MAINTENANCE, FRIENDS AND GOING HOME

After six long to us days of driving from Yellowstone to Des Moines, Iowa, we were ready to revert to our more relaxed way of travel.  

We made plans to visit with long time friends, Margie and Lyle Sears at Fisherman's Cove on the Mississippi River.  We planned to stay there for three days in order for John to get some rest.  One day of visiting and two of chilling was on our agenda.  

I cleaned the Miata and the motorhome with The Solution and John applied tire protectorant  and cleaned the thingies the wheels are mounted on including hub caps. Whatever they are, they were shiny!

We caught only one sunset on the Mississippi.  Along the edge of the river were thousands of Water Lilies.  

Wednesday, we left Fisherman's Cove COE.  Due to the clowns in D.C, we had to be out by noon.  

We camped at Wally World in Hammond, IN for the night and headed toward our Michigan destination Thursday morning.  

Our fiber friends Bob and Deb own a fiber farm consisting of sheep, two Great Pyrenees and one Australian Shepherd.

The Pyrenees guard the interior of the pastures, keeping coyotes and wild dogs at bay.  

Just a few of the Polwarths

Fergus and Olivia keep the sheep away from the fence

After the sheep are sheared, Deb dyes the some of the fiber.  

 The fiber is then sold at as roving or yarn Fiber Festivals to spinners, weavers, knitters, etc.  We met Bob and Deb at a fiber event and have been fast friends since then.  

It was Bob and Deb that came to Indiana to visit and encourage John when he was in the hospital.  They also came back to help us clear out the barns when we were ready to close on the house and start our full time adventure.  

Bob helped John with a couple of repairs on our Tiffin Allegro Bus. Now I see John having more courage and energy to tackle tasks that he would have never tried before Bob and Jim Dixon worked along side John.  

John has caulked questionable spots on the roof, changed the generator's oil and all filters, worked on our T.V. antenna, etc.  

Ryan is mighty tall!

                                        Our microwave stopped working.  Bob, John and Bob and Deb's son Ryan worked on that situation. Ryan checked inside and outside.   


The diagnosis on the microwave is that we are going to need Tiffin make this repair.  Ryan checked out everything and said that there is a problem in the wiring in the wall. 

What a fun experience it was to try a new-to-me vegan recipe each night.  I was pleased that they liked every meal.  There is not one recipe that I want to forget.  We have found that eating the plant based diet is much more flavorful than the same ole meat and potatoes routine.  

When we were preparing to full time, I had to sell my floor weaving loom.  It was way too large and heavy.  We ordered a Glimakra rigid heddle loom from Bob and Deb.  

Three years ago, John took a weaving class at the Hoosier Hills Fiber Festival.  He had decided that this is something he would like to do.  Of course, I may just get to use it too.    

I can be using my spinning wheel and John can weave the yarn into whatever he chooses.  What a team.  

It did not take him long to open the box and begin the assembly.  

With all the wool behind my wheel, it looks like he will have plenty of supplies.  

Tomorrow, we leave Bob and Deb.  We are spending a day in Shipshewana, IN and then head back to Greenwood, IN to be with Indianapolis family for a few weeks.  While there, John will have all of his check ups.  

Bob and Deb head to New York for the New York Sheep and Wool Festival.  

OCTOBER 19th and 20th, 2013 Saturday 9AM-5PM Sunday 10AM-5PM

The End

Thanks for stopping by and God Bless!

SHEEPY TIME AT MICHIGAN FIBER FESTIVAL

Allegan, MI
72 degrees - green trees and grass!

We have spent three super days here at the Allegan County, Michigan fairgrounds.  The  annual MICHIGAN FIBER FESTIVAL is a knitter's, weavers, felters, spinner's and crocheter's dream.  Buildings and tents full of yarn, raw wool, roving, books, spinning wheels, weaving looms, needles  ...... on and on and on!

Thursday, Henny Penny welcomed us to the Allegan County fairgrounds.  She was feeling a bit bent out of shape because her feathers were not in demand this weekend.  Oh well.

There has been so many vendor booths to visit that we have not left the fairgrounds.  I had a restaurant in mind for John and I, but we just shopped then returned to the motorhome to have either our lunch or dinner.    It is much easier to eat in that at a restaurant since we are eating a plant based diet.

There is a wide variety of vendors.  Some sold finished knit or woven sweaters, ponchos, wraps etc.

I so admire fiber artists whose work is so good that they can sell their work.  The weather really cooperated with them this weekend with the cooler temperatures.  It is much easier to sell natural wool products when it is not in the nineties.


The talented weavers presented some beautiful rugs, place mats, bags and table runners.  I loved looking at the different patterns.  There was a pattern to please every person attending. 

The top group of rugs were woven in different patterns that I had not seen before.  And they were a bit larger than many rugs.  I like the variety.

Karen in the Woods would have been a tremendous vendor with all her rugs and various patterns.

At some time, I hope to be able to see some of Karen's work in person.  She is an inspiration and her work has encouraged John and I to do some loom shopping.

