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I was taught to knit
by my great aunt, Lina Brawley, when I was 13. I was
very drawn to handwork, for some reason, and she was the
only one in the family that still did some. She lived
in Connecticut so it was very exciting when she came
home each year. It was also around 13 that I started
'fantasizing' about having a small farm, growing my own
sheep, processing their fibre, spinning it, and then
knitting it. It wasn't long after that the dream of
weaving entered the picture. So I just kept on
knitting. Perhaps a neurotic person, who doesn't like
being idle, I knit at any opportunity - watching tv, in
the car, waiting for appointments. I'm sure many people
can relate to that.
When I got together with Ted it was
very important for both of us to grow our own food, live
fairly simply, and have a few animals. It started with
two bottle baby lambs, Mark and Irene, who were from
Delia Burge's herd. I had met Delia awhile earlier and
she was living proof that this childhood fantasy could
be an adult reality. Over many years she had perfected
a herd for resilience, temperament and fiber. So after
a year or two with Mark and Irene we jumped to 5 more
ewes and a ram. The rest just evolved. The herd grew
to 22 ewes and 2 rams, 8 mohair goats and various angora
rabbits. ( more is said about them below) I kept
knitting, got hooked onto spinning and dying and am now
spending time with my loom. fibrepalooza manifested
last year when I decided to go 'a little bigger' or
'out there' with selling my fiber and finished
products. I began by selling hats at my father's store
in Antigonish (Oak Manor Men's Wear) then going to the
Anitigonish Farmer's Market, and now a website and store
are in the works.
There have always been events in this
world that we hear about and wish could do something to
help out. I have often felt overwhelmed as far as where
to begin, where would the energy come from, and whether
I could make a difference. Thus, incorporating fairly
traded yarns and fibers or those that are from the
work/energy of people helping those who live daily in
war zones, with terror, economic hardship, unclean
water, and poor infrastructure, seemed a natural
extension of what was already evolving. The alpaca,
baby alpaca, merino, mohair, cottons, organic wools,
corn/milk/soy yarns, bamboo/banana yarns and recycled
silks are a delicacy to touch, the colors a feast,
and the textures a joy to work with. Another very
important part of fibrepalooza that has developed as I
learn more about 'fair trade' is that fair trade has to
happen at home also. So I have been representing some
local artists,(weavers, spinners, dyers, knitters, fibre,
pattern makers, etc) and taking a commission that is
fair. I recognize that the work is with the artisan, not
the shop keeper.
The shop is at the farm and it
would be great if people came and met the animals,
walked on the trails in the woods, saw/played at the
beautiful beach 3km away, and were connected
and inspired by the natural beauty and wonder. There
are also other wonderful yarn/fabric shops, a
woodworking shop, a lavender farm and great food near
by.
Another part of this story is
that last March my barn burned to the ground. All of
our friends/family were inside. The idea for
fibrepalooza was underway at the time and I was going to
give it all up. My heart still breaks and the tears run
freely over all those awesome characters. After lots of
soul searching, and discussion, our family really felt
we needed to rebuild. It is very fulfilling work, and
one can learn so much from these animals. So we have
rebuilt a smaller barn. We now have 6 sheep, 4 cashgora
goats, 1 mohair goat, and 6 angora bunnies (french,
english, satin). My daughter and I each have a horse and
we recently welcomed two horses as boarders. The barn
has alot of life. These new characters/family/friends
are very healing, and bring many smiles and much
peace. Sometimes I feel the energy of those who went
before and it is all a good feeling. I dedicate
fibrepalooza and all that I do to them.
Rebuilding and going forward could
never have happened without a ton of support from many,
many people. To name just a few: Dr. Brenda MacLeod
DVM, Toney River Community, Mrs. Helen MacKay,
Raymond/Marlene MacDonald, Ann Myhr(AEC), Waldegrove
Farm crew, Delia Burge, Jane Jorgenson, Alex Macleod,
Roger MacLellan and Dee Dunn. And of course, our
parents, Tom/Judy Dawson, Donnie/Myra MacEachern.
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I need to write this because it
needs to be said, however, I don’t think I’d hold up
speaking it. My open/broken heart needs to write.
Following is a dedication to our
friends/family/teachers, who died March 16/07.
Dillon-
25-29yrs?. Thoroughbred/Quarter Horse
The quiet gentleman
The patient school teacher for many.
Affectionate, laid back, but strong willed, a worker. A
true quiet gentleman having the respect from all the
other horses, gained through his strong will and honesty
– no aggression – just the look. If we could all be the
natural horseperson, like Dillon.
Gia-
15yrs. Thoroughbred, ex-successful racehorse/broodmare
The
gentlest of souls.
