The junk drawer blog post.

Lots of little things, but didn't have enough to make a long post, so there might be a few little non sequiturs, but things that I can get onto the blog...

I guess the fiber we should be getting for the computer is SLOOOOOOOOWLY happening.  I had been under the impression it would be here by the time school started.   Um. No...

But...

It was about 90 or so, and humidity was hideous, when I went out.  There was a gent looking at the power poles, and he had a contract sign on the vehicle.  I asked what he was up to, and he told me he was finding out if the poles could handle another line, he thought it was BigGreenLogo company.  I said, well, we are supposed to get fiber from LittleLocalnet... He shrugged, well, uh, whoever it is, yes, that's what I am checking for.  I let him know about the two "oddball" lines near our property, he thanked me, and I went back in the house.  I pitied him needing to do that... But it does sound like they are working toward us having... Something! 

I had my Dad over the other day, and he was glancing over across the couch.  I asked what he was seeing, and he said it was my "eruption light" with a grin.  I think that's a cooler name than lava lamp, myself!  But I think the original probably has a better foothold...  :)

My cat Buzz did an odd thing.  This was intentional, as far as I can figure, but I've never seen a cat do it before.  I had been playing with her, and she must have wanted me to pet her belly. (That is the one cat that I have never seen object to a belly rub.  Most only tolerate, or in a few cases, try to tear off as many fingers as they can filet...)  Anyway, I was petting her neck, all the sudden, she dips her head, and does what I can only call a forward somersault, landing upside down on her back, where she then pulls my hand to her belly.  (Which is a hazard, for me, she has very, VERY sharp claws!) And after a VERY careful extraction of my hand, she did indeed want said rub...

It is the 10th, I believe, of September.  I have given up complaining about how early items for holidays show up in the stores.  But I came into the substation... And someone had decorated the front counter with Witches, candles, and all the nonce that would show Halloween.  Bleah.  I moved them to the side counter, I am sorry, October first, sure.  But geez, I find it just a bit early... Plus, I am not fond of spiders, which was also in the mix. Ick. Meh...

I have been working on changing my diet, no chocolate or Coke, as they trigger my Rosacea.  I am surprised.  The chocolate hasn't been much of a problem... But, boy, oh boy, it is really a nuisance, I have wanted a Coke, several times.  And having other sodas just doesn't quite cut it.  I must say, it's helped.  I think the "Flexitarian diet" that I have been on, has helped, too.  But sometimes, I just want a Coke and a bag of Cheetos.  But I don't.  Sigh.  

Ok, that's it for cleaning out the junk drawer...

Goodbye, but not past tense...

Well, by this time tomorrow, I will have no llamas. 

I really love the girls, but have found, I can't care for them well enough.  More accurately, I can't do the maintenance, toes, and shearing, they need on a regular basis.  Husband has pitched in, but doesn't like to. 

I had a gentleman that was just perfect for the job, and was going to call him.

Then he had an accident, and can't shear anymore.

I have been trying to find someone to shear my 2 girls.  Most of the responses are on the order of, ONLY TWO?  With a look that is similar to finding dog excrement on your shoe.  When I do get someone that will, the price is... Well, a lot more than what the gentleman had been asking. A lot more.

And we have to pay insurance, because they are considered livestock.

Then there is the fiber.  I have been unable to get the fiber made into roving.  I have several bags worth (waaaay more than 3 bags full, sir) and when I call, most of the processors say up front, no, we aren't taking any.  Or, if they do, they want to do something other than I want. 

I have one that is so close by, but was told llama fiber is only good for rug yarn, and that's all that company will make out of it.  But, I didn't want yarn, wanted to spin the fiber myself, (sort of the point as a spinner...)  They also said the guard hairs can't be removed.  I am not sure if they meant that company couldn't, or if they meant just generally.  But you can remove them, and the resulting fiber is wonderful, not "scratchy rug yarn" at all.

