Together Again

We got a some bad news the other day when the vet came out to do an ultra sound on Took and Firenze. Rich and I had concerns that Firenza didn't seem to be filling out enough for a seven month pregnant animal. Took seemed ok but we had her tested anyway. We were hoping to see some fetal development on each of the girls. Unfortunately, what we saw dismayed us quite a bit. It seems that both had somehhow lost or absorbed their fetuses in the past months. So there will be no crias romping in the pasture this fall. It's a setback and we will try again later.

Since no one is pregnant there is no longer any need to keep Took and Mango separated. Took's mammary glands are no longer producing according to the vet so Mango won't be able to nurse. We released the older girls into the pasture with the younger ones and though none of them seemed distressed at the separation they all do seem to be happier together.

On a happier note, I went to the Great Lakes Fiber Festival in Wooster yesterday. Why didn't I ever go there before? It was like paradise for a fiber artist; especially one who loves yarn as much as I do. My friend, Liz, was supposed to go along with me but she was wracked with a nasty cough and had to bow out at the last minute. I tried a former student of mine who loves knitting as much as I do but she had other commitments. So, I drove the hour and half alone and walked through a wonderland of spinners and knitters by myself. I was so thoroughly engrossed with the beautiful colors and textures and happily passed two hours just browsing and talking to the fellow spinners and knitters. I did not intend to purchase anything but came home with some beautiful turquoise Brown Sheep Lanaloft and some grapey Brown Sheep Naturespun, a new pattern for a "Braided Glory" shoulder shawl by Deby Lake of Knitiot Designs and a couple of extra spindles for my wheel. I also picked up a little sheepy gift for Liz since she couldn't go. I will be going back next year with more cash!