My Copilot Is A Troll

If there is one thing I like to talk about as much as gardening, it's fibre! In September, I volunteered for the Sundre & District Museum's Art & Culture Days. This turned out to be the kick off weekend to a Fall and Winter chock full of cultural events! A few years ago, I had developed a display of Farm to Yarn, showcasing the steps involve in yarn production.  I have every thing from antique hand shears to the spinning wheel. There is an amazing array of fibre tools - some which are familiar and their use is obvious. Others, not so much! I will freely admit that I'm a gadget junkie, I love a hobby that has so many gadgets and tools! Fibre tools can often be made or repurposed from household items. (but don't use Dad's electric razor to sheer a sheep!) Shears - Whether hand forged or electric, sheep or alpaca - the goal is the same, get the fluff off the critter! One of my most prized possessions. My Great-Grandmother's drum carder. My cousin remembers

Rodeo and the cats playing hide & seek Once the Trolls and I returned from our epic European trip, it was May Long Weekend. Or, as I like to call it, gardening weekend. A dear friend took care of my seedlings while I was away, and it was time to get down to business. I had a greenhouse to fill with tomatoes and peppers. The raised beds needed to be planted. The soaker hoses and drip irrigation needed to be laid out. The hammock was calling to me! And so the rest of May and all of June was spent in the happiest of seasonal routines. The Canada Day long weekend lies between two very important birthdays, my Mom's and my youngest son's. We often visit Medicine Hat because of this. It was a fairly chill weekend, with not much on the agenda. However, there was one important task, to visit the memorial statue honouring the Germans from Russia immigrants, which included my paternal grandfather's family. It is on display in front of the Esplanade - the art and cultural centre in