Saturday, November 29, 2008

Oops.


We had a pretty strong wind storm last week. I heard a huge boom while I was in the laundry room & thought it was thunder, but as it turned out, our loafing shed, a three-sided structure in the north end of our back pasture had been lifted up, uprooting its deep anchors, and had been hurled *through* our new fence & into the neigbor’s pasture, where it landed in pieces. The galvanized steel roof had been rolled back like a sardine can lid. The tubular galvanized steel frame had been bent, bowed out on what used to be its sides. The wood panels were still attached & intact. We are very thankful that there were no animals in the neighbor’s pasture right then. They often keep a few cows & bulls there.

Doug hauled the pieces out of the neighbor’s pasture & placed them next to our driveway, making an oh-so-festive looking yard sculpture, and began work on repairing the fence. Again, we were grateful not to have any visiting bulls from our neighbors, and Doug was able to get the fence somewhat restored before our alpacas, sheep or goats could wander into their field.

Since the storm, we have had a series of misty days. Thought you might enjoy this photo.


Fortunately, both the old barn and the new barn came through the storm without any damage. The loafing shed and old barn are Noble Panel structures, and last year, when we had some 90 mph gusts come through, the old barn held fast to the ground like a boulder. The loafing shed, though, being a three-sided structure, acted somewhat like The Flying Nun’s wimple, and with the wind coming from the southeast (not the usual for this area), well, just didn’t stay put. Doug has started repairing the tubular frame. . . by repeatedly running over it with the tractor to flatten out the bowed sides. In the meantime, the beasties still have their barn so are quite comfortable.

Weaving Progress

I am happy to say that the handspun warp scarf, done on the rigid heddle loom, is done and fulled. Amazing to see what a little vigorous washing will do to soften the appearance & feel of the fibers. I did develop a bit more skill using the rigid heddle, but I have to admit it’s not my favorite (as in I’d rather have a root canal). Still, it is a very portable loom so it will have its uses when I *must* have a weaving fix while camping or whatever.


As for knitting projects, well, we all know that Christmas is coming, so you won’t be seeing those for awhile. I can tell you that I am spinning some llama fiber which was given to me years ago, before I knew what to do with llama combings. It will eventually become a scarf of some kind, depending on the yardage that get out of the 5.8 ounces that I have picked & carded so far.

2 Comments:

Blogger Gone2theDawgs said...

Wow! You know we get tornados touching down every now and then in the Pacific NW too! I loved your reference to the Flying Nuns wimple (were you raised Catholic?):) Beautiful misty pic...we have just been having nothing but rain...sigh.
Gorgeous scarf, love the colors!

1:14 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Loved the misty pic and the scarf is just beautiful, Yvonne! Can't wait to see it up close.

4:59 PM  

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