RED Alert

Thursday afternoon I got quite the surprise. The Glimakra Julia loom had arrived. She had arrived in less than a week after ordering. I was taken totally by surprise, pleasantly so. I should also say that Joanne & Ed Hall at Glimakra USA

can't be beat for customer service. I had questions, they had answers. Speedy, thorough and concise answers. This is the type of customer service we too often just dream about.

All that was between me and a set-up loom was exhaustion from goat wrangling that morning, a Friday morning trip to town (did the dogs really need that kibble?) and an afternoon grass fire (scary it's so early to have to even think about fire season) on Friday. Needless to say it was Saturday before I really got her into shape. And oh what a beauty she is.

She comes with a pretty nifty DVD showing how to put her together and do your first warp. Now this is a totally different way of warping for me. The reed becomes the raddle, lease sticks are cleverly moved from in front of the reed to the back and best of all, a little tip about winding on. She is small and clear enough underneath that I can sit by the warp beam in back, pull my warp to me under the loom and tension it myself while I wind on. Oh HEAVEN! The universe was humming my tune as I wound the prayer flag warp on, sitting on a cushion, warp sticks by my side and watching while everything rolled evenly into place.

There are still adjustments to be made. The pulley and horse system while quite traditional for a counterbalance loom is not one I have used so getting everything correct will take a little thought and fiddling. I rather like the bit of work that goes into adjusting it. I have again learned so much about how a loom works. The Louet looms come with the shafts and castle all assembled (not to mention they were all set up) so the inner workings are known to me in theory but not intimately. Some of the Swedish heritage this loom brings has now touched me in it's practice.

Julia brought her own serendipity. My much loved Murphy loom is sold to a new weaver and will be leaving me Thursday.

I will be sad to see him go. He has been a great loom and if I could have shrunk him to fit, I would have.

In other news, Old Man Dennett has to go in Tuesday for dental surgery. Just has to be done. His blood work also is showing signs of problems with liver function again, so while he is under they'll be doing a little biopsy to see if we can't put him to rights for a while longer.

The paddock is drying out. Of course a rain and snow mix is predicted for today and tonight, so good bye dry paddock. It was noteworthy that for the last two days I didn't give myself an ear worm when I went out there. Every morning since Feb. I have gotten this song stuck in my head after feeding. All in all it's not a bad song to have swirling around for a bit in the morning and I know it line and verse I might add.

The horses do too! Pete Seeger has always been a favorite of mine. Heck, my parents took me to one of his children's concerts when I was 4. I got up and sang (it was decided early on I should keep a day job). But I would say his songs are just as timely today as they ever were.

And finally, I want you all to know this is an equal opportunity household. Let no critter be be left unshowcased ...;-)