Happy Kitty, Happy Jan

Bob, my brother's cat, went to live with my good friend Jan, becoming cat #2 in the household. A new experience for him. Jan needed to name him Elliott, and he seems to like it. Jan is quite adept at introducing new cats into a household, so all had progressed smoothly, and here's the proof: Elliott (r) and Cali (l) sharing space while they eat.

He's quite the happy fellow after a few rough months. He adores Jan, and she returns the favor. Thanks to everyone for your good wishes and efforts on his behalf.

Pickin' n Grinnin'

Back to fiber processing. This morning I was able to go from this:
















to this:























by way of this:



















in about half an hour. That's several hours of manual labor shortened by the Patrick Green Triple Picker. I'm a happy spinner!


I'm in the midst of a project that's taking me from the original silver/gray Coopworth fleece (from Cedaredge Farm in Roebuck, SC), through the washing, dyeing, picking, carding, and blending to make yarn for a very special vest. So far, so good. With a huge thanks to Diana, my color guru in Alabama.

Bob's Big Day

Bob's day started out with a bang, when I tricked the poor guy while he was nibbling his breakfast and stuffed him into the carrier. It was the appointed day to take him to his new home. But first, a visit to his new mom's vet. I wanted to make sure he was healthy enough to join her, her husband and the resident kitty. No problem! On the healthy that is. They did have to sedate him to do the exam and give him his shots. He was a scared boy and wasn't letting anyone remove him from that carrier. So he was in la-la land when I said goodbye to him. I will let him get really settled, and then go by to visit once in a while. But I don't want to confuse him, so I'll stay away until things are normal in his cushy new abode.

A fitting outcome for today, since it's the one-month anniversary of my brother's death. He can rest easy now, knowing that all is well for Bob.

Knitting and spinning content to resume soon. Thanks to all of you for your help and prayers during a difficult time.

Help Me Help Bob!!

Bob was my brother's cat. My brother passed away last weekend, rather suddenly as a result of complications from pneumonia. Now Bob is in my care until I can find him a good home. Please help if you can, either by considering adopting him, or spreading the word to others who might be appropriate new parents.

Bob is a neutered male with all his claws. I think he's about 7-8 years old, and he's a huge fellow. I can't actually weigh him, but he's probably in the range of 25 pounds. He's lived alone with my brother his entire life, and I know he won't "show well" in a shelter, or do well in a household with other animals or children. Which might make him a bit hard to place.

But he's a sweet guy, once he gets over being skittish about a new person or surroundings. I desparately love this fellow and would adopt him myself if I offered the right environment. However, I already have a house full of girl kitties and it wouldn't be a good situation for any of the animals.

If you can help me, please leave a comment. Bob and I are currently in Charlottesville, VA. I am willing to deliver him to surrounding state areas to the right home. I am pretty picky about him getting a loving new home, so please don't be offended if I ask a lot of questions first. Bob is the most important thing my brother left behind.

Sincerely, Sandra

The Push I Needed

Jan and I did a 4-hour stint demo-ing spinning at the fair on Tuesday. It was the push I needed t

o get the wheel going again. It's been sitting there sadly much of the summer, just waiting patiently. Now I'm really putting it to work again.

For my non-fiber related entertainment, I have the cats. Here Terry (l) and BC have spotted a skink on the windowsill.

After the skink went away, it seems they had a minor disagreement about invasion of personal space.

Mushrooms On My Own

We've had more rain this summer than I can remember since I've lived here. There are mushrooms everywhere! I have only rudimentary skills at identifying them, so I've tested some for dye possibilities. I was pretty sure when I found this that I'd hit on something:

I was right.

Oh, and these lovelies are now on their way to Girl Scouts in Bartlesville, OK. The troop is headed up by David's mom, and I gave them a little spinning demo a couple of months ago. They wanted spindles, so I ordered these from our local fiber artist, Barb, of Woolies Fiberworks. I think the girls will be thrilled.

On my summer vacation......

I visited the home of my favorite hand-dyed yarns.

I knitted socks.