and see across the meadow a festival in progress. I wandered at length through the grounds, observing magnificent birds of prey, sword fights, wandering minstrels, and people messily devouring huge turkey legs. A clever troupe of players performed a play of some sort.

Amidst all this fanfare and pageantry, what stood out most clearly in my mind is... a sheep. The sheep belonged to a woman who spun wool by hand. She would shear wool from the creature as she needed it, also by hand, and after it was spun she would dye it by hand. She had achieved an extraordinary variety of warm, rich colors. She used the wool to knit clothing. I watched her nimble fingers working swiftly and competently as she chatted with visitors and the sheep blithely cropped the grass nearby. She did marvelous work.

"Do you have baby clothes for sale?" I queried

"Yes Mum, I have what yea see...."

she had a few but none to my taste so I turned to take my leave

Everything seemed to be represented at this festival from brewing beer, making mead, weaving cloth, making boots, shooting with or constructing crossbows, forging knives and swords, playing a game, crafting a musical instrument or cooking a meal.

I decided to participate in attending the feast, a tournament, and the turkey legs provided was excellent. But I was growing weary and decided to make my way home.