02.21.07
A Word on Organics
For anyone following along with my yarn journey, I wanted to share that today I got some organic wool samples from a supplier in the UK. Their brochure had some interesting information regarding the textile industry of which the production and processing of wool is part. This is what the brochure has written:
“The textile industry, taken as a whole, is among the top ten most polluting industries in the world and the conventional woollen industry contributes to this from the production of the fleece which then passes through many toxic chemical processes during the manufacture of the end products. Most conventional woollen products are no longer “natural” having been treated by one or more of the following processes: alkaline baths to remove dirt and grease, acid baths to remove vegetable matter, anti-shrink for machine washing, bleaching, dying, moth proofing, and possibly flame proofing; as well as often being blended with man made fibres. It is difficult to quantify the effects of chemical inputs, but there is growing evidence to show that some of the chemicals used in the treatment of wool are harmful to health and the environment.
Most people know something about the organic movement, and may choose to buy and eat food that is grown and produced organically without realising that other “natural” products could or should be organic. . . ”
Another part of their brochure that I feel worth mentioning is their comments on organic farming. I know I have been more vocal about the importance of “eating” organic for our health, even though I have also learned of the importance of practicing organic methods for the benefit of our environment. Even though I have been more vocal about eating organic, I do feel that organic farming is important to caring for our lands. And I do feel that it is Biblical to care for our land because the Bible states in revelation 11:18, “The nations were angry; and your wrath has come. The time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding your servants the prophets and your saints and those who reverence your name, both small and great— and for destroying those who destroy the earth.” In Genesis we are taught that in the beginning God told Adam to care for the animals and basically take care of the earth, not plunder the earth and render it infertile. Then in Revelation quoted above, God’s wrath comes, and it will be a time for judgement to reward His servants and to destroy those who destroy the earth. I see those who destroy the earth as those who pollute and damage our environment. That’s another practical aspect the Bible has revealed to us. From creation we were connected with the soil. Adam was formed from the dust of the earth. From dust we came, from dust we shall return. Our subsequent health has been closely intertwined with nature–the sun, the air, the soil, water, etc. is essential to our existence. We could not live without any one of them. When we pollute or damage our environment, our health suffers because we were designed to function in harmony with the earth. When the earth suffers and is less healthy, so we suffer and are also less healthy. So very briefly, here is the comment on organic farming on the brochure I received today:
“Organic farming is concerned with a holistic approach to animal welfare and the environment in its broadest sense and strives to minimise pollution in any form by avoiding the use of artificial chemicals wherever possible–artificial herbicides and fungicides are prohibited as are organo-phosphate dips and Genetically Modified Organisms.”
This got me a little curious, so I did a quick Google and found this link. It lists 64 different types of polluting industries and industry activities. Interestingly, “hospitals” are on this list, ha! I have suspected that, but never really researched it. I thought with all the chemicals and drugs used in hospitals as well as all that nuclear medicine, it must be a hazard living near one, like I do! Ack! Well, at least it’s not next door! What has run through my mind is that hospitals have a lot of poisons to dispose of, and when all their patients are drugged up and taking chemos, some of that stuff comes out in their feces and urine, and where does that go? The oceans? Reclaimed water for city use? If I recall correctly, a few years ago I read an article which revealed that traces of “Prozac” was detected in city water in parts of England. How did that stuff get into the water? It is well known that drugs are commonly not fully metabolised in the body so that a certain percentage passes through and ends up in the urine or feces. That means that all these people taking chemos, hormone replacements, any myriad of drugs will be peeing out a percentage of it, and where does it end up? Polluting our environment. And we’re not even talking about all the plastic supplies that have to be disposed of like rubber gloves and catheters, bags, and tubings, etc. So, I try to do my little part and support local organic farmers. Biodynamic is even better.
Well, it’s getting late again, and rather than end on a depressing note, I want to post a few cute things that my email friend, Viv, sent to me. I’m only posting my favorite ones that made me laugh, although there were other clever ones. Take a look at these sandwiches:
LOLOL Is this why we’re not supposed to play with our food? Unfortunately, I doubt any of these are organic, so I likely will never get a taste of them.
Have a nice day!
