Frankly speaking.......the winter is cold and cruel sometimes
Here in the mountains of North Carolina, we are experiencing an unusual winter (sort of). We had snow in January, which is not all that unusual, but then it stayed cold and warmed up, got cold again, all of which makes for an icy layer on top of the snow - treacherous for people….. not so much for goats, being surefooted and all.
Before the snow came, we lost our buddy Nigel. Nigel deserves a tribute, so here goes:
Nigel, jacob sheep who looked amazingly like Freddie Mercury, passed away with his loving companion Daisy by his side on January 14, 2022. The cause of death was undetermined, but earlier in the week, it appeared that Nigel had suffered an injury to his left eye, causing it to swell and drain. It appeared to be healing on its own until it wasn’t, and Nigel, who was flighty and nervous anyway, just couldn’t handle it. He was buried here on the farm before the big snows came.
Nigel lived a charmed life here on the mountain top, with Daisy as his constant companion and stall mate. Daisy is now trying to fit in with the goat herd, and has decided it’s best to identify as a goat from now on. Daisy is elderly, having moved to North Carolina with the original flerd 11 years ago. At the time she was a yearling.
Nigel liked to boss everyone around in the barnyard. Nigel made the breeding decisions around here, and when the little goat boys tried to get some action, Nigel would head butt them off their target. Nigel would fight like a goat, not a sheep, by standing up and head butting his target on the way to the ground. This could have been the cause of the injury to his eye.
Nigel was friendly enough with the people (if they had animal crackers), but if you looked at him long enough he would stomp his foot like he was going to attack. He didn’t ever attack, but just wanted to look scary.
In any event, we are sorry that Nigel is no longer with us. He had a really nice fleece and a not so nice personality sometimes, but then again he was not a goat. End of sheep obit.
Nature being what it is, when one leaves us, more show up. Such is the case around here. As soon as the snows came, Hera decided to drop twins.
Snow and Storm about a half hour after birth
Storm (the blue boy) appeared quite vigorous and much bigger than his sister, Snow. Even under the watchful eye of our hay wench, he didn’t make it for long. He lived about one whole day and we lost him. His sister, however, has enough personality for both of them, and she is thriving. Her new name is Izzy Snow.
A couple of days later, Gracie dropped a little girl. Gracie is a good, experienced mom, and her little girl has such a set of lungs, she has been named Fauntina, after the opera singer of the 1800’s.
Baby Fauntina with mom Gracie
So, that’s the news from the farm of late. Some sad, some good. I hope the snow melts soon. We went outside yesterday for the first time in a week, and it was pretty dicey to say the least. Wench fell on her butt while she was preparing the walkway for us with wasted hay. Good thing she had plenty of padding… lol!
Anyway, that’s about it around here…. thanks for reading Frankly Speaking!
I’m so handsome, don’t ya think? love, frankie
Happy Holidays
Don’t faint! It’s only been a couple of months and here I am again. This could be because I’m getting better, or it could be because wench is waking up at 4 AM again (it’s a cycle). In any event, news and things going on at the farm are my responsibility to report, so here I am.
On the goat side of the farm, eight goats went to new homes over the summer and fall of 2021. Slapshot and Darla went to live over by Raleigh. Zorro, Cobalt and Whitman went to live with a nice lady in Tennessee, and Starla, Petunia and Tawny went to live on another farm in Tennessee.
This allows us to change stalls up. Bluebelle is now next door to me, and is enjoying getting her share of the grain each morning. Both she and I are gaining weight. Wench was shocked to see the amount of weight I had lost when shearing happened. Actually, I think she was jealous. She’d like to lose as much weight as I have, but, she does not have a personal chef, so there’s that. Apparently my personal chef was lacking. Now, I am getting supplements and they are working. I feel pretty good for an old goat.
Speaking of wench and her inadequacies, there are still two goats to shear and it’s DECEMBER. All I can say is it’s a good thing for global warming. sheesh! Hera and Ruthie still have their coats, and hopefully that will be taken care of this weekend. Once everyone is sheared, I think it would be a good idea to put all the smaller goats together in one stall and let the momma goats continue to gestate. That would be: Gracie, Carmella and Hera. Not sure about Greta and Bluebelle and Ruthie - doubt they are bred, but you never know, they could surprise us.
Casper, who I thought was rather frail when born, is growing like a weed. He has not caught up with Lightning McQueen yet (Carmella’s boy) or Juno (Hera’s girl) but is getting there. Pongo, Gracie’s other twin, is still rather frail, but beginning to come back from whatever was ailing him. Our next year kids will have a regular protocol for deworming, shots, creep feed, etc. to keep them from going down this frail rabbit hole.
Casper and Pongo
Anyway, enough about wench and her failure to worship me adequately.
Our American Chins went to a show last week. Ragnar got a leg toward his grand champion, so that was good.
Other than that, not much going on here. Wench stays busy in her studio sewing and making things with wool; we stay busy making wool and fertilizer.
Hope your holidays are special. Thanks for reading Frankly speaking!
Frankly speaking..... don't pay the ransom, I've escaped!
I realize it has been OVER ONE YEAR since I last posted on this blog. Do not fear, Frankie is alive and well, living on the mountain and growing my fleece for you. I’ve just been busy having this “pandemic inertia” for a while, then trying to get back into the swing of things, get my mojo flowing, that sort of thing. I might be starting up.
Shearing is coming soon, like it should have already started, so hopefully I’ll have some photos, etc.
In the meantime, I’m trying to get wench ready for SAFF. This year, Mountain Top Fibers will be located in the thick of it, Davis Arena, so look out for a new location. There may be two or three satin angora bunnies going too.
Hopefully I’ll be posting on the regular….. thanks for sticking with me!
Frankly speaking.........getting old and creaky
At almost 12 years old, I am approaching old age in the goat world. I’m not quite as spry as I used to be. It’s ok, that’s the circle of life. My fleece is not as fine, but that’s ok. Mohair is the type of fiber that is useful at every stage. Let the youngsters make the fine yarn - I’ll make rope. it’s ok.
Wench is getting older, too. About a month ago, her knee gave out and she was absolutely unable to put any weight on her leg at all. To make a long story short, arthritis if the culprit, something that comes with age - in people and in goats - so, I can relate.
This is why people of a certain age slow down some. In a first effort to make accommodations for wench, builder was kind enough to give up his first floor space for "his” rabbits, and he moved all of the 2nd and 3rd floor rabbits to the first floor. This accomplished a few things: wench agreed to feed us goats and take care of us in exchange for not having to climb stairs anymore. The golf cart (a/k/a electric scooter/chair) can come right up to the barn door, which eliminates walking the hills for her. Now she can just walk in the front door and get to work!
First floor rabbit barn before she got it organized!
