Monday, April 16, 2007

wet hen

It has been raining or snowing since Saturday. The river is high and muddy with run off from the surrounding mountains.

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Even the chickens have had enough. (Does this wet hen look mad?) Normally, they don't mind the spring rains, today, they just stand under the rabbit hutches and wait it out like the rest of us.

The river is expected to crest later this afternoon, thank goodness. If the rain were not so bone chilling, I would venture out to get a closer look. Maybe, tomorrow. Yesterday and today, I have managed to find a few hours to do some spinning at the Great Wheel. I am still working on the Finn/Angora blend. The Black Finnsheep wool is from my friend Grace Hatton. She just finished knitting a beautiful sweater, that you can go take a look at on her blog.

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Grace recently wrote a terrific article, dealing with the topic of Organic Fiber, that appears in the current issue of "The Shepherd". She raises some interesting and valid points, concerning the choices that those who raise sheep have to consider. The title of the article is "Organic ...or Humane?" ...and it is quite thought provoking.

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While not "organic wool" this Finnsheep fleece has been a real pleasure to work with. My progress is slow because I have started with the raw fleece and have done all the processing by hand. I don't mind the time involved. When I am finished, I will have a product that has been completely hand made. Think of it...touched by human hands, from the shearing, to scouring, to the carding and spinning, and the knitting. That is a lot of handling. How many garments do people own that have been constructed in this fashion? I venture to guess ~ not many....

If you would like to read more about how I prepared what I am spinning, visit the Weekend Whirls

6 comments:

Thistle Cove Farm said...

So that's what madder than a wet hen looks like! Thanks for the chuckle.

Grace's article sounds intriguing...I don't buy into the organic designation as I refuse to pay the USDA $800 for the use of the word. So...my sheep are naturally, humanely, sustainably raised and Thistle Cove Farm is a no-kill farm.

I'd love to read Grace's article.

BTW, 4/21 is Sheep Shearing Day at Thistle Cove Farm & open to the public. Everyone who helps skirt, start to finish, gets a fleece of their choice.

Carol Michel said...

Ugh, the rain. By the way, my sister spins and weaves, and knits and crochets. And gardens. I'm going to pass your blog address on to her, she'd love it!

Judy said...

In the garden we try to be organic but when those measures don't work I refuse to sacrifice the crops. When winter hits "being organic" isn't going to feed my kids. And as we have discussed, just because it is organic doesn't mean it is not toxic.
Can't wait to read Grace's article, it sounds good.

Jessica at Bwlchyrhyd said...

Yes, wet hens do look quite pathetic! Although we have not had rain in over two weeks now I think. It's quite warm and I know the grass is just waiting to shoot up as soon as it stops being so dry...

meresy_g said...

Wet hens do look mad. It was amusing to see my first wet hen and think "Oh. That's where that saying comes from." I hope the river doesn't get too high. I think we lucked out and didn't get too much rain, but eastern PA really got hammered. Stay dry. Spring will be here any day now.

kathy b said...

That chicken/hen or rooster? (I am so uninformed) Anyhow that bird ought to be a template for sock yarn colorway. I love the colors

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