As far as the Kromski…yummy! The Kromski wheels feel, to me, the most like the wheel my DH made for me. Yep, DH made my spinning wheel and I love it dearly. I did get a little Hitchhiker last year, just so that I no longer had to risk banging the other wheel in transit.

I love the Kromsky wheel, and I don’t even spin (yet). I own two learn-to-spin spindles. But they’re technically not mine; I bought them for my man. He has yet to touch them. When do they revert back to me?

That said, Ellen…I’m going to dare to disagree about the wheel! I think it is pretty fantastic. The closest I ever came to even witnessing spinning was probably at the very many historical sites I tramped through as a child in Virginia–but I am a huge, huge fan of hobby-related aesthetic objects. I grew up riding horses (again….Virginia), so, despite inevitably cramped dormrooms, in college I deemed it necessary to hang my saddle where I could admire at all times. I completely understand: the wheel is gorgeous and, clearly, essential!

As I mentioned to you on the phone, Sarah, when Matt and I separated (lo these many years ago…), he did nothing but issue ultimatums, he refused to engage seriously with the issues we had, he spent all his time blaming me, he went back to live with his mother for a couple of weeks… That’s one model, a model that means your marriage is over.

Another model is Rob’s, where the response is, “I don’t want to lose you, I love you, what can we do to make this right?”

Whatever happens, I think Rob’s actions show deep and abiding love for you. That has to be good no matter what you two ultimately decide is best for your future.

And the wheel! Oh my god, I’m swooning. I simply love the styles that look traditional, with all the delicate turnings. Yeah, yeah, I know plainer ones will get the job done just as well, but I’m the daughter of a woodworker. (Not his main job, you understand; Dad actually worked in the USPO. But he was a woodworker and house builder the way I’m a knitter/spinner/jewelrymaker/umpteen other things.) Which is why I do have two wheels; the first one I bought (with *no* indication as to mfr., it’s a mystery wheel, albeit modern - more or less), and one Dad custom-built for me. Your Symphony resembles my first wheel quite a lot - is she super-fast? ‘Cause mine is. I love the thought of double treadles, but even without those on my first one, I have to remember to treadle sloooowly, or things get totally out of control! And I’m totally envious of your Lazy Kate. Hoe you’re having much fun with her!