Of course, with any “changing of the guard” there are changing of the ways. Wench has begun mucking stalls every day or every other day. She has also introduced straw as bedding instead of waste hay. Then she feeds us much more grain than builder did (it’s a wench thing - they always wanna feed something) and, has been adding supplements, etc. for us to our individual grain pans, according to our needs. Now, our mineral pan is put out each morning for us to enjoy, and a bucket of baking soda, too. I can see her pea brain whirring trying to figure out how to make it all more efficient. All in all, we are feeling rather pampered, getting regular pedicures and treats, and lots of hay so we will all be getting fat and sassier than usual. We love our builder, but we have that “special” relationship with wench.
Petunia loving that “New Country Organics Goat mineral with KELP!” YUM-O
Cleaned out stall! yay! now for the straw bedding (so comfy and dry)
Now that the angoras are on the first floor, the dreaded “BLOWER” is on the first floor too. This is a device used to blow the angora coats clean. The rabbits seem to like it. Wench has used it on a few of us, and guess what? it feel pretty good. The noise is scary, but I suppose we will get used to that.
Renewing wench’s obsession with poop and the removal of it, she has begun to bag up the bunny poop and sell it! people will buy anything. Anyway, it is now available for local pickup or delivery within a few miles. This is great for the garden, and does contain some wasted hay, some barn lime, all the good, organic materials that flowers love. See our listing at the Independence Farmers Market online, or shoot us an email or Facebook message, or order in the online store. Many ways to get your fresh poop. (oi vey)
Bag o Poop. Get it while its hot… those buns poop A LOT but still, supplies are limited (by the number of feed bags we empty…lol)
Apparently there is a virus going around, in the people world and the rabbit world. This has caused the cancellation of all shows both fiber and rabbit through at least the end of 2020. The result of this, at first, was a cleaner house and barn. Now, not so much. Wench has begun sewing because at first she was making masks for people, but now is making bags. Bag making a bag. It fits. Anyway, now these will also become available in the online store. Makers gotta make, I suppose.
Here I am, in all my glory, with my sidekick, Pistol Pete. This guy wants to be my best friend.
I will just grow fleece, eat and poop. It’s what I’m good at, and unlike people, I don’t have to practice to make it perfect. So thanks for reading Frankly Speaking! Hope to post again soon - shearing time is about to happen!
Frankly speaking.....let's talk
So, my loyal fans know that I am a goat of high opinion. I don’t pull any punches when it comes to what I think. I realize it has been six months since I updated this blog, but I do have an excuse.
After the two quilt shows in January, wench ramped up her game to get ready for Carolina Fiber Fest. Aunt June and Aunt Patty both came to help, and the display was really special.
What would have been at Carolina Fiber Fest
As soon as the display was finished, the crew went back to the rental house, had a libation or two, and got the call: COVID-19 had forced the shutdown of the show. The next day, they tore it all down and came home a little defeated. Since that time (March 11th 2020) it’s been sorta like the Twilight Zone. Every single event had cancelled, including the Blue Ridge Fiber Fest, which about broke my wench’s heart.
Face masks became the new thing to do, and everyone got busy doing a few things: hunting for toilet paper, cleaning supplies and paper towels, and making face masks. Wench hadn’t sewn a stitch in quite a few years, but getting out the old singer and doing her part sparked a little sumthin sumthin in her old crafty soul, and now, the dyeing and knitting and weaving and spinning must share the hands that also sew.
The studio, which is now completed, has been put to good use - wench has been dyeing the shirts off our backs, and on Monday she drove it all up to Harrisburg, PA to be made into roving. This is in anticipation of shows actually happening in 2021.
In farm news, we have baby chicks and baby rabbits all over the joint, and today we even had another baby goat! So now there are four littles running around - Gracie’s boy Chunk, Greta’s twins Corona and Lime, and Carmella’s new boy who needs a name.
Wench has set up all the yarns in the studio so she can see what she actually has, and so folks who want to buy something don’t have to root through all the bins and baskets looking for what they want. The on line store isn’t quite updated yet, but, sewing has been taking place.
sewing
some of the yarns
and some more of the yarns and fibers
So she still has a ways to go before announcing a grand opening, but hopefully the on-line store will get updated before long. You can always find our products at the farmers online market, too.
No blog post would be complete without the goat picture, so, I’ll say Thanks for Reading Frankly Speaking - I’m as regal as ever and keeping us safe. Here’s a picture of little Chunk. Now wash your hands.
Frankly speaking, I just don't know where to start
Ok, so I realize it has been almost ONE WHOLE YEAR since I’ve updated this site. wow. Well, not quite, but still,… so, what’s been happening in Frankie World? Oh, quite a bit. I just don’t get the time to sit down and update this blog, so, I’ll give you a brief re-cap:
The project for 2019-2020 is the studio addition. Wench has been dyeing yarn and roving in the house kitchen, and finds it pretty inconvenient to stop at 4 o’clock, put everything away, clean the kitchen so she can make dinner. Of course this has prompted her to pretty much stop making dinner, but that’s another story… the kitchen in the house should be for food preparation, not yarn dyeing. So, builder, doing what builders do, decided (with a little prompting from wench) to put an addition on the studio.
This is the beginning. Builder doesn’t do anything half way, so the end result will be beautiful. Currently, they are down to buying the cabinets for the kitchen and doing some trim work; then hopefully by spring, it’ll be move in time, and things can get back to normal around here (what’s normal? I don’t think I’ve ever seen that)
This is the first floor looking into the addition
Anyway, in farm news, it’s pretty much the status quo around here. We may be having a few kids this spring, I’m pretty sure Carmella, Grace and Petunia are in the family way. Not sure about anyone else though, it is sort of beyond the scope of my responsibilities. My job is just to show everyone whose the boss around here. Rabbits have opted out of the whole baby thing lately. Wench started breeding in September and so far - zip.
Of course wench’s obsession, the fiber fest, is moving right along, and that’s why we are hoping to have the addition done by May. The volunteer squad comes from all over the place and hopefully they will have somewhere to sleep now instead of camping out on the floor of the tiny house. Glamping. A roof over your head, but primitive. I think those ‘kids’ can live with that!
I hear there is another doggo coming our way in a couple of weeks. Reba the diva. A (red fox) yellow lab. She won’t come to the barn until she’s had her last shots on February 13th, but I will look forward to showing her who's the boss around here, too. A Chief Executive Goat’s work is never done
REBA!
That’s the brief update. I’ll promise to do better in keeping you updated, but, you know how that goes. Look for wench this weekend at the Statesville Quilt show… and for now, thanks for reading frankly speaking!
Frankly Speaking.....giving credit where it is due
So you all know me, Frankie, the goat extraordinaire, the goat with the fan base, the most important goat on this mountain….. and normally, I don’t care about giving accolades to the other critters who live here.
However, every now and then you must give credit where it is due. Earlier this month, I sent wench up to Ohio, to Angora Nationals. She went there with Aunt June and one rabbit: Gold Digger, a satin angora doe.
