Two Shear Spirits

buttoned up in Taos

By the time I left for New Mexico a couple of weeks ago I had just finished my Montana tunic. But there was no time to look for the buttons that were the last step. So I packed a tiny swatch of yarn and hoped to find something perfect along the way.
I thought surely Taos, with its active arts and crafts community, would offer something just right. And indeed when I stepped into La Lana Wools (where Laura was unwrapping a gorgeous selection of first-cut Wensleydale yarn that was unbelievably soft) I found a mesmerizing display. There were beaded buttons, shell buttons, handcrafted buttons in myriad shades. There were so many, I actually had to come back twice before I could make a decision. but I finally chose some medium size antler-horn buttons that had a kind of western look and went with the yarn I was happy I brought!
Here are the buttons. As soon as I find a minute to sew them on, there will be photos of the sweater, too.

Seeing sheep in the strangest places

I'm just back from southern Utah, where spring is still way around the corner. Thank goodness I had my warm beret. But sheep did turn up in unexpected places...like Arches National Park, for instance. There, among the gorgeous red rock formations I came upon, yes, Sheep Rock. There it is, being guarded by the Three Gossips.

A few days later I took a day-long boat trip on the San Juan River, which cuts through 1000-foot canyons. Along the way we stopped to see a small cliff dwelling and centuries-old petroglyphs that included images of bighorn sheep. There were a few live ones visible on the riverbanks, too. But my favorite souvenir of the day was this little willow-twig sheep that Marcus Buck, the boatman/guide, made for me, like those that have been found in ancient cliff dwellings.

sharing the warmth

It was a gorgeous spring day here in Santa Barbara, and I hit the tennis court – not a time to be wearing knitwear. So I was happy that I'd sent a Taos beret to my niece, Suzanne, in New York, where winter has not yet left. Here she is...preparing happily to face the elements.

Of course, winter is not completely over in California. Just in case, I'm still working away on my wool Montana tunic. As it happens, I've got two trips coming up – to Utah and Tortola (in the British Virgin Islands). Guess which one I'm hoping to take the sweater on...

hanging in

Mittens at 13 Mile Farm, Belgrade Montana.

If you're reading this, send us some comments love!  There's something strange about hitting the publish button and realizing....no one knows we're here.

Joan is off exploring the southwest - I'm not even sure what state - and I'm fighting the entropy that is my office this week. I'm thinking I may need to set up some reward knitting on this or I'll never get the desk cleared.

looking back

It was quite a year. Wishing you many interesting vistas in 2008!