The universe conspires

Yesterday, I took a friend for a visit to NYC's one and only fiberarts shop. You know, the  Shangri-la of yak and camel and other lovely spinning fibers. The very place I learned to spin.

While I was there browsing, the owner, who is a friend (but someone I hadn't seen in months) asked me, was it possible that my daughter was interested in weaving? I figured she was starting a kids or young adult weaving class.

"Daughter?" says I, "Why, as a matter of fact I'm interested in weaving. Why?"

And at that point.... you know how the world slows down when you're watching a train wreck as though in slow motion or an accident that is just about to unfold in front of your eyes? When you can't quite tell if the oncoming truck is going to hit you or not but you know that the world is moving at half speed while you await impact? At that point she said something about a loom and a trade and something-something, and was I interested? (As she led me to a loom sitting forlornly in a corner of the workspace.)

With the slowing down of the earth on its axis and my mind and reality all in a fog, I had nothing to lose, really. I resignedly asked, "Well, what are you asking for it - how much?"

She said, "No, no. Nothing. It just needs a good home."

I realize that this doesn't sound plausible. If I didn't have the reliable witness of a dear friend who heard every word (which I've liberally paraphrased, because you know none of it seems real and I'm still waiting for someone to smack me back to reality and consciousness), I know no one would ever believe me.

In the name of all things sheepish, wooly, fibrous and wonderful, I do not lie.

A loom fell out of the sky, hit me upside the head, adopted me, and came home with me yesterday.

The details are fuzzy. It's a Schacht 15", 4 shaft table loom with a floor stand. [I had to go online just to figure all of that out.] Its warped and has 6" of something on it, but aside from having all of its other parts, I still need to procure a shuttle (or two?) and a threading hook or something like that. I got a book. There's vocabulary I have to study up on before I can have any kind of discussion about weaving.

But, dudes? There is a LOOM in my house. A big, fat, real live loom. Given that I'm still in shock and relatively incoherent regarding the whole episode, I'd advise you to go read Juno's blog, because she was the good friend who was there and helped me haul it home, and has more photo documentation of the event than I was able to work up. She also shared my total and complete stupefaction and disbelief at the amazing turn of events, which she managed while laughing at the odd little 'eeps' of excitement that kept escaping from me.

That worn out old saying, 'Be careful what you wish for'?

I'm the freaking poster girl.

Wish me luck.

____________________________________________________________

Just a note: I'm really overwhelmed and truly flabbergasted by the generosity of the dear fiber artist who gifted me with the loom (and btw, I am indeed sharing it with my daughter, who actually is interested in weaving). I don't mean to underplay the fact that there was a person, a generous and lovely person, who was the universe's hand in bestowing this kindness upon me.

Comments

[Evangeline]

I'm a long-time stalker and I have to say that that is ridiculously incredible. Congratulations on your new loom!

[Lia]

How lucky you are!! I wish I have a loom and room enough to have a loom, indeed.

[valentina]

OK. Total envie over here. Spinning, I can give or take, but WEAVING. Totally jealous. Good for you. I mean, your daughter.

[regina]

I guess the universe has been keeping tabs on you. I chalk it up to good karma (which you seem to have in spades). I'm delighted for you and Bee, who will no doubt create beautiful things. Sounds like the loom found the besy possible home. What a generous friend indeed!

[Laurie]

This is one of those things in the cosmos that was meant to be. Perhaps good karma IS revisted with good karma. You helped us to spin...now the goddesses send someone to you with a loom. Makes sense to me.

[Valerie]

so...what did I say a comment or two ago? Weaving: over under over under. You are now officially Alice through the looking glass! enjoy!

[Kim]

Hmmm.......last week it was a window hitting you in the head and now a loom?? I don't know whether to tell you how lucky you are or to DUCK!

PS..........I have an extra shuttle you are welcome to :-))

[Lee Ann]

My eyes are getting all misted up...you are one lucky lady! (I'm not even going to ask where this thing is fitting into the house...because, really, who cares as long as it fits.)

On the one hand, yeah, tease tease, we knew you were headed in the weaving direction too, no matter what you said...but on the other hand...

I'd take a loom in a heartbeat :-)

[Norma]

Congratulations on the new member of the family! You are one lucky girl.

[Sandy]

Oh wow! What fortune...could NOT have happened to a more deserving person. Can't wait to see what comes from this.

Happy learning!

[margene]

Fiber is magic...that's all there is to it. You prove it over and over again. Enjoy!

[JoVE]

Cognratulations. That is a fabulous story. Hope you come to enjoy weaving as much as spinning and knitting. I guess quilting is truly on the back burner now.

[Cheryl]

How wonderful! I can't wait to see what you'll create with it! I'm sure it will be beautiful and inspiring.

[adelaide]

Oh, no! Hey, that's just what you need. Can you weave with knitting yarn? I don't think so. You better start a stash of weaving fiber. Right?

[Cassie]

Amazing...so happy for you and Loom.

[Rachel H]

Interesting - it appears you weren't just teetering on the edge of the weaving vortex, the damn thing was following you around encouraging someone else to push with all their might!

How wonderful, really! And just at a time when you were taking a hard look at your passions and how they were changing. VERY COOL. (does this mean we'll have to wait a while on the homespun shawl while you abandon it for your new toy? S'ok. I would too. :o)

[Carole]

What a cool alignment of universe thingys. This could only happen to you!

[mamacate]

WOW. WOWOWOW. Damn, girl, the universe, she is good.

Can't wait to see you get sucked into this new vortex. It looks like a fun one.

Though I hope you don't stop spinning.

Now, my real question is this: where did you put it? I live in a small house and my wool stash is already too big. You live in NYC--can you possibly have more space?

My queendom for a studio!

[claudia]

Came over from Juno's place to continue completely laughing my ass off.

;-)

[Marcia]

Well, I read Juno first this morning, so I knew what I was in for over here, but how incredible is that?! It must be the universe tipping back into level after the window in the head thing! Keep me posted...I have yet to warp mine.

[Beth S.]

Sounds to me like pretty decent karmic compensation for getting thwacked on the head by a falling window. ;-)

Can't wait to see what you (or your daughter) create with this loom!

[Liz]

Un-freaking-believable.

Some people have all the luck. Not that you don't deserve it. Have fun figuring it all out! :)

[Deb]

It's such a touching story, a classic tale of a couple from different worlds drawn together by forces beyond their control, a love beyond the constraints of budgetary forces. (sniffle) It's just so, so wonderful! I hope you two will be very happy together.

[Cordelia]

Oh, boy, congratulations! That is one fantastic stroke of luck/planetary alignment. Now that's a new hobby I'm jealous of. :-)

[Juno]

Yeah, um, you're going to need a bigger boat.