Gold Digger is 2 years old; a mom of one litter, and she had earned two legs toward her grand champion already. Her career as a show bunny was slightly overshadowed by her sister, Prasanna, who won every class she ever entered. Sadly, Prasanna left us earlier this spring, after going on a hunger strike (it is always the best rabbits… won’t breed, won’t eat, won’t play, no matter what you do). Anyway, Goldie was just quietly hanging out, being a good girl, and recovering from her litter, when wench came to me to discuss angora nationals. Seems there were two or three contenders under consideration. There was a giant angora, Atlas, an intermediate buck, there was Aveline, a broken black french doe, and there was Gold Digger.
I often wonder why they hold National rabbit shows in the spring each year. The weather is not conducive to growing beautiful coats of fur. One day it’s winter, the next day it’s summer, almost like Mother Nature can’t make up her mind (especially here in the North Carolina mountains). So unless you have a controlled environment in which to pamper your rabbits coats, you take a chance on who will be ready to go on the day you load your car.
Gold Digger was ready. She did such a nice job that she won Best of Breed Satin Angora. Over 40 rabbits in the class. We are very proud of her.
Here you see Gold Digger before she was groomed for the National show.
Here she is - Miss Satin Angora - (are you singing the song?)
So anyway, when she came home from Ohio, she was sheared, and maybe, just maybe, she will try for another litter of babies this spring. I heard a rumor that there would be a visiting buck here in May who will be breeding most of our satin angoras.
In other news, we have a cadre of American Chinchilla does (and three bucks) ready to go to their new home down in Burnsville, NC and they are getting picked up later this month. In the meantime, we have one litter of Chins from Vanja, and a couple more litters expected next month.
Chin babies are pretty cute
Just remember, a baby bunny is very cute, but is not a toy. At this time of the year, wench does not sell rabbits to anyone but another breeder. A bunny is easily a ten year commitment, so, if you aren’t ready for that, no buns for you. Of course if you want to talk about commitments, you WILL be committed if you decide to jump down the rabbit hole….. these people are nuts! (but that’s another blog post)
Saving the best for last, here’s the CUTEST of ALL! Gracie, emerging Herd Queen, has graced us (get it?) with a baby boy. He was born during the hockey playoffs, so his name is Stanley Slapshot. We’re calling him Slapshot for short. Is he just adorbs?
Baby Slapshot, out in the big world!
He fits right in with the gang.
We are all shorn now and ready to re grow our fiber over the summer. We have started the lawn maintenance around here and it tastes good!
Wench is busy working on plans for the 2nd annual Blue Ridge Fiber Fest, and builder is working on the studio addition. In the meantime, we are all looking forward to a visit from builder’s mom in May.
I’m hoping to keep up with this blog regularly, but you know how hard it is to get good help around here….. so, until next time, thanks for reading Frankly speaking!
got any cookies?
Frankly speaking...... being a parta Sparta
What’s the deal, anyway? Why should I, as a goat, care about where I live? So long as there is grain, hay, pasture, etc (so, FOOD) I shouldn’t really be concerned about my address. I was born in Verona, New York at the Warm n Wooly Farm. I moved to Lowville, New York when I was about six months old. The majority of my life, though, has been spent here, on the mountain top.
This is my contemplative look….. pondering my address
As a goat, I really don’t have a say in where I live, because, well, I’m livestock and I go where they take me. My philosophy has always been to “bloom where I am planted” and so I started this blog to keep the northerners informed of my activities, and to entertain whoever is listening.
IN ANY EVENT, I have found Sparta to be a welcoming place. In Sparta, we have a much longer growing season than in my birthplace. Like 4 or 5 months longer, which makes for more grass and browse, which is important to a goat. Not so important to a goat, but very important to my caregivers, are the other reasons for liking Sparta.
There is a rich cultural heritage here; steeped in the textile arts. We all know that mohair is a very important component to textiles, because goats make everything from fine lace weight yarn for beautiful garments, to rope and rugs and mens suits. I don’t understand why wool gets all the attention…. mohair is so much more important!
Arts education is a big deal around here. The JAM kids have their own house! (Junior Alleghany Musicians). There are music lessons available there.
The Writers group holds workshops to teach folks how to be better writers. I sent my scribe (wench, she hates when I call her that) to the lessons yesterday, so maybe she’ll be a little more attentive to this blog.
There are book clubs and painting classes and live music many nights per week.
There is the BLUE RIDGE FIBER FEST which is taking place June 7 & 8, 2019 for the 2nd year! With 70 vendors, educational non-profits, demonstrations, workshops, contests, and fun for all, this event will let you meet your “yarn on the hoof”. Make sure your calendar is marked for this event! Check out the offerings at www.BlueRidgeFiberFest.com
The point of this blog entry is that this is a pretty cool place to live. On behalf of myself and the flerd I represent, I’m glad to be a goat on the mountain top.
I promise a newsy, picture-heavy posting showing all the progress being made on the farm as soon as I can get that wench to do something around here. (sheesh!) We are all being shorn now so she can go sell the shirt off my back. It feels good. Thanks - for reading frankly speaking!
Frankly speaking........ a recap and welcome to new visitors
It has been brought to my attention that we may have some new visitors who are not familiar with my musings, and so, here’s a quick tutorial:
#1. I am a goat. Make no mistake about that. As the Chief Executive Goat around here it is my job to ensure that all things run smoothly. Sometimes I have to whip those humans into shape, and so you should know…
#2. My humans are NOT called ‘mom’ and ‘dad’ because, well, they are not. As a goat, I have little clue as to the identity of my sire, but I know, and still remember fondly, my sainted mother, April. I lived with her and my granny goat Naomi until we moved here to North Carolina, and they each passed the first spring we lived here. I still miss them.
#3. Just like goats, all humans must have names. I refer to my humans by their assigned roles, not their names. So, the female is called “wench”. This is to identify her as the Haywench. She uses this identity on Ralvery (the knitters social media) and when talking to people at shows where she goes to sell the shirt off my back. The male is called “builder” because he is in charge of building things like barns, stalls, things to make me comfortable. Every human has to have a purpose, you know.
I hope that this short explanation clears up any confusion. Now, on to news:
It’s pretty cold around here these days, but we still go outside to play and eat hay because it’s healthier and we have lots and lots of mohair to keep us warm. Also, we are able to gradually become accustomed to the cold weather because we live in a barn, so the temperature change is not drastic like it is for people. If it’s snowing or raining or the wind is too severe, we are kept inside the barn to eat hay for our own safety (and, goats don’t like to be wet)
Wench attended the Sanford Quilt show last weekend and had some fun, and this weekend she’ll be in Statesville for another quilt show. Quilters also knit, crochet, felt, etc., and wench used to quilt, so it’s a good combination.
In studio news, builder has been busy, busy, busy… his usual modus operandi. The “project” has progressed to the next phase….. demolition. The first floor (or studio level) is roughed in, the entire back half of the building encased in plastic, and the demo of the original roof line has begun.
