they do remember

Katie, dear friend and prior shepherdess,

is home for a visit from Rwanda after a year away.

she came for the weekend here on the farm.

a treat for us all.

Katie was most excited to visit the flock,

as she had done chores daily, helped with lambing
and written wonderful tales about the flock.

she was much loved for the two plus years she lived on the farm.

the first evening she and I did chores together
and it was a happy reunion.

 the following afternoon

Crystal was waiting for her own visit. she gets around

but the arthritis keeps her less mobile than the rest.

Crystal looked, listened and accepted Katie back into the fold

with no hesitation.

it's been reported before but now I see

it first hand. sheep can remember up to

200 faces for up to 2 years time.

it was a sweet reunion we had.

seeing red

The last workshop of the summer with Michele Wipplinger of Earthues,
focused on natural red dyes: cochineal, madder, lac and quebracho red.
Michele brought textiles from around the globe to draw inspiration from.

She always sets a beautiful stage.



even the farm barns got to brag this year.



With a bit of careful suggestion and guidance

                                                students began to express red on cloth.

Some with brush, some with screens and stencils.

Natural red dye pigments and washes

were applied.

Amidst the creativity

it was Old Home Day in Westmoreland

with a grand country parade!

One study in reds started

and finished.

Some pieces went into indigo.

Below the final result from the beginnings above.

 

Thank you Roxanne Ecklund for sharing photos

of your work...

The morning after class finished

the feel of autumn swept in.

 

I see a tinge of red in the mist.