Hello from NM, all my friends. This is not a question, but a shared, no "sheared" experience! First, I have to say, as new as I am to the C'side Forum, I have begun to regard all of you as my extended family of friends, no matter diff's of opinion or religions, etc. I am so grateful for the diversion of like-minded homesteader-types in my working world... alas, I AM at work, and can't wait for lunch or breaks to delve into the Forum again...

My purpose here is to share with you this past weekend's Great Goat Shearing Event. I'd invited folks from the office to my little farmette to witness the fall shearing of my 7 Angora goats, and while we had them down, trimmed feet, wormed, and de-loused. My husband, whom I thought would just stand and watch, actually was recruited by the shearer into trimming feet when he handed him the trimmers and said, "OK, Chris, go for it"! And, although he was SLOW AS CHRISTMAS... did a good job and actually enjoyed being part of it.

It was almost like a petting zoo for adults. I encouraged people to wander around and see the chickens and even go in with the goats. My little Nubian wether, David, was a sure-fire winner with everyone. Being a bottle baby, he is NO stranger to humans. Another crowd-pleaser was Sam, a 200# Saanen wether. He amazes people by his shear size ("is that a cow?") and is friendly, to boot. At least until four people had to tackle him to get him down and trim his feet! However, I forgot to worm him that day, so tried it the next day. It took twice.. both times he dragged me around the pen. But, I got it done.. he was miffed at me, I was not too bruised, we lived to tell.

The man that sheared for me is retired, but had raised and sheared sheep all his life in Iowa. He was a wealth of information and very willing to teach and give little stories about his experiences. I learned so much this weekend and it was great fun, too. We all went back to the house for lunch & felt like we'd definitely had a full morning, even the spectators. I'd put t-shirts on the goats since our nights are getting pretty nippy, however, it only took 30 minutes and one had her shirt down around her hocks. So, we had to go back in and corner them again and take the shirts off. I know there is a knack to it, but didn't figure it out this time. Well, they've got shelters and they use them, so I'm sure they'll survive. That's life on the big Angora ranch!

I also want to give you the Taos Wool Festival report... I was there last weekend, and again, learned so much. I am more interested in raising the animal than spinning the mohair, but I do realize that I need to know my product from start to finish. So many folks there were demonstrating spinning, weaving, felting... it was great fun! There were fiber animals on display (alpacas, llamas, jacob sheep, Navajo-churro sheep, angora goats). I saw a woman spin angora right off the rabbit in her lap! So, those of you who are interested in getting into fiber, I would recommend looking into your local spinner's guild or seeking out a wool/fiber festival in your neck of the woods; you won't be dissapointed. Till next time... yours in the southwest, debra in nm.

-- debra in nm (dhaden@nmtr.unm.edu), October 16, 2000

Answers

Sounds like my kinda fun! I'm looking forward to the local Fiberfaire this next month---I always buy too much roving, etc.....

-- Leann Banta (thelionandlamb@hotmail.com), October 16, 2000.

GoodMorning Debra, I certainly enjoyed your report, both of the weekend on your farm and the Taos Festival. Did I mention that I am jealous of you getting to be in Taos? In Northern N.M. the Navajos used to shear and then sew a gunnysack shirt on their sheep and let them wear them until they fell off, but I don't think the plan was for them to come off that day! Back to the planning board. I am interested in Shetland Sheep, looking for a source close by, at least in the state of Alaska. Maureen

-- Maureen Stevenson (maureen@mtaonline.net), October 17, 2000.

Hi Debra, thanks for sharing the shearing! Good to hear from another NM person. I feel the same way about the people on this forum, they are the best. We have a weather front coming hope your animals stay warm. Have a great weekend!

-- Tina (clia88@newmexico.com), October 20, 2000.