animal kingdom / DAILY FARM LIFE / life on thomas run

spinning

building storm

I know I'm going to have a hard time going to sleep tonight.

I just got an update in my inbox from Susan's Martha's Vineyard Fiber Farm blog. Seriously, this might be the biggest-ever blog-land giveaway. You can go check it out, but the nuts and bolts are this: She's giving away a small starter flock of angora goats as well as a custom-built run-in shed, shipped to the winner.

And it's an essay contest.

last night

And if you've been following my blog for any length of time, chances are you probably know that I grew up raising lambs. And I have a serious sweet spot for them. And of all the things that I want to add to the Thomas Run menagerie–lambs are number one, above and beyond, top of my list. (And for the record, they're at the top of the girls' list, too. Even above a pony. Do you know we often take the long way home, just to pass our favorite sheep farm?)

But these aren't sheep. They're goats. What do I know about goats? Even goats that look like sheep.

But a starter flock?! And a shed?! And Susan will even throw in some consulting to help get you started?!

thomas run

And did you know there's a spinning wheel sitting up in my grandmother's bedroom?

And did you know that my one goal for this winter was to finally sit down with her and ask her to teach me how to spin? I missed that chance.

But there are still other ways to learn. I know.

But then, reality comes crashing in. And I remember that we still have no fencing.

And we still have no money for fencing.

And we still own that stupid house in Wisconsin that is sucking all the money out of our pockets.

And I think that maybe this just isn't my time.

But I'm still thinking.

Gosh, am I thinking….

building storm

I know I'm going to have a hard time going to sleep tonight.

I just got an update in my inbox from Susan's Martha's Vineyard Fiber Farm blog. Seriously, this might be the biggest-ever blog-land giveaway. You can go check it out, but the nuts and bolts are this: She's giving away a small starter flock of angora goats as well as a custom-built run-in shed, shipped to the winner.

And it's an essay contest.

last night

And if you've been following my blog for any length of time, chances are you probably know that I grew up raising lambs. And I have a serious sweet spot for them. And of all the things that I want to add to the Thomas Run menagerie–lambs are number one, above and beyond, top of my list. (And for the record, they're at the top of the girls' list, too. Even above a pony. Do you know we often take the long way home, just to pass our favorite sheep farm?)

But these aren't sheep. They're goats. What do I know about goats? Even goats that look like sheep.

But a starter flock?! And a shed?! And Susan will even throw in some consulting to help get you started?!

thomas run

And did you know there's a spinning wheel sitting up in my grandmother's bedroom?

And did you know that my one goal for this winter was to finally sit down with her and ask her to teach me how to spin? I missed that chance.

But there are still other ways to learn. I know.

But then, reality comes crashing in. And I remember that we still have no fencing.

And we still have no money for fencing.

And we still own that stupid house in Wisconsin that is sucking all the money out of our pockets.

And I think that maybe this just isn't my time.

But I'm still thinking.

Gosh, am I thinking….

24 comments on “spinning”

  1. Oh I love sheep and little pygmy goats with all my heart, but really, YOU deserve to have them, with that beautiful land for them to graze, and grow nice thick long coats for you . . . I SO hope you win. I SO hope it. The fencing will work itself out in the end. Just win ! . . .

  2. Oh heavens. Just the words… “starter flock.”Well it just SOUNDS right!I’m getting a little giddy at the thought of all the photos of girls and goats and oh heavens… just ENTER! If you win we’ll take up a fencing collection, we’ll just pass the hat, okay????

  3. Oh, Molly. You deserve so much, just for wishing all of this. We just spent a week with goats-gosh, I’m such a suburban dolt that I can’t come up with what kind now-the girls will know but they’re asleep. And they were so sweet and sociable and CLEAN, and really, the best animals. Anna and my mom fed the baby a BOTTLE every morning. I know you’re talking sheep, here, too, but what I’m saying is: you find a way to follow your heart here. You don’t need me to tell you that, but still. Yes.

  4. Fencing?! You are worried about fencing when you could have a flock of goats?! Now, think wild boars, the large, ugly, tusked, furry wild pigs: we built ourselves a fence to keep wild boars OUT 9 years ago, with very little cost and surprisingly little work, and it’s still standing! Fencing is not an issue, really, but goats are more demanding than chickens, and you do need to consider THAT carefully. Then you consider how you can make it a little profitable for yourselves. We had 4 goats and 4 sheep as our closest neighbors until 2 years ago: personally I prefer goats to sheep, even when they are temperamental. Now, if you ask me, on top of my list, even above a rotary tiller, is a donkey: no good for wool or cheese making, I’ll admit, but so good for weeds and unwanted grass:)!

  5. molly, they’re small and you could start with small moveable fencing. a very good friend here raises them and manages just fine. heather is right, it’s so do-able. it never hurts to try. give it a go! you get my vote!

  6. What an awesome giveaway! I wanted to tell you that I took a one day spinning class at Clover Hill Yarn shop in Catonsville, MD (it’s about 45 minutes south on 95 from us (rt 543). It was a great class and just a few hours on a Saturday. They are right next to a quilt shop and a needlework shop.

  7. plus, if she wants them to go to a good home, she may have some fencing ideas and options. i know i’m fussy where mine go. and really…the pictures of Thomas Run? hello?

  8. yes. write. the essay. now. now now now. the fence will find a way. (where is that last photo taken? that’s where i need to paint next time.)

  9. write the essay!!!! I need to go look at it to see what the topic is, but you are good enough, that is for sure.

    Should I get them???? HA HA HA, you know where I live, that would be HILARIOUS.

    Thanks for coming over today. We had fun.

  10. So I am tempted….but you hit it on the NOSE!!!FENCING!!!what a pain in the butt,we just got 4 lambs and that’s our biggest problem…fencing.because soon the snow will blow in and the 2 polynet fences we have are NOT going to cut it.I might check it out anyway…Molly, YOU could be resourceful enough to find some temp fencing. Spinning would suit you….you’ll just want to get a few lambs for some nice wool to add to that mohair!!!good luck!

  11. Molly,

    Write the essay – go for it follow your dream – reverse Field of Dreams “if they come you will build it” v.s. “build it they will come”. I went over to check it out what an awesome pay if forward, they are so sweet –

  12. Good luck with that essay. You write SO beautifully, you should be a shoe-in! btw, it is so fun to “watch” someone live my childhood dream. A farm and a flock of your own – how awesome!

  13. Molls,I just finished reading your last three posts, plus, I followed the link to your post about Mr. Ardinger. What a beautiful thing the music you two created was, and now you are passing it on to your girls. First, I feel like I missed a huge piece of your life when we were girls growing up. I vaguely remember you going for your lessons, but I just didn’t realize how very very important music was to you. Especially because music was just something that I liked, not my particular passion. But like you said in that post, you never know what someone has within…Second, it is so wonderful to me how unplugged, yet connected, your family is. I really think you are giving your children the best of both the old and new worlds. Keep up the good work, it’s already paying off.*smooches*kk

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