A Brother's Wooly Wisdom Comes Free. Or, less wierdly: Wisdom, Free samples, Wool, and Art)

So, as my brother told me (to paraphrase, cause he wasn't as eloquent :-P), "If you are going to be passionate about a cause AND share that passion to the general public, be prepared for some people to criticize."  In other words, some people will agree with your cause, other's will not really give it much thought, and some will downright disagree with your cause.  The latter may just want to discuss that with you.  But enough of that.

In other news, I have received some very useful samples recently.  Ryan leaves earlier than I do in the morning when it is still dark.  He will get some use out of the UFO lighted key chain.  Well, and it is just so darn cool.  He says the place we got the sample from has a good reputation for making lights (lamps, headlights, flashlights, etc.). 

The Whisk samples are the same brand, but different types.  Will be interesting to see if one obviously works better in my new h.e. washer than the other.  The Wisk sample from Wal-Mart included a coupon for $1.00 off. while the Costco one didn't.  Not that I mind, just an observation.  The playtex will, of course be useful as will the vaseline lotion.  It will be nice to not have to buy a lotion before I try it.  Sometimes, when I try something new in hopes it will work for my skin better than something I already have, I end up throwing it away because it makes my skin itchy or rashy.

The other piece of paper (which is illegible; I have to stop using the camera phone to take pictures) is an apology that the toilet paper roll dispenser extender will be late and a coupon for $ off for my troubles.  Wow, a sample is nice enough, but to receive a notice that it is late but will be here and a coupon is great customer service.

I was washing wool today.  My back is tired from bending over the tub all evening so I am putting off scouring the tub until tomorrow and warned Ryan not to use it until I do.  I will use an antibacterial cleanser so as not to risk leaving anything behind.  The wool was fairly clean but did have some obvious filth and vegetable matter around the edges.  I trimmed off the obvious and washed the rest.  It is now on my sweater dryer rack hanging in the tub from a pole to drip dry.

The bottom rack of the dryer above is waiting for the next batch of wool which is just below the view of the camera.  The rack is now full but I didn't want to take another picture.  The brown wool is from a Romney sheep.  Below is a picture of some of a super fine, extra crimpy wool filled with lanolin (sticky!) that I had to rewash.  There was a lot of lanolin and it got sticky even after it had been washed a while back.  I rewashed it and combed it out and it is much easier to work with.  I will have to ask my friend Trudi what type of sheep it came from.  I just can't remember.  Anyway, it is drying atop the pellet stove:

I am so thankful to have access to free wool often enough that I never have to buy any as long as I am willing to wash and card it myself.

Tomorrow I need to finish the dog leash I was knitting and begin another hat.  I just need to attach the hook and then I will take a picture of it.


I have put a few more items up for sale on Etsy.  I also uploaded some beautiful photos onto my deviantART page that I took down at Shore Acres past Charleson.  A few others that were interesting but either a little blurry, dull or otherwise flawed I put up on my Facebook page to view.

Am feeling a bit too wordy tonight.  This is a rambling long post.