June 2011 Phenological Notes

phenological events

June 2011

1st cuckoo wasps
2nd swallowtail butterflies
15th waxwings on the currents
20th lacewings hatch
25th Oxeye Daisys on the path

in print

About a month or so ago, I was asked to write an article for the MAPACA (Mid-Alantic Alpaca Association) Summer 2011 Newsletter about how I prepare Alpaca Fiber for spinning. The article was to be featured under the regular section, "What are the Alpaca Bloggers Saying?"

Yesterday I received my newsletter in the mail! What a fun thing to see my words and photographs in print in the glossy magazine type format!

Here is a snippet:

To read the entire article, you can go directly to the MAPACA website. You may easily do this by clicking the link to the MAPACA Newsletter that is conveniently located on my sidebar. Just click on the MAPACA button (on your right) and it will take you to the page that lists all of the issues. Select the one you want to read (ps..my article is in the Summer 2011 issue- on page 18)... and click to download the PDF file.

The opportunity to write the article gave me the pleasure of working with Diane Beauchner, who is the Editor in Chief (and also author of two great articles in this summer's edition). Apparently, the experience was a good one for Diane as well, and I have been offered my own column! I'm pleased to announce that I will be writing for the MAPACA newsletter and you may look for my "Alpaca Notebook" within the pages that are published quarterly by American Livestock Magazine & Publishing. I hope you find the publication to be as informative and interesting as I have! I am delighted to be associated with and working for such a terrific organization.

getting all caught up

I've been trying to get caught up on things, but it seems impossible. I just feel caught..... a bit like this poor lacewing, being pulled in different directions...

Day before yesterday one of the cars was making a horrid noise ...as if something was very wrong with the brakes. My husband decided to take it in to the shop and drop it off to be looked at and repaired, I was to follow over in my car and give him a ride home...except my car wouldn't start. GAH! Doublewhammy. See what I mean?

So, I made some time to enjoy the rose bush.

I don't know the name of it. It is older than I am. Here before I was.

A couple of hours with some flax on the distaff, and the roses, the sounds of the river and the birds and bees does wonders for my disposition. I can't fix my own car, but I can spin my own linen.

Now if only the car repair guy wanted to barter, what a wonderful world it would be.

walk with me wednesday, year after year

They were here today. Finally.

I thought because there were bears hanging around, we wouldn't see them this year. But they came. I wonder how old they are....

There are two of them. It was raining, gently, when I first saw them. They are shy, as they should be. They scurry to hide behind the big rock.

Still, I want to follow them into the forest!

I've been keeping track of fawns for a long time.

2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010.

They come ...year after year, just like the roses..

lotus flower fabric

So my friend from California calls me up and we are having a conversation. It went something like this...

CN: I was reading a Luxos magazine article about this great fiber that comes from the stems of the Lotus Flower....have you ever heard about it?

NO, says I.

She went on to read me parts of the article..I became intrigued. Especially when I heard that the fiber must be spun and woven within 3 days of harvest...to avoid deterioration...It is said that the woven fiber feels like a combination of the finest silk and linen...

Apparently, Loro Piana (a high end Italian clothing company) has trademarked Loro Piana Lotus Flower fabric, and a simple jacket made from this Lotus Flower should sell for about $5,600 US dollars...or about 4,000 euros.

After our phone conversation ended, I went online to see what else I could find out about the fabric. After reading and watching about how this regional textile is being harvested and spun and woven, I can't help but want to touch a piece of the fabric. From the descriptions that I read, if you place the fibers under the microscope, they look sponge like, with little holes in them.

As far as I could tell, the fabric isn't available for sale in the U.S. due to trade sanctions and a ban against products that come from Myanmar (and the totalitarian government in power). There are plans to manufacture the fiber in Italy and then export the finished goods to the U.S.

I watched several different Youtube videos of the women that were actually doing the process of harvesting, spinning and weaving of the lotus flower stems.

Then I wondered about the person who would buy a jacket for six thousand dollars. Then I wondered if the women who harvest, spin and weave the fabric for the jackets could ever afford to buy one for themselves. And then I got all caught up in wondering about politics and money and governments and lifestyles etc.

Finally, I decided to go back to thinking about the fiber from the lotus flower stems, and what it must feel like to work with. Have to admit, it made me start to wonder what is inside the stems of my pond lilies.

hit the deck and run for cover

The weather suddenly turned to summer. I took the Great Wheel outside onto the deck for a good waxing and some spinning. It was delightful.

