Jessie: In New Hampshire, grateful for the screen house to keep out the black flies on beautiful days!

Every now and again I take the advice of the writer, Julia Cameron, and take myself out on an artist’s date. It is so uplifting to go somewhere new that allows me to see beautiful things and to engage my senses in out-of-the-ordinary ways. Fortunately, there is never a shortage of places to visit!

On Saturday, I had the opportunity to attend an event that was just perfect for refilling my creative well. For years, I have meant to attend the New Hampshire Sheep and Wool Festival, but somehow I have never made it. It always seems to fall on Mother’s Day weekend and I usually have other plans. This year, a friend was available to join me, the weather was beautiful, and I had nothing on the schedule.

For fiber lovers, there is nothing better than the chance to see so much of it on display. With four buildings filled with vendor booths I cannot even guess at how many yards of yarn were there for the viewing and patting! Angora, mohair, silk, cashmere, and a huge variety of wool breeds in multiple weights and colors were available to purchase. And although it is my favorite thing, there was so much more than yarn to see.

Women of all ages sat in one of the exhibit halls with their spinning wheels expertly whirling, skeins of handspun yarn magically growing before the eyes of the passersby. My friend was inspired to pick up a drop spindle and some colorful roving of her own.

Besides the spinning and the finished yarn there were also the animals who contribute all the fiber in the first place. In one of the fields, we watched a sheepdog demonstrating how to herd a flock of sheep. We had the chance to watch another sheep being sheared. Several children walked sheep, goats, and tiny lambs on leashes here, there, and everywhere. Alpacas, with their curiously long necks, could be seen peering about as if wondering what all the fuss was about. There was even an enormous angora rabbit in a basket available for petting.

And, of course, there was fair food. It was difficult to choose, but I have never regretted settling on a gyro! Somehow everything tastes best in the open air, especially when there is so much people watching to be done. Knitters love to wear their handmade creations to fiber events, and seeing what they have created is inspiring! It also makes it easy to chat with strangers when you wish to pay them a compliment on their handiwork!

By the end of the day, my wallet was a bit lighter, but my heart and imagination were full. I can hardly wait for my next artist’s date!

Readers, do you like festivals, fairs, and shows? Writers, do you take yourself on artist’s dates?