Let’s raise the roof!
Better photos will be forthcoming if I can get that wench to stay home and do something around here.
New yarns are at the mill and arriving this week for dyeing; after Statesville, wench has an entire month “off” the show circuit until Ocean City, MD in March. I heard a rumor that wench and builder might be trying to take a couple of days off and leave us with a farm sitter. OI, more humans to train!
A CEG’s work is never done.
Anyway, that’s the scoop. Until next time, thanks for reading Frankly speaking!
just look at that profile! kiss my cheek….
Frankly speaking...........here we grow again
Seems to me that I use that title “here we grow again” frequently around here. You see, builder got his name because he loves to build. It seems each season, he is building something new. I know how you all like to keep up, so this post will be about the new agricultural space being made on the farm.
When we moved to this place, wench wanted a small house. So that’s what she got - small. Not a tiny house, that is now all the rage, but still, small considering the Queen of the packrats met the King, and they built their kingdom together, with the accumulation of three marriages each, parents that moved away or passed away, and the feeling that if they throw something away, they’ll need it next week. This is a people phenomenon, and not easily passed to the next generation…. (none of their kids are packrats, nor do they want any of their “stuff”). Anyway, when you start a new business, you accumulate more “stuff” and when you are a packrat, you need more space to store things you might someday need.
Last year, wench began hand dyeing yarn and roving to offer in her booth for spinners and crafters, in addition to the shirt off my back. This requires some space for things like steam pots, drying racks, etc. Also last year, when the abattoir went out of business and that OTHER part of the farm shut down, builder had to start doing ‘the deed.’ He needed a better place to accomplish this, and so, the studio addition was conceived.
The plan is to put a dye kitchen and full bath in the studio to allow wench to move all her crap (err… materials for dyeing) out to the studio. This will require a large electrical upgrade, and the building will need to be heated on a regular basis in the winter, so maybe a LOT of stuff can be moved out there (like houseplants, etc.)
Here’s the progress so far:
this is the basement. A full support basement will go under the whole studio eventually.
Here is the decking - which extends 2 feet beyond the basement wall.
This is the new area. The outside wall (with the sliding door and window) will come off and the whole thing will be tied together
At first, this appears to be a rather big project, but, take a look at that 4 story barn…. this is small in comparison. Builder sometimes amazes me - ok, most of the time he amazes me. He already has the next project in his brain. oi vey
So, in other news, the marathon show schedule is over and wench actually survived. Now she’s gearing up for the next round…. two big quilt shows in January, two big fiber shows in March; then one in April and then the 2nd annual Blue Ridge Fiber Fest.
Of course builder isn’t the only one who is coming up with new things….. wench is designing and dreaming up new things, too. Look at the ‘yarn’ rope that is being made from our fleece that is a little less than kid quality:
This is 100% mohair, two ply yarn SUPER bulky. Dog leashes, rope, baskets, rugs, the possibilities are endless.
There’s a lot more yarns going around here and wench has been busy making shop samples so that when folks see what can be done with the yarns, they will want to buy them… here are a few examples:
This is a 50/50 alpaca/merino blend created in 2018 Very soft and squishy. The alpaca does not live here, but resides nearby at Alpacadabra over in Dobson.
This is a combination of the 50/50 alpaca merino mentioned above, (the brown) with a 50/50 angora merino blend (orange) which all together is very soft and luxurious
Here’s Harper, looking forlorn. I know you expect cute animal photos in these postings, so don’t want to disappoint.
So that’s what has been going on around here. I hear Christmas is coming in a couple of weeks, and of course we aren’t ready. Wench is making gift baskets for knitters this year. Here’s an example:
Have you noticed anything different about this post? Is it heavy on the photos? The reason for that is this: wench might have actually figured out how to get photos from her iPhone to her iMac. Used to be the iPad and the iPhone shared but couldn’t get the mac to play. Now, at least for this time, it worked. We’ll see if she can do this trick again in a few weeks.
In the meantime, have a wonderful holiday and as always, thanks for reading Frankly Speaking.
kiss kiss. this beard is too dirty for Santa. Maybe dirty santa?
Frankly speaking.....humiliation is upon us
Ya know, when wench was delivering product to area restaurants and running back and forth to Marion to that place we don’t talk about (the abattoir) all the time and racking up thousands of miles on the Pilot, she let things around here take their course. Shearing was done with builder and wench and over the course of one week, everyone looked spiffy and ready for the new season, with their fleece in a bag and their skin exposed to the sunshine. NOT THIS YEAR.
It seems that wench doesn’t have enough to do, because she is doing the shearing by herself this fall, and let me tell you, she stinks at this. Yeah, I know, old dogs, new tricks, etc., and she IS trying, but I was kinda hoping that builder would understand that I am the king around here and have to look good.
The other day, I was feeling kinda lazy (I am almost 10 years old, you know) so, when builder came down in the morning I didn’t get up to greet him. I also was not interested in my grain. They have been changing the grain around here and I get confused and don’t eat. anyway, that’s another story. So builder called wench to come and take a look, make sure I wasn’t getting ready to check out. For cryinoutloud…… I was resting! Can’t a goat get some rest around this gyp joint?
Anywho, wench came down, talked to me, checked me over and then decided she needed to take my coat off to make me feel better. ARG! Where did that come from? does she think I’m an angora bunny? (the first sign of their coat needing to come off is not eating) So she set to work. It took about an HOUR. Holy Smokes. She tried, really she did, but she left some critical beard hair saying it was too dirty. The brown you see is that delicious mineral tub they have provided. Admittedly, sometimes I can be a piglet at that place.
Anyway, here is the end result:
Once the hair is off, it goes to the mill and here’s what they make:
Roving. Called unicorn fluff. Not funny wench
Brushed kid mohair with nylon added
Look for these mohair products at a show near you. This weekend starts the madness. First a rabbit show to start off, and then six weekends in a row for fiber shows. Some have rabbits going, some have baby goats, some have just fiber, some have friends coming along to help or share a booth, some wench is on her own. I know she’ll be racking up those miles on the Pilot until November.
While she’s gone, builder is working on the studio project. Maybe by spring we’ll have a dye studio! yay! (there will be a dishwasher installed to take care of barn stuff) I will send pictures of the cement blocks in my next post. Maybe by then we’ll have wood up! Until then, thanks for reading Frankly Speaking.
Kiss kiss
Frankly speaking.... I can bearly stand it
Yes, before you correct me, I know "barely" is normally spelled differently. However, this time I have directed my staff to spell it b-e-a-r-ly for a reason. You see, our bear has returned once again. I don't think he ever really left, just comes and goes as he passes through our mountainous forest. Maybe it's an entire bear family and we see one or the other, sister or brother, and think it is just one. I don't know. I have never had a conversation with Yogi (which is what I will call him/her for lack of a better term)... the POINT is, we do have a bear and this creates a little drama around the mountain every now and again.
