Clown Car

Today I went to pick up all our processed wool from Ohio Valley Natural Fibers. I knew what to expect with the roving, but had never seen our wool as quilt batting (and let me tell you, now I know why I've had people requesting it) so I was excited to make the trip.

I packed a lunch, a good book on tape, left Miss Weaslie at home because I suspected I was going to be short on room, checked the map and hit the road. I just LOVE to cross the river via the ferry in Augusta, so I chose that route. In my next life I might just have to be a ferry operator. I felt just like Huck Finn. It was a beautiful day to be out on the river.

Now, remember I said I didn't pack Weaslie... Here's where it got interesting. When I got to OVNF, they took one look at my car and then started looking at each other, sort of half laughing. "You need a bigger car." I'm not sure how she did it - I know I sure didn't think it would work - but it did all just fit. I think she's done that before!

Back on the road, back across the river via ferry, back home. Now here's where it got funny. All I could think of was a clown car, where way too many clowns get out of a tiny car at the circus. I figure it's frequently a circus at Equinox Farm anyway, so here goes...

Stella just came over and we peeked into some of those boxes. If you are in the area (northern Kentucky) this weekend, you should come out to the Kentucky Sheep and Wool Festival in Falmouth, Kentucky (next to Kincaid Lake State Park) and take a peek yourself :-).

The Breakfast Club

The sheep were out grazing in the arena this morning when I went up to feed. I like to try to sneak up and watch them quietly for a few minutes, hidden inside the barn.



Heidi is always on guard though and she and BIG Sunshine quickly arrived for breakfast. Sunshine still has to be washed every day, but she's the silliest of all the silly sheep and we just love her.



Everyone else figured out what was going on and ran around to their side of the barn.



Except Buddy. I'm not sure how he got left behind. I'm not sure Buddy knows how he got left behind. Only one of the reasons why we really love him too.

Friday Feature - Summer Is Over

Yesterday we had a last blast of summer sun and heat. I knew it was probably my last chance to jump in the pool...and I blew it. I am so busy getting everything ready for the Kentucky Sheep and Wool Festival next month that I put it off and put it off and put it off and then the day was done. Lesson learned. Again. Life is short. Go jump in the pool.



I did snack on some of the last of the concord grapes just a little while ago though. Once again they've outdone themselves. While out there I was struck by how the wind today seemed different from the wind yesterday somehow. The dry leaves rattling in the trees, no longer gently rustling. The birds seemed busy - working, not playing. And no bees to keep me company.

I sheared Buddy yesterday. He was hanging out inside the barn this morning, looking for some cookies to warm him up. Ewenice and Woolliam are not quite ready for their fall buzz cuts. Lucky for them, we can look forward to an Indian Summer. Right?

I think...

There's not much better than a barn full of hay and straw.



Saint Tim thinks there's not much better than a barn full of hay and straw that he didn't have to throw up in the loft this time.



The Adventure Chickens think there's not much better than the fresh hay chaff to scratch around in.

A Tale Of Two Paddocks

At least that's what it looks like this morning. Actually, Attie and Aria are in the same paddock and only 50 or so yards apart. Attie is on the hillside nearer the sunrise and Aria is down in the 'holler', across the little creek.

In case you are wondering about the dead tree, that is T-Bone's handiwork from several years ago. Plenty of grass to eat and he's munching on their only shade tree. We should have realized it earlier and fenced it off, but Handy and Aria wouldn't dream of eating a tree (or playing with winter blankets hung over the fence to dry, pulling the hose out of the water tank, starting the tractor and driving to town...). There are many things we can no longer do since T-Bone moved in. So, in the aftermath, this is a scratching post. Maybe that was his original plan.

A Rose By Any Other Name...

Remember my birthday rose? It's still blooming! If anyone out there knows what kind of rose this might be, let me know.



I do nothing to care for it. Nothing. It starts blooming in the spring and blooms off and on until fall.



Just a hint of pink and a light, but beautiful fragrance. The gift that keeps on giving.

Friday Feature - Chicken Run

Well, more just chickens eating, but if you like claymation or Wallace and Gromit, Chicken Run is a great movie. My "movies", on the other hand....not so great. Maybe Santa will bring me a real movie camera, but in the meantime, my tiny Sony cyber-shot is doing its very best.

That's Miss Aria peeking out in the background.