Legacy, how we love you

In a small barn in Gagetown near the creek so deep

Lived eight little goats and four little sheep
The smallest one was Legacy

While it was true that she was wee
She had an awesome pedigree
Caprine aristocracy


The softest cashmere was probably hers
But this little goat was covered in burrs
For though she was a princess goat
She never cared much for her coat
And given half a chance would rather
Hang out where the sheep would gather
In amongst the apple trees
And burdocks, coincidally.

So now that it is harvest time
For cashmere she is shocked to find
Her combing is a tiresome grind

There is a tiny compensation
And that is how her daily ration
Has increased in straight proportion
To the time spent in the stanchion.

Cashmere dreams

Kilo is starting to let go of his coat. Good thing we got the stanchion built. I made a little donation to Fias Co Farm in thanks for the plans they posted on line, which we managed to adapt to the materials we had available, such as a helpful chocolate Lab.


This year, we're going to tackle this cashmere harvesting thing in an organized and methodical way. Yes sirree Bob. Those goats won't know what hit them. Wait - what am I talking about? We are about to set them up on a comfortable, dedicated stand, provide them with a personal serving of healthy and tasty treats, and lavish them with love and attention for a half hour at a time. Peace and love, my brothers. I mean like - wow - do I ever want to be a goat.

Meanwhile, we are plowing through last year's cashmere a microgram at a time, removing the nasty guard hairs that got in there partly because we waited a little too long to collect the last of this precious fibre. Check out the before and after photos of cashmere as we "de-hair" it. You can see the guard hairs in the un-dehaired sample.



What you can't tell from the photo of the finished bag is that, when you put your hand in there, you can't feel anything, just a warm sensation and an immense sense of cosmic well-being.



I'm telling you, forget chicken soup - you need a goat for your soul.