Yarn and Thread Stash

I realized tonight that I am spoiled rotten in today's world of easy access to all that I might need or want. My yarn and thread stash is abundant. I am within a mile of Walmart and Joanne's and I am only a few clicks away from suppliers on the internet.

When I think of all that my Mom had to go through in the 40s just to get a few skeins, I am humbled. Back then, in Philly, we did not have a car. Mom had 3 kids. She bought most of her yarn and thread from the local five-and-dime, from their yard-goods or dry-goods department. She had to walk five city blocks to get there, and then back. In those days, money was not plentiful for our family. Also, you needed to watch your dye-lot on each skein or ball.

She went to the five-and-dime, picked out, say, twenty skeins of what she wanted, paid for maybe half a dozen at a time, and the clerk would put the rest of that dye-lot in a bag or box, under the counter, with her name on it. She'd go back when she had the money and get some more. Whatever she didn't end up using, the clerk returned to stock. She didn't have boxes or bins of yarn or thread like I have today.

However, my Mom learned to love the easy access when she finally got it. When she passed away at 76, back in 1994, she had quite a few big cartons of yarn and thread, some of which I am still working with today.

Life is good - I must be sure to remember that when I need a mental or emotional lift.