I think that Yogi is around this morning because Harper woke up Hunter and Wench at 2 AM, and when that did not produce the result she wanted (someone to open the door so she could go out) she tried again at 4:15 and this time it worked! Sunny is also barking, which is a good thing that he is protecting us, but can a GOAT GET SOME SLEEP AROUND HERE???!!! gack!
Last spring, Yogi ripped the doors off the garage shed where the trash waits to go to the landfill; he scattered the contents of a few garbage bags around the yard so the people had to clean it up... normally he likes the bird feeders if the neighbors leave them out. He means no harm, I'm sure --- a bear has to eat, ya know.
The people around here seem to be afraid of Yogi. I'm not afraid. I have a very healthy respect for a 300-400 pound bear with claws about 5" long that could easily rip the doors off something that builder built (we affectionately call builder "fred flinstone" around here...what he builds will stand for hundreds of years), but I'm not afraid. Just careful not to get in his way.
Sunny, our fearless protector!
Anyway, that's enough about that. In other news, the rabbit barn has taken on a big change over. Since the demise of that distasteful part of the farm (the meat business); wench has re-conoitered into a different direction. The very best American Chins and Champagne d'Argent's have remained - they will be used for show, and breeding stock in the spring; and the angoras have been spread out to include most of the second floor. Litters are now more selectively bred, and stock will be available for show, brood or fiber probably twice a year. Builder has his own New Zealand experiment going on at the first floor rabbit area, but he is primarily goofing around with meat mutts. Wench, on the other hand, wants to make sure that the purebred New Zealand stay that way so that breeding stock is available there as well, but building doesn't want to be bothered with pedigrees, etc., so that's on wench. Good thing - she needs more to do. Anyway, about 18 cages have been removed from the barn and will be re-purposed. Some already have begun housing quail.
Here you can see some of the cages out for sanitizing; readying for the quail experiment... OH, and a few goats (because goats belong everywhere)... this is petunia and the as yet un named little white guy belonging to Greta. We are thinking of calling him Spanky
Nobody knows what we are doing with the quail, just hatching and watching them grow... maybe they can be sold or traded, or go to feed the people this winter. It's an experiment; like a lot of things going on around here. The incubator has been running for several months; 14 hatched in the first set of eggs; and so far 14 in this set. One more set to go into the incubator, maybe two, and then I think the quail experiment will have to start to take shape into something useful. I am told that this is what retirement is about. Experimenting with things you never had time for when you worked full time. Excuse me, but, when we lived in New York, we had a big farm, with cows, more sheep, goats, rabbits, a pig, a couple of horses, a lot of guineas and chickens... and everyone was taken care of quite nicely. I think the difference was, there was no marketing going on. Marketing is a big part of farming, and it takes up the most time, a lot of times for little result.
I think that this is the reason why farms these days are huge, run by conglomerate businesses, and the family farm has been declining. It is a terrible shame. When the zombie apocalypse comes, who will grow the food? Who will take care of things when there is no electricity? Not the gamers or the wall street executives, and certainly not the generation that can't stop staring at their electronics. sigh. It's too much for one old goat to comprehend.
I would rather just wander from eating place to eating place...... doing what I do best
SO, instead of trying to solve the problems of the world, I will just continue to grow my fleece for your enjoyment. I think that's enough rambling for one morning. Sunny has stopped barking. Maybe Yogi has returned to his cave or found Harper (who is tied up outside) and maybe now I can get a few winks before I have to start work again. Thanks, as always, for reading Frankly speaking!
kiss kiss - till next time!
the dog daze of summer..
It seems to have been ages since I last posted on this blog. My bad. We have had so much going on around here, I have not had a MINUTE of peace to collect my thoughts.
As you know, we have a new dog. Well, we have a visiting LGD. Sunny is very sweet, sometimes wants to be playful with us; the kids like him, and we tolerate him. One day he will be going home to live with his rightful owner (Sarah) but for now, he is hanging out with us. He has a whole refrigerator to hold his food (and builder's beer, but that's another story); and he goes once a day during the summer to take a dip/swim in the river and cool off. He's on duty at night mostly, keeping the varmints away from us.
Sunny likes to cool off every day
After Sunny comes back from the river, builder usually lets us out of the pasture to get some different browse. Actually, it is time for him to start enjoying his "cold ones" as he calls them, and for us to do his work. He sits in the chair, or on the golf cart, supervising, and WE DO ALL THE WORK.
Here we all are, working hard mowing the law, while our supervisor does what he does best... supervise!
This is one of the last photos we have of my sister, Annie. Sadly, Annie had an impossible birthing experience and was suffering greatly last week, and had to be helped to the rainbow bridge. I miss her terribly. She was such a personality and such a reigning queen, she is terribly missed. Carmella may be emerging as the new queen. Time will tell.
In any event, moving on to happier notes, the first annual Blue Ridge Fiber Fest occurred and was a great success. Wench was gone a LOT in April and May, getting ready, making plans, etc., and we missed her, but hey, a wench has to do what a wench has to do, and I'm glad I didn't have to go to Sparta and represent the flerd . There were several other angora goats there so I hear, so I was off the hook. yay. That's another reason why this blog posting is so late..... good help is hard to find.
Take a look at our upcoming events. wow. busy person. not so busy goats. that's a good thing.
Our rabbit habit is getting an overhaul around here. I think the American Chins, Champagnes and New Zealand will be seriously downsized, and the angoras will become the main focus of the rabbit barn. Rabbit shows will be less prevalent and fiber shows will take over there. Wench is getting to be an old bat and she can't handle it all. I wouldn't call it semi-retired, just slowing down a little. We are hoping the dye kitchen addition won't take too long, as wench needs a new place to play. HA!
So it's been quiet around here for a few weeks..... we don't expect that to last, but it's kinda nice to relax during the heat waves that seem to be happening. Builder is spending time at the river in his new YURT; making sure the river runs correctly; wench is enjoying her new air conditioner in the house. We continue to do what we do. grow fleece for you.
As always, thanks for reading Frankly Speaking. Hopefully I'll find time to write again soon, and it won't be so long between my rantings!
so long for now!
Frankly speaking..... we are expanding (again) in more ways than one
Ok, so in my last post, I was confused about the weather, etc. I have not gained any clarity yet. Today is March 21st and we have an inch of snow on the ground. I don't think that this turned into the snow-nado that was predicted (yet) but the day is young. I know we won't be going outside in this mess because goats melt when they get wet.
This better be gone by tomorrow because I am sending wench over to Raleigh to the Carolina Fiber Fest. This will be her first year as a vendor, so come by and see her, wish her luck, send good karma, etc.
We have been shorn for the year already, all except for three of the kids (Pete, Petunia and Lazarus) because they are the smallest and the weather being what it is... Ruthie was shorn and had to wear a coat afterwards. Oh, yeah, and the sheep need shearing, too. Shearing does reveal a lot, though..... my fleece is no longer kid quality (I am almost 10 years old, so, ancient chinese philosopher for a goat) and so now wench thinks she will make dog leashes out of my fiber. yeah, good luck with that. Actually, mohair is pretty strong, so it's not a bad idea.