Until an unwelcome visitor decided to investigate.

Saturday last, three Black Bears were meandering around the hillside. I'm not sure what caused them to congregate, or if they were related. There was one small sized, one medium and one very large. I know. At any rate, it had me running for cover...and looking over my shoulder when spending time on the deck.

The little chooks are getting bigger. They run for cover under their mother, but all twelve of them are having trouble fitting and they sometimes squabble about who gets the best position.

You can only see their feet sticking out from under all those feathers. The mother is patient and waits until they have all found a suitable spot before she settles down to rest and warm them.

phenological events May 2011

May 2011

1st rhubarb coming
2nd common yellowthroat
5th crabapple blooming
8th asparagus comes
10th lilacs bloom
12th dogwoods 18th tadpoles and newts
20th honeysuckle
22nd peeps start hatching
28th Black Bears on property

walk with me, baby steps

It is hard for me to stop watching the mother hen with her chicks. They are very entertaining and yet, calming to watch.

The mother hen is an Aracuna Bantam chicken, so she is smaller than the standard size chicken. She can fit all of them under her wings when it rains. We have her set up in the old rabbit pen for now, so they are safe at night. During the day she takes them for short walks and then rests with them under her wings. ...they will grow fast...more mouths to feed! Our flock has now doubled in size. The big girls were locked in the run again today...we decided to let the little ones get the lay of the land before we let the others out to range. If the mother lets out a "danger cluck" because a hawk flies over, the chicks scatter and run under the row boat. Seems like a good plan to me!

Here is a short movie of them on one of their walks...See if you can count how many chicks we have...

and yes those are cherrios...multi-grain of course...mammas favorite treat...

secret is out of the bag er um nest

When I was a kid, my uncle told me that if I ever found a nest, I was not to tell anyone...I was to keep it a secret. Well, at least until the eggs hatch.

Our Aracuna Bantum Hen picked an area outside of the safe-zone to build her nest. At last count, it seemed she was sitting on at least eighteen eggs.

This morning...it appears that at least one of them has hatched!

Now the fun begins! PEEP!

cats and dogs

huge rains last night with lightening and thunder...made me hide under the covers! raining cats and dogs...

the catkins...

the dogwoods...

the vernal pools are teaming with life, and I suspect there were frog and newt migrations amidst the storm. ...

water continues to run off the mountain...on the way to the river...

and birdsong errupts when the rains subside...

I've been spinning a surprise package from Catena...but that is a story for another day...maybe when the sun comes out!

keep it a secret

The lilacs are blooming...the purples and the whites...the air is fresh and full of their perfume...careful, it can seduce you into taking long afternoon naps in the sun.

..but there is Rhubarb to harvest

...and skeins to wind off....

..wash- hang- and tag...another pound...another mile....

2297 yards of singles...translates to 1148.5 yards of a two ply that measures between 12 or 14 wraps to the inch.

but what is this?

do you know??....shushhhhh...keep it a secret!

walk with me wednesday by the waterfall

We have had a good deal of rain. April showers. May showers.

Rain.

Rain that quenches the root and starts the seeds..rain that brings the Quince and Crabapples to blossom...rain that causes the lakes and rivers to overflow their banks and send the rest pouring out over the rocks and streams..rushing all the way...

When the clouds break and the sun shines it brings the caddis fly hatch, the Hummingbirds, the Grossbeaks, the American Redstarts, the Common Yellowthroat and the Swallows.

Springtime in the mountains...each spring seems eternally fresh..the world is teaming with new life...close your eyes and you can smell it..thin as mist, but it is full of promise.

narcissus

Narcissus...ancient flower...gazing into its own reflection...

the story related at length by Ovid..about the son of Cephissus and the blue nymph Liriope of Thespiae....

still more stories tell us the bulbs were carried by Roman soldiers who consumed them when mortally wounded, to quickly end the suffering...

the rabbits, the deer, the squirrel never eat them...how do they know?

validation celebration

It has been almost a week since the MAPACA Jubilee show...and I'm still walking on air. What a fantastic show! It was an amazing experience for me, and I am so grateful that I had an opportunity to attend!

There is so much hard work that goes on behind the scenes...take a look at this great video that was posted to Youtube if you want an idea of how it is done.

There is cause to celebrate when hard work pays off!

A blue ribbon or first place prize goes to this stole that I made, but it really belongs to many others...remember this piece? Allspice deserves a little credit for growing such beautiful fiber....and of course Finca Alta Vista Farms deserves congratulations for raising such beautiful Alpacas ...