Incredible mother,
Sensitive and willing to relearn.
Willing to please, very lovable and loving.
Raven-15yrs.
Quarter Pony
Playful, Affectionate, Opinionated
Extremely loving, always bringing a smile
Strength in his will to live – he has had serious bouts
with heaves over the years.
Eclipse-
8yrs. Thoroughbred/Hanovarian
Independent, fiery, strong-willed, brave, worker,
When she
gained trust in you, one was honoured to see her
affectionate/loving, sweet, extreme willing partner
side. An incredible teacher of patience, open
mind/heart, skill development, going beyond your own ego
and joy!!
Spring-
10 yrs Belgian/Arab/Trakhaner
A very good friend!
Strong
bodied, strong heart, gentle, sensitive, insecure,
always
willing, great hugger. Teaching one to find their own
strength, heart and gentleness. A real gift to my life
– a powerful river of light!
Sheep-
18 ewes, 2 rams(Ramus,Frodo), 4 lambs, many unborn lambs
Gentle souls, who require you
to be grounded, quiet, aware of your footsteps on the
earth – if you want their trust. Loving, fun, bringing
smiles, joy and laughter to life. Incredible fibre.
Mohair
Goats-
4 does, 1 buck, Angus (wither)
Shy,
quiet, strong willed, gorgeous, fun, incredible fibre.
Gaffer-
The Matriarch of the Barn – Mohair Goat
Maker
of tales, teller of tales, lover of life, self-assured,
bringer of joy, teacher of patience, many laughs, a
gift.
As an
independent person (stubbornly so, at times) it has been
overwhelming the generosity shown to our family since
this nightmare occurred. In small and large ways people
have come individually and as groups to show support and
understanding in large and small ways. I am truly
thankful and humbled by this experience. This broken
heart heals through feeling and seeing how truly
beautiful people can be.
We
are forever grateful to Dr. Brenda MacLeod DVM, for
sharing the information that animals are very sensitive
and susceptible to smoke (more so than humans) and that
our beloved animals would have passed quickly and almost
in their sleep. Gaffer, who lived freely in the barn,
was found in her usual sleeping spot, she did not get up
and move. This info allowed the horror in our minds to
ease. We are forever grateful, Brenda.
This
list would be huge if I named everyone individually.
Know you are all in my heart, and I am forever praying
you have good health, long life, happiness and
understanding.
peace, love,
laughter
mary
maceachern and family
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In
honour of Eclipse I feel we all need to thank Ann for
striving continuously to see the horse, understand the
horse, and so humbly and brilliantly dropping her ego to
learn from/with the horse. She brought out the best in
Eclipse. A truly natural, natural horse person.
We
brought the ‘little horse’ into this world. Her mother
was an extraordinary teacher of trust. ‘Clipper’ was an
extraordinary teacher. Right from birth she taught us to
strive to understand, let go of our own agendas, learn
to learn. She epitomized strong will, hard work,
gentleness, and beauty. I savour the many, many moments
of watching her, throughout her life, just cantering
around the field for the love of it, the joy of feeling
her strength in her body. I really miss those moments.
I know that under anyone else’s guidance/training
Eclipse would have become a fighter, angry, never
showing that gorgeous side. It was always beautiful
watching Anna and Clip, on the ground and under saddle.
They were good buds. They gave a lot to each other. (I
still find it painfully difficult and at times
unbelievable to refer to Eclipse in the past tense.
What they gave each other will live forever, also what
she gave to myself.) I owe alot to Ann. She never
stopped believing in the ‘little horse’, she helped me
gain confidence, and she recognized that a 10 yr. old
girl could learn to ride Eclipse. Again, Ann saw beyond
the surface and helped make a dream come true.
I am
thankful, also, for Ann’s involvement/instincts when I
bought Spring. I am thankful of the 1.5 short time I
had with ‘my strong girl’. It is so raw and hard to
think of her. Our journey really only began. Our trust
in each other was getting very strong. We matched each
other in sensitivity, gentleness, insecurity and wanting
to take care and please. My goal is to dedicate the
rest of my riding/horse days to my strong hearted girl –
Spring. I will honor what all the animals taught me and
try to absorb their wisdom and way of being on this
planet.
I am
forever grateful, as is Anna, and Eclipse.
I wrote the
above before Ann gave me a card/donation from everyone
at AEC. The generosity of all of you floors me. It is
unbelievable. It is such an incredible teaching,
especially in a world that often seems so insane, that
such generosity, kindness, compassion flourishes so
abundantly in this barn.
Thank-you.
peace, love,
laugher
mary, anna, and
family
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