So, let's take a roll call around here. We sent a few of our own over to South Carolina (bet they don't have snow) to the Alpaca Experience, as a starter herd for some nice folks.... Willis, Ruby (and her baby) and Libby all went two weeks ago. I miss my buddy Willy, but we have a LOT of his progeny here.
#1 - we have FRANKIE. ME. The head honcho. no further explanation is necessary
#2 - we have ANNIE, my sister, herd queen. No one moves without her permission. So, we're like the king and queen of the mountain. I like that designation.
#3 - We have NEPTUNE. Previously inseparable from his sister Hera, he has recently begun to live the batchelor life, because Hera got it right when she had baby #2. (but I digress.) Neptune is a wether like me.
#4 - we have BLUEBELLE. Daughter of Greta. Bluebelle has a little baby boy, a black with a white star, very cute, who needs a name.
#5 - we have CARMELLA. Carm looks like she's ready to blow any minute. This will be her 2nd baby this year. an overachiever
#6 - we have GRACIE. Gracie has her baby Starlet by her side right now. Gracie is the daughter of Faith, one of our founders.
#7 - we have GRETA. Greta is Gracie's twin sister. She has a white baby boy by her side right now. Another over-achiever, she had twins (a blue pinto and a black pinto) who didn't make it last fall.
#8 - we have HERA. twin of Neptune, the last born of Hope, also one of our founders. Hera has had two babies. Pistol Pete, who she was scared of, and her new little black pinto girl, who needs a name, but is getting momma's milk (thank the lord)
#9 - we have PISTOL PETE. Heir apparent to Willis, spoiled brat, thinks he's special, etc. We'll see how he matures.
#10 - we have PETUNIA. Daughter of Carmella. Now that her momma looks like she's about to give birth again, Petunia was taken away from her mother and she isn't very happy right now. cries for mommy.
#11 - we have RUTHIE. Daughter of Annie, born last fall. a badger faced doeling, she's rather shy, but, once she realizes that as the daughter of the queen she is the prince-ass, I'm sure she will come into her own
#12 - we have LAZARUS. Son of Gracie, also a wether. He is very small and rather frail, but cute. He is aptly named because he was brought back to life several times in his young life.
#13 through 16 - we have babies, only one of whom has a name right now. Two boys, two girls, all black except one who is all white. all very cute.
Builder thinks we have too many goats. hahahah. serves him right. We never figured Carmella for another baby this year, (or anyone else for that matter) but, as is the usual turn of events around here, when a buck leaves, he leaves a legacy. Willis is no exception. Annie does not look pregnant, but hey, you never know.
In other expansion news, builder has started digging the foundation for the studio addition. This is pretty exciting.
I hear that Hailey, my girlfriend, will be coming to visit in August. I am so looking forward to seeing her. Until we meet again, I am sure she is helping her parents with all they do, and being a good girl and not getting into mischief. RIGHT, HAILEY?
Until then - thanks for reading Frankly speaking.
Frankly speaking ... I'm confused
Is it February or June? It's so hard to tell anymore with global warming and the whacky weather we've been having lately. Spring is usually pretty wet around here, and so I'm thinking we might be having spring now. What's a goat to do? I suppose just rely on the humans to know when to shear. If you go by the calendar it's not time, but it sure feels like the right time to shear. oi.
So what's the news around the farm? Gracie brought forth a pair of twin doelings last week, a black pinto and a blue pinto. This was Gracie's first set of twins. The black was born first, and she stumbled over to Carmella's stall and settled down under the water bucket. Carmella, Pete and Petunia didn't know what to do, so when wench came to the barn, they were all standing up talking about this tiny intruder in their space.
When wench got here, the blue had just been born and Gracie was sorta frantic, not knowing where the first one went and trying to clean off the blue. Chaos! In any event, wench got it all straightened out, navels dipped, dried off and sweaters on, and then builder put up barriers so the little ones can't wander off and get lost. Everyone nursed and all seemed right with the world. The next morning, though, the little blue girl was down. All the efforts of the medical team here failed, and we lost her about 22 hours after birth. It could have been a lack of oxygen in the birth canal that caused seizures, but whatever it was, it was a moment of sadness around here. The good news is that the remaining twin is named Starlet, because she has a pretty star on her head, and a couple of patches of white by her front legs. She is healthy and vigorous and was outside in the springlike weather in February, at one week old.
Not sure who else is getting ready, these things usually happen in 3 week time frames, but, since our last year's craziness of kidding out of season, I can't be sure who is next. I know that Willis has been chasing ME around, and I don't find that amusing. When the buck starts to chase the wethers, it usually means that everyone is covered and he's not done being a randy boy yet. ugh. What I don't put up with!!
In other news, we are getting accustomed to Sunny, the great pyrenees, but we still don't want him in the pasture with us during the day. He can patrol the pasture at night - he's good at it - his barking keeps me awake - but during the day he has another area that he patrols, over by the redneck storage unit (the old van up on blocks). Builder was taking him on the daily 'run to the river' with Harper and him, but Sunny has proven to be a bad influence on our little girl, and the two of them run off chasing whatever dogs chase, and don't come back for about an hour, with tounges dragging. I'm sure they find interesting things out there (they drug home a skeleton of something, and everyone has had a piece of that, even Hunter), but really -- not cool, Sunny, not cool.
I'm pleased and shocked that wench has actually been home for two weekends in a row. Amazing. It won't last, though, because next week she goes to Dalton, GA for a rabbit show. Then a weekend at home, then Greensboro, NC for a rabbit show and then Raleigh, NC for a fiber show. After that, though, one more fiber show up at Powhatan, VA and then we get ready for the Blue Ridge Fiber Fest!
The Festival is shaping up to be rather fun. Check the website to see what is being offered. This first year will be an education for all involved. I think, if no one is bringing angora goats, I may send Pistol Pete as ambassador for the breed. He has a nice fleece, and he loves people (and cookies) and frankly speaking, I just can't be bothered. There's too much to do around here for me to go traipsing off to Sparta for adoration and spoiling. I'm more of a practical goat than a showboat, er, I mean show goat.
Our bunny barn is almost empty it seems. A graduating class left yesterday for a new farm where they will provide fertilizer for an amazing brand of jam from Imladris Farm down in Fairview, NC (30 breeding bunnies) and other products which are provided to restaurants, that I do not wish to talk about. I hear there are about 20 new chins that will be coming down stairs and more on the way, so, the empty won't last long.
Well, that's the update for now. As usual, thanks for reading Frankly speaking!
SEE YA! love, frankie
Frankly speaking..... where do I start?
Well, I realize it has been a significant while since I last posted. Sorry about that, but I've been busy!
