All Creatures Great and Tall

This past weekend we attended the Rare Breed Show at Garfield Farm in Campton Illinois. Once again it was hot (like last year) and windy (like last year) and fabulous (like last year). One sad difference, not enough exhibitors.

The Farms volunteers , here is one demonstrating the spinning of raw wool,

told us that folks had a myriad of excuses. Some said they didn't have the gas money to haul their animals while others said silly things like it being too much trouble. Now I understand life throwing us curves but still I was disappointed in the NUMBER of folks who did not come. Farm life is leaving us and our world so rapidly and if we farmers don't take a little time (and gas money) and effort to show young people what some of these really cool animals look like, who will?

But to those who did show up, and dress up (did I mention it was HOT, like 93 degrees HOT?) I want to say thank you. You took the time to show our GK's how to spin wool.

How to make felted animals out of wool

How to coerce your Yaya into buying the kit so you could make aniamls

out of felted wool. Yeah, I did. How could I resist this joyful face?

Wool was very popular at the Rare Breeds Show.

Also popular were teeny tiny chicks called "Frizzles" We bought home two as they seem to appreciate dental hygiene.

Apparently when they are grown their feathers get a little funky looking. How cool is that?

Other furry creatures included something a little bigger than the Frizzle chick, and thus Keith could more easily say NO !

Oh that mane!!

I loved how hands on all the animal owners were and I especially loved that I did not see even ONE bottle of antibacterial gel. After all, they had bathroom in the main house where you could wash your hands before eating, if you were that kind of wussy, I mean, conscientious person.

Keith and I did our part to educate the public about Red Wattles, bringing along one sow and two piglets, specifically Sophie and her big fat mama's boy. The two had been separated for a couple weeks but in about 30 seconds flat he was nursing her again as if he'd never left home. At first you could tell she loved it, but by the end of the day, unable to leave the confines of the livestock trailer , Sophie took to lying on top of her teats so big fat mama's boy couldn't reach them.

Wish I had thought of that when my kids were little.

Allana was as adept at telling visitors about our herd as we were (almost) but was overheard a couple of times telling them how there were only 2000 Red Wattles in the world (true) and how 50% of that number resided at South Pork Ranch ! When I told her it was only 1% she was absolutely sure that I had told her it was 50%. I thought about arguing with her but since there was at least a 50% chance I had indeed mis-spoke I decided against it.

The heat made all of us a bit tense and there was more than one standoff.

Several of the animals, like this magnificent Irish Wolfhound

decided an afternoon nap would be beneficial

As did this Irish Lad and Lassie

 

We also had a great soap sale day. Many of my bars are made with Red Wattle Lard and not only does it help to promote the breed, it also made our general area smell delightful. I didn't think to take a pic BEFORE we started selling but oh bright one here, did take a photo after my last sale.

 

It looks sparse as I sold 53 bars, which is nothing for you big timers but a real delight for The Midlife Farmwife. It gave us enough for gas money home! Maybe next year I could do my part and offer to share our trailer/truck/booster seat with a nearby farmer who might want to exhibit their critters. Whose says car pooling is just for humans?