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mother of josh, richard, and mutt. lover of books, yarn, and the quiet places. spinner, knitter, kayaker, survivor, vandweller, warrior.

Monday, August 10, 2009

new friends in the funniest places


i sold my spinning wheel yesterday. i have toyed with the idea off and on for maybe 2 years now. i decided to finally do it, to get myself that much closer to my goal of being on the road again.
i haven't spun anything on the wheel since last year. what spinning i have been doing has all been on spindles, and even on my thigh. i am pulled inexorably to the more primitive and simple flow of draft, twirl, wind on, and repeat. i love that i can spin anywhere, at most anytime, with the simplest tools.
but i LOVED my wheel. it came to me during a desperately lonely and hopeless time in my life. it was more than a beautiful tool, it was a symbol of hope, and continuation.
i struggled with that, in my quest to downsize; to let go of things and thoughts and beliefs that held me back. so onto craig's list it went. things started off with a little drama, with my first inquiry from someone who wanted to buy my wheel that involved, among other things, nigeria and a very large cashiers check (if i would be so kind as to make change) which left me ready to pull the ad and forget about it altogether......
two minutes after deleting the last email from the scammer, i recieved another email asking if the wheel was still available. certain that it was my spammer coming back under a different email addy, i almost deletted it. but i saw a local area code in the message, and called it.......
..... which led me to the parking lot of Gander Mountain in the rain yakking it up with 3 super women who love dogs and fiber and life and adventure as much as i do. my wheel has a good home, and the look in denise's eyes as she looked at her first spinning wheel was worth more to me than the actual money transaction. i knew then that it was right and fitting that the wheel....an Ashford Joy....would now bring just that to denise, instead of languishing alone in a farmhouse while i was on the road. thank-you, denise! and judy and mary, also. it was wonderful to meet all of you! i look forward to seeing you again, and sharing some time spinning together.
new friends, in the unlikeliest places :-)

10 comments:

Paladin said...

My Wife had an Ashford wheel for several years when she was an avid spinner. She sold it after moving on to a different hobby. It was neat when the buyers came to the house to pick it up... they were so excited to get it. It was a little like re-living the joy my Wife had when she first brought the wheel home.

Brian Many Wheels said...

You are really lightening up! I am inspired...just got back to Missoula and will offload a few things into the bus for the time being...when I see the stuff again I will decide if it stays or goes....
I am trying life without refrigeration next.
bye

Tom Ridley said...

Not a fiber worker, but admire the tool and the comments. People, not things is where it's at!

~~Mike~~ said...

Well done sweet Katie! I of course will never be quite such a minimalist but I admire the fact that you want to :) I like being comfortable in our van and having all the things I like when we are out and about. I am busy trying to figure out where to cram a few more things in there actually LOL! We love you!

Hey Brian, no cold stuff? Why for? You aren't going all skeletal on me too are ya?

-Mike(Bocephus may have influenced some of this comment)

Mysturman said...

I don't know anything about spinning wheels but I'm happy you are back katietwoknives. I like to read your web-site when I log on to read the news.But you don't write enough to keep me entertained very long.Guess you have a life away from the computer writing. (laugh). Hope your puddy dog Mutt is doing well also.

Judy said...

Denise is glad you didn't delete!!!She brought the wheel home and had it sitting in the kitchen still covered in the trash bag. Her husband almost threw it out thinking it was trash! So she is having a bag made for it. Rest assured it went to a very good home and will be loved.

twokniveskatie said...

paladin-just curious what your wife's new hobby is?

bri- where to next?

tom-you got that right!

sweet mike-just don't go cramming anymore sock monkeys in there....i think you've bagged the legal limit :-)

mysturman- mutt is well! taking it easy in the heat! i am being much more disciplined about my blogging. glad you stop by, and enjoy reading!

judy- i am so happy with the wheels new home! i'm gonna find someplace to paddle up your way, maybe we can all meet for tea or coffee!

Brian Many Wheels said...

kate...I will leave here, Missoula, in a couple of days for parts east...the first place that comes to mind is Mount Rushmore, which I have never seen. I nice slow trip from here on out as I am not telling anyone I am coming til about two or three days in advance...they will know I plan to visit if it works out. Maybe now I will start spinning some. I started saving Dina fur kinda late but heck, it is just an experiment, right?

Brian Many Wheels said...

Mike...I am just talking about in the van...I love refers as much as I used to love reefers...8^) and especially freezers for Tillamook Mudslide ice cream!
Skeletal I will never be...but for many years my idol was an English lad that I fought forest fire with in northern BC who was traveling the world with the clothes he had on, his passport, a toothbrush, a swimsuit, sweater and tiny sleeping bag. It all fit into a small sidebag...oh yeah he had the most charming smile of anyone I have ever seen....
So far I am working on a decent smile....
NM Bri

twokniveskatie said...

brian, it's never too late to start saving! i'll be interested to se what kinda undercoat dina has....