Convention, which was the last time I posted, did present some challenge to my wench, and so I suppose that it why I've been quiet. Since then I've been cracking the whip to keep her in line, and here's what she's been doing...
SAFF was in Asheville at the end of October. 10 bunnies went there to find new homes, and only one came back. He's a happy boy here (Anatole) and will be going up to Maryland next week maybe to see if a fiber artist wants to love him up some. Wench did ok there, too, spreading the word about the wonders of fiber.
A few more shows rounded out the year and then, starting with 2018, a change. The new idea is, if there is a fiber show to go to, better do that and keep the rabbit shows to a minimum. Of course we won't be NOT going to rabbit shows, just a few less than regular, because we are now offering a brand of products within the fiber world which are bigger than just rabbits and goats. Check out our "new events" page on the website to see where she will show up next. She's getting a routine, and it is getting easier for that old broad to load, unload, etc. by herself. It's nice to have someone to travel with, but that's not always possible.
In other news, Pistol Pete has been weaned. I'm about done listening to him cry for his ba-ba. He's six months old almost! and bigger than Petunia, the doe kid that was born on the same day. He's gonna be a pistol all right, so is aptly named. Watch our instagram for an up to date photo, but here's a reminder of the little guy (not so little anymore)
Have you seen my ba-ba?
In any event, in other news, we have a new dog. He's not our dog really, he's more like a cross between a polar bear and a pony, and he belongs to someone else. We are babysitting for a time, not sure what that time will be, BUT, let me tell you, I have a few observations about this phenomenon
1) - This guy is BIG. At first, when he first came to the barn I thought maybe he was a sheep. He could blend in pretty good with a flock of sheep. I guess that's why he's a type of sheep dog. Here he is.....
Sunny. He's about 14 months old and weighs 101 lbs.
2) Sheep are not that smart. I suppose that's why they need a dog to protect them.
3) Goats, on the other hand, are SMART. They have trained people to protect them. I can't imagine being left outside in the dark, not being tucked in to my stall overnight just like all the special horses out there, served my grain in an individual bowl (no fighting for food around here, like a junkyard dog or something). And I think I've done a nice job training wench and builder, thankyouverymuch.
4) I don't need a dog, but I will tolerate him, just so long as he understands his place in the pecking order. When we first met, I gave him a good scare when I banged my head on the stall door. He barked a lot. But, wench corrected this behavior (no one barks at Frankie) and it has slowed down. He gets crated in the barn at night until we feel safe to leave him lose in the goat area.
5) The cats are not amused. There's some hissing going on.
So, anyway, those are my observations of late. We have big news coming in the next months... Builder is at it again, planning a new project. He and junior bear cut down about 8 trees last weekend so he could begin milling the lumber for a studio addition. Root cellar, meat locker, dye kitchen, loft storage, all to enhance the farm. When he's done, it will be beautiful I'm sure. Wench is, of course, already scheming on how to decorate (oi vey).
New baby chicks should be here any day now...another new adventure. In the meantime, go see wench over in Statesville at the quilt show tomorrow and Saturday - or up at the DelMarva Wool and Fiber Expo on Feb. 9-11.
In the meantime, thanks for reading Frankly Speaking!
Frankly speaking.....and they're off!
I always knew the wench as a little off (one of the reasons why we love her), but today, she's off to Indy for the big ARBA convention. In my previous report, I stated she had no bunnies for sale and planned to bring no new bunnies home. Well, she does like to keep me on my toes (or hoofs) and so is bringing four American Chin intermediate does for the youth judging. She never quits.
Anywho, suffering from the "can't sleep before a rabbit show, even with drugs blues" she was up at 3:30 AM. She ought to be a real trip to Paris around 10 PM tonight after driving 9 hours and then putting up the rabbits into their coops, checking in, etc. Let's hope the adrenaline is flowing prior to the big crash. sigh
The caravan will consist of wench and Aunt June, followed by Heart Felt Hares' Deb McCormick. Multiple necessary stops for gas, snacks and other (like Dairy Queen) are expected.
I told pistol Pete that his mother was going away for several days and that dad (builder) would be his main source of milk and play; so yesterday he followed builder around the barn all day. Baby goats being what they are, Pete decided to walk the plank on the 4th floor of the barn and slipped off, falling about 10 feet and skinning his nose. Poor Pete! He should've known better. Builder has planks set up between stairs, etc., because he is painting the barn this fall (another one who never quits). They were up on the 4th floor taking care of the quail.
Pete likes to ride on the golf cart, talk to Harper about life in general, gather the eggs in the hen house, go to the people's house and check out what Hunter is doing, and just about everything a person would do. He does not like to be a goat, or play with the other kids or hang out in the pasture. If wench takes him out to the pasture and then sneaks away, he screams his fool head off until she opens the door. He's adorable right now, but when he is a big boy, it won't be so cute. They are hoping this is a phase.
Pete is hiding between the seats on the golf cart.
Anyway, bon voyage to wench and the girls.... have fun, don't do anything that I wouldn't do (and remember, I'm a goat, so that field is wide open) and if you can't bring home the Fibber Cup (that would be like impossible) at least bring home some great memories and a treat for your favorite goat!
Frankly speaking.....new markets, new friends
We have had the opportunity this summer to meet a lot of new folks and pass out a ton of cards to people inviting them to view this blog and get to know us. You must know that I am a multi-talented goat, running this place with aplomb and sass, making sure my caretakers Wench and Builder are towing the line and doing the best by us.
Because the basic tenants of the Mary Kay Philosophy (which is how we operate) state that you never stop, never rest on your laurels (whatever those are), we are always seeking new markets. Fiber artist, Chef or rabbit enthusiast, we have something for everyone.
Here on the mountain top we are a many faceted operation - just in case you are unaware of what we do, here's a list:
(1) first and foremost, we are a fiber farm. As a fiber goat, and the GOAT COMMANDER IN CHIEF of this place, I can unequivocally state that fiber is number ONE around here and the most important thing we do. In order to achieve our lofty fiber goals, we are home to the four breeds of angora rabbit (English, French, Giant and Satin) and currently 18 angora goats in white and colors, with two token sheep thrown in for good measure (and wool).
the 'gang'
Our man WILLIS Herd sire for the 2018 kidding season.
some of the angora yarn, dyed to order
As a facet to the fiber farm, we are also a dye studio. We do import those yarns we cannot grow, such as super wash merino with nylon, bamboo, cotton or yak added for socks or lace - because we aim to please our clientele, and also because wench gets bored with the same ole thing and she wants to change it up every now and again...or, if you don't buy that story, because she has fiber A.D.D. and just can't get enough. (that's the real story)
yarn seeds
(2) secondly, we are providing yarn seeds for other fiber farms - in the way of breeding stock for the aforementioned breeds of rabbits and the occasional baby goat (never before 6 months of age). I do hate to see the little ones go on to new homes, but, let's face it, we can't keep everyone.
