Back again..

After a weeks’ hiatus from blogging, I’m slow out of the gate.  Sometimes it’s far more work to go away then if you just stayed put.  That’s where I find myself today.  When I started reading OPB’s (other people’s blogs) this morning, I realized that I really don’t know  many other bloggers.  Everyone tells of parties and meet ups with fellow bloggers.  You know what?? I met very few.  It wasn’t really possible to recognize many, I mean how could you without planning a meet up spot.  The one meeting on Saturday I had heard of, never seemed to materialize, or I never saw any sort of group I could identify.  I stayed at the same hotel, but didn’t hear of anything going on… it sounds like there was a great party.. go figure.  My trip: I flew out to PA on Wednesday and had a great before MD visit with family.  My Mother took me to Her Garden Club meeting for a luncheon and talk on Hummingbird Gardens.. super speaker, like minded and a naturalist to boot.  My sister, Linda and I took off Friday noonish for the drive to MD.  The trip took us over an absolutely magnificent mountain pass, spring was just arriving.  The redbuds were blooming in the woods along the way, a real treat from New England’s late spring.  We arrived late in the afternoon at the fairgrounds, and by that time it was windy and cold.  First stop inside, two absolutely adorable older sisters selling hooked rugs, chair pads, etc.  I’ve got my Christmas present.  Then on down the line visiting the different spinning wheel makers that were in the process of setting up.  Gil, ( Robin wheels) had his Wee Robin.  It’s very beautiful and a very smooth double treadle wheel.  He had had it under his arm in Portland last winter and I had been waiting to see it, touch it, you know.  Very nice, as are all his wheels.  Then there was Golding, yummm, and, well it was a treat.  We went on up to barn #3 to see if David ( the Merlin Tree) was there setting up yet, he wasn’t so we poked around some more and waited to help him set up.  The vendors/ welcome dinner was outside.. we froze but had fun, good music, beer and a picnic.   Next day, Saturday, was out of control.  I have never seen such a crowd.  You couldn’t see across the aisle from one booth to the other.  Unreal!!  From the minute the show opened, people stopped by in a continuous stream to see and tryout the Hitch Hiker.  I am SO happy for David, it was a great success.  Really, I didn’t have much time for shopping Saturday, mostly going out from demonstrating the Hitch Hiker in spurts here and there.  I just scoped out purchases for a more relaxed day Sunday.  I did meet Vanessa and Sheila a number of times, and spotted Norma (by the cold drink can she held.. hee!  and the company she was keeping) and managed to introduce myself.   It was super to meet all the spinners that stopped by, they were from all over the country.  Maryland has an amazing draw.. it’s just that it’s too busy.   I really love Rhinebeck, it has more charm, but with all the new spinner / knitters.. who knows.  This year could be a Maryland lookalike.   
On to Sunday…. a much more relaxed day.  I bought….. mohair roving from my favorite vendor, The Persimmon Tree (pictures will have to wait if I’m to post today), a locker hook and baking fabric for all that Lincoln roving  ( 9 lbs) that I have stored away, a skein of dark charcoal alpaca, and because I was lucky enough to get in early Saturday, a lot of Koigu ends shades of blues and turquoise.  I picked up a couple patterns, got lots of ideas,  it’s all good and one of the best things… I saw my first in the flesh Wensleydales.  There were two black Wensleydale X’s and Teaswaters to boot.  They were the reason I wanted to learn to spin years ago, I just love their fiber!   We finally packed ourselves up for the ride back to PA around 4:30 pm.   
I’ll go on tomorrow, but I have to get back to a week’s worth of work.  Later..