Above is a photo of some of the sheep at my daughter’s school. You can’t really tell, but behind them (and all around their enclosure) is wool embedded into the chicken wire fence. It is an installation by a local artist, Nancy Milliken, called Walling In. All the while it was going up onto the fence I thought, “hmmm…..now isn’t that interesting and not altogether attractive?” But I will tell you: I drive from the south side of Bay Rd (the road that used to take folks from points west to the Bay, in Boston) and as the road bends, the fence is fully visible as it spills down the hill. It’s beautiful. I love it.
You’ll find a better photo of the whole fence on Nancy Milliken’s website. You’ll also find a photo of a rooster from the school. This rooster. Isn’t he pretty?
Look at the chicken wire up close:
You know I don’t love wool. I used to not be able to wear it at all–the itching and coarseness. When we moved to the Pioneer Valley, it was almost sacrilege not to wear wool, let alone to not like it. Try taking that a step further from the bubble of the Pioneer Valley into the even smaller community that is our local Waldorf school. Wool in our Waldorf school is to clothing like manna is to food. It’s practically heaven-sent and good for anything that ails you. In fact, it is probably edible in some form or another, just ask the Handwork-slash-Ag Arts teacher. I used to hate wool. I sort of still do. Slowly, over the last 11 years, my body seems to have adjusted to it a little: I can wear some wool-blend socks, as long as the percent of wool isn’t too high. I can wear my wool coat because it has a thick polar-fleece lining. I cannot wear a wool scarf directly next to my skin, even the Smartwool kind. I do have a lovely pink and black polka-dot hat that is merino wool and I can wear that.
Maybe it doesn’t matter so much, all of this wool. It’s the Solstice, December 22, and it’s raining in New England. I am sure up in the hill towns and in the mountains there is some snow. Rain in December. What happened to our climate? You probably don’t need wool in New England until January nowadays.
Silk is the other natural fiber one must acquaint oneself with in New England. My initial reaction when told I must wear silks in the winters here was to turn my nose up. The nerve! Me, who was somewhat “tactile defensive” as a child (they just told you to behave or slapped you when I was a kid, no such thing as tactile defensive). I remember a particular episode when I had to wear tights and how I screamed my head off in protest. I did eventually learn to wear silk long underwear and I fell in love with the warmth and softness and the not-overwhelming level of heat that they keep in (unlike a lot of synthetics which can make me too warm unless I’m outside and not moving).
I love new kitty SO MUCH:
Here is the latest photo of the advent calender:
Happy Solstice! Are you going to the celebration for Hartsbrook tonight? I’m missing it, honestly. Lovely, peaceful evening.
I love Nancy and her work! Thanks for sharing this! I would love to see it as I drove down Bay Rd, but you know that won’t happen anytime soon!
Happy Holidays!
Went to Solstice last night. It was so beautiful, Lara!
At least you can see the photos of the fence.
I hope they keep the installation up for a while. I put in a plug for it with Louise. But I think the concern is what the weather will do to it. With the lanolin, the wool is protected from all sorts of things that fibers usually have trouble from. At least I think.
Happy Solstice!
Lovin’ this post from beginning to end. That wool fence is one of the most beautiful things I can imagine: what a great piece of art! Beautiful sheep and rooster at your daughter’s school. She is lucky to attend a school with that kind of atmosphere.
Oh, good! Willow just walked into the room so I can show her New Kitty’s beautiful picture. We are going to read the post at the link together now.
Yes, we are lucky to have the school. It is a beautifully sited property. Welcome to my blog, Willow!
Wishing you a very happy holiday season and may 2012 bring you much happiness. New Kitty is so pretty!
Thanks, JG!!! Merry Christmas (if that’s what you’re inclined to celebrate) and Happy New Year. I am so glad to have you to read. And that you are judicious in how often you post. Maybe I could learn that…..
Love all your pix, twinks, but that advent calendar wins my heart. EXTREME LOVE!
Yes, thanks, Erin. I’ll have to reveal what the big “24” had underneath it. Maybe tomorrow’s post….(it’s Boxing Day).