(3) We have eggs. Thirty nine hens to be exact, who produce around 3 dozen eggs per day. If you need eggs, call us! We have some markets available to us, and our garage refrigerator is the neighborhood egg store, but, seems these days we always have extras. Pastured chickens, happy hens, who get a non-GMO feed and all the scraps we and the neighbors provide (it takes a village after all)
4) We raise rabbits - lots of them. We started with and are continued to be dedicated to the American Chinchilla rabbit. Critically endangered, we seek to bring back the breed and build the best American Chin we can - for show, breed stock and meat.
American Chin (poorly posed and out of coat)
The Champagne d'Argent is rather new to our barn, we've had them about a year. These little fatties are very cute and hearty, and we love watching them fade to that pretty silvery color. These are primarily for show and backyard breeding stock.
The Commercial New Zealand's (non-pedigreed) are here for several reasons... when the demand for rabbit meat is at it's height (usually spring/summer) these guys can work to produce very well; we test our Chin bucks for the 'c' gene with the NZ does, and understand that not every backyard rabbit raiser is interested in a pedigreed show bunny to produce meat for their own table. For this reason we offer breeding stock from our healthy herd at a slightly lower cost than our fully pedigreed show buns. (no photos available right now)
So, you can see that we have our proverbial fingers in a lot of pies. I try really hard to (run that wench ragged ) keep my caretakers busy, as retired folks get lazy if you let them. It's a tough job, but good thing I'm a hard working goat who is up to the challenge.
Upcoming events include..... the ARBA convention in Indianapolis in two weeks. For the first time, wench has no rabbits for sale or pre sold at this event, and is only bringing enough carriers to bring home our contestants - Avillions Casse Noir (broken black senior french angora buck), Clems Marciano (his identical son, jr. buck); Clems Prasanna (satin angora sr. doe, even though she's only a junior, she's competing as a senior); Clems Piano Man (6/8 American Chin buck) and Clems Windsor and Annisette (Champagne d'argents - intermediate buck and sr. doe). We are hoping to not get the first off the table award.
SAFF. We are providing the Angora rabbit demos with Aunt June (my favorite) of Abbott's Rabbitts and will be offering about ten angora rabbits for sale there - yarn seeds as mentioned before in french and satin, and a couple of proven does who are ready to help other herds. We will have our english doe Willa on display, and be taking names of those interested in a future litter. She's not quite old enough to breed, but perhaps in the later fall or winter she'll be ready. All of our yarns and other products will be available over in Barn F at the Blue Ridge Fiber Works booth.
In between convention and SAFF I'm sending wench to a couple of local rabbit shows and generally cracking the whip to get her ready for the spring fiber shows - Carolina Fiber Fest - Powhatan - Toano
So that's what's been going on around here. We are happy to say we have three new (out of season) baby goats here - one bottle baby because Hera was pretty surprised when pistol pete dropped out of her butt, and she didn't know what to do. So now wench gets to feed a new baby. Good for her, keeps her busy, and she likes being a goat momma. hahahah Thanks, as always, for reading Frankly Speaking!
Here's my parting shot - if you notice, this post has a lot of photos but none of me? !! WTF?!?!?!?
kiss kiss!
Frankly speaking..... maybe a new computer will help
As my regular readers are fully aware, I complain a lot. Mostly about my lack of love, treats and adoration by the staff around here, but also about the consistency of this blog and upkeep of the website. Today I wish to report some progress in that department.
It seems a part of the problem was our hardware, which has been upgraded this week. Our staff photographer and head of IT came to retrieve Hailey and visit with his mom (wench), and brought us a new (to us) iMac computer and made a recommendation for a new, more powerful router. These have been installed and perhaps will improve performance around here. We can only hope.
So, in farm news, the big thing is..... we joined the Chamber of Commerce. Wow. I've arrived. There are benefits to this, and, not that we are advertising for visitors (we are not... we'd love to have my adoring public out to visit, by appointment, but we are not a 'agri-tourism' hot spot, due to bio security concerns, etc., and the fact that it is pretty hard to find us here); but still, a presence in the County that is legitimate is a good thing.
We had my girlfriend Hailey here for the month of July. She was so sweet and good to me, I miss her already... here she is giving me a hug. Parting is such sweet sorrow mon-a-mie .. until we meet again
This past month, not a lot of fiber work was being done, although wench did participate in the 20th annual Alleghany Quilt Guild show and was warmly received. There is another quilt show in High Point, NC this coming weekend, and we hope to do well there too. Then we are done until the Murfreesboro, TN rabbit show on labor day weekend.
Because not a lot of stuff was getting done in July, we are hoping to have someone to take to Murfreesboro, but the angora preparations have been sparse this month. We'll have to see. We have Champagne d'argents that are anxious to make their debut in Tennesee and a couple of American chins, too.
I'm hoping to update the web store one of these days, as soon as wench gets organized (so, that would be the 2nd Tuesday of next week, if you get my drift)
Thought you'd like to hear about what I'm thinking, so this is just a quick update. As always, thanks for reading Frankly speaking!
Frankly speaking ..... goat yogi at your service
Last evening, Lester Holt reported about goat yoga. I've been seeing this on the internet lately and thought - what a clever and novel idea by some capitalistic goatherd - something different... but goat yoga is much more important than just making folks smile - it underscores the importance of goats!
FYI, if you visit the farm, I'll be glad to let you lay down in the barn and I'll walk on your back for free (or a hand full of peanuts) - sort of like those oriental massage ladies, only goats, with sharp hooves caked with manure - sounds appealing, eh?
In the farm news department, it's the quiet season around here. Wench is busy dyeing yarn and getting ready for the shows upcoming : July 28 and 29: Alleghany Quilt Guild show... August 12 and 13: High Point Quilters show... October 27, 28 and 29 SAFF... right now it looks like September is empty, OH, except for the rabbit shows that start up in September. Murfreesboro on Labor Day weekend and then convention in October. In the meantime, we are excited that Haley is coming to visit next week. We're getting ready by having the big clean out all done before she gets here.... all the 2nd floor rabbit cages out in the driveway being power washed, the floor scraped, cages repaired, etc., and put back together before Monday. The hay has been delivered and stacked in the barn, and so we're set there!
Next year is the inaugural Blue Ridge Fiber Fest, right here in Sparta, NC. Of course wench is right in the middle of it - keeps her busy and out of the bars.
So, this post was put on the editor's desk and shoved aside until now. (Can't get good help) I've added a page to this website - a "new events" page where you can see the things that are upcoming! If you know of something you'll want, or a particular kind/color of yarn, just let us know and we can deliver to any event we attend. I am hoping to add rabbit shows to this list, just need to figure it out for sure. Once that happens, breeding stock can be delivered as well.
Wench is up in New York picking up Hailey and I expect to see them very late on Monday! Yay! I bet she's grown since I've seen her last! Thanks, as always, for reading Frankly speaking...