What a Great Weekend!

Well, I made it to the Black Sheep Gathering in Eugene this weekend and what a great time! Reconnected with old friends, made some new friends, bought some gorgeous yarn (yes, I do spin but just couldn't resist it) and picked up a couple of new, fun projects and tons of ideas. Now - if I just had 12 more hours in each day . . . nope, I still wouldn't get to do everything I think I need to try. But, I am happy to keep trying, one project at a time; check some off the list as "doesn't totally thrill me but I tried it and can live without it", keep others in the "try it again sometime" pile and make a mental note of those I really enjoy. If you haven't been to this event, you should try to sometime. It is a Renaissance Fair, a street market, a fiber festival, an animal show and an educational opportunity wrapped up in color and tactile experiences that can totally overwhelm the novice and thrill the frequent flier at the same time - something for everyone who is into anything whether you need it or not.

It was great getting to see the Angora breeders and their new crop of kids after a long winter of relative seclusion. We bred for late birthing and sheared late (when we thought winter was done - NOT) so we supported the vendors and exhibitors and look forward to OFFF in Sept. to show our goats. However, Boyd Farms, Billy Goat Mountain and Coon Hollow all had stunning blacks (my favorite color you know). Sharon Chestnut and daughter Sadie of Cloudspun had a bevy of lovely and unique badgers and ran a good show. Ronan Country Fibers had a little silver reverse badger who, in my opinion, will bear close watching. And Dr. Speck, the judge, was his usual informative self, speaking to each entry no matter the size of the class. It is always a pleasure to hear him speak and watch him judge; so much knowledge and such a willing font. The breed has truly come a long way - we all have much to be proud of.

Back on the farm just before leaving for BSG our last doe finally kidded for the first time; a gorgeous little doe kid from Harper, a fancy AAGBA doe we got from Pat and Tracy Ross in Texas last year. What a nice addition to our herd she has become - and now she presents us with a doe - you rock Harper! I might have had to say she is all white, but as luck would have it she is not. In a month you won't be able to see it, but the little one, now dubbed June Bug, has a single black lock just at the top of her withers and a black spot next to her eye the size of a dime. I am ever hopeful there might be more black lurking in her genes! Watch for pictures of this precious little one when and if the weather ever clears again.

Our little silver enigma, J Duesy (Sole x Jet Li), is growing into quite the looker; 110% buck and a real fluff ball. He is a joy to behold! Lotus and Lexus (Katiedid x Sparks) are holding at gorgeous shades of red, two peas in a pod yet very much individuals. The lovely Makayla's black twins are not so much twins anymore. Jaguar has that lovely brown tipping to his stylish fleece and McClaren is pitch black, femine and full of super fine, dense tight curls with tons of character. Little Testarossa (Seneca x Thorn) is a character and being one of the youngest still hasn't shed that baby hair - however the promise of dense locks with hooks on the end has appeared and some of the golden highlights he was born with are holding fast. Tesla (Tabitha x Sparks), the blue-eyed red head can only be described as stunning. Not only is she a gorgeous color with tons of promise, she has such presence about her - she just screams "Look at me - aren't I special?" . . . and she is!

It seems we were blessed this year. It's the time to sit back and watch everyone grow, to speculate and dream about the lovely projects each of them (at least their fleeces) will be involved in. Sadly, some will have to be sold to keep our numbers where we want, but beautiful goats don't seem to have any problem finding good homes who recognize their potential. It's not time for that yet though - now, the kids untie my shoelaces and tug on my pant leg when I go out to visit, the young and the old check our pockets for corn chips, peanuts or grapes, and the big bucks are either pirouetting in an attempt to reach that one special leaf they simply must have or can be found lazily napping under the cover of the forbidden tree. It is spring, no, almost summer and this is that special time when we allow ourselves to just sit back and enjoy life and the simple pleasures of living it.