Another garment from my needles and another blue ribbon ...so I think of sharing it with Agnieszka Rupnik, ...without her skillfully designed pattern, I would not have knit the scarf.

When my handspun skeins took first place, I thought of Fred Hatton. Had he not restored my Great Wheel/Spindle Wheel, I would not have been able to make yarn with it...and Lisa Chan, who made a Russian Style Supported Spindle and set me down the path of exploring the fine yarns that can be created with them.

The Judges Choice Award....a very, very happy moment .... A validation that I'm doing something right. That all of the above mentioned people who have contributed to this skein are doing something right! Hard work paying off. It assures me that yarn is more than "just yarn". It holds soul and spirit and energy.

During the Saturday evening events...I had so much fun seeing one of my own pieces "walk" down the runway during the fashion show...this shawlette was once an idea in my mind..sketches on paper.. and there it was... on a model with the lights and the music with narration...

I had a surreal moment of remembering it when it a little cria fleece on my spindle..

yep...you never know what yarn will become when it grows up!

thanks Alan, I had a great time! Long Live the Small Farm!

fo & ready to go

Another lace scarf from Allspice is off the needles, blocked and ready for sale at the upcoming MAPACA Jubilee next weekend. I'm still working up a hat, but not sure I will finish it by the time I leave.

Today, I am making travel plans for the wheel that I will present on. What a beautiful Great Wheel with some special details!...I am grateful that Fred Hatton finished working on it in time for the show. (Thanks Fred!)

It is made from Oak...

...notice the unusual horn collar on the head-post...

it also features these beautiful turnings on the spokes...

...I took the wheel for a test drive on Friday, and I enjoyed the ride!

My favorite part of this wheel is the tensioning device, cleverly crafted, isn't it?

This wheel is for sale, if you would like to see it in action, head over to the MAPACA Jubilee at the PA Farm Complex in Harrisburg, April 8-10.... I'd be happy to let you take it for a spin ;-)

april fool

The fox sparrow arrives from the south...

only to fall victim to nature's April Foolery.

the earth sings

Sometimes, I study.

The Internet is such an amazing research tool. In an instant, I can locate the areas of my interest and access obscure materials, that years ago would have taken so long to obtain, if I even knew about them.

I really enjoy reading and learning about the history of certain things. .... Gardening, Flax, Spinning, and my own personal genealogy.

When I find a book, a video, or just a simple article that includes all of these things in one package, I get inspired. It is a good feeling when everything connects.

Karol Plicka directed a film in 1933. It was called zem spieva, The Earth Sings. When I watched it, it stirred up something deep inside of me. I watched the women work the flax, I thought of my great grandmother...and it made my heart sing.

The original film clip can be found here.

Besides showing the processing of flax, the film is a great piece of ethnography. I found two other clips from the 60 minute movie, that covers some customs and traditions. There are images of the Kroje as well..I can only imagine how things would look in color!

perigee spring

Spring arrives with a perigee moon this year. They tell me it is the largest full moon we have had in the last 18 years. Supermoon. The full moon of March has other names...Sap Moon, Worm Moon, Crow Moon... to name a few.

I have finished my spin-to-knit-along cowl...details here...

...and even though the calendar says it is spring, there is still some snow in the forecast later this week.

The cowl will be cozy around my neck as I begin to rake the garden and prune the fruit trees and berry bushes. There are promises to uncover, the buds are starting to show, and another season turns.

mapaca jubilee

Several weeks ago I was invited by Alan Clark, MAPACA president, to be part of the 2011 MAPACA Jubilee Celebration! It is my great pleasure to be able to attend as one of the hand-spinners that will be demonstrating how to prepare and spin the fleece of these wonderful creatures.

The Mapaca Jubilee runs from April 8-10 and is open to the public. There are all sorts of events for everyone! I am excited about going! The Jubilee will be held at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex 2300 North Cameron Street Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Since I have never attended an alpaca show, I wanted to get an idea of what the MAPACA Jubilee is all about. I decided to ask Trish Tyler-Davis. Trish is wearing many hats these days, one of which is the Hospitality Coordinator for the MAPACA Jubilee. Although she is quite busy, she was generous with her time and answered all of my questions. She even agreed to let me share them with you here. Thanks Trish!

me: So, Trish...what IS MAPACA Jubilee all about?

