Today the Bell Rang

I got word today that it's gonna take a while for my part-time job to get funded, and Susan and I just spent a big chunk of money, and I'm thinking: 'Damn! I should be doing more than just spinning my life away, no matter how satisfying that is! I better get cracking on these graphic novels!' Not that I'll make much money from them, but hell, every little bit helps. So, absolute freedom and playtime is over.

Yep, it's time to get SERIOUS!

Big Decision

Today I attended the Alpaca Days open house at the Puerta del Sol alpaca farm. And after years of planning on getting sheep, I've decided to purchase at least two alpacas! I'm so excited! Of course, this will have to happen next summer after the barn is built.

Bliss

This evening I've continued to spin this super-soft, tan alpaca fiber. I open up the locks with my fingers, then gingerly brush them with the cards. Afterward, I spin using the long-draw method which keeps the yarn soft and full of air.

And what did I watch on TV while I was in spinning bliss? The "Outlander" marathon! We came in during the middle of the story and still managed to enjoy it tremendously. Graphic novel? Nowhere in sight these days. When I start my part-time job in a few weeks, I'll begin that work as well.

Spoiled Rotten

I am so spoiled and happy! Soon after I completed my morning chores, I settled down at the spinning wheel and spun, spun, spun! Every now and then, I cleaned true black alpaca fleece. My obsession with fiber is getting out of hand. I wonder where this obsession will lead? What's really bad is that my favorite thing to do while I spin is watch TV. Fortunately, there are some interesting programs on. I watched part of the "Taboo" series and the HBO documentary "Life According to Sam" about a boy with progeria and the fight to find a treatment for the disease. Then tonight I watched "The Knick".

Elms

Today was a mostly open-ended day for me, during which I spun and spun. I don't know what it is about spinning wool. All I know is that it's deeply satisfying to my core. It is play whereas drawing has become work. I feel quite lazy. And happy!

This afternoon we had all the elm trees removed from our property. Their roots destroy foundations and work their way into sewer pipes.

Promise

I have a hangover. Last night (this morning) I went to bed at 2 AM. I'm so happy to not be working, I'm staying up as late as I want and waking up in the morning whenever I feel like it. But, I felt exhausted all day with a slight headache. But I can blame the late hour on a POV documentary I stayed up to watch while I was spinning. It was called "American Promise", and it's about 2 African American boys and their lives in their middle class prep school. 

Mantids

Today was a dynamic day! Filled with impromptu appearances from neighbors and workmen. I was all over the place, flitting between drying fleece, talking with the workmen, and catching grasshoppers. Before the evening's thunderstorm began I spotted two praying mantids, one on the wooden pillar of the Wells Fargo bank and the other on our next door neighbor's tree trunk. Instant peace.