Thursday, May 18, 2017

My favorite reads

I used to be a bookworm. When I was a kid, I'd check out the limit from our local library every week and read them all. My dad thought there was something wrong with me until my mom assured him that she was the same way. She still is; me, I rarely read books anymore. No, not even on an electronic reader thingy. My favorite reads now are blogs, and having access to all those I follow was one of the things I missed most while without a laptop for eight days. I'm working on catching up from oldest to newest "chapters" on my Blogger reading list, trying to leave comments in my wake since I know how much I like comments.


But I also need to catch up with my own blog, so am trying to do a post every day to that end.

Chickens
No, that's not a chicken, just an apparently confused goldfinch. ;-)  This week one of our two old (age seven?) Speckled Sussex died. She has been lame for months, but otherwise seemed fine. I gave her extra goodies, thinking she was getting stronger.... Now we're down to six good black laying hens and a lone Speckled Sussex. Next winter I'll probably look for a few new pullets to keep the eggs coming. Not that we use many eggs, but I like knowing where the few we eat come from, a couple of our neighbors have become regular customers, and another family will take any extras I have beyond that.


"What?"
Shearing/Rooing
Last week, after getting mid-side fleece photos and samples and shuffling sheep around to be ready for a smooth shearing date, my farrier/shearer called in sick. But before returning everyone to their usual quarters I wanted to get Blake rooed. That meant moving Nightcap out of the extra horse stall so I could use the stand.
Yes, that is Blaise making googly eyes at her dad. The little hussy has no shame.


Blake was as good as gold while I harvested his fleece by hand. He had quite a covering of new growth, too.


The next day I rooed Sarai. She didn't have nearly the new growth that Blake had, but a fresh sheep suit gives her some protection from sunshine and sharp little hooves.

Today I got an email from my farrier/shearer's wife letting me know that he would be stopping by this evening (while we were gone) to trim the horses' hooves but wouldn't have time to shear – and wasn't sure when he would have time in the foreseeable future. She said: "He's thinking ya might be ahead to shear on your own this time due to scheduling." Gulp. Me and my spring-loaded Fiskars had better get busy then!

If you are interested in a coated fine Shetland fleece, let me know. I have close-up photos of mid-side fleece on and off each sheep, and should soon have micron data on each one as well.

That's it for tonight from . . .

4 comments:

Retired Knitter said...

I am still a good reader but it is mostly kindle and audio books. It has been forever since I read an actual book for pleasure. I did, however just start Gifts From The Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh in paperback. We will see how that goes.

Mama Pea said...

I would like to spend a year reading. Doing nothing but reading. I know I would most likely need to get up and move periodically (!), but it's a fun fantasy. To not have any responsibilities other than reading as much as I want.

I didn't read when I had the time (other than reading for school) as a child. I had a really bad experience with the librarian in the public library in our neighborhood. It put me off entering any library until I was more mature. Such a shame to have a person like Mrs. Ewing (yes, I still remember her name and can picture her) in her capacity!

Cissy Foster said...

I have always been a reader....still am. My home is full of books on all sorts of topics, from fantasy to how-to-do books. I love to escape the everyday challenges to a world only my imagination can go...even while perusing decorating books. I can not imagine my life with out a book nearby....and since we live in the country and the power goes out more than I do....a good book by oil light is just the ticket....also when sick in bed! Nothing could be more enjoyable than a good book, cup of tea and feeling warm and cozy in my world.....Blessings ~ Cissy

Claire MW said...

I'm still a reader, when I have time, but it's mostly audiobooks. I listen when I drive to my Wednesday knit night, which is about a 40 minute drive. On occasion, I also listen at home, if I find time to spin or knit at home. Next week I am traveling for work, so I will have a 12-hour drive to Ottawa and back. I am really looking forward to audiobooks during that drive! I also have to shear my sheep, but there are only two of them. Maybe this weekend if I can squeak it in!