Shhhh.  Don’t tell my
knitting needles that Christmas is coming! 
In fact, if you could avoid the word “November” while in the vicinity of
my knitting bag, that would be great.

A lot of them (the needles) are tucked up like good children
in wooly nests of half-finished scarves or hats or sleeves and might not hear
you anyway, but just in case….

You see, they are such troopers – they would be up and out
in a moment, clicking excitedly about just the perfect (fill in the blank) for
(fill in the blank).  And like Dorothy in
a twister, I’d be at the yarn store with an armload of alpaca and maybe
something sparkly to go with it.  It’s
like that.

It is just that (I’m going to have to whisper now) I am not knitting gifts for Christmas this
year.

Too many other knitting commitments.  Things in the works and things that have to
get into the works pretty soon.  Design
projects and a few “shoulda been done by now” pieces.  I think even my family will understand how
things are this year.  But my needles,
well, that’s a different story.  They
love to come out and play – especially around The Holidays.  There is the thrill of knitting in secret —
being plunged into the knitting bag when someone walks into the room – and the added
privileges of going everywhere with
me (the breakfast table, Bible Study, the theatre) and sleeping in my room
every night like a favorite pet.

So, we are just not going to mention “November.”  And I will try to keep them entertained with
projects that are already underway. 
Keep’em happy, that’s the ticket. 
Because a resentful needle is a dangerous needle!

(Note:  I really did find this in our living room — it was not staged!)