Surreal

I always debate about putting depressing things on my blog. Since I use it as a reminder, I have decided to include this episode. Maybe it will help someone else.

This evening I went out and picked up the grey angora rabbit doe, because she needed to be plucked. It is too hot and her wool is starting to shed. I realized that she was pregnant and thought I would lighten her coat a little. As I started carrying her back to the house, I felt something hit my leg. I looked down and saw a baby rabbit. It did not look like it was ready to be born, so I immediately took the doe back to her hutch. I was hoping that, if there were others, they might make it. I left her alone, since I was making her nervous and went back out an hour later. She had 9 more babies and only two of them were gasping for air. Alas, they did not make it either. Too depressing for words.

I have not figured out what to do with the rabbits. They do not do well with the heat and only once managed to carry a baby to term. I did not plan this breeding, so it should not depress me.

I am still waiting on two Shetland/Border Leicesters to deliver. They are now huge and starting to worry me. They were way too hot today and it cannot be good for them. Their sides have not really sunken in, but they are starting to dig in the ground to make themselves more comfortable. I have resigned myself to just discovering that they have given birth. I keep going out every two hours (except during the middle of the night, since they don't deliver then), but I can't predict what they are going to do. Based on sizes, I would say twins, if not triplets. Time will tell.

Fire was arson

The police were all over this case and caught two 18 year old boys that had been partying at the established apartments. I figured arson when I saw it. Since there was life endangerment, as well as $4 million in damages, they have pretty much ruined their lives.

I am glad that the buildings near us were not set on fire. We could have lost our house. Two houses in the subdivision had heat damage.

The builders are aready back on the undamaged apartments.

Making choices

Since just about all of the kids have been born, I am starting to look at this year's batch and trying to decide, which to keep and which to sell. I have already decided to keep Precious's doe, Cinnamon's doe, Mint's doe, Palo Seco, Barbara's doe and one of each of Jalapeno, Absynthe, and Latte's does. I will need to sell a few yearling does, so if you are looking for show quality does and bucks, send me an email. I also want to sell Palo Seco's mother, Caramel. She has lovely hair, so I hate to send her off to auction. She will be priced as a pet and should not be bred, unless you want to bottle feed.

Fire just a little too close

I took this picture at 4:30 A.M. I got a call at 4 from a neighbor down the road telling me that the apartments across the street from me were on fire. I opened the front door and took one look and started to get Kyle up. Marc was still home, which I did not realize. You can see the height of the building on the right (which is the one still standing in the picture below.) There were 3 buildings that tall in the now open space. The second stories were still on the buildings that have been flattened and the flames were shooting really high into the air. It was really scary that in half an hour those buildings were just gone.
The two remaining buildings are too close for comfort, if you ask me.
The above apartment building was one of the already inhabited ones from 4 years ago. One whole end of it is burnt out. It looks like the fires started in the new construction and spread to the old building. I personally think the buildings are much too close together and too high. I did not realize how much of the view they had taken up.
The smell of smoke is everywhere, so I have the air conditioner on high to suck it out. I found large ashes in the animal area. Sure am glad the wind was not blowing. It would have hit us easily. Marc needs to check the roof tonight - just in case! It will make me feel better.

The animals were fine and none panicked. I figured that the llamas would scream, if they felt threatened.

The TUSD school group came out to drop spindle today. Of the eight, 4 were fairly good. I can always pick out the ones who are scientific/more precise! They will be back next week to wet felt. All of them will like that!

Challenge for THSG

We were challenged to create something that reflects the southwestern desert (Arizona). I chose to create a yarn that reflects the landscape. The above is one side of a batt that I used for a portion of the yarn.
This is the backside of the batt that was on the carder.The two sides of the batts show all of the colors that I used in different ways to create the final yarn.
A closeup of the yarn while still on the bobbin. I included cowboy boots and hats, beads, bows, and ribbons as well as varying textures to recreate the idea of southwestern themes.
The white coils are the clouds, the oranges and reds are the Birds of Paradise, the beads represent the mines, the hats and boots are for the cowboys, the purples, oranges, and blues are for the gorgeous sunsets.
I ended up with 148 yards and had a blast making it. Don't know, if I will be able to sell it, since it is truly one of a kind and fits in my Hidden Treasure series. You don't really know how much is in it until you start using it.

Koolaid dyeing

The kids from the local school came out and dyed these batches of wool and mohair locks. They will card them on Thursday and then use some for felting and some for drop spindling.

Baby Goslings

This is Ugly sitting on her nest. She had 4 babies at the time. She now has 6. Her daughter from two years ago is now sitting on a second nest next to her. They are downright nasty in their protection of the eggs and babies. They are turning out to be very good mothers. Fillip, the spitting llama is on the side of the fence and finds it very entertaining.
The other geese are keeping watch on the far side of the fence.You always know that a gosling is hatching, because all of the females are on the inside until it is done.

It is spring here and the palo verdes are in full bloom. So are my allergies!