- August 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009
- December 2008
- November 2008
- October 2008
- September 2008
- August 2008
- July 2008
- June 2008
- May 2008
- April 2008
- March 2008
- February 2008
- January 2008
- December 2007
- November 2007
- October 2007
- September 2007
- August 2007
- July 2007
- June 2007
- May 2007
- April 2007
- March 2007
- February 2007
- January 2007
- December 2006
- November 2006
- October 2006
- September 2006
- August 2006
- July 2006
- June 2006
- May 2006
- April 2006
- March 2006
- February 2006
- January 2006
- December 2005
- November 2005
- October 2005
- August 2005
- July 2005
Whew! Finally getting a moment to write a quick entry about this year’s Oregon Flock & Fiber Festival. We were still jet-lagged from our Ireland trip as we packed up the camper and headed south to Canby. I always look forward to OFFF because many of my Pygora goat-breeder friends come from various states and it’s great to see everyone. And once again - I forgot to take photos!!!
For the most part I stayed away from the Pygora goat show, having sat in the ring all day long for the past three OFFF’s. I was definately ready for a break this year. Susan and I moved our booth from the barn to the main building this year. Wow did that make a difference. It’s really kind of nice being around the animals - - but frankly by the time people get to the barn, they’re all done shopping. Saturday was a constant, mad rush and we met so many wonderful people! We had a blast!!
I was a good girl and made few purchases (more tea! thanks Bonnie). However, the business made some larger purchases (!)…Susan and I have made a serious committment to sell only fibers from small farmers and ranchers, thus supporting the smaller flocks and shepherds. There are so many vendors these days selling imported fibers that we wanted to do something different and support locally grown products. Oh sure, our fiber costs are a bit higher because of this, but we feel it’s an important thing to do. We found two booths stocked by small sheep ranchers who were thrilled to sell us their wonderful products.
We don’t want to diss any fiber vendors selling the imported stuff - we just made a conscious decision to not sell it. I wonder how many people realize that this biofuel thing is creating some problems for folks feeding animals - gosh have the prices on grain and hay, etc gone up!
I know many people eating locally grown fruits and vegetables - I know I do - but I wonder how many spinners actively support their local shepherds and their flocks? Just something to think about…..
Terry
Here’s a cute photo from our trip to Ireland - it’s an unplanned traffic jam on the Dingle peninsula near Baile an Fhirtéaraigh (pronounced “Bally Fiertier”). This was just around the corner from our B & B (the best B & B we had in Ireland!) named Ceann Sibéal (and I can even pronounce the name). Our hostess, Aine is a teacher and teaches the Irish language, so every morning at breakfast, we got to practice. None of us were naturals, and it was quite funny to twist our tongues around a difficult language.
We’re just home, still battling jet lag and in the process of getting ready for OFFF this weekend! Our husbands have been quite patient with “goat feeding duty” and we’re all thankful for that. This is our last show of the season, then back home to work up next year’s inventory.
Slan! (Irish for goodby)
Terry
Greetings from Ireland! We are in Dingle at an internet cafe. We’ve survived narrow roads, many sheep on narrow roads, rude innkeepers that have no idea what a reservation is, missing jammies (not MINE!), and some tiny biting bugs on the coast. We’ve filled our luggage with wool things!! Good thing we’re into soft souveniers. Ireland is incredibly gorgeous and we are having a blast. I may have trouble driving when I get home (heh heh). The people hear are extremely friendly and accomodating (again, except for two nasty innkeepers: one in Cootehill, the other in Westport). My mother has the title of the first astronaut in County Monaghan (photo of the creepy chair later when we get home).
Cheers!
Terry, Susan, and Bonnie (Mom)