Earth Day 2025

Well, to be honest, every day is Earth Day to me but I understand that is it nice to have a day designated in your honor! So Happy day to you Earth. I wish you were being treated better than you are.

My little portion of the world, the part that I am lucky enough to be entrusted to care for, is coming to life. I have been so busy working on elements that will make our guest cabin special, I haven't taken much time to appreciate our 96 acres. But, this afternoon, Dave and I took some time to wander down to the creek in the holler that borders our south boundary line. Spring is in full swing. By swing I mean the dang temperatures. I shouldn't complain but, geesh, can you make up your mind. In the last week I have gone to the barn for early morning feeding with my electric vest under my thermal coveralls. I have also gone out in leggings and a t-shirt. I am doing more laundry than normal because I'm starting out with layers, dropping down to the lightest version, then layer up again all in a 16 hour time frame!

The barn is currently full of naked alpacas and grumpy, pregnant goats. That's right....that is what happens in the Spring. The shearers were here on Easter to remove nearly 50 pounds of fiber from my 8 alpacas! They went from huge, puff balls to something that looks a bit like a 3-year-old's stick drawings of giraffes! As for grumpy mommies to be, Avena is a first-time momma and is pretty tired of feeling like a blimp. Nilly is working her third pregnancy and doesn't seem to phased. Fingers crossed they have safe deliveries soon with healthy babies.

Morgan, Santana and Eli patiently waiting for the barber! Salem was being shy and didn't want his photo taken.

Then the (Thora, Avianna, Orla and Honey) their turn at the salon.

And here they are after their stylist finished with them. This is our third year to have Luke and his help come in the Spring. I was busy helping so didn't get many photos but imagine a 6'6" brute of a guy with the temperament of a gentle giant wrangling 150-200 pound, not-so-happy-to-be touched, alpacas! He PICKS THEM UP and carries them to the shearing mat. Rope shackles are looped around their ankles and he gently lays them on the tarp where they are stretched out. This allows him to shear them in 7-10 minutes each! While they aren't terribly happy about the experience, Santana is a TOTAL drama queen, they are not harmed. This is why I hire a professional. For me to do it would take hours and hours, the fleece would be in tatters and the poor beasts, and I, would be traumatized. From 8 alpacas I have about 35-40 lbs of fiber that may get spun into yarn.

Yes, these are naked boy alpacas staring at naked girl alpacas! Speak up if you are a fiber artist. Skiens from 2 years ago are still available for $23, 200 yrds, DK 2-ply.