12/21/11

An epic tale

Once, in a time not too far off and a distant land called Tex-as, there lived a hand. Not a particularly pretty hand, but a very artistic hand that loved to sew. The hand was strong, muscular and straight, with wide fingers designed for survival.







On this hand, there was a finger that was the strongest finger for sewing. Unfortunately, on the side of that finger was a scar, procured from a long ago battle with a broken jar and a grocery store manager who didn't give very thorough instructions on how to retain the cap from broken jars so the store could be reimbursed. Several stitches were required and from thence to now, the hand knew that it could never commit a crime because of the very peculiarity of the finger print. (The hand also realized it was hard to take this photo without sending an unintended message).



One day, the hand went in search of a thimble. The hand had a vast fortune that it was willing to spend in pursuit of the perfect fit. Thimbles were brought in from distant lands, like Flo-ri-da and Kan-sas and Eng-land. Old thimbles, new thimbles, leather thimbles, steel thimbles, silver thimbles; all were caused to be assembled into one place so that the finger on the hand could test them for the perfect fit.



But, the finger could find no thimble which gave it pleasure. In fact, most gave only pain and the heartbreak of money wasted on shipping. The hand considered cutting off part of the finger to make it fit one of the beautiful thimbles, much like the older sister did her toe to make the glass slipper fit in the original tale of Cinderella (the brothers Grimm were grim indeed.) But, alas, that was considered a foolish thought in all the realm.

And, then, when the finger had given up all hope of finding a thimble and was considering having a thimble made...at great cost to the kingdom of the hand, The hand tried one last world wide search.



And, there it was. Not available from any sewing outlet or antique dealer or any other source that the hand would have previously considered. No, this thimble was in the warehouse of a folk music supplier that catered to men who play the washboard for Zydeco bands; so not a traditional resource for sewing supplies. It was promptly sent for as a priority from the land of Saint Louis in Miss-oo-rah.




Finally, it arrived. The hand, along with it's partner, Righty, ripped into the offending cardboard and bubblewrap packaging and heaved out the bundle and tore through the tape, all in pursuit of the thimble; so small for the large box it was shipped in. And, then beautiful music began to play as the thimble found its way to the tip of the finger and covered the scar and nuzzled comfortably against the knuckle. Ahhhh, comfort and joy.



While still new, the thimble was shown great love and affection and much purring was done about it's beauty. The finger was loath to take it off, except it made the finger strike two or three laptop keys simultaneously with little control. It was given a beautiful Earnest Steiner, enameled green, walnut shaped sewing kit to rest in when not being used by the finger. An appropriate resting place for an item so long pursued.


And, all was well with the world. Peace reigned.


And, how come I had so much hand sewing to do before I got a thimble that fits and now, I've got nothing to work on?


Everybody have a great Wednesday. I know I promised I wouldn't talk about thimbles anymore this year, but hey, I'm so proud I could POP! I have to surrender it at some point so Rob can wrap it and put it under the tree for me.


Hey, anybody wanna buy a thimble? I've prolly got one that would fit you.


Lane

17 comments:

Becky said...

I'm so glad the search ended happily!!
Enjoy stitching!

Spice said...

Congratulations on your perfect fit. Sew away another day!

Have a great holiday

Darla said...

That is a clever and hilarious fable. You have a talent for creative writing as well as quilting!

Bonnie K. Hunter said...

Oh Happy Day!

Nuff Said! :c)

Laura said...

Now *where* exactly is the place you got this from? I have wide, capable hands. My dad's hands, to be honest. Smaller, but still--they're the hands of a farmer, or potter, etc... For which I cannot find a decent thimble that fits!

Andra Gayle said...

Halleluiah! So glad you found one! That is a good Christmas gift!

Elizabeth said...

Ha, ha! Funny story! Loved the happy ending.

xo -E

Anonymous said...

Funny story, well told. And now you have YOUR THIMBLE. Congratulations and I know that you will use that thimble well. Thanks for sharing.
cindy

Unknown said...

You are a very creative writer! Glad you finally found your thimble, and have a very Merry Christmas.

regan said...

Yay! And your story is fun!

Kathleen said...

you better buy a spare !!!! Great post.

Michelle said...

Oh Happy day!!!! Congratulatons!!!

Anonymous said...

Fantastic news, so glad you have finally got a thimble that works for you. Second Kate's suggestion, better get a spare! Rejoice and be happy and all of you have a wonderful Christmas.
Marie in Western Australia.

Lucy | Charm About You said...

I am so happy for you! I thought this dramatic saga might never end, or end in tragedy, I'm glad the finger is happy! Surely a perfect excuse for a new project!

Coloradolady said...

Just like Cinderella, a happily ever after ending!! I am thrilled for you!!! Soooo glad you were able to find one that worked! I certainly have searched high and low!!!

Anonymous said...

I not only suggest you get a spare but a couple as they might become unavailable and sometimes bad things happen to thimbles and other sewing items. You might punch a hole in it(done that doing a quilt) or drop it and some big foot in the household step on it and send it into oblivion or horror fest temporarily forever lose it to parts unknown. Glad you found a thimble and Merry Christmas to you and your family, mssewcrazy

Vesuviusmama said...

Yay! You know, I was quilting on Thursday and imagine my surprise (and pain!) when the needle popped right throu my metal thimble to my finger. I didn't even know that was possible! Granted, I do a lot of quilting, but wow! Luckily I was right around the corner from a quilt shop, so off I went to get a new one Lockett split with barely a pause in my quilting.