Here is how it happened that a spinning wheel came home with me:

As we have previously established, I made a proclamation to not buy a wheel. On Saturday at the Festival I came down with wheel fever and narrowly escaped winning one at the auction. Everyone I spoke with was crazy about spinning – and I mean possessed by it. I buy a drop spindle and settle myself down.

Sunday – the last day. We got to the site early — it was much less crowded. This afforded closer views of wheels – chances to try wheels.

I am still settled and not in a sweat.

Peggy and I buy funnel cake. We sit on a bench in the sun to enjoy it. We sit next to a woman named Aggie from North Carolina.

She has the fever.

And so does her friend who is on her other side.

They tell me about a vendor who has the cheapest prices – they tell me about the best wheel.

I think I was sitting too close to them – I caught the bug.

Because I am leaving tomorrow and will not return until Sunday, the wheel remains in the box. Did I mention I named her Proud Mary?