Years ago, I decided to teach myself how to spin using a drop spindle. I did what I usually do, and bought materials and a book (exactly what I did years ago when I taught myself how to knit out of Kids Knitting, a great book by Melanie Falick).
Only this time it didn't work. I read, and I practiced, and I said many, many words that surely bruised our Lord's ears, but I did not spin any yarn. So: I bought another spindle, more roving, another book, thinking that perhaps the first set was somehow faulty.
The first thing you should know about me, is that I am persistent. Some have said "stubborn." Some have said worse. The second thing you know is that sometimes, I'm not stubborn enough.
A related aside: During the height of the "What Would Jesus Do?" craze -- when every other preteen you met was wearing a WWJD? bracelet, I decided that in many instances we all would be better served by asking "What Would a Squirrel Do?"Here's my train of thought: I think in most situations I KNOW what Jesus would do. He would be loving, kind, firm and honest. He wouldn't lose hope; he would forgive the jerks around him. And yes, I think it's good to remember all of these things.
But so often I fail not because I don't know what's right, but because I quit too soon, or I get too frustrated, or I let my failures define me. Thus: What would a squirrel do ("WWASD?")
Squirrels give me hope. They are rodents with brains the size of beebees, but they will just keep jumping on your bird feeder until that thing pays off like a Los Vegas slot machine. People spend fifty to a hundred dollars -- and more! -- to get "squirrel proof" bird feeders. I bought one once. It slowed the squirrel down a little, but it did not stop him. I don't know if there is any force in the universe equal to a squirrel's single-minded unrelenting focus when faced with what he perceives to be dinner. I want that focus.
So, I started over with the 2nd drop spindle, admired the gorgeous roving I'd bought (merino! ooh! ah!) and prepared to spin. I tried rolling the spindle on one thigh, on the other thigh; I stood on a chair while dropping the spindle. Nothing. I read. I re-read. I checked out additional books from the library. I did research on the internet. I turned drop spindle spinning into A Project.
In short, I took all the fun out of it. After weeks of looking at my drop spindles with all the warmth and joy usually reserved for a cold sore, I thought: "This is just not for you right now. Some day, this may be for you. But right now the universe is saying uh-uh." I'm pretty sure Jesus was with me on this one. I know his ears were aching.
So I tucked away the roving, spindles, et. al and went on to something else.
A couple of weeks ago I met a nice lady named Sandy who teaches wheel spinning, and she lives just up the road. I gave my husband the kind of birthday hint that works on engineers: "A great birthday present for me would be spinning lessons. Here's the business card of a lady who gives them." Then I remind him again a couple of days later . . .
So -- guess what?? I got spinning lessons for my birthday! The first one is tomorrow, and I am soo--ooo-oo excited. Sandy is even going to loan me a wheel so that I can practice at home. And I'm saying to the universe, the squirrels, and to Jesus: I am ready to learn how to spin! Teach me! I hardly recognize myself, I am feeling so hyper and perky. The very picture of your average squirrel faced with the average bird feeder.
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On another front, someone on the MS3 board published this hint, which I think is a true keeper:
To easily wind a center-pull ball of yarn, start with a small plastic pill bottle, put the leading end of the yarn inside the bottle, snap the lid on and wind away. When finished you can take the lid off the bottle, push the bottle out, and you will have a perfect center-pull ball!
I tried this last night and was so impressed with the results that I got a little wind happy. Here are exhibits A, B, &C:
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