June 22,
2005
June 22,
2005
So much has happened since last I wrote. The Snake River Fiber Festival in
Idaho Falls was a wonderful experience. I drove the big black truck up there
all by myself on Friday. Luckily, I dawdled and was still at home to see Aristotle
born at 11:35. He is the son of Athena, hence the Greek name. I arrived in time
for a birthday party given by our spinners at the hotel. There were four of
us having birthdays that weekend. It has been quite obvious that many spinners
have May birthdays and we are now looking into it.
The festival gave me the opportunity to see old friends, make new ones, take
classes, win ribbons on fiber arts, and spin a lot. I am grateful to the hardworking
guild members who put it on.
Becky Merrill was kind enough to take several items to Denver for their big
show, and we won three ribbons there. I have to say that they had the most beautiful
ones this year.
May was full of baby watch. Orion was born to Pale Moon May 28th and little
Tracy's Melody was born to Arielle on our grandson, Tracy's birthday, May 29th.
This happened while we were actually attending his party in Wanship! Cassie
finally presented little Ajax on June 4th, right in the middle of the national
show.
We were busy getting ready for the national show here the last half of May.
Some of us met the barn manager to place the stalls on the 28th, and then we
had a great time helping with check in on Wednesday, June 1st. I had graduation
for my school on Thursday, while Clark attended several valuable seminars.
That evening, I was too tired to get out of the car. Clark came to the garage
and told me I had to be across town at the Expo Center at 5:45 am the next morning
for a TV interview! This meant getting up at 4:15 am, which is "zero o'clock"
by my time. I couldn't believe it, but it was OK, because I was too tired to
be nervous.
We had three wonderful days at the show, meeting many local people who are now
interested in alpacas. The workers at the Expo Center said we were the nicest
and most cooperative bunch in their experience. We thought so too, of course.
I met the owner of Canyon Sports, who has taught skiing at Alta for many years,
so was interested in the fact that I named our ranch for my love of Alta and
the feeling that alpaca fiber is as light as mist.
A couple named Hemingway was very interested in our Hemingway crias. Donna Johnson
and Rick Gargons, from Shreveport, LA, bought our beautiful Michelangelo and
Tritan. What a wonderful time we all had. I especially enjoyed sharing it with
our grandchildren, whose pen was just on the next aisle. We also enjoyed winning
two blue, one red, and one white ribbon on our fiber arts. My felted bowl has
now earned four blue ribbons and will retire.
We had two more events after the show. The Wasatch Woolpack Handspinners met
here for the installation of new officers and a pot luck dinner on the 15th.
It was a beautiful evening and the crias put on a real rodeo for us as we enjoyed
the panoramic view of the Wasatch Mountains. This group is so special to us,
and the friendship is, as they say, priceless.
The second event was "Shearing Day". Last Saturday, Scott Kendall
sheared 32 alpacas and 4 llamas. We had help from Kevin and Jeffers, Deb, the
Merrills, Mike and Randy, Cindy and Mike D., Angel, and especially, our son-in-law,
Nathan, who always watches that I don't over do on my energy.
A great time was had by all (I hope) and we shared food and fellowship as we
tried to tell the alpacas apart from the deck afterwards. I love the shorn look
and the wild topknots. Scott was so gentle when he sheared the new babies. They
were not even scared, and I noticed a few little extra pats he gave them.
I have once again written too much, but missed sharing. Thanks for your kind
comments. Keep reading.
Sit, Spin, and Watch the 'Pacas.
Janet
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Janet and Clark Otterness
Alta Mist Alpacas
13892 South 7300 West
Herriman, Utah 84096
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phone: 801-572-9831
cell: 801-557-4162
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