Last evening a neighbor and I were talking on the phone about wildlife on and around the pond, some of the challenges I've had lately concerning such wildlife and that there was quite obviously a flip side to the work, that being the fun of hosting such wildlife.  Ahem.  I mentioned that one of my favorite displays this time of year is the Canada Geese parents giving water take-off / lift-off lessons to the goslings.  They have SO MUCH FUN!!  So do I.  This morning, as usual, I took my first cup of coffee out on the deck to take stock of things and wake up. There they were, down by the 'beach', a place I really do try to discourage them from frequenting.  It makes a mine field where I'd like to go barefoot if it ever gets above the 60's.  Three adults were bathing, while the fourth stood on the raft doing lookout duty.  This year there are 13 goslings amongst the two couples.  That's a lot of herding.  I am constantly amazed at the way animal young respond to their parents' commands.  They mind without fuss, and quickly.  Since last year, the lax set of parents have learned to keep their brood in line a bit more.  The strict parents are still that and spend more time on sentry duty than the other two.  Shows that things aren't equal , even amongst geese.  While I watched, the goose in charge indicated that the goslings should get back into the water and get ready for a group lesson.   On command, all take off flapping their wings, lifting themselves nearly out of the water as they head out into the pond.  Honking and general noise making follow, along with wing flapping and splashing.  Back to shore, a small wait, then repeat, over and over.  Unfortunately, the coffee works slowly and when I finally get my camera, they have finished.   In a day or so, they will have to prove themselves, individually.  I can't wait.  I know what's coming. 

They've only begun to discover their wings.  Flapping is fun.

I'm not the only one watching..

I don't know where to begin.  For me, the spring wool festivals are over for the year.  Despite the long hours, I really do enjoy them.  So many people to meet, friends that stop to visit, gorgeous fiber and finished projects that come wandering through my booth.  I never seem able to get away during show hours to check things out, but lots of wonderful things pass by for me to see.  This year, the weather held for every fair.  It makes spring, SPRING.

If you were able to stop by, you probably saw Susan's beautiful shawl, Beach Glass. Thank goodness she was able to send me her's as a sample for the kits.  I started mine sometime in May.  I can't remember when exactly, don't laugh.. I've had a lot going on.  Last night I finished the knitting, grafted the clever little bind off and finally, this morning,  I soaked it and pinned it out to dry.  Mine is the cashmere version, using the Pasha yarn in the Beach Glass colorway. I've enjoyed knitting it SO much that I'll probably start another soon.  The pattern is fun, not hard to remember, and a great project to carry along.  I knit until nearly dark one night while sitting around a camp fire during a weekend camp out at the Cape.  Those sssk combos need light to execute.  Certainly not fingers sticky with toasted marshmallows knitting in the dark.  The rest was done while visiting, at knit nights or while watching TV.  Everything except the cast on.  Seems I need a quiet spot if I am going to cast on nearly 400 stitches and count them correctly.  And, the cashmere… well.  It is cashmere.  Gorgeous, soft, light, heaven to hold and knit, lovely lovely cashmere.  Amazing stuff.

If you've ever snorkeled or spent time diving in the turquoise blue water of the Caribbean ocean, you may have found yourself swimming with the mantas.  The crescent shaping of Beach Glass reminds me so much of those winged creatures.  So silent.  So graceful.  I can see them, whoosh!  whoosh! an undulating rhythm, each push sending puffy little sand clouds across the ocean floor. 

There's a little problem showing her off to you.  The only space I had to block her was in a corner of the basement.  It has very poor lighting and she's resting a top an old sheet that is stretched over two flattened cardboard boxes.  Every picture I've taken has color problems, way to far off to correct properly.  If it ever stops raining, I'll get busy with her photo shoot.  She's not alone.  Trevi, her lovely Ocean colored sister, is also waiting patiently for me and for the weather.