Friday, September 08, 2006

Darn it!

The other day I set about preparing my tea for the afternoon. Aside from the usual debate over which fruit to enjoy and fussing over a selection of sweets, I was faced with the challenge of what task I would undertake.

I have organized a book club and Tess of d’Urbervilles was sitting on the coffee table. I know I had best get reading sooner rather than later. There was also packing that needed to be done but why bother when I was just moving down the hall? And then there was a pile of mending that needed to be done. Rather than move work, I thought I might as well finish it and be done with it.

My great grandmother’s wicker sewing basket was in need of some TLC. Long ago turned into a jaunty picnic basket, the satin lining had come loose from years of use. I set about fishing a needle throw the wicker so you wouldn’t see the thread on the outside. That, of course, would never do.

I also had a zipper to fix and the hem on a pair of track pants needed repair. I am not great at sewing, but can mend and repair with the best of them.

The last thing needing my attention, were socks. Now normally, I wouldn’t bother with such a thing as darning, but the socks in question are Burberry. And while I was at it, I did a couple other pairs as well.

I remember, from when I was but a wee chap, my dad sitting in his chair in our family room doing this very thing. At the time I thought it foolish and a waste of time given the very reasonable price of socks. I now know that good socks are NOT cheap and darning is a relaxing, almost meditative, practice.

Wondering if people bother with such menial tasks in this day and age, I packed away my basket (the picnic one) and put my needle and thread back in their proper place. I then returned to the couch and my tea; admiring my toes as they wiggled about in their toasty Burberry home. Ahhhhhhhh.

6 Comments:

Blogger With Love, Fat Girl said...

You have a book club?? I've been trying to get one going forever but no one ever wants to join!!!

8:36 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Aww grannie! You are too cute! I have plenty of gitch to repair if you ever get bored! :D

B.

10:57 AM  
Blogger Robert Mitchell L.L. said...

hey fat girl, pick up a copy of Tess and I will get you the details...you have about 4 weeks to read it.

6:00 AM  
Blogger With Love, Fat Girl said...

Will do! You know, I've always wanted to read that.

9:54 AM  
Blogger glasshill said...

okay

1. Tess of d'Urbervilles ? why? why? why? oh please read The Corrections, or Me Talk Pretty One Day, but tess?!

2. Definitions of sewer:

* noun: a waste pipe that carries away sewage or surface water
* noun: someone who sews

Example: "A sewer of fine gowns"

* noun: misfortune resulting in lost effort or money

Example: "All that work went down the sewer"

perhaps some rephrasing? I am not great at sewing maybe. then I will not have to think of you with the sewer rats (not the ones with the darning needles that is).

3. you and Lance pop down here, your sewing, cleaning, OCD, hair, and various other skills are desperately needed. ;-)

9:02 PM  
Blogger Robert Mitchell L.L. said...

I am sure Callooh, I don't know what you are talking about. "I am not great at sewing" is what it says. Silly thing. Tess? Why not? Jude was good (depressing) and I have always wanted to read it.

12:51 PM  

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