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What a day – good, but exhausting.

The weather people had predicted temperatures in the 70’s today. Anticipating this, I bought flats of flowers and vegetables for planting. The mercury read 88 on my thermometer. I was out there breaking my back – but at least it is all done!! hip, hip hooray!

I don’t know if it is age or wisdom, but I am not quite the enthusiatic gardener I once was. Perhaps it is just a realization of what kind of work is involved and what I am willing to do. So it happens that this year I have planted only tomatoes and cucumbers in the vegetable garden. Why did I ever put in eggplant — I don’t even like eggplant – or zucchini for that matter. And no, this year I will not grow my own jack-o-latern for crying out loud. And why I ever planted corn is beyond me. So it is tomatoes and cucumbers, as far as the eye can see. I must say I have been thinking about aspargus — its perennial nature is highly appealing …

On the spinning front, there has been no actual spinning. Much ado has been made of the book. I decided that the best approach was to read the book from cover to cover, even though that meant I could not flip right to the chapters concerning spinning wheels. I have read all about spindles and drop spindles. The book suggests starting with that. I am debating whether or not to take this advice. It makes sense – start slowly and learn the process. Can’t I just treadle slowly?? Tonight’s pre-bedtime reading will be the wheel chapters!!

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I worked like a dog yesterday. (not a pug, mind you, but any other type of dog that might actually do some work. Something worthwhile and noble. not just a ripper outer of laptop H keys!!).

Anyway, I got everything done – including the lawn mowing – in order to be able to play with my wheel today. I believe I have already mentioned that my wheel’s name is Proud Mary.

My Boar helped me to get Proud Mary out of her box and all set up. He did seem somewhat intrigued by her – it must be her mechanical nature. So there we are, putting things together and I am reading the direction sheet. One of the pieces is called mother-of-all.

I giggle a bit at the pomposity of such a name. I remember making a joke and maybe even rolling my eyes somewhat. Boar also finds it amusing. I chalk it up to some kind of typo or translation problem. Proud Mary is from Canada — perhaps she is French Canadian.

As she is assembled, it is increasingly clear that I don’t have the slightest clue about spinng wheels. Everything seemed much clearer and easier when the lady at the shop was helping me.

Not to worry, I think to myself, I will simply read the handy book of spinning I also purchased. What do I see right at the beginning of the book???

A diagram of a wheel. With a big arrow pointing to The Mother of All.

I fear I have angered Mother. My arrogance, my superior smirk – surely these things won’t go unnoticed.

I have not gone near Proud Mary today. It is plain as day that I need to do some penitential reading first.

I am worried that I have a very-strict-Catholic-nun for a spinning wheel. I was hoping for more of a party girl. Rather than letting the good times roll, Proud Mary is likely to give my knuckles a rap.