yaklady

Clay, they really should have a big picture of you on their home page. After all, you're the big attraction, not that lady looking at pictures which are not even yours. Want me to file a complaint? Freak, I didn't know you had a conscience. Where did you find it? Kathy

I definitely need a sign like that one on the fence, Crystal! I wonder if the yaks would take offense to the signs being leather? One of the "No Trespassing" signs we have up now was shot by a BB gun a few years ago. We often find golf balls in one of the pastures, and I found a deer skeleton and a putter in the same place this spring. I wonder if the neighbors have issues with the cute little deer, too. I figure we weren't contacted about the fence because it is plenty good. The animal control people were probably laughing when they left the neighbor's house. There's no way a yak is getting through that! One day the man at the feed store said to me, "I hate yaks!" Then he asked where mine are, and he said "I hate your yaks!" He went on to explain how he and his wife were riding past the yak pasture when the yaks came running over to say hi. That scared the horses half to death, and he went on to explain the 360's and the bolting and the hanging off the side of the saddle. He wasn't mad, just amuzing. Maybe I should put up a sign to warn horseback riders, too! Time to go make signs! Kathy

Are black bears just grizzlies which have been playing in the fire pit? Yes, Crystal, there were 2 babies. The second was born sick and was too weak to make it. He was not a "bad" yak, just unfortunate. It was depressing, but big brother is doing just fine. Thanks for asking. I can post new pictures as he grows, if you like. We found something amuzing in the local paper the other day. Under Sherrif's Calls, there was a heading of "Yakity Yak". Seems my bull threatened a neighbor through the fence. They called Animal Control to place a complaint, saying they didn't think the fence was sufficient to keep the bull in. Animal Control came to their house and checked out the fence, which I had recently fixed up with 48" field fencing. They said the fence is good enough, and left it at that. They didn't even come to talk to us about it. Perhaps I should put off training the yaks to jump! Yours truly, Gramyak

I'd have a toothache, too, if my teeth looked like that!

Elk are baby moose? I haven't heard that one, but I did hear a lady from Chicago say that deer are baby horses that no one owns. Tony Laier thinks marmots are beavers. I'll be glad to stick in more recent pictures of the grand yak! Here's Daddy Yak begging for yak snacks. Get a load of this. We went to Mount Evans the other day. That's a 14,000+ foot mountain for those who aren't familiar with it. There's a snowboarder going down the snow field in the picture. He gave it up and scooted over to the side and walked back up! Not an easy climb! Can you see him? He's about a third of the way down on the right hand side. Crazy guy! I am happy that the giant humming bird kept to the current spouts. I'm also happy the bear hasn't discovered my feeder. Dewwe, Cheatem and How is a company I have dealt with in the past! I think I'll stick with my own conclusions and let them research the question until no further notice. Kathy

I just found this "humming bird" drinking out of my feeder. Flat landers are known to ask "At what altitude do deer turn into elk?". I guess I could ask "At what altitude do humming birds turn into wood peckers?"

That's a very nice looking saddle. I look forward to seeing the fully carved one completed. My findings on Hermann Oak and Wicket and Craig leathers are the same as yours. I also find there is more usable leather on a side of Hermann Oak. The Wicket and Craig tends to have more loose, spongey leather around the edges that I cannot make use of. That doesn't help when you're trying to get as much out of a side as you can, like when you're making a saddle. Shep Hermann's a nice guy, too. I'll buy from him anyday! Kathy

This little piggy went to market, This little piggy stayed home. This little piggy had roast yak, This little piggy had none. This little piggy learned your real age And went Hee! Hee! Hee! all the way home! Don't have TOO much fun! Kathy

When I saw the word "Antique" in this forum's description, I figured this is the place to post this picture. This is a saddle I made when I was in 4-H, a million years ago. No, it's not brilliant, I made it from a kit that Tandy's had out at the time. It has been my favorite saddle ever since. It has gone through rain, snow, rivers, lakes, swamps and mud. The squeaks have long since been worn away, and the saddle has out-lived the horse I made it for. This thing's as old as the hills! It's still my favorite saddle.

Jim taught me how to do his feather a few years ago. I think they're pretty cool, too. Here's a picture of the one I did in class. It's the same size as Clay's feather. OOPS! How did that get in there???

Happy Birthday, Anne! Did you get a big bang out of it? Kathy

Did you learn that one from Mike Button?

I'm planning on getting a new lawn mower, too. A yearling miniature horse with a 1/4 horse engine, pearly white cutting blades that never wear out, and a brilliant composting feature. It's fully automatic. Let it into the yard, and it does the job itself! This one is coming from none other than Horsehairbraider.

Kathy is my given name, and eveybody still calls me that, so I may as well stick with it. I could go by Kathleen, but no one would know who the heck that is. When I joined Leatherworker, I was at the mercy of Johanna and ClayB, who knew I had just butchered a very angry yak bull. The two of them began taunting me for the cruel act, and I quickly became a yak murderer. Well, the rest of the world knows how wonderful and sweet I am, so the word "murderer" just didn't fit. I am as perfect as perfection goes, so I had to stay with a name that fit. Be sides, this way I can show off my baby yaks and no one questions it or complains!

I love the oringinality in the design! I could use a Celtic yak. Fabulous job on the tooling and coloring.

I didn't know we had a member in the Philippines! My sister is in Bagio (spelling?). She and her husband have an orphanage in Dingras. Don't ask me where those places are, I have no idea! I only know what balut is. I guess the typhoon didn't bother them, they didn't even mention it. Glad you're okay! Kathy

That's almost as cute as my little yaks! I have a new shop mascot, too. His name is Ralph because his brother ralphed on him. What better way to start off in a new home but with a bath!

To wear boots like that, do you have to keep your pant legs tucked in? I know a little girl with pink cowboy boots, and that's what she does!

Wow! Someone was looking after you! My cousin was way too close to being blown away in Windsor, Colorado, too. I think I'll stick with my snow. Kathy

It's now in the 70's, a light breeze blowing, and an occasional afternoon shower to keep the forest fires away. The little baby yaks are in Heaven, as am I. Ain't life great?

I don't believe there is any way to lighten leather. Making it darker is easy, of course. Leather will darken with age, and there is no way to stop that, especially if you are using it. There is one way to make your leather appear to be lighter. Bob Beard uses acrylic paint the same color of the leather when the project is made. The paint will not change color, therefore Bob is preserving the original color, so to speak. If you want to lighten the color, you could paint it. Oxalic acid can lighten leather a little, but not significantly. It also had a tendancy to dry the leather. I always use oil afterwards, which, of course, darkens it again. Too much Neatsfoot oil will definitely harm the leather. Neatsfoot oil softens by breaking down the fibers of the leather. To much oil means too much breaking down. I got impatient oiling my tack as a teenager and put the reins all the way into the oil bottle. I pulled them right out and wiped them off, but the damage was done. They gradually broke down and got longer and longer till they broke. The horse thought that was great, he could reach more grass, and eventually got to go where he wanted! Extra Virgin olive oil softens leather by lubricating the fibers rather than breaking them down. I'm sure too much of it would be harmful, too. You would have all the neighborhood mice stir frying in your tack room! Some people say it goes rancid, but it doesn't here in our cool climate. Hope this helps somebody. Kathy

I just can't see that bunny in there. Very nice job!

I gotta tell ya, there's nothing better on the grill than a bit of yak! I'll take the steaks over the ribs! Yum! Maybe I should send them (the horns) to Luke for a little carving. Looks like he enjoys moose, maybe yak will be as much fun.