Bob, our friend Al and I had a great time at Montpelier’s Fall Fiber Festival yesterday. Montpelier is the home of James Madison, situated northeast of us in Orange County. Hands down, this is my favorite festival of the year. http://www.fallfiberfestival.org/sheepdog-trials.htm Why?
Bob and Al
First: They have Sheep Dog Trials. Yes, shepherds stand in the field and whistle a certain tune to make their dogs herd some sheep. It’s almost like being back in Ireland and watching this happen for real, on my cousin Mary Gilboy’s working farm. If the dog nips at a stray sheep, he’s eliminated. Just watching those crafty black and white dogs crouch down and start running three balls of wool through gates and fences made me think I’ve got to plan more exercise for Ms Bean.
Second: They have Sheep, Goats, Llamas and Alpacas! There were sheep I’d never heard of before, like Scottish Blackface Sheep from Braeburn Farm in Roseland. And oh do they have soulful eyes and the prettiest coats you ever did see! It’s nice to know these animals are living a good life, being bred for their beautiful fiber that is shorn in the Spring. Did you know that cashmere fiber is just the downy undercoat of a certain type of goat? And that it is eight times warmer than wool and one third lighter in weight?
Third: They have All Things to do with Fiber Arts! Weaving, spinning, knitting, crocheting, dyeing, hand-painting, pottery. Sue Henshaw is a potter who makes bowls that will skillfully display your yarn and keep two skeins separate next to your favorite knitting chair: http://www.suehenshawpottery.com
My friend DeeDee Greer’s husband Bill has been making small looms for hand weaving rugs and placemats with their alpaca rovings. I still think their Rivanna River Alpaca yarns are the yummiest.
Bob and Bill
Fourth: They have Kettle Corn! And speaking of munchies and fiber, and thinking of Bob and Al and his newspaper taxi, you probably heard about Cheech and Chong signing on with an ad agency to sell the health benefits of Fiber One brand brownies? No, well here it is Baby Boomers: http://www.fiberone.com/magicbrownie/ You’ve got to admit, this is comic genius.
MountainMornings 