These animal sculptures are created by needle felting.  They start out as a hand full of loose sheep, goat, llama or alpaca fibers.  Using a special needle that has barbs on the end, the fibers are compacted and shaped into the animal that the artist has in mind.

When needle felting, one must keep an eye on their project!  If you look up, your needle should be suspended in the air.  Why?  It really, really hurts when you stab yourself with a felting needle.  I have accidentally sent a felting needle through the pad of my thumb when looking up to talk to someone.  Not good.

I love the names that some vendors name their businesses.  And these are true businesses.  Many are farm based.

Vendors work hard to have products that the shoppers will like.  Keeping the products affordable is a challenge.  If these vendors charged by the hour for some of their creations, the prices
would be over the top.







Color is another aspect that vendors must consider.  What is "in" this year?
What colors will be the trend for 2013?  Will they like bright or muted?

Then to show the colors, samples must be knitted to demonstrate how they will look in a garment.

Robin Edmundson does a beautiful job of dyeing.  She truly has the magic touch when it comes to color.  I have been fortunate enough to take a couple of classes from her and have learned so much.  If you look at Robin's colors, you will see colors that have been taken from nature.  You see sunsets and oceans and many more color combinations.

Angora Goat

The fiber festival also had sheep and goat shows.  I love the animals.  This cutie is an Angora Goat.  Their fiber is so shiny and soft.  It makes lovely garments.


There is also a goat breed called Pygora.  It is a cross between a Pygmy Goat and an Angora Goat.  Again, quality fibers come from the right animal.  

Pygora Goat

The fiber from an Angora Goat is called Mohair.  Mohair yarn has a "halo" and is often used when knitting lacework shawls.

It also makes a beautiful sweater.  I'd love to knit a sweater.  I wonder if I will ever do it.  Just call me a chicken.

Sheep are the most popular wool providers.  When you purchase your fiber at a show, such as the Michigan Fiber Festival, you are getting products from the United States.  In addition, no harmful chemicals have been used in the processing of the wool.  When you purchase a fleece (wool directly from the animal), you will find a little vegetable material (V.M.) in the wool.  It is easily picked out when spinning, etc.  I'd much rather have my fiber with a little V.M. in it rather than chemicals.  

At many of the Fiber Festivals, you will find sheep shows.  If you are fortunate enough to purchase a first or second place fleece, you are a mighty happy person.  

getting their sheep ready for the show ring is an exacting activity.  The animal must look perfect in the handler's eye.

After visiting the vendors booths, the goats and sheep three times in three days, we were ready to make some purchases.  We bought a thousand yards of Mohair.  What for?  Can't say just in case someone reads this.  In addition to the Mohair, I got another set of knitting needles to use with the Mohair.

Well, after three days of walking, walking, and more walking, we are about ready to get back on the road.  Next destination?  Not tellin... you need to come back and see where these Travelin Talleys are going next.  

God Bless, and please be safe out there.  

In the spirit of Judy and Emma, I leave you with this............

THE END!

WHAT HAPPENED TO OUR COOLER TEMPERATURES???

For the last week or so, it has been so comfortable around here.  Temperatures have been great.  But today, the heat is back with a vengeance.  The high today was ninety eight.  Now that in itself would be tolerable, but I have been busy dyeing fiber (roving) for upcoming fiber festivals.  

The dye pots have been brewing for the last three days and will continue through the weekend.   The colors are bright and cheery with thoughts of approaching fall and winter.  In addition to dyeing, I am assembling felting kits, doing some felting and the normal things I need to complete before leaving for fiber events.  

The best thing about these events are seeing our fibery friends again.  Some, we see just once a year.  Others vend at the same shows where we are.  

Thank goodness it is supposed to cool down after the first of the week.  If the forecasts are true, the highs will be in the seventies!  Now, that is something I look forward to.  

John is getting the motor home ready for travels.  The new floor is down.  The new faucet is installed at the kitchen sink.  Cabinets have been cleaned.  He in our nephew, Fred installed the new television and fixed the water heater problem.  


In June, the pilot light failed to ignite and we have had no heated water since then.  That was fine during the summer since the hot daytime temperatures made the water hot enough for our showers.  But, fall and winter are approaching, so working on that problem became a necessity.


I posted our problem on the Winnebago Yahoo group list and there were two suggestions.  One person suggested that we check the igniter.  Another person said to look for insect nests.  It turned out that a spider has woven a web and it was preventing the ignition.  There was also a mud dauber building his mud hut in the compartment.  We really do not welcome hitchhikers!

The last things that need to be done on the motorhome is installing new driving lights to brighten the highway at night, clean and lubricate the leveling jacks, and check the undercarriage for anything loose.  We have had a rattle under there and want to make sure everything is road ready.  

The Robins have left us.  And that seems strange as Al of the Bayfield Bunch was telling in his blog that the Robins there in Canada are gathering in flocks for their southerly migration.  I guess our place is not the gathering place this year.  

Now, we just need to be on the look-out for lower gas prices.  We use Gas Buddy 
and they do a good job pointing us to the lowest gas prices around.  I am surprised that the prices have not jumped back to the $3.70 range, but right now it is in the $3.50 neighborhood.  It's crazy how we can be happy with $3.30's.  And the people in Canada pay even more than we do.  Go figure.  

