Sunday, December 14, 2008

The 2008 Ice Storm

In 1998, we in NH were hit by an ice storm. Everything was covered by a heavy glazing of ice. We were living in W. Springfield, NH at that point and one of NH Co-op's main power lines went through our front yard. At that point we were without electric for 5 days. Back in those days, we did not have a generator. We went to our friend, Kim Chartier's, house in Sunapee for water. We pushed the cover off her dug well and dipped a bucket in order to fill gallon jugs. We could then water our 3 sheep, and take care of things in the house. We used kerosene lanterns to read by, and to do other things until bedtime. Valery and I did a lot of reading those 5 days. Jerry went to bed early. (o;

10 years later. We are hit by another ice storm. But, this one is much wider spread than just NH. Jerry and I are much older and we now have a generator. We also have 35 sheep that need watering 2-3 times a day........I am writing this by the electric our generator creates. We are now on day 3, and patiently waiting. The following are some pictures of day 1 and day 3. I went to work yesterday and did not take the time to take pictures.

Day 1-The electric went out at 1 am. As of 5:30 am WOKQ reports 2000 out of 5000 PSNH customers are without electric, and that it could be a few days before we all get it back. (By day 2, this will be upped to more than 1/2 of their customers)
I, personally, applaud the highway crews for working through the night to keep the roads open. From downed trees, to icy roads, to clogged drains and culverts.
It was a little unnerving at 9 am to be out taking the following pictures. Trees are snapping and popping. Ice is falling from the trees and wires. I tried to stay away from any dangerous areas. I did walk up and down our driveway to take pictures, but I was fully aware of my surroundings.

Day 2-We awake to clear skies and a full moon. Praise God! I took Jerry to work for 5:30 am. 6 am finds me plying previously spun singles that I haven't had time to ply. Most likely these bobbins were spun at this past summer's Farmer's Markets. I needed to save the gas in the generator to water the sheep, so I am plying by kerosene lantern until 7 am when it starts to get light out.
By 9 am I am at work, and I don't get home until 4 pm. We get home, feed sheep, eat dinner and we are in bed by 8:30 pm.

Looking up and down the driveway.

Ice encrusted trees and weeds.

Weeds, a hemlock tree, and hay in the girls yard.

The pods on the lilac bush. The brook raging out behind the barn.
The holly bush, looking up at the barn. We had so much water, we had Lake Yeager at the bottom of the driveway.

The birches are all bent over. Our ornamental cherry tree in the front yard.
Under the porch with the generator looking out at Lake Yeager.
Looking through the rose and lilac bushes at the birches. Blow up the feeder line to see how the wind moved the bottles around. Some of the ice is facing down, some up and some out straight.
Day 3-The 'lake' has receded, but things are still encrusted in ice. The only thing I accomplished today was to ply a bobbin of wool, try to go to church, go get gas for the generator, and take a nap. Oh, and update my blog. :o) There was a sign outside of church that read-No power, no heat, no water, no service. I wish I thought to take out the camera. Oh, well!



Snow and ice crystals in the driveway. One of the utility poles at the end of our road. A branch hit the power line and the weight of it and the ice has started to snap this pole. Ice storms are just incredibly in the damage they can do.
I will update this again when I can. It is time for dinner and then most likely early to bed.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Flickr update

I took about 200 pictures this morning and instead of posting them all here, go check out my flickr pictures. The newest are December 2008, and Max and Shaun. Here are just a few of the pictures posted.
Maggie & Moose. Shaun chasing Max. (Shaun is aka Butterfly. One of this spring's 3# lambs.)
Shauna has taken over Veronica's job over watching over the flock. Her daughter Snow.

Baby (our newest-Shetland/Corriedale) and Rachael (Horned Dorset). Goliath (Corriedale)
Cornelius. Our registered Horned Dorset ram. Isn't he gorgeous?!
The manure pile and a few of the production workers.

I've been busy. Sorry.

What I have been up to, instead of updating my blog.
Stripping wallpaper and painting rooms.

Spinning Golden Retriever.
Prewashed. 1/2 pound of yarn. 448 yards. 16 wpi.
Samoyed Husky and Corriedale wool blended on a drum carder and then dyed. The Husky is paler than the wool. I will retake the pictures after the hat and yarn dry.



1 lb. of dyed Romney roving.


Dyeing our Wool/Mohair sock yarn.
And catching Max sleeping on dried sock yarn. I need to redye this I think. The black does not appear to be black enough. But I will knit up some first and see.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Heifer International donating

From now until December 10, 2008, 5% of all my sales both at farmer's markets and online will be going to Heifer International. And for anyone purchasing more than $100 of product, I will be offering free shipping until 12/10/08 as well.

This post will stay at the top until 12/10/08 as well. So please read for new posts below this one. Thank you!!

http://www.heifer.org/

http://www.heifer.org/site/c.edJRKQNiFiG/b.1802515/ - I want to be a part of this!

I will be updating both this blog and the yarn blog with all my items for sale. The yarn blog (http://eweifarmyarn.blogspot.com/) will have roving/top from my stash that I will be selling off to make room for new items. Check back often!

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Things I am thankful for...

First and foremost I am thankful to be a child of God. I am thankful that I have a powerful Savior that I can turn to, talk to and lean on any time of day or night.
I am thankful for my job at the Post Office. Although as cute as Ziggy is, this is NOT how our office is!


I am thankful for MANY friends!


I am thankful for a home to live in, even with many feet of snow, a snug barn to house our sheep and for them to lamb in. I am thankful for a hard working husband and daughter. I am SUPER thankful for my family!! Next to the Lord, I would be nothing without them!
I am thankful for God's many blessings!

I am thankful for our co-workers. Without our sheep there wouldn't be our farm or our business.

I am thankful for the talent that God has given me and all the great colors I get to work with.
And I am thankful for free speech and that people can make You Tube videos about good stuff. I know Christmas isn't quite here yet, but watch this video. It makes sense to me!

And I am very thankful for all my customers this year (and previous years). Things have been stretched financially beyond my control and you have made it possible to keep our sheep housed and fed. So, pat yourselves on the back for a job well done!! Our sheep & we thank you.
And thank you to all who read our blog(s). Even when I haven't had the time to sit and write.
To all who celebrate-Happy Thanksgiving!! Remember to stop and consider who(m) or what you are most thankful for!

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