Blasts from the past

This last weekend I went to my 30th high school reunion. I had missed the previous two reunions -- I didn't want to go to the 10th and I was out of town the weekend of the 20th. This time around I wanted to be there. It would determine if I would attend future reunions and I was also curious. I knew people in high school but I wasn't chummy with many people. Some folks and I didn't get along (that whole girl clique thing). So there was a little bit of anxiety.

One thing that made it fun was that the event was organized through Facebook. It made it easier for people to hook up with each other and see the changes that have happened over time. People change, some a lot, over time, so being able to see pictures of people before seeing them in person made such a difference.

The gatherings were enjoyable. Functions like these are best when they're simple and people can have a space where they can sit and gab. At the Sunday BBQ, I brought my wheel for people to see as several had asked me about my fiber hobbies. It made for interesting conversations and pictures. During the gathering Friday night I hooked up with a couple of gals I had known in classes and found out they too enjoyed playing with string. Conversations ranged from families and careers to memories of various events. Very relaxed, a lot of fun.

Last weekend I was able to pick up the Reeves wheel. It was much lighter than I expected so taking it into the house and posing it for its picture was not a problem. I've been playing on it, getting a feel for its workings, and making string. I can see making laceweight on this thing with not a problem at all. And fine fibers will be a piece of cake.

Hm. Apparently in all the flurry and fuss of preparing for the reunion and playing with my new toy I missed my blog's 5th anniversary. Has it really been that long? This calls for cake.

Summer fortunes

The summer time around here usually is bathed with temps in the mid to high 80's and endless heat. In other areas of the country they're socked in with awful heat but here in the NW we've been cooler than usual. For someone who doesn't tolerate heat well like me it's been blissful. The only problem we've run into is we've been bombarded with mosquitoes from the unusually wet late spring so being outdoors has been challenging. Thank goodness for insect repellant.

I'm coming down the back side of the Tour de Fleece 2010 with my challenge of spinning up 8 oz of Crown Mountain Farms polwarth on my Spindlewood handspindle. I've been able to keep up with my daily quota and am producing nice singles that I see being made into a 3 ply sock yarn. It's been a great challenge for me for honing my spindling skills and making me love my Spindlewood even more as a workhorse.

Last weekend I went to the monthly Northwest Regional Spinners Association (NWRSA) meeting at Shelia January's invitation and had a great time with the gals there. By that time I was getting cabin fever from being at home recovering from the crud so was grateful for the chance to get out and socialize. While I was there, I introduced myself and told them about me and my background. When the subject of spinning wheels came up, Shelia mentioned that a mutual friend Susan had her 30" Reeves Saxony up for sale and had offered it to Shelia. Shelia in turn said that if I was interested and could buy it she would pass her chance off to me.

For those of you who are not familiar with Rick Reeves, he is a wheelmaker who with his wife Marge made spinning wheels and tools from 1964 to 2001. Schacht currently manufactures a wheel that uses the Reeves design that I was looking at but the Reeves themselves no longer make wheels. There are a variety of wheels from traditional saxony styles to frame wheels and castle styles. They're beautiful wheels, loved by their owners.

When Shelia told me about the wheel, I was first amazed that Susan was selling it and second amazed Shelia was willing to give up her dibs on it. Shelia has a beautiful collection of wheels, including three Reeves wheels, so her generosity in giving me the chance to purchase the wheel was incredible. She told me the price she was offered and was floored. What I needed to know then was whether Susan was willing to accept terms. I drove home, flabbergasted at my sudden good fortune and hoped all would work out.

When I got home, I called Susan and told her what Shelia had told me. Yes, the wheel was for sale. Susan's got an order in for a Lendrum Saxony 30" so she was selling her Reeves. I asked her would she accept payments and she said yes. Easy as that. I screamed when I hung up the phone.

So in the near future, there will be a 30" Reeves red oak Saxony residing in my house.