Hurricane Rita reached Indiana Sunday morning, ahead of our plans to get grass seed and fertilizer down before it rained. Fortunately, the real rain didn’t commence until after noon, and we were only partially soaked and ready for a noon-time nap after all our work. After a frozen pizza/emergency food lunch, we went out to feed the llamas. Fred alarmed me when he said that Jimmy, aka, Got My Vote, was standing out in the rain and would not come in. I finished putting hay out for the girls, and walked out to the boy’s porch to see what was the matter. There was Jimmy, standing at the far end of the boy’s inner corral, soaking wet. At first I thought he was sick, and had segregated himself from the others. But his ears were up and he was staring intently at me. Then I thought perhaps one of the other males had been fighting with him and he was afraid to come in. I walked up to a safe distance, just where Jimmy felt his “personal space” started. I talked to him, and patted my thigh, encouraging him to follow me, which surprisingly, he did. He walked close behind me right up to where the roof downspout was cutting a muddy little river across the corral. Then we would go no further. He looked at that water with the same horrid fascination that I look at those big crunchy spiders that web on the side of our house this time of year. He then backed away and walked back to his safe spot, which I then understood was the high spot in the corral. I walked back out, and tried another way; under the pine trees. He happily followed me…to within about eight feet of the porch, where again, there was a tiny river flowing toward the drainage tile. It was obvious Jimmy was afraid to cross the water, even though it was not more than a mud puddle. He looked at me with sad eyes, water dripping from his bangs, as though asking for help with his delimma. I skirted past and behind him, and tried to herd him through the water, but this did not work either. Finally, since I was soaked already, I got behind and skooped my arm under his butt and heaved. He resisted and sidestepped. When his feet starting sliding and he realized I might actually push him into the water, he leaped—a good six feet, and almost made it to the porch. He pulled his hairy feet out of the mud and jumped to the dry porch, where all the other llamas sniffed him and his wet, sodden hair. But Jimmy made a bee-line to the hay, snuffling the empty feed dishes on the way. This interest in food confirmed that he was not sick. He had probably been grazing under the trees until after the rain started in earnest and closed off his return to the barn. Apparently his former home must have been on higher ground (Hard Rock?) where our recent hurricanes (Indiana has shared Dennis, Katrina and Rita so far this year!) did not threaten him with a wet corral!
fred
We couldn’t have asked for better weather; cloudy and temperatures near 80. Perfect for the “AWoolGathering” fiber festival at Young’s Jersey Dairy in Ohio! We shopped the large circus tents and outer venues, purchasing roving and Peruvian handicrafts, and getting many ideas for future fiber and weaving projects. The Dairy features a sit-down restaurant, large “snack bar” and wonderful black walnut ice cream as well as many other flavors. Picnic grounds and the “Utters and Putters” miniature golf course were popular as well. The Dairy kept its identity with painted cow statues, the favorite being the “Martha Stewart” cow with her over-alls filled with paint brushes, flowers in her hat, and ankle bracelets!
Besides satifying our fiber addiction, we also got to meet up with friends we haven’t seen all year. Marlene and I compared our recent yarns returned from the mill, and discussed future processing plans, including a mohair/llama mix we have in the works. We got to say hello to Dawn with her llamas and spinning wheel on display. We spent time shopping and visiting with Tom, Judy and Mitzi, and caught up on all the llamas and their babies, and plans for the fiber and upcoming shows. Our friends then led the way to Yellow Springs, where we shopped the artsey town stores on a wonderful Saturday afternoon. We all made purchases at La Llama Place, a boutique specializing in llama, alpaca and imports from South America. Judy even got permission to buy the three foot tall llama on the grounds that it was one they would never have to clean up after!
By the time we left, we were tired from all the walking. We planned to get home before dark, but instead took a detour to Jan and Bob’s house. I have to apologize for not taking photos during this outing, especially of this beautiful old mansion that they are restoring. It is a two story brick farmhouse built during the mid 1800’s. They have added a matching two-story brick addition, and are busy installing a new kitchen and refurbishing the entire house with granite sinks, countertops and shower enclosures. They have selected antique woodwork and cabinets to compliment the existing house. The tall windows overlook the llama pastures and new barns. My favorite new structure on the property is their carriage house-style garage, with six overhead doors! Absolutely fantastic. It only pales in comparison to the brick mansion which will be a showpiece when the restoration is complete. I had heard about this house for two years, but I only now can appreciate how Jan and Bob were so taken with it; it is magnificent. I wish it had not taken us so long to get there to see it!
This summer we have purchased three new llamas to compliment our breeding and show program:
Star Adonis (photo at 10 months) is a suri Kantu son who has already produced several incredible suri offspring, several of which have been sold to show programs even before they were weaned! We have been looking for a suri male with the size, substance and structure to match our breeding goals; after a long search, Adonis has filled that role. We co-own him with Judi and Bryan Brook, and we are looking forward to babies of our own next year. He is also being offered for a limited number of outside breedings: call or email for more information!
Hardrock’s Got My Vote caught my eye even before we saw him at the Goldrush Sale, and we were pleased to be the lucky bidder that got this stunning, colorful male. GMV’s stocky bone, straight topline, and wonderful ears mimic his colorful sire, Campaign, who is starting to attract a lot of attention with his outstanding offspring. GMV has almost earned his ALSA ROM with very limited showing, and was also Third Place at the Celebrity World Futurity and the Millenim Magic Futurity. We are looking forward to showing Got My Vote and then crossing him with our females for some show winning, colorful silky crias!
Riley-Sassafras Lady is the daughter of the Grand National Champion, Amigo de Peru. Her dam is the equally well known BAL Copy Me, by Silver Peru. Sassy is a huge female, with suberb ears and fine, cinnamon-colored fiber. She has the size and substance that we appreciate. She is bred to the suri ALSA Halter Champion, Kordero, for a spring baby that should be one to watch!