Sending more than flowers

I've been collecting flower photos to share with you, but hadn't yet formulated a post for them. Then this evening, in reading updates on blogs I follow, I followed a link on one of them to another blog. The post pertains to surviving domestic abuse and helping a neighbor in need. And suddenly, my flower photos had purpose.

Once before I contributed to something similar, a successful Kickstarter project for Chickens in the Road. It was only a small donation, but it felt good. Tonight I gave a little more to help Kat's modest but critical goal. (And I will be praying for her; too many women in this situation, trying to escape domestic violence through divorce and a restraining order, end up murdered.) Although we have never met and I've never even visited her blog, Kat is my neighbor. And I want to send her more than flowers.

That's it for now from . . .

Sum-sum-summertime

I know it doesn't officially start until Friday, and we have spring (cooler, potentially wet) weather predicted between now and then, but it still feels like summer now. Part of that is due to our school schedule. Brian took his mandated 5th grade state tests last Thursday; with that over we can relax a bit. We do homeschool throughout the summer (as any classroom teacher will tell you, dealing with "brain drain" at the end of summer break is no fun), but at a reduced level.

Violin lessons continue year-round, which means I get weekly visits to the home of the world's most photogenic cats:

Shepherding is carefree this summer; having no lambs means no weaning, and the danger of grass tetany is past.

I had to laugh at the vignette below this morning. Bing was doing his best goat impression to access hazelnut leaves, while my three breeding ewes waited eagerly to share any he brought down to their level.

Believe it or not, we went shopping for Father's Day. After a late breakfast of whole grain waffles with fresh strawberries by request, we drove to Salem to browse Sportsmen's Warehouse and get some building supplies at Home Depot. Then we ate an early dinner at a favorite restaurant. Then it was home to plan a change in the chicken quarters in order to accommodate the six pullets who need to be moved out of the sheep fold.

The run will be moved from the right to the left and will double in size. My man has his work cut out for him!

That's it for now from . . .

Fiber friends are the best!

Yesterday I was blessed, not just by the Sabbath, which is a big weekly blessing, but also with a visit from a dear friend. Is it strange to call someone a dear friend if you've never met before? Until yesterday, Sue and I have only been friends online, first through Ravelry, then via emails and blog comments. But like penpals of old, a friendship was formed across the miles. When we became friends IRL (in real life), as with all other IRL friends I've met through blogging (like Tammy, Tina, Sara, Deb, Sharon, Laura, Shelly, Denise, Shannon, Karla and more), the connection was instant, the conversation easy, and the things we have in common – beyond the obvious that first brought us together – many.

Sue contacted me late last year about fine Shetland fleeces, reserved Sarai's fleece, and then asked about getting her neck wool, too. When she learned that I don't usually save the trashy neck wool because of time and space, she asked if she could have it for the cost of shipping. I told her she could have ALL the neck wool if she cared to clean it!

Sue had hoped to come for shearing, but that didn't work out. Then she learned she would be in Eugene in June for a family function, and a visit to Boulderneigh was planned – for yesterday. I just wish it could have been for longer than an afternoon and evening. I think the dogs wished so, too; they instantly took to her. I should have gotten a photo of Dozer inviting his chunky self into her lap; or her helping me lead horses out to pasture; or her meeting any one of the sheep (we pet all but Annabelle); or her looking through her many bags (13!) of fleece. Even better would have been a photo of both of us wrestling all that fleece into one box and getting it taped securely closed, so it didn't explode in her sister's car during the trip home to California! Sadly, there are no photos of Sue or the two of us to commemorate the occasion. I guess that means we'll have to get together again – right, Sue?

Just writing about Sue's visit is making me feel all warm and fuzzy inside; the relational equivalent of the fiber that first drew us together. Fiber and friends . . . fiber friends . . . how my life has been blessed by the combination! If only so many of my friends didn't live so far away. Move north, Sue; move north! (And move west, Beth; move west! :-)

Still smiling at . . .

Fresh on Friday

What's on your menu this weekend?

Picking pretty produce at . . .