It’s been a dark week here in Colorado and I suspect that we could all use a bit of a break from the tales of wildfire and devastation. So, what could be more fun than sheep? Or more specifically, Blacksheep Gathering, which is a gathering of people who breed sheep for their fiber, as well as fiber processing people, yarn makers and independent dyers.
It’s a little sad that as I went through the photos I took while in Portland, I realized that while I have probably two dozen photos of sheep, I did not take a single photo of the relatives we went to visit. I guess I really wasn’t feeling all that well, since I didn’t even think to get the camera out.
Blacksheep Gathering isn’t actually held in Portland, but rather a couple of hours away in Eugene. Eugene seems like a fun place. It’s a college town with lots of neat little shops and restaurants. It even has a local weaving and spinning studio, which sounds like a place where I could spend a lot of time and money…
But, back to the sheep. Part of Blacksheep Gathering is a competition where the breeders bring the best examples from their flocks. There is judging and prizes are awarded for the best sheep. Some of the sheep seemed less than excited about the waiting and I’m sure would much rather have been out wandering through the pasture munching on grass. Luckily for me, they were all pretty tolerant about having their pictures taken, although I’m enough of a farm girl not to try to reach into the pens with the rams. (Yes, believe it or not they did need signs for that).
This girl watched me carefully, especially when I knelt down with the camera to get to eye level.
Some of the sheep got a quick touch-up before their time in the show ring.
More interested in hay than people with cameras. Must be tasty.
Now that’s what I call long wool! I’ll bet that would be fun to spin.
Initially Mama did not want us near her little one and tried to hide it in the corner, but baby was pretty insistent about being hungry. What’s a mom to do?
Oh, I do love a good livestock show. It reminds me of the county fair in the little town where I grew up in Iowa and all the years I took my kids to the local fair. I think I dragged them through all the livestock buildings more for my own sake than for theirs.
Of course, there were also lots of vendors that all needed to be visited and a certain amount of fiber and yarn was purchased. In fact, there were visits to several local yarn shops as well. You’d be proud of me because I managed to get it all into my carry-ons although it took a lot of careful packing!
What loot did I get, you say? Why, I’m glad you asked! That will be the post for tomorrow!
Happy weekend, everyone!
mardeeknits 