Trish: MaPaca is a cooperative group of alpaca breeders in the Mid-Atlantic states. The Jubilee is held annually in the spring and includes mini-seminars, guest speakers, vendors, a fleece show, and of course many beautiful alpacas. They really are lot of fun!

me: And what is the focus of this years Jubilee?

Trish: This year marks the 15th Anniversary of this alpaca show which is one of the largest and most hightly respected alpaca shows in the United States. North American Alpaca Fiber is beautiful, and one of our goals for this show is to connect the producers of this wonderful fiber with the end users. We are striving to promote networking between the owners /breeders and the fiber community.

Check the website under Mundo “Fibra!” Here you will find all things related to alpaca fiber… the fleece show, spin-off display, fiber demonstrations, our first Fleece-to-Shawl competition, and the debut of the MaPaca Member Product Store. We’re increasing our focus on fiber with this year’s show, so you will find this feature at the public entrance to the Expo Hall. Since we are advertising heavily in fiber-related media, we expect to see a surge of fiber enthusiasts to see what we alpaca fiber producers have been up to.

me: Do you ever feature any special events or workshops?

Trish: Yes! You can visit the website and view the Schedule of Events which lists the time, date and location of our seminars and demonstrations.

We will have a book signing by Intarsia Knitter Peggy Gaffney...

Agate Olek will be crocheting...

There will be weaving with – Deb Potts-Reagan

and drop Spindle Spinning will be demonstrated by Sandy Roberts...

and of course, you will be demonstrating fiber prep and wheel spinning!

me: Well, what about the Alpacas? How many Alpacas come to the Jubilee?

Trish: This year we host over 800 beautiful registered Alpacas that will be there with their owners. These participants are interested in promoting their farms and their fiber, and they are some of the most outgoing, interesting and pleasent people to meet with. They are more than happy to talk with the public and answer whatever questions you might have about their animals and their fiber.

(I saved the most important question for last...)

me: So, will there be fiber available to purchase?

Trish: Absolutely! You can shop in the vendor village, and this year the Jubilee will feature our own MAPACA Member Product Store, where you will be able to purchase the home grown alpaca products in every stage of processing, from fleece to roving and batts to yarn and finished alpaca products...The MAPACA Member Product Store is really a wonderful showcase that demonstrate what is done with Alpaca fiber!

If you have any questions for Trish, you can email her trishtylerdavis@verizon.net

So, I'd like to invite you to come and attend the Jubilee too! Please stop by and say hello, I'll be demonstrating how to prepare and spin Alpaca fiber from lock formation, to roving.... on the Antique Great Wheel as well as the more modern Ashford Traditional Wheel and even on my Russian Style Supported Spindle. My demonstrations will be informal and ongoing, so there will be lots of time for Q & A. I hope to meet you there!

crocus skal cowl

A few weeks ago, I was invited to become a moderator for the We Love North American Alpaca Group on Ravelry. Being that ILNAA ~it was hard to say no.

A few days ago, the group started a March- Spin- to- Knit- Along. The plan is to spin your alpaca, or a blend thereof, and knit it into a cowl during the month of March. The pattern is designed by Ami Madison. The group plans to discuss their on going projects throughout the month, and address any success or failure. The idea here is collective knowledge...learning some tips and/or skills from each other in order to add to an individuals existing repertoire.

Personally, the SKAL is a good exercise for me. It is helping me to plan for a project..working it from the fiber to finish. There are many times when a spinner can select, from her stash, the perfect yarn for a project. For this exercise, I have selected a pattern and I am attempting to spin a certain type of yarn to be used for it.

The fiber I am using is composed from "seconds"..the shorter and second best bits of a fleece.

The seconds were dyed with Jacquard Acid dyes. When I started to sample, I blended directly on the hand cards, but have since moved on to blending one color at a time and taking small bits of each color to spin sequentially. Tufts of "short cuts" or felted slubs were allowed to remain in my singles. The singles were plied and the color runs were sometimes equal with slight overlap and some barber-pole stripes.

When I selected my colors, I had visions of purple and yellow crocus on a spring green lawn...and when I look at my results..well...not so much! I had not planned on so much pooling ...

However, the cowl..(so far)..does have a redeeming factor...it is made with Alpaca! And the texture of the yarn is slubby and soft. The seconds have behaved as I hoped they would, and I have a nice lumpy lopi yarn of approx 9-12 wpi. There is success with the yarn, but not the dye. So, there is always the choice- or possibility- of another trip to the dye pot.

What say you? Shall I toss it into another cauldron?