Woolly progress

Progress with the handspun Jacob fleece is progressing; the skein above was plied yesterday, then skeined and balled - it's now ready for knitting, but I need to do a bit more before i start. Change of plan, as the resulting wool will be too thick for socks, so will become a hat for the lad who's sheep supplied the fleece, not sure whether it was Barry or Barbara! Pleased with what I've achieved now I've ironed out a few hiccups with the spinning - tension and joining in new rolags were the bugbears, but I seem to be getting over them.

Wendell Berry - how to be a poet

How To Be a Poet (to remind myself) by Wendell Berry

Make a place to sit down.Sit down. Be quiet.You must depend upon affection, reading, knowledge,skill-more of eachthan you have-inspiration,work, growing older, patience, for patience joins time to eternity. Any readers who like your work, doubt their judgment.
Breathe with unconditional breath the unconditioned air. Shun electric wire. Communicate slowly. Live a three-dimensioned life; stay away from screens. Stay away from anything that obscures the place it is in. There are no unsacred places; there are only sacred places and desecrated places.
Accept what comes from silence. Make the best you can of it. Of the little words that come out of the silence, like prayers prayed back to the one who prays, make a poem that does not disturb the silence from which it came.

Making the most of it..............

These are the first big dahlias I have managed to grow that haven't been slugged! I think they're rather gorgeous...........:0)

The above is my new brewing book, which arrived eysterday; a quick look through shows it to be very promising - lots of info on growing and processing grains on a small scale for home brewing, also info on brewing adjuncts - herbs and flowers to add to beers, etc, soem recipes, lots to read. I think it will prove to be a well thumbed book here.

So, today; weather outside seems to be going to be variable to say the least, so as the title of the post, I will make the most of it. Not raining - doing things outside; raining - doing things inside. Easy. I never complain about the weather much, as there's no pint - no-one can do anything about it, so adap to itand don't let it rule your life. Havingsaidthat, I might view it differently if I lived on Shetland, or in a very wet Welsh valley, but for the moment, that's my take on the weather.

Wet and windy old weekend here........

The first spinning of the Jacob fleece, coming along nicely.


Tthis is the inside of an Edzell Blue potato, should you never have seen one before! Isn't nature amazing?!


View from the Far Side (of the Vale........)



.....so very little got done outside, apart from a few broccoli plants in, sweet peas picked and shallots pulled up and now drying in the greenhouse - the ones not trashed by the wayward chickens, that is! Had another great morning at the amrket on Friday - most of teh stallholders remembered me, which is nice,a nd had a good chat with some of them. Got strawberries for jam tomorrow, and some goat sausages, which we had this morning for breakfast, teh first taste of goat meat. Very meaty tasting, but OH found it difficult to eat them, as we have goats ourselves. Bought half a dozen nice little curly kales again, and helped along the funds of the nice lady whos ells cheap vintage jewellery, and the woman who sells interesting books........ :0) :0)
Got some spinning done, adn tackled my wardrobe. So, tonight, it just has clothes in it! Major breakthrough that, would like to keep it that way too. Now in a position to get on with my covered clothes/coat hangers projects - some are knitted, some are fabric, but want them all done, with plenty of moth repellant bags and lavender bags too. Nice project for the summer. On the way back on Friday, we had lunch up on the top of bulbarrow Hill, so the view above is from teh other side of the Vale that I see every morning from the bedroom window. On a clear day, and with a telescope/binoculars, you can see out pink house!!
So, another week is looming, lots to get on with, getting organised and sorted, decluttered and fed, cleaned and gardened. |Hope the weather improves for outside work - I've a lot to do out there, and the chickens are fed up with the wet!