. I can highlight selections I'll want to reference in the meeting as well as make notes - no more sticky yellow notes all over the book.

Meanwhile, the weather has just started to turn and the wind is picking up - phew. Indian Summer in January is nice but it's also very scary and wrong.

13 comments:

re'New said...

Sorry to hear about the cold. Knock on wood I've not been under the weather for quite some time... We had a bit of a thaw today! It is hovering at 33 degrees. Crazy how that feels warm. :) Feel better soon!

Purple Fuzzy Mittens said...

I'd say Sammie is a prime example of a canine that chose her owners. As for the coming year's fleece, if you are really giving it away I'll stake my claim on Micky's. :-) Hope you feel better soon!

Michelle said...

When my heart is shattered all over the earth and my eyes are swollen from crying, I'm not so sure about the validity of Julie Klam's quote, but when not in the midst of mourning over a beloved animal I do agree.

Lots of lovely roving there! Who cares about the light colors? You're a dying queen!

LA said...

What a lovely day to read outside! If nothing else, all that sunshine upped your vitamin D supply! The fleeces look wonderful...I know you'll enjoy spinning them.

Theresa said...

The book quote. spot on I think. Of course it could be the quality of the treats too...;)
Your fleeces look amazing Sharon. And who wouldn't fall in love with that black sheep. I remember your excitement over getting it.
I love my Kindle and it looks like you're going to really enjoy yours too.
It's been a pretty powerful cold going around. I still have vestiges of mine, so take good care of your self.

Hilary said...

I am so glad you are enjoying your Kindle.
I hate colds, but I guess they are a fact of life.
Love the dog book quote, and it is oh so true.
You are a better woman than I planning on spinning all that roving.
ACK~!!!!!

Nina said...

That's a wonderful box of fibre you have there! I do wish we had enough space for a few sheepies. I absolutely love fresh fleece off the sheep. After getting a single lamb fleece processed here, and it costing me $78 to turn it into roving, I buckled down and do my own now too. Funny thing though.. it turns out I really enjoy it too!

vlb5757 said...

I loved your photos of all the new roving. Boy that looks like loads of future colorful fun! I can't wait to see what you do with it. Hope your cold gets better soon.

~~Sittin.n.Spinnin said...

Wanna trade some of what you got for some of what I got? :)
Sorry you don't feel well. The other bar tender I work with is sick today as well, so have to go in on her shift today. TGIF! (my Friday that is :)

Leigh said...

Wow all that gorgeous roving. Yum! I know you're probably getting excited over that new sofa. I know I would be. We did the same thing with a sectional once and the armlessness got to be a nuisance after awhile. Glad your kindle is working out. And I hope you shake that virus soon!

Jody said...

Beautiful rovings!!
I can't wait for sheep shearing in March and Alpaca shearing in May :)

Laura said...

I second Becky's offer - I'll trade some of my merino/alpaca for some of Mickey or Oliver...

Let me know!!

bspinner said...

So sorry to hear about your cold!!!

You sure did get a nice surprise at your gate. I would love to get a couple of pounds of Shetland roving. I've heard it's so nice.

You're so lucky to have nice warm weather!!!