Saturday, May 11, 2013

A Poetry Moment


Imagine when . . .

Imagine when life doesn't have to hurt anymore
   and suffering doesn't have to exist

Imagine when there are no longer fears
   and we are free to walk this life no longer afraid

Imagine when there is a cure for Cancer
   and those who suffered before helped toward the cure

Imagine when evil goes far far away
   and little boys and girls can just be little children at play

Imagine when countries could all get along
   for there will no longer be a need for guns and heavy artillery

Imagine when there are no longer social injustices
   where we can look at others as just our fellow man and brother

Imagine when the world is at peace
   and you wake up each day celebrating the gift of your life

Imagine when your hidden dreams can all come true
   for our dreams are what carry us along our life's beautiful way

Imagine when . . .

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Why I love Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival



I can't remember the first Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival
that I attended
I only know that it was at least 25 years ago!
This year the festival celebrated
it's 40th Anniversary
and it didn't disappoint!

It is so worth the travel time to get there.
It is located in West Friendship, MD
about 5 hours from my home
in Virginia Beach.
This year I was able to attend with
my best friend in life . . . Minna!


This was her second year attending
and I love experiencing this festival
with new eyes!

There are so many wonderful barns
full of yarn vendors,
knitting and spinning supplies,
demonstrations and artwork,
and stunning hand crafted items.
Thousands of people pass through the fairground
during this traditional
"First Weekend in May"





My favorite part of all is the
time I spend with the sheep.
Barn after barn with
hundreds of sheep breeds on display.


Here I watercolor sketch them,
take pics of them 
and of course
love on them.
You can view my entire
photo collection on my
flicker site here . . . 

I bought some wonderful fibers

I loved on the sheep

Got to see weaving again on a loom

Yes and I ate a Lamb Taco!


Reconnected with the sheep

Purchased wool for spinning and felting

Took unusual photos (A shepherds brush)

Watched shearing

... and a sheep to shawl event


I came home renewed, restored
and totally in love with the idea of
why I became a fiber artist
so many years ago!
Maryland Sheep and Wool
instills such an appreciation of hard work,
 shepherding and the fiber arts.
(Amazing work is being done out there!)

From seeing the sheep on display, 
to watching the sheep dog trials, 
to the spinning and knitting, 
to hearing folk music being played 
all over the fairgrounds
I will never forget this weekend.

I certainly bought plenty of
one of a kind fibers
to get me through till the
next first weekend in May!
I can hardly wait to get there again!