Fiber Fun

It was a beautiful sunny day yesterday as Suzette and I headed out to Vicksburg for this year's Fiber Fun In The 'Sip.  

There's not much to say about the drive down there, except that it was largely uneventful.  Very little traffic on the roads, but that didn't stop some dude from riding my bumper for about 10 miles solid.  Why?  I don't know.  He had plenty of room to pass. 

It put me in mind of when I went to my nephew's wedding in Missouri back in 2023.  I was driving through the middle of nowhere.  Not another car on the road for miles -- except this one chick who rode my bumper for about 20 miles.  We finally got to a town and parted ways.  The last time I saw her, she was riding someone else's bumper.  "Better him than me," I said as I bid her adieu.  

But as I said, the drive down to V-burg was largely uneventful.  The most note worthy thing about it was the sheer scale of destruction from the ice storm last month.  You could tell they were in the process of cleaning it up, but there were still branches, limbs, and even whole trees down one after another for miles and miles.  

I'd thought briefly about driving down and staying with Cody and Brennan while my power was out, but after seeing what I saw yesterday, it's a good thing I didn't try to make that trip.  By the way, there are still about 500 people in the state who still haven't gotten their power back on.  

I'm getting a bit off topic, though.  I get there and find the place -- which wasn't hard at all.  I found Leann's booth and a table nearby that she'd saved for us.  It wasn't long at all before Amy joined us and the party got started. 

Leann was busy doing business, so she was popping in and out, but we still had plenty of time to visit.  

You know, I don't mean to sound ugly, and I have no idea what it takes to keep a fiber festival going, and I truly, truly hope this one can make it, but it's not looking good.  It's gotten smaller and smaller every year, with fewer vendors and smaller crowds.  I knew Christi couldn't come, but even her friends Other Amy and Emily didn't come this time.  I'd gotten to where I was looking forward to seeing them, too.  And there were faces in the crowd that had become familiar and they weren't there, either.  Most of them.  

Even the swag was so much less than it was in the past.  

This was it.  A sticker, a koozie, and a chapstick.  I wish I knew what it would take to fix things, but I don't.  I'm not meaning to sound critical.  I've always enjoyed going, and it feels like I'm watching it die a slow death, and it breaks my heart.  

Anyway, Amy, Leann, and I talked about having a get together sometime later this year away from yarn shops or the temptation to buy things so that everyone could come -- even those on a yarn diet.  *cough, cough*  Christi...

I'm hoping we can plan it so that Peggy and Kat can come, too.  

In spite of all of that, there was still lots of beautiful yarns there.  I was good.  I only bought one skein. 

Not sure what I'm going to make with it, since I don't knit socks with it any more, but I'll figure out something.  I might even...*gasp*...make something for myself.  Try to contain your shock.  

Amy and I talked about that for a bit.  I love to knit nice things, especially complicated lace patterns, but what am I going to do with them?  I can't wear a lace shawl to the factory, and I'm sure my family is tired of me dumping stuff off onto them.  So, I stick to knitting hats for charity.  

We had a great time, but all too soon it was time to head home.  We laughed, we cried, and many bitter tears were shed at our parting.  In the meantime, here are just a few photos I took of some of the vendors.  I realized after I got home that I didn't even take a picture of Leann's booth.  Bummer.  

I'll do better next time.