Many years ago when I still lived in the city, my sister was visiting and wanted to go dancing. We had to stop first at my friend Sarah's roof party in the North End first, so we walked through the door into what turned out to be one of those magic kind of parties where you never want to leave and everyone has had just the right amount to drink so that everything you say is funny, but nothing you say starts a fight. This also happened to be the night when I met my husband. I liked him immediately. I liked him so much in fact that I suspected something was amiss. But thanks to my sister, who is an ace at figuring out when someone is interested (I think she may have threatened to jump off the roof at one point to see if either of us was paying attention to anything else but each other) I surrendered to the happy happy feeling I had (the kind that holds you two inches off the ground?) and let him walk us to our car at 3 a.m. Had it not been for my sister pushing me forward, I very well might have run away from that great guy.
Which brings me to the wheel.
You may have seen on a few blogs some pictures of me making "yarn" on a wheel in Pat and Robin Russo's Vermont Wheel and Spinning Studio booth. Pat doesn't have a website. He makes six, sometimes twelve, wheels a year. Even a web-surfing tog saavy fiberholic like you may have never heard of Pat Russo. But me? I have walked past his wheels at NHS&W for three years now, always eyeing them, always thinking they looked beautiful and serious and way beyond my ken. The year, however, I was in the company of a spinning sister, and Cate is an ace at figuring out when someone is interested (I think she
may have threatened to jump into a puddle lake at one point to see if I was paying attention to anything else but that wheel) . I surrendered to the happy happy feeling and I brought it home. Had it not been for Cate giving me a little push, I very well might
have walked past for the fourth time because I thought I wasn't a good enough spinner for it.
So, pictures? You want pictures?
Very pretty. I bet you are over the moon!
Posted by: liz | May 16, 2006 at 10:06 AM
Lovely! Isn't it wonderful when you find the right wheel? Cate pushed me into the Reeves at SPA. She certainly has a gift, doesn't she?
Posted by: Carole | May 16, 2006 at 10:09 AM
LOL - Cate can be dangerous!! I saw her work that magic on Carole. The wheel - all I can say is "ooooooo!"
Posted by: Chris | May 16, 2006 at 10:10 AM
I had never heard of him. Of course, not being a spinner (yet) that's not too unusual. What a gorgeous wheel!
I hope you have many long, lovely hours spinning on it.
Posted by: Janet | May 16, 2006 at 10:20 AM
Ohhh, I've wanted one of those.....since way before I even thought I was going to ever be a spinner. Just as a piece of furniture. Someday......
Congratulations! It's soooo beautiful.
Posted by: Norma | May 16, 2006 at 10:23 AM
It is so perfect. I'm very happy that you bought it - I think it was one of those moments that could have had great potential for regret. Lucky Cate was there.
Posted by: Pumpkinmama | May 16, 2006 at 10:38 AM
I think Russo's wheels are some of the prettiest out there. Good luck with her. She's lovely!
Posted by: Judy | May 16, 2006 at 10:46 AM
Gorgeous wheel. Enjoy it!
Posted by: Risa | May 16, 2006 at 10:47 AM
wow, that is one pretty wheel.
Posted by: maryse | May 16, 2006 at 11:01 AM
Wow, it's beautiful. I too would like one as a piece of furniture since I'm not a spinner (yet).
Posted by: Kat | May 16, 2006 at 11:01 AM
Just beautiful!
Posted by: Julie | May 16, 2006 at 11:19 AM
It was great seeing you--and congrats on bringing home such a beautiful wheel!
Posted by: Dena | May 16, 2006 at 11:23 AM
It's beautiful!! Think I need to stay away from Cate.
Posted by: margene | May 16, 2006 at 11:27 AM
Amazing wheel. I love the delicate cut outs and the rich tones of the wood. It's a piece of art when not being used.
Posted by: Liz | May 16, 2006 at 11:39 AM
Happy sigh. Thank you for the pictures. She's beautiful.
Posted by: Rachel H | May 16, 2006 at 11:45 AM
I would just like to point out that Cate is pushing everyone around her into new wheels at the same time she is, shall we say, deaccessioning her own. Not that there's anything wrong with buying a new wheel, I'm just suggesting that there may be a bit of vicarious purchasing going on.
That sure is a gorgeous wheel, though! That inlay...such a thing of beauty you could never regret it.
Posted by: Martha | May 16, 2006 at 11:50 AM
She was destined to be yours, everyone said so.
Posted by: Kellee | May 16, 2006 at 11:50 AM
Beautiful wheel, you're blessed on 2 accounts.
Posted by: shelly | May 16, 2006 at 12:03 PM
Oh, it's gorgeous! I can tell that she'll bring you much happiness.
Posted by: mote | May 16, 2006 at 12:32 PM
oh my god, it is absolutely gorgeous. stunning. i'm glad you didn't walk away again!
Posted by: anne | May 16, 2006 at 12:44 PM
not.good.enough. !?!
I'm going to come up there just to give you the spanking that deserves. It is beautiful, beautiful, but not one iota more than you absolutely deserve.
Do you realize that if not for you I might never have considered spinning? Do you?
Posted by: Juno | May 16, 2006 at 01:13 PM
You know when one of your friends gets something that is so beautiful and perfect for them that you forget that you wish it was yours and hope only for happiness and peace between them?
This is not like that.
I'm green.
Posted by: stephanie | May 16, 2006 at 01:22 PM
I saw that picture of you with the wheel. It looked as if you were made for each other!
Posted by: colleen | May 16, 2006 at 02:14 PM
It's just gorgeous, Julia. I've enjoyed seeing the pictures of you spinning. And, you know what, you were perfectly calm about it on Saturday -- the sign of a great fit. Use it well!
Posted by: Kathy | May 16, 2006 at 02:17 PM
Wow! Oh Wow!
Posted by: Angela | May 16, 2006 at 02:49 PM