First things first.. the hummingbirds are here!!!  I don’t know when they came, I must have been away as I saw both male and female at the feeder.  Usually the males arrive first, so it’s been a few days.  I was really worried that something had happened to this group as they are later than usual, but with the weather this spring… 
Back to my travels.  One of the things that I found surprising were how few other fiber animals were there.  They were represented, but not as exhibitors in the same way the sheep were.  There were a few alpacas and llamas.  At other fairs, I’m used to seeing many different farms represented, Mamas, crias, older brother and sisters.. very few here.   Like I said before, there were Wensleydales. That was a first, at least for me.  Another vendor that I hadn’t encountered before was Frivolous Fibers.  Funny name for them as their biggest seller there were their beautiful beaded bag handles.  I bought one to match yarn I had gotten last winter, then never found the beads big enough to make the handles.  (Yup, I’m into chartreuse) I visited the Cormo people and fondled fleece and roving.  Nice spring stuff. I didn’t buy as I have way more that I can handle or protect at this point, but will put it on my something good to try list.  Trips to fairs like this are sourcing expeditions for me, I’ll buy later.  As we went from stall to stall we’d visit with vendors.  One, it turned out, is probably a verrrry distant cousin.  One, I know nothing about.  We’re exchanging genealogy info, sort of fun.  When It goes back 3 or more generations it gets a little fuzzy.  I know you want pictures.  I’m getting to them.  Maybe a second post today.  Oh, and Kim… someone had dropped off some baby bunnies, red ones, ( I don’t know what kind) for us to watch for a day.  I’m in love.  Do you think they’d travel with me and the cats?  Crazy thoughts…

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..

I wanted to get these up before I leave for Maryland.  If you are at the fair, you can fondle them in person at The Merlin Tree’s booth.  See you there!

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