The Source, farm and fibre.

Often, in my busy life, I loose touch with my beginnings and why I started working with fibre in the first place.  Our annual Back to Back International Wool Challenge, brings me back to working with fibre in the raw state, just off the sheep and smelling so heavenly barnny.  It also brings me once again into the company of other fibre enthusists and other farmers growing fibre animals. 

On June 5th, our B2B Team Sheep Thrills, gathered at Gaspereau Valley Fibres for a fun filled day of shearing, spinning and knitting.  Teams from around the world compete each year in this challenge and funds are raised for Cancer Research.  Our team beat our own record by over an hour, we are nowhere near beating the Canadian record nor the International record, but we are all winners for such a great cause. 

Photo: Sheep Thrills Team

 I love working with these women, and meeting so many friends, both old and new.  I love getting

 that  wonderful feeling of belonging to a society with respect for our natural world, and the

 creatures that depend on us and on whom we depend on.

Once back into raw fibre, I decided that it was time to sort my wool crop.  I picked out fleeces for the mill at MacAuslands, choice fleeces to sell to other spinners and my favorite ones for me to use for my own handspun and felting projects.  As one thing leads to another, I also cleaned out the lambing pens and hay storage areas in the barn to prepare and make room for this years hay crop.

                                                                                                                                                                                              

 Photo of my youngest grandchild, Keith enjoying the late day sun and newly dyed wool.

I spent the rest of the week getting ready for the Wolfville Farmers' Market, which I have started

attending again as a vendor.  I was missing the one on one contact with people that I have always

enjoyed.  I rarely go out without meeting someone new and saying to myself, that was an interesting

person, I am glad I met them.

This week I am back to prepareing for Denmark.  I am sure that when I have been there and return,                            

I will say "That was an interesting Country, I am glad I went there."         

Marilyn Rand