I'm off to check the last dye pots of the day.   Be safe out there this week end!  


God Bless!

Thursday's Thrums

Just a week ago most people were preparing for Canada Day or Independence Day celebrations.  This week we get the left overs and to catch up on what was postponed from last week.

In my stroll about the place yesterday, I found this curious fungus.  It almost looks like a fritter from the bakery!

 Can you tell I'm writing this while being hungry? sigh








As I inched my way back to the house, I stopped at the ponds and found these Lizard's Tails blooming.  They are such a graceful looking flower. They look like they are dancing.... Now so far, I've only seen white, right? 








I continue to meander toward the house.  I'm dreading cleaning the studio, so I'm taking my good ole sweet time.  Can ya tell? The next thing that catches my eye is this...

 I love this color combination.  I'd love to felt a wrap with all these colors.  Hummm, do I hear the dye pot calling?  Yep, I hear it!   Stay tuned for what 's to come.

Then, just around the corner I come to see these.

Such a contrast in daintiness, don't you think?










Now where would I love to be?  Shall we say just out of Santa Barbara? 

But where am I going?   .......... Back to the studio!  I will also enjoy my time there trying out a new felting idea that I have and dyeing. 

You all have a super day!  God Bless! 

So Happy to Have THAT Done!

I have been off studying and test taking.  In my other life, I was an insurance agent and I continue to do my continuing education and test taking.  Total stress time for this type A personality.  Of course I must get every question answered correctly.  Now, I ask "who cares other than me?".  Now that the test is over and I have my certificates to prove it, I don't even care. ha

If the studying enhanced my knowledge of health and life  insurance, that would be great, but what they place on there is junk.  Who gives a rip about the dates of early insurance, when Medicare started, etc.  That is not what makes agents good.  Useful knowledge of the do's and don'ts, the ways to use each policy, etc - that would help insurance agents.

I have been licensed  for 30 years and feel like I could write the continuing education materials.  BUT, do not ask me to.  I'm mostly retired.  I write for friends and family.  That is the only reason I keep my license.

Ok, enough of that!

The silk worms are making cocoons today.  It is neat to watch them work inside their cocoons.  The ones that have yet to start are just lounging around, not eating....just sleeping, getting ready for the big push.  I am going to have silk soon!  It has been an interesting experience, but not sure I will do it again.  Right now, I'm just tired and really don't want to do a thing.

But, tomorrow, I head to the studio.  I an positive that will put some excitement into my life.  I have yarn to dye, felting to do etc.  I have some neat ideas that have been cooking for a while and am ready to make some test pieces.

I found my camera!  It was "lost" in the Miata!  I haven't had the Miata out of the barn since Hoosier Hills Fiberarts Festival and I had the camera down there.  Mystery solved.

John is just a step or two from having the motorhome floor prepared for our new Allure floor covering.  He says that after removing the carpeting from the house for our hardwood and removing it from the motorhome, he never wants us to have carpeting again.  Even if one sweeps daily, grit gets though the carpet and just sits on the floor.  Yuck...and that is just what we see!  What about all the mites from our skin etc?  Double Yuck!

I do know that our allergies have been much better since we have installed the hardwood here in the house.

I'm ready for a trip again and so is John.  We haven't been home two weeks and we are ready to roll again.  Maybe next week after the Fourth of July stampede.  We really enjoy going to Brown County State Park and it is only 45 minutes from here.

Well, that's it for tonight so nite and God Bless!

Catching up on Home Duties

Laundry and other chores are about completed.  We are working on the mowing and oh my gosh, the rain brought out the weeds.  How it makes me long for the open road.  Let the highway road crews mow and take care of weeds with their huge tractors and bush hogs.  You go fellas! 

I've been looking at inventory and checking it twice....to order more inventory.  Hum, vicious circle, isn't it.  We have a short break until the next show.  This affords me to get fiber artwork done for art shows and to work with the circular sock machine......knitting socks.  The dye pots are also coming out.  Lots of  work to prepare for the coming shows. 

It has cooled off a little and I am thankful for that.  We actually were able to shut down the air conditioning and open windows to sleep.  I love a fresh breeze as long as it is cool. 

The silk worms are growing, and growing.  We have increased the size of their habitat four times.  The runt died yesterday.  He had a case of failure to thrive or something.  He/she just did not grow.  So, now we are down to 26.  The day is coming that they will be spinning their cocoons of silk.  Then the cycle will continue.  They survived the traveling.  Mulberry trees are everywhere, so we had a good supply of food for them. Collecting stems of Mulberry trees created quite a few questions though, and the critters had quite a few inquisitive observers. 

Good wishes go to Marilyn and Ed, The Happy Wanderers /www.mytripjournal.com/travel-607759  You can read about their RV fire and see the photos of the damage. 

Thanks to God for the successful surgery of Gene Woodard.  Gene's wife, Barb is a fellow sock machine cranker and had asked for prayer.  Gene's surgery was yesterday and he wants to go home today~!  God is good!

Blessings to all, God speed till next time.   ..............