one is done

With all the unfinished tasks staring me in the face literally everywhere I look at the moment, it gives me a disproportionately huge feeling of satisfaction to finish something. Anything.

Even a tiny thing.

Like socks.

Done and dusted.

Tout finis!

The Bluefaced Leicester socks have been excellent October bedtime knitting. It's gotten me back in the rhythm of daily knitting, whether for five minutes or two hours at a go. For the next several weeks, I'll try to have something on the needles at all times; the process simultaneously distracts and calms. Bonus: something genuinely useful is created.

Maybe there will be a pair of heavy boot socks next. Or another of those ear-hugging hats to send to the next cold-eared person I hear about. (Is it you? Let me know!) Just something simple. Complex fiber endeavors can come later, when I no longer need to focus most of my attention on "Before Winter!" projects, because it will no longer be "before" Winter.

Gulp.

Where are my needles?

I rolled up the cuffs of my dungarees for this snap,

so Dani can see the flannel lining  :)

~~~~~

transition

These golden, glowing days...
they are so short.

Sunrise on Mount Tansy

And the mornings are often quite chilly.

Three weeks ago, I remembered that I own slippers and placed them by the bed. Two weeks ago, I pulled my flannel-lined dungarees from the back of the drawer and hung them next to my barn coat, by the door.

The chore list now includes many items under "before winter!"

Last week, I taught my Occasional Helper how to sweep a chimney. Delegation is not one of my strong suits, but I certainly get a lot of practice these days.

We've been extraordinarily lucky this Autumn.

Many, many sunny days.

Not a lot of rain or wind.

So even while this is going on:

there has often been a little gem of a miracle

popping up where least expected, to delight the eye:

Haven't seen a pansy flower in months...
surprise!!

Many days have been warm enough to spend a half-hour or more out in the paddocks, knitting in my lawn chaise. It's an ideal way to bond with the herd. They come to see me if they feel like visiting, but there are no treats and no interference with their activity. It's Quality Time, goat-style.

Betula, browsing his way toward me.

Tilting back in the chaise, the view:

While I was taking that picture, Fern trotted over and suddenly stuck her little nose into the ziplock bag containing my ball of yarn, grabbed it, and bolted gaily away. Of course, the yarn was still attached to the knitting in my pocket, so to Fernie's great surprise it "fought back" and she dropped it.

It didn't take me too long to get all the dried leaf and bits of twigs and dirt off the yarn ball, once I managed to get it back. And two minutes later, didn't Fern come back for another try!

Looks determined, doesn't she?

Last night, it was 32.5F at bedtime.
My hands got too cold for knitting.
I reluctantly closed the window by my bed.
That window has been open for months.

Blue Not Blue: undyed Bluefaced Leicester yarn

I think - oh, I hope! - we will have more warm days.

I want that window open again.

But today just felt bone-chillingly cold to me.

This was Tsuga's extra water bucket at noon.

And in case there was any doubt where we are headed,
there was a brief snow flurry.

Guess I'd better keep working away at that list, right?

Hope your weekend was lovely
and your new week is getting off to a perfect start!

~~

road trip!

This past weekend was the 27th annual Vermont Sheep and Wool Festival in Tunbridge, Vermont. Friends were competing, and I was invited to ride along for the 2.5-hour trip up and back on Sunday. Being a passenger has always been a treat for me; a driving commuter for decades. And although rain had been predicted for the weekend, it was blue skies and sunshine all the way. Lovely! Sitting back, watching the scenery, and nattering away to the driver who, like me, doesn't ordinarily spend a lot of time socializing because there is always some task or chore that needs doing. Chatting for hours without the nagging feeling that something else should be happening instead is quite a luxury.

I even added a few rows to my latest KAL sock:

As unbelievable as it may sound, this journey was my biggest trip to date of 2015: five hours in a vehicle and 4.5 hours at an event. I won't describe the collection of cushions and props I brought along, but it's a fact that I've spent weeks traveling in other countries with a single backpack containing less than I now apparently need to cross the road.

Oh well. At least I do occasionally cross the road! :)

New England Asters in Vermont!
Much more exotic than in Massachusetts!
Okay, not really. But always a favorite :)

Remember last year, when I went to the same fair - it's also the Cashmere Goat Association show - and brought my camera but no memory chip? And I apologized because I could post no pictures from the fair?

Well, that was not about to happen THIS year! No no no!

This year, I brought the new camera (for it's final Field Test), two fully-charged batteries, and two chips. HA!

We arrived at the fair at noon, and I headed straight for the Integrated Parasite Control & FAMACHA© Training Workshop, which began only moments later. For four years I've been looking for a FAMACHA training class close to home; this was like a gift landing at my feet. The class was taught by Dr Katherine Petersson from the University of Rhode Island and lasted for four hours. Yes, that's right. Four hours of thinking hard about gastrointestinal worms. It was excellent.

The organizers provided snacks on a table at the back of the classroom, and invited participants to help themselves at any time during the presentation. I was grateful for a "polite" excuse to stand up and move around at frequent intervals. I hope the other participants didn't think I was snarfing up snacks every time I got to my feet, but it was a chance I was willing to take.  ;)

Now, if you noticed the timeframe, you will not be surprised to hear that when the workshop ended and I headed out of the cold classroom and into the gorgeous Autumn sunshine, all the fair vendors were packing up their tents.

Yes, I went to a fiber fair and a cashmere goat show, and spent the entire time in a cold, dark classroom. When I headed for the cashmere goat area, exhibitors were sweeping out the now-empty rented stalls. Most goats were already loaded to leave.

So I hastily took the first - and last - goat picture of the day: 

One of my friends' bucks, looking out the truck window. Photographed through the reflection of trees and blue sky.

You can't say I never take you anywhere on this blog.

Can you?

HA.

Shall we try again next year?

:)

~~~~~