So, last night my husband taught me how to release the loader bucket from my new tractor and load the hay bale spear. He then taught me how to pick up and move one of the big round hay bales.
As I was trying to get the spear in just the right spot, at just the right angle and then get it all lifted into the air, it occurred to me that it was a lot like using a sewing machine.
After all, when one is sewing there is a lot of lifting of the presser foot and placing the needle back down in just the right spot. This is especially true when doing a lot of free motion quilting. There are lots of stops, turns, ups and downs. Never mind how we are also using our foot to run the machine at just the right speeds, lift and lower the needle and do whatever else our particular sewing machine pedal will do for us.
All in all, there is a lot of hand and foot to eye coordination going on all of the time. We work with patience and precision. Oh yes, and we also have to remember to breathe.
So as my husband was telling me how quickly I had caught on and what a great job I was doing, I just told him that it all had to do with my years of using a sewing machine. He was pretty puzzled by this until I explained what I've just pointed out here.
It looks like my three great creative loves of quilting, gardening and cooking are all coming together to support me in which ever one I am engaging in at the time.
This all makes me think that all of my life is intertwined at every step. I just have to be awake enough to notice it and make use of it. I'll remember that while I am spreading those five big bales of hay on the garden this week.
Loving my new tractor along with my marvelous sewing machine,
Karen
