So the winter weather “pre-spring” is the usual fare here in Colorado. In the past week there have been 350 sighted Avalanches in the high country; closing down highways and byways. One was clocked at 108 mph. Several were right up the road from my old office. I guess we don’t have to worry too much about snowpack this year. Out at our place we have been getting a snow fall every week. The temps plummet to below zero (last week we awoke to -18 and I am continually amazed at the resiliency that the farm critters show to such cold weather). The temps drop, the snow falls, and two days later we are in the high 50’s and everything becomes a mud hole. Our puppy loves it! There is nothing better than chasing a ball through mud puddles! She never tires out!
Today was a lazy day. After breakfast and chores, we just went out to the barn and hung out with the animals. Spring is coming so everyone is, um, happy. If we get some respite from the weather, the boy and girl goats will get together. We could have put Cumin in with one of the bucks last week, but we had one of the snow cycles I just described. The turkeys are finally laying eggs, and we have been getting an education in heritage breed turkey mating rituals.
In between snow and ice storms, building the remaining parts to the additional garden beds, teaching gardening classes, my retreat from mostly everything and everyone (that will actually leave me alone), I was finally able to get the napkins I designed onto the loom. It’s a huge project that goes along with my last set of placemats and table runners. It’s a 14 yard long wind on (42 feet). The pattern is a twill. Each napkin will be approximately a 24×24 square before shrinkage. The yarn is very thin so it had a seriously frustrating desire to snarl. But! After 3 popped threads, some farmer cussing, and a lot of patience, I got it all under tension and ready to go.
This is the first pattern I “made up” and designed on my new fancy weaving software. Nothing too complicated, but I think it will turn out just peachy. It feels good to be throwing the shuttle again.
JAZ Farm Blog 
Do you happen to maintain a source of wool for weaving? Can wool be woven on the same loom?
As much as I like to grow what I need, there are so many commodities that I can not produce. I use cane sugar for preserving and canning, but do not grow it here. There are only a few maple trees that would not be able to supply much sugar. I grow no sources of oil either. Well, the list of what I do not grow is too extensive.
No, I don’t spin wool. That would be another whole set of issues. We do have Alpaca ranches around here so getting some fibers locally isn’t a problem. Most of what I’ve done so far is cotton and cotton won’t grow here.
Most of what we can doesn’t require sugar. Honey is available here in decent supply.
As far as oils, we render our own lard and use bacon grease. For other cooking needs we just buy Olive, Avocado oil, etc.
To think one can be 100% self -sufficient is unrealistic. I don’t make my own shoes either, nor did I forge my own garden tools. We need community. It is too bad that that has gone the way of the Dodo too.
It is difficult to admit that Community is necessary; especially since Community can be so contrary to self sufficiency. It is what makes the laws that make it illegal to heat our homes with wood that must be cleared from the roads anyway. It protects invasive exotic specie just because they happen to be in the forest, and it prevents us from managing the forest to (try to) protect our homes from fire. It puts limitations on those of us who want to generate our own electricity, and modern building codes require those of us who do not need electricity to be connected to it (although I am allowed to disconnect it at the main circuit breaker). When I lived in town, I could not grow vegetables within view of the street. Nor could I dry laundry on the line. You know, new commercial and industrial sites must contain all runoff water on site (runoff can not flow away into gutters or creeks, but must percolate into the aquifer below). However, containment of such water for use on site is illegal because the water belongs to Community. Who makes up these crazy laws. Pretty soon, we will be getting billed for sunshine.
Dang! I do not meant to rant every time you write something.
Different kind of community. A doctor, an electrician, a gardener/farmer, someone who can sew, a blacksmith, a mechanic, animal husbandry, etc., etc., not citiots with an agenda. A community of barn builders that have the good of the tribe as a priority.