Still Learning Jan. 2003

“Never too old to learn” is an old adage that’s been around for years; however, it still remains the same.  The residents of The Windy Knoll, even with their advancing years, keep learning. One thing for sure that we learn daily is that we cannot do what we used to do.

John re-learned that a few days ago in trying to get some young trees off his pasture fence.  As he was leaving to do the job, he told me he would be back in just a few minutes.  Well, I usually know to add a few more minutes when he tells me that.  However, this time (after two hours) I was really getting concerned, when I saw that old blue tractor headed toward the house.  What a relief!  It takes a while just to go around the fence in what we call “Lower Sobobia”, to say nothing of having to make repairs and move trees.

I made some New Year’s resolutions — one of which was to learn how to record on that VCR.  Well, when I started to work on that one the instruction manual became an extension of my arm.  Every time I sat down I had that book in my hand.  I read it until I had memorized it (almost — or so I thought).  There was one major problem from the “get-go” and that was that I didn’t have a remote to work with.  Everything I did I had to go to the set itself and try to figure it out.  Yes, after getting a little help from a friend and visitor, I even called the 800 number shown in the manual. My questions of the moment were answered and then I asked if they could/would send a replacement remote.  Well, of course, that was fruitless as they would only replace a remote if it had been reported missing within three days following the purchase.  I kept wondering if we really did get such a device with the unit and maybe had put it away since we didn’t need it at the time.  I looked in the only place I knew to look; however, just a few days ago when John decided it was time to clean out a basket by his chair he found the remote.  How embarrassing!

Well, I have been successful in several attempts to record and recently we watched my first recorded movie, “The Wedding Dress.”  This reminded me of just what I always told our girls “You can do whatever you choose to do if you just put your mind to it.”

Then another resolution — this one has almost driven me up the wall — I resolved to learn to tat with two shuttles.  First I went to a lady where I thought I could learn (and I did gain some valuable information); however she tats with a needle and I tat with a shuttle.

In fact, I’m using a silver shuttle that belonged to my grandmother.  So I’m the third generation (that I know of) to tat with this device.  Secondly, I went to another lady who I knew had tatted by written instructions with the hope that I could learn from her.  I was saddened to discover I was too late.  She couldn’t help me.  Well, I had a tatting book in hand, a gift from a sister-in-law and I was determined to learn to tat by the instructions and with two shuttles.  At one point I thought I might have to learn in Tuscaloosa or some other mental institution, but I kept trying.  Unlike the crocheting or knitting I do, the mistakes cannot be raveled —  so I would tat for a spell and I’d pick out for a spell.  Time and time again I did this — I’d lay the project down and cool off for a while and then I’d go back to it.  The project is small –I ‘m only trying to make a covering for a satin Christmas tree ornament, but what a mammoth job (at least for me).

Several times, I have made good progress and would have made a piece large enough to see, only to discover a major mistake and I’d just cut it up and start over again.  Finally, I’m getting the hang of it and now I have one section completed.  This section covers the top one-third of the ornament and I’m working on an identical section to cover the bottom one-third.  Next I’ll do the center section and then the pieces will be laced onto the ball using a needle and thread.  Pro I’m not, but I’m determined to learn to tat by instructions and use two shuttles when necessary.  By accident I discovered the work not only had to be turned as I change shuttles, but it has to be turned over as well as upside down.  Wow!  Isn’t experience a good teacher?

I was born under the sign of Leo and I’m told that Leos want to learn it all.  Perhaps this explains why I’ve always wanted to know how to do all the needlework crafts, but I sort of hope this is the last one I’ll want to tackle, however, I now see some hope.

Can’t wait to pull that chair up to the quilt frame, relax and while away a few hours there.  This has to be the very best way to spend the long, cold hours of winter and country living.