Promises, Promises

I do fully intend to relate my train riding experience up to lovely Eugene, Oregon and back, and even post some scenery pictures. And pictures from the Black Sheep Gathering as well. I promise. I do.

Two things happened when I returned from BSG; seeing all the fleece (fleeces? is there a plural for fleece, or is it like sheep, or deer?) instilled an intense desire to really work on my spinning technique, and Wednesday after I got home it was time to put my old dog, Plato, to sleep. That one zonked me some. It wasn't a surprise, but it did hit me a bit harder than I expected. Plato had lovely soft hair, of a very spinnable length, and off and on over the years I've collected bits of it and I've decided to start spinning with it.

My 16 year old son thinks that's creepy, but I think its a great idea. Hey, its spinnable fiber, all of it was collected while he was alive, and once I learned to spin my intention has always been to spin the stuff. Its not like I waited for him to die so I could start this project.

I'm sure I've thrown out, swept and vacuumed up far more Plato hair (coat, fur, fluff) than I've saved, I'm sure but it looks like there is at least 400g to work with. Its washed, and I'm sorting by color; brilliant white, light tan and grey/black and so far I plan to blend in some matching alpaca to up the volume and color intensity. The plan is 'so far' because I've never worked with any of this before, and have no Idea what I'm doing, or how it will turn out.

Awwww Crap!

Life can get so weird sometimes. A few months back my 8 year old cat had a tumor removed from her right shoulder. She goes in for a 4 month checkup at the end of the week, but so far everything is looking really good. A week ago Friday I took my 10 year old dog in ( or maybe she's 9, I can't rememeber right now) for a lump on her right leg, down near her paw. Mast cell tumor, unusual in this breed the vet tells me. And the 12 year old dog has a small mass on his right elbow, but no surgery for him, his heart isn't so good anymore. I don't consider myself a suspicious person, but this all seems spooky. I'm having a hard time believing this is all coincidence. Theories?

Annnddddd, to bring this back to knitting, I've got about 6 more inches of sleeve to complete my Sahara top, plus weaving ends and blocking; and I've been knitting mini Christmas stocking for decorations and gifts. Pictures soon!