Well, I grew up on a farm. We had sheep as well as other critters and,
although I wasn't directly responsible for the sheep, I guess I learned
some through osmosis. When I married, I never dreamed that a farm would
be in my future again. I married a Naval Officer! We ended up in
Southern California and DH resigned his commission. I had had horses
most of my life and bought one and leased another to teach the kids to
ride. When hubby learned to ride, I used that as incentive to move to
the country to have our horses in the back yard.
We had acreage and two horses. After reading an article about the
importance of preserving heritage breeds of livestock, we talked about
sheep. Researched a bunch of breeds and settled on the Karakuls.
Bought a ram and two ewes for my starter flock and got a spinning wheel
that Christmas.
I was a bit horrified at the gift from my husband but because he was so
excited about it, I took some lessons. I now have three breeds of sheep
with about 45 brood ewes, not to mention adventures into other fiber
animals. I have three wheels, four looms and assorted other fiber
paraphernalia. I sell fleeces, show the sheep, do demos and now have to
work off the farm as DH was laid off after 23 years with the same
company. A victim of downsizing. I buy sell trade fiber. I have
accumulated a large circle of fiber friends from coast to coast and
can't imagine life without spinning. My sons are grown and gone but
still just roll their eyes when someone starts me on the subject of
spinning or sheep. DH tolerates fiber and related toys all over the
house as well as the eviction of his car from the garage for storage of
the barrels with wool in them.
Sometimes I shudder to think how empty the house would be without
fiber. What would I put in that corner of the living room? How about
that bedroom with two looms and assorted stuff in it? My truck won't
fit in the garage so what would I put where the 60" fly shuttle loom
sits? I'd have all this room in the barn where fleeces are stored. And
the fields would be empty. No bouncing lambs. No bellowing because I'm
late feeding. And no noses poked into my hand to check for a treat.
Life would be so empty.
Robin Snyder, spinner, weaver, shepherd
San Diego County, CA
To stop mail temporarily mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
with the message: set nomail To restore send: set mail
