Sheepy Thoughts or Why I Will Never be a Shepherdess

Lamenting the annoyance of having to work all day when I would rather be knitting, a co-worker suggested I buy a farm and some sheep, live off the land, spin my own yarn, and sell sheepy goods out of the back of my truck at the local farmers' market. For half a second that sounded like a dream and then I thought, "Oh yeah I would have to move to the country." I moved on and really did not give that plan another thought until last weekend. In the company of other fiber-minded friends I went the Bethel Sheep Festival in northeastern Missouri. I have been to the festival before, and enjoyed the event long before I ever started knitting. Going now is extra special because the booths of yarn and knitting accessories actually capture my attention and spark my imagination. The yarns are also exceptionally intriguing, because of course they make me want to knit amazing garments, blankets, and scarves all day instead of going to work. Do you see the cycle here?

Looking around at all the farmers and crafters with their handmade items and beautiful displays, I thought, well maybe... My cats and I could take off to some rural route, I could get angora goats. The goats would give me fiber and milk . I could learn to spin, dye, and even weave cloth. I could become an earth mother spreading wisdom and handcrafted cheese wherever I went.

As my mind reeled with thoughts of my getting back to nature, I wandered over to the livestock area and remembered why I live in the city and eschew my country roots. It was the smell, that overwhelming scent of manure was more than I could handle. My nose scrunched up and I remembered growing up next to a pig farm. Yuck! Give me a ripe dumpster anytime over that stench. Yep, I am Lisa Douglas after all. As an aside, the festival was nice, I spent money. Bought some Christmas presents, had an awesome carmel apple, watched some amazing border collies do their job, and saw some beautiful hand crafted items. Even my friend with Dyeabolical Yarns (http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5101528) was represented with some of her roving beautifully spun up into yarn. See above photograph of said yarn. The festival was great, but you won't find me there anytime soon hawking my own hand spun, organically dyed angora yarn.