goodbye to Lakota

She slipped away last night when the moon was so big and so bright.

...it is so hard for me to say goodbye...and thank you. She was such a shy creature, but a loving one. Her wool, though not the best I have ever seen, was fine enough to be knit into a beautiful garment that was sent across the sea... as a gift...and in return, I received a song. A tune of my own.

I used that tune to calm the soul of a loved one, during a very troubled time.

So, my friend, I thank you. Good-bye for now. I will miss you. But I will always remember you, and your wool will keep me warm for years to come.

harvesting wool

A glance to the calendar tells me that it is October. I keep looking at it to remind myself of that, because the weather feels so warm ...and although some of us (grasshoppers) decided to go swimming this past weekend, preparations still need to be made for the coming winter. Harvesting continues, even when it comes to wool!

Lakota, shown here on my lap, is getting better and better at having her wool harvested..much to my delight! It is an enjoyable experience for both of us, now that she is not so shy and worried. Because of her small size, it takes me less than an hour to clip her. Her coat is not as long as some rabbits that I have owned, but it is thick, and the color is lovely. She has a bit of luster that shows in the guard hairs....

snip, snip, snip..."what a sweet creature you are to give me such soft warm wool" (I tell her this in a calm low voice...she likes it when you talk to her)..."such silky warm softness... that will be a delight to spin. No scouring ...no carding...just spinning! Thank you Lakota!"

snip, snip, snip.....

new do

Aside from the Graduation/ Father's Day activities this past weekend (which were most enjoyable)... Lakota got a haircut.

She is very easy to clip, very patient, but still very timid. I have tried my best to win her trust, but she is as tame as a wild rabbit. Occasionally, she will come to me, but only if I offer her favorite treat, and even that is subject to her mood.

Despite her small size, she continues to be a good Wooler, with an average staple length of 3 inches, nothing fabulous mind you, but free of matt with a fair yield of prime fiber. I harvested 3.5 ounces of prime and 1.5 of grade 2.

She also had her nails done ;-)

letting go

Many thanks to everyone for the kind and comforting comments that you left for me concerning the loss of my angora rabbit, Jack. I appreciate your words and thoughts.

I have had several dreams of Jack. And I saw a wild rabbit running on the hill a few days ago. We never have wild rabbits around here.

A friend of mine who happens to be an accomplished art therapist, once suggested to me that it is good to work through grief or loss by making something. So I did.The construction and the medium have symbolism known only to me. But I found this exercise to be helpful.

I wove Sikuli to remind me that only God has "the power to see and understand things unknown". I hope it will help me to accept what I cannot change.

CW Black Jack

My sweet and handsome buck, CW Black Jack suddenly passed away yesterday morning.

He had the kindest and most loving personality that I have ever seen in a rabbit. He was a pleasure to know and keep. I will miss him so.

I am uncertain as to what happened to him. Perhaps a stroke? It was very sudden and sad. I am glad that I was with him to hold him and tell him how much I loved him. He was a very special creature.