So, after a great deal of thought, some conversation with Husband, and staring at my heavily in need of shearing girls, I started looking.  I wanted them to go to a home with sheep, or other llamas.  Considering I have been seeing ads where people wanted them for meat, I was a bit picky.* 

I have had people tell me they want a llama to guard their chickens, or ducks.  I try to explain that llamas need other animals like another llama, or a cow or sheep, they don't see birds as fellow "herd animals". 

Zing!  As it goes through one ear and flies supersonic out the other...

So, I found a gent, and he, as it turns out, owns a llama ranch in Washington.  I really don't want to give the girls up, but this guy has raised llamas for years, and they will be with a big herd.  They will be able to be cared for the way they need to be, and have more llamas to interact with...  (I hope that's a good thing, in Dolly's case, she is an Alpha, and does NOT like to be second when there is food around.  Toni, on the other hand is mostly, Yeah, whatever...  So I guess it works out.) 

So, even though I know it's the right thing, (right now we are going into 80 and 90 degree weather, and they are very fuzzy, think of a heavy parka in Phoenix midday), I am feeling... downhearted.  I guess I am trying to look at it, they need someone who can do a good job, and I tried to find that someone.  I guess that is the important thing. 

But I will still miss them. 





*Yes, llamas can be used as a meat product.  I just don't want them to be used as food. 

Yak, yak, yak, YIPE!

(Yep, late, but still, it's up now... I guess I lost track of time...)

I love to go to fiber festivals.  I usually get my quota of spinning fiber, and yarn.  It's a cash only thing for me, when the $ is gone, I am finished.

Well, with the spending...  Not the looking.

So I've found that it's absolutely a great time for me to check out the animal barns...  I have found that I know several of the sheep owners, goat owners, and get to check out the rabbits, and some exotics...

Like- a yak that was there one year.  I walked up, just a bit shy of something that large.  It was bigger than most male cattle I'd been around, and was well armored with a set of horns that were wider than said yak.

I was watching the animal, when the owner of said yak showed up...  She was telling me all about it, that it was a friendly animal, and was not one to be aggressive, and the fiber was awesome!  Come and feel it!

Tentatively, I walked up to the stall, and stroked the back of the yak, to let it know I was there.  It turned to look at me, sniffed slightly, then went back to the hay bale it was mowing though.  I talked with the gal about the care and feeding of yaks, when the owner, realizing I hadn't felt the fiber (the part used on a yak is the protective undercoat), she patted, then said, "dig in, feel that wonderful fiber!"  (Not a bit of a salesman, no siree...)

But, I will admit, I was looking at it with some thoughts... And so I, indeed, "dug in", pushing the hair apart, and sticking my hand down in the soft warmth of the undercoat.  She was right, it was just lovely soft!  I rubbed it some more... And suddenly got a right cross of a slightly dirty yak tail in my face, knocking off my glasses!

Turns out, yaks can be tickled... My glasses were not damaged, and after a quick run to the restroom, my face was okay, but, I decided to let someone else raise yaks.

I think Husband probably appreciates that more than anyone.

*******

Had a busy day at the substation... I can't talk about the specifics, but I am glad I was able to help, but sad to know that the kind of help rendered was necessary.  

But, I did have one funny thing I can share.  The Sheriff's Office has Community (Compensatory) Service work crews that are picked up and dropped off there.  At the usual drop off time, I saw a trickle of folks jump out of the work van, and leave.  And a few that stood around talking, smoking, or getting bikes unlocked to leave.  I took no notice, until a gal came in asking to use the phone about 15 minutes later.

Not unusual either.  She called, checking if X was going to pick her up, sighed when she heard the beep, and went back out.  

I finished my day, and she was still out there, about a half hour later.  I went out the back, to my vehicle, and there was a car parked behind me.  This WAS unusual, and I kept my eye on the guy.  He waved, and then poked his head out the window, "Hey, was the crew truck here?"  

"Yes, about a half hour ago."

"Huh.  I guess I missed her."

"A gal, round faced, wearing this 'n that clothes, name Pickmeup?"

An awestruck look, if I ever saw one, and he said, "Uh, yeah... Do you know-"

I pointed, "She's out front, has been waiting for you-"

He made the fastest 3 point turn I've ever seen, and was out front at near warp speed... 

Oopsie!!!