Ok, question first, then story time!

So the question is, do I drop what I’m supposed to be doing, what I planned to be doing (namely getting ready for the retired pattern thing and finishing up the egg pattern) and, um, knit a pencil? Or do I cosplay as a respectable grownup and finish my work first then do the pencil if the enthusiasm holds.

For you see…I found a treasure…

Thursday I was headed home when I came upon a barn sale (new for me…yard sale yes, garage sale yes, but barn sale was new). And in front of the barn was a tiny little desk and chair, very much sized for a small child. And I told myself, firmly, ‘oh, how cute, but you do not need that’ and went about my merry way.

A few hours after I got home I realized the error of my ways, put outside clothes back on, and left my house for a second time in the same day to see if it was still there. The sale was packed up for the night, so I wrote a note, shoved it in the keyhole of the barn door lock (which felt oddly quest-y in a way I cannot adequately explain, but let’s just say the venturesome vibes were strong). I confessed my error, left my number, and asked for absolution. In the morning, I got a text, and went back to collect my prize (were there other prizes, yes, is there potential for future prizes, oh my also yes…I told you it had that vibe).

Not only did I get the desk and chair, I got the story (brought home by Bob Mortimer, custodian at the Bremen, Maine elementary school, when he retired in the 80s for his grand kids to play with. Sold to me by his son, also Bob Mortimer, and grandson, who was there with his little girl). I am hopelessly smitten.

I immediately set to work with a damp cloth, then the hose, then a little bit of soapy water, a dry cloth, and some furniture oil.

This thing is astonishingly solid, beautifully made, and literally weighs more than my dining room table. The wood is gorgeous and the finish is in amazing shape.

It glows. No really, just a little bit of cleaning, a quick swipe with some conditioner, a couple of tightened screws, and it is absolutely luminous. I love it and fully intend to have it forever and ever and ever.

But now…now I have to know…do we need a pencil? Because part of me wants to drop what I’m doing and knit a pencil RIGHT VERY VERY NOW. Yes, even though I have half a dozen other projects in more immediate need of my attention and several other tasks I really should focus on. So I could also be convinced to wait and come back to the pencil once something (anything really…just one single thing) gets finished and off my plate. I truly cannot decide, so you pick for me.

Pencil now, adult tasks be damned? Or pencil as a treat after I get some other things finished up if it still amuses me?