SEASON'S
BLEATINGS!
Welcome
to the February 2005 issue of Seasons Bleatings! I just love
this time of year ! Nature teases us with first alittle winter
and then a hint of spring, the sheep and goats are bursting with new life
waiting to be born, the rabbits "wake up" after a quiet winter and dance
about in their cages, the first tentative shoots of green are found peeking under the
melting snow... it is a time of hope and never fails to lift my spirits.
February
is also the time when the bald eagles migrate down the Mississippi valley, gathering
by the thousands near Pere Marquette Park near Alton , Illinois. I took a trip
with some friends to see this amazing sight and it was a wonderful day. On a bluff
near Alton and facing the Mississippi is this fearsome image that was etched
into the bluff by natives and dates back to the days when the mastodon
still wandered this area.
It
is called a Piasa (pie-a-saw)... a legendary bird with scales like a snake
and horns like a deer. It was said to be able to fly off with a full
grown deer (or full grown man) in its talons. I'm glad we don't have them
any more.... I'm not sure the guard dogs would be up for THAT challenge.
Possums in the dog food is more their cup of tea.
In
this issue you will find pictures and a winter chili recipe from the
Beginning Spinning workshop that was held in January. My thanks to the friends
who trusted me with their wheels for the day. In fact, one of those wheels is
for sale and is offered in this newsletter. If you are looking for a used wheel
, this is a nice one!
On
the dairy page, you will find pictures of "the ladies" and a few that are for
sale this year; plus a promising yearling Alpine buck .
On
the rabbit page there is a picture of newborn baby blues, plus some breeding tips
for angora rabbits. A February workshop on Angora Rabbit Maintenance is planned
for Feb 19th.
And
yes, alittle more poetry for the season... and a list of upcoming events
Enjoy!
Kathy
Barger-Harbert
Herbal Maid Fiber
Farm
