My Second Visit to Alice's Shop

Once again I decided to stop over at Alice’s Curiosity Shop. I was positive there was another adventure to uncover. I spent an extraordinary amount of time looking at all the baubles Alice had on display. The most interesting piece I found was an old, yet still functional spinning wheel. It appear, to my eyes to be made of sturdy oak. It was obvious that it had been used for a long long period of service. There were a few blemishes in the wood and several small scratches in the wheel itself. All in all it seemed, to my curious attention, to still be capable to perform the job it was created to accomplish. Yet, what did I know of such a fine looking piece of historical equipment. Alice had it priced at $100.00. It seemed a bit steep for a purchase. Especially since I knew nothing about the spinning wheel. I became involved in a conversation with Alice. my intent was to get as much information as I could from Alice that would help me get started on my latest quest for knowledge. Once I knew more about this historical piece of equipment, I knew I could spin an interesting yarn. I was totally amazed at the different parts of the magnificent spinnig device. The major parts included a fly wheel, a drive band, a flyer, a flyer whorl, maidens, mother-of all, tenson knob, bobbin, treadle, footman, and an orifice. As Alice described the machine, my mind was raced to relate a good tale to those who liked to read my work.kin.

As always, Alice went even further than just explaining the basics of her treasures. She shared some stories and poetry about the spinning wheel. I was entranced by this old lady as she related story after story. She never stumbled on her words and even more entertaining was watching her face almost glow as she related the poems she knew about the spinning wheel. The most fascinating story Alice told was about the King who not only wanted a beautiful Queen, but one who was exceedingly clever. As the story went a poor miller in the King’s realm requested an audience with the King. During this encounter the old miller went on and on about his beautiful daughter. The King stopped him at one point and told the miller his Queen would have to be clever as well as beautiful. With that the miller told the King that beyond her beauty his daughter possessed the abiltiy to spin straw into gold. As it turned out Alice was telling me the tale of Rumplestiltskin. Oh, what a wonderful tale I had just heard. Alice went on to recite some poetry that also related to the spinning wheel. These included The Happy Husbandman, Old Mother Hubbard, and The Rambling Comber. I was totally entranced as Alice completed the last poem in my presence. From that moment on I would never forget the stories and poems that Alice shared that day. More importantly, “spinning a yarn” became a phrase I will never forget when I set pen to paper. Surprisingly I learned later that the phrase “ spinning a yarn” did not originate from spinning wool and flax into thread for domestic use. The term originated from naval jargon. Sailors use a great many ropes for all kinds of applications and in great quantity. Rope is made using the same principles that are employed in spinning, however because rope is so much thicker than thread the machinery is much larger and heavier and the task requires two people. Spinning is ranked among the oldest crafts known to man and its origins are lost in early prehistory. Since that time and up to the industrial revolution spinners would have been found in most houses and for many housewives it would have been second nature to spin whenever they could spare the time. As a consequence spinning is deeply embedded in myth and folklore.

As I left Alice’s Shop I knew I would have an empty feeling until one of two things happened. I would have to make every effort to “spin a yarn” of my own and very soon. I also knew I would be making another visit to Alice’s Curiosty Shop.