Mohair

As I sit here at my computer it is the beginning of a new day. I will admit this day is beginning a little earlier then I like it too. I have been up since 3:30am. A nap will be required later today. The sun has yet to rise and I have already read my Bible (Jeremiah chapter 50), eaten breakfast, made a few posts of facebook, and done a little research on the word xerophytes (A plant adapted to living in a dry arid habitat). Once the sun comes up I will be out the door to feed the cats and do some morning chores before it gets too hot. When I have decided I have done enough for one day, I will then take my shower, have a morning snack and probably then lay down for awhile.

Yesterday a friend and I made the hour drive to Kerrville. We each came with long lists of places we wanted to visit and items we needed to purchase. I always make these trips with grocery lists from other neighbors. When you live so far from the stores, you plan accordingly. We petered out before we got everything done that was on our to-do lists, but we had a productive day and bought a lot of what we needed. The main reason we wanted to go yesterday (Wednesday) is because that is the only day the Kerr County Produce is open to the public. They sell vegetables at wholesale prices. We always stock up. After putting our vegetables into the ice chest, we walked over to two different thrift stores where we both found items we needed. I found a great basket for carrying vegetables from the vegetable garden to the house for only $1.25.

Kerrville is an hour drive east, but Rocksprings is exactly 15 miles NW. This is a very rural area and ranching is the main industry around here. I often see cattle, sheep, and goats grazing no matter what direction I drive. Unfortunately due to the extreme drought all are suffering. Many folks have been forced to sell off their livestock due as feed is very expensive to buy and there is no grass for the animals to graze on. Rocksprings is considered the Mohair capital of the world. Mohair comes from Angora goats and due to the rocky conditions here, this area is great for raising goats. Until the 1980’s Edwards County had more Angora goats than anywhere else in the world. After the Mohair became less profitable, many ranchers diversified and so today there are many breeds of goats in the area, along with the sheep, cows, and other animals. But wool from Angora goats and sheep is still big business here.

A few weeks ago I was with a friend and we wondered into the Priour-Varga Wool & Mohair Inc. I had my camera with me and after asking for permission, I took the enclosed shots.