The first issue is that I lost the bracelet that William bought for my at Winthrop Blues over 2 years ago. I had just taken a photo of it for my September 16 post. I did find it in bed but haven’t been able to repair to be secure again on my wrist. Since I do not want to lose it, I think it will stay in my jewelry box for now. I still have my medical alert bracelet though.
The hens are really stepping up with a good variety of eggs.
I moved the cows out to the back 4 acres. They seem to be enjoying it.
I did the usual animal chores this morning but finally got to trimming the goats’ hooves (I am about 1 week late). Then I remembered last year when I trimmed hooves in September I thought I might shear Mr. D, our Nigora goat. I waited and then quickly he felted. So I took the time and used scissors to cut his fiber off of him. It should be warm enough for him to be OK.
Here is the fiber I got. Now I need to sort out how best to remove the guard hairs to spin it.
Then I strained the fermenting blackberry must and moved it into a carboy. Then I pressed the fermenting grape must. It also went into a carboy.
After lunch we headed to our friends Denise and Shimon to collect apples for Tom to press. But we also we given these lovely tomatoes and much needed egg cartons.
Then we headed to friends Colette and William to pick up an alpaca. His name is Fidalgo, and they obtained him when he was around 4 years old, 10 years ago. The last of their sheep had died, and he was lonely. So they asked if we could provide him a home and surprisingly Tom agreed. So here he is on our pasture for the first time.
I was able to persuade him to walk to the sheep’s field.
He is meeting my sheep for the first time.
Unfortunately the sheep were scared of him and ran away. Apparently they forgot that they used to live with a llama.
But I think with time, they will get used to each other. He will need shearing and toe trimming. Hoping that I may get some lovely black alpaca fiber from him.
P.S. I finished this book. I really liked it and would recommend it. It is a fictional story about a Chinese-American boy falling in love with a Japanese-American girl in Seattle in the 1940s. It covers the internments and the local jazz scene as well. The Panama Hotel is prominently featured as well. Then it follows the storylines through to the 1980s.
Oh my ❗️ that animal looks like it has antlers, the eye doc cant do any thing for my eyes any more 😉
I am sorry about your eyes. No antlers though.
I got my magnifying glass out and found out that was a tree with a house in the back ground 😉
Glad you were able to sort out the “antlers”.
Do you know if Fidalgo is suri or huacaya? He looks to have a LOT of fiber. I’ve listened to that book; it was very good as were others by that author.
I do not know. They said he hasn’t been sheared in 3 years. His fiber is pretty felted. I am glad you enjoyed that book.
Hi I think looking back into the far away mists from when I got him she said he was a Suri. We used to shear him every other year and he has always had a very thick coat.
William
Thanks. That is what the consensus seems to be. I look forward to shearing him and seeing what might be salvageable. It is certainly soft and pretty. He is a gorgeous animal.
I’ve already gone through this post twice. It’s interesting! Your bracelet is really pretty! I’m glad you were able to find it.
Fidalgo is beautiful! I’ll show my daughter his pictures. Was he chasing the cows, or just wanting to be close to them? Alpacas have wonderful fleece! It’s too bad he hadn’t been sheared every year.
Take care!
I am glad you liked the post. I think Fidalgo was just trying to get close to the sheep. In the end he just stood in the pasture and the sheep stood in another corner. Hopefully today they will be closer together. His fleece is really soft to the touch. I will let him get more comfortable here before I try to shear him. Fortunately I still have our llama stanchion that I can use. I used to shear the llamas every two years but not sure about alpacas. I have some learning to do.
Once again I want to thank you both for giving Fidelio a home where he can have friends to be with. He really adores sheep so once they get used to him all will be fine.
You are welcome. I thought his name was Fidalgo though. Correct me please. I think it will work out. He is just hanging out now. They will get used to him.