Wouldn't an alpaca make a nice pet?

A few weeks ago local alpaca breeders joined together to hold an open day.  

 This boy was very handsome, and didn't he know it too!  His colouring was quite unusual.

 This young cria (baby alpacas are called crias) was a bit shy, but was very cute just the same.

This was at Duri, a small village not far south of here.  You can see how dry the local sports ground is, and it's just the same here.  One could even try alpaca meat, which we did.....alpaca sausage is quite nice, with a slightly sweet taste.  I also bought some alpaca yarn with a pattern for a beanie and scarf, the beanie is already partly knitted and will be handy in winter on my morning walk.

Yes folks, walking has started again on doctor's orders.  It has taken a while to reach (because of my foot and ankle problems, and my general state of unfitness) but I am now up to 30 minutes, the last part of which - the most difficult part - is uphill coming home.  Much as we like living here on the hill, it does have its disadvantages.  I spend most of my walk watching my feet to make sure I don't stumble or trip as I don't want to break any more bones.  It's something I do because I know I have to (wouldn't even be so bad if I thought it would make me lose weight but that's a lost cause given my age, hormones and genetics) and not something I enjoy.  According to what one reads, exercise is supposed to release endorphins in the body which make one feel invigorated and happy afterwards.........I think they're missing in me, because that doesn't happen at all.  When I get home I don't feel elated, just tired and out of breath from walking back up the hill.  And hungry, because this is before breakfast.

End of moan, thank you for listening.

Kevin is now driving the car again!  That's good, because I don't need to dry him anywhere he needs to go......and not so good, because we are back to sharing the car.  Oh, well - at least he can now hang washing out again too.  No doubt about it, having someone to share the domestic chores makes life easier.

Not much action to report in the sewing room, block obligations are now down to one block being finished off (which will be done tomorrow) and two more to be made.  My quilt group - the one I will stay with - has a block each month which members take turns at making, and it's my turn next Monday to have a sample block made (that's done) and instructions written out (also done).  Meanwhile the block from this month's meeting still hasn't been started.....but it will be, never fear.  It's a leaf design and I quite like it.  Whoever "wins" the blocks each month has the option of keeping them, or using them to make a quilt which is donated to the local Ronald Macdonald House.  I have my eye on the leaf blocks and if I win them next Monday, they will be mine.  Not Ronnie Mac's.  I'll make him something else.  The remaining block is for the annual quilt which we make and donate to a local charity to use as a fundraiser, and it's a very easy design.....or would be, if I kept a stock of 2-1/2 inch squares ready cut, which I don't.  Sometimes it's almost as fiddly to cut pieces for just one block and to make it as it is to make a full-sized quilt, don't you think?

Ukulele group is proceeding well, and we are having fun.  The new uke is so beautiful to play.......I love it.  It is worth every cent it cost.  Also, the radio program has been getting good feedback.  Much of what I play comes from our own CD collection, although I do play selections from the station computer too.

Leaves on the we-think-it's-an-apricot tree in the back yard are turning lemon-yellow and falling, much to Bianca's amusement.  When you are an inside cat I suppose you have to take your entertainment where you can find it, and watching the occasional pretty leaf drift to the ground or skitter along the path on a windy day is obviously worth spending time doing.

"After you have visited a friend at her country seat, or after receiving an invitation to visit her, a call is due her upon her return to her town residence.  This is one of the occasions when a call should be made promptly and in person, unless you have a reason for wishing to discontinue the acquaintance; even then it would be more civil to take another opportunity for dropping a friend who wished to show a civility, unless her character has been irretrievably lost in the meantime."

I suppose you could say we called on the alpacas at their country seat?

The sewing room is calling.......

Enjoy your days!