Marlakins 
One thing I found out today is that there is a Chinese method of acupuncture and a Japanese method of acupuncture. The Chinese method tends to use more needles than the Japanese. Also in Japan, their acupuncturists don’t use herbs, while in China, herbs are frequently used. I’m not clear as to whether it’s a law prohibition there or not, but that’s the impression I got. It appears that Japanese style acupuncturists here in the U.S. do use herbs, though. Also herbalism is considered more important and respectable in China than in the U.S. Acupuncture is considered more of a profession in the U.S. than is herbalism. I’m not sure why there is a difference in perception in each location, but there it is. Perhaps it’s cultural.
So here’s a picture of some of my spinning stuff. I actually made my very “first” small, 2-ply ball of yarn, which is ready for knitting! It’s two ply with white and brown wool. It’s sitting right on top of the roving. The fluffy white and brown stuff is what is called roving–fleece, which has been washed and carded and ready for spinning. 
The wooden stick (for those who may not know) with the disk on top is my hand spindle. I used that to spin my first ply or single strand of yarn with the white roving. Below is a picture of a ball of my first ply of the white wool (sheered from a bluefaced leicester sheep), and the brown roving and single ply of brown wool made from a Jacob sheep is still on the spindle. For a long time I’ve been interested in spinning my own yarn. Basically, you spin two balls of yarn, then spin the two yarns together to make a 2-ply.
Here’s a picture of me spinning (nice that today is a holiday, so Brian manned the camera). I’m just a beginner, so I need to concentrate as evidenced by the “tight lip.” Ha! I’m actually spinning both white and brown at once here, just to experiment. You can barely see it, but the brown roving is behind the white roving draped over my left hand. I’ve also been working on using up my old yarns. And when I say “old,” I mean it! I found a stash of yarns that’s about as old or just a little older than my oldest son. Uh, that makes it about 19 years old! I can’t believe I’ve stashed yarn for 19 years without even working it up! So to get rid of the old and in with the new, I’ve started making a retro baby blanket, heheh. It’s not finished yet, but I thought I’d take a picture of it before I’m done. The stripes are going diagonally, so I’m working from corner to corner diagonally. It looks like a triangle right now, but should finish up to being a square with diagonal stripes. I’m thinking that a border would help give it a more finished look, too. It’s a simple garter stitch so that I can finish it up quickly and I can get to my new better quality yarns (20 years ago, I don’t think I was as particular with what kind of yarn I used). Just so long as the yarn will now be “useful,” rather that just taking up space in my garage. So this is what it looks like so far. . .
I’m actually starting early for Christmas presents, ha! So by the time I get myself organized, and learn how to do a few things, I’ll be taking pictures of some of my completed projects. One might think that it’s cheaper and easier to just buy Christmas presents, but I’ve got my own peculiar philosophical thoughts behind it, one thing is that I don’t want to promote slave labor in foreign countries so that I can buy cheap/inexpensive products, nor do I care to make the rich richer. Another reason I like to make things is because I think basic skills are being lost, especially since we’re so removed from the land. I think there is value in self-sufficiency in more ways than one. Anyway, before I get too into my philosophical moods, another thing I hope to tackle is dying my own yarns. . . woo hoo! Yeah, I know, the things that get me excited. . .
Here it is pictured on the left. The other two brown colored rovings are from Jacob sheep and Corriedale sheep. The Jacob sheep is supposedly an ancient breed and the name “Jacob” is connected to Jacob in the Bible. More can be read about Jacob sheep 
The final pictures are of the Correidale. They come in various colors. My roving is from a dark brown one. The correidale below is obviously lighter.
And a baby brown correidale, eeee, hee. What a cutie. . . Can you just imagine King David as a child caring for sheeps like these?
Today is Chinese New Year. As I’m sure most of you know, each year is represented by a different animal. I guess it’s kind of like a zodiac sign. I’m not into zodiac signs at all, but for those interested, the year 2007 is the year of the “pig.” Oink, oink. Apparently, the Chinese have a 15-day celebration for the new year. More can be read about it 
Here’s to all you lovely people! Okay, so these were some roses on my rose vine last spring. . . I would have posted “fresh” roses but my rose vine currently has no roses, zip, zilch, nadda. . . I hope that doesn’t mean I’ve been a bad girl. . .
