drive belt drama

or is it?

It certainly presents as a story--a tension-filled tale. After all it has a narrative arc and everything.

Well, The Exposition is a little short as it assumes you already know something about The Protagonist and will not be surprised to find her drum carding the lovely mound of Targhee/Rambouillet fleece she was teasing two episodes ago.¹

And if you’re not familiar with her fiber-loving ways—well I can only hope the snapping of the drive belt will still register as The Inciting Incident that it is.

Either way, I’ve heard that some people like to get directly to The Problem—the seemingly insurmountable situation in which the Protagonist is dumbfounded, daunted and dismayed—so instead of summarizing the backstory² I’ll just lay it out: an essential and beloved tool breaks in the middle of a job, the original maker (and source of repair), has died,³ and The Protagonist knows not where to turn.

I will not bore you with the pacing, the cups of tea, the lament and the uncertainty— but instead will say that tension eases when, unable to think how to resolve the problem directly, The Protagonist seeks (and finds) a workaround in the form of two slightly dusty and rarely used tools from her past: hand cards and a set of Meck Russian Paddle Combs.

And pleasurable workarounds they are. The fiber is lovely with both tools. The spinning smooth (if different for each). Indeed it’s all so nice that this could be the end of the story.

I mean what’s not to love about the elementally bliss of a well-carded rolag and a perfectly balanced spindle?⁴

And simplifying her practice while shedding possessions always feels like a win to this particular Protagonist.

But (here the tension rises again, if only slightly), she soon realizes that even if she does return to hand carding the drum carder will still need a drive band before being passed on to someone else—and to let go of such a stalwart tool without an attempt at repair seems both lazy and disrespectful. So with a sigh she sets down her work, leashes up her dog, and walks to the Library to borrow an internet connection. In moments (of course), a search for “Patrick Green Drum Carder Drive Belt” reveals not only a source but also precise instructions for measuring length and thickness for a new one, both of which are very important for a proper fit.⁵

(Emphasis on drive belt size implies to you, the reader, that this might be a future sources of tension though The Protagonist, of course, remains blissfully unaware).

Indeed, feeling competent and on top of things, she embarks on a lighthearted jaunt with her son and granddaughter (pause for comic relief), while the belt wings its way to her mailbox.

Naturally (given that this is still trying to fit neatly into our expected structure), you’ll not be surprised to find that after this pleasant lull, it is time for The Climax.

Because of course the drive belt does not fit. And this time not only is there dismay, there is also some shame. The other belt just broke. This one could/should have been perfect and it is her fault that it isn’t.

Also, it’s the middle of the night (Wherein the Protagonist pays a heavy price):This is it. The end of an era. Might as well remake herself entirely. ⁶

Happily (time for some Falling Action), it’s the shortest night of the year, and morning arrives.

With it comes coffee and an idea.

An idea that uses materials at hand, and actually works.⁷

Amazing! Joy! Tension released! Fleece carded!⁸

We’ve reached The Denouement at last and The Protagonist can now go off into the sunset to twirl her spindle, toast her hands on a solstice fire—

—and hang out with dear friends.

The Story is over.

Except, don’t cha know, this is The Gusset.

Things never end here because we’re not in a story.⁹ We’re in a slightly messy and ever-shifting, mixed metaphorical sack of idea oddments that meanders along with no goal at all except, perhaps, to keep meandering.¹⁰ I mean what will happen with that reawakened passion for hand-carded rolags? And what will she make with the yarn anyway (that is, after she actually spins it—and there is a lot to spin)? And where are those magic carpets going anyway?

Happily, there is one way to find out. And to that end I’m going to put my spindle in my pocket, whistle up Beryl, and meander off into No Plans July to (hopefully) refill my pockets with whatever comes next. I’ll let you know what we find when we return.¹¹

See you in a bit!

1. As shown two weeks ago in Rose with Dirty Dishes

2. available in 111 previous episodes of The Gusset

3. See In Remembrance of Patrick Green by Deb Menz

4. For a lovely (and super informative) article on various methods of using hand cards, check out this 2023 article in Spin Off by Linda Ligon.

5. The person I spoke to at The Woolery (drive belt source), was absolutely wonderful.

6. I bought the drum carder in 1983 (ish) at the wondrous Joseph’s Coat (still going strong in Missoula Montana), and have used it steadily ever since. The drive band that just broke is the second one, purchased directly from Patrick Greene when the original ceased to function.

I could certainly have re-measured and ordered another one from The Woolery (still could in fact), but these are expensive items, I have too much on my to do list already, and who is to say I’d get it right the second time when I thought I measured so well?

7. My “sack ‘o buckskin” (in many weights and mostly acquired decades ago) is a thing I did not/could not discard in the move, for though I rarely use it these days, the potential of this soft and pliable leather is almost infinite. Indeed, having made and used buckskin strips as drive band material for decades, I am a little dismayed that it didn’t occur to me in the first place. But ideas are slippery creatures, with their own way of going about things—as I’m sure you know.

8. Because it is fast, efficient, and the rest of the yarn will more closely match the fleece I’ve already spun.

9. I couldn’t even stop the 99 noun project when I said I would.

10. See The Carrier Bag Theory of Fiction by Ursula K. LeGuin

11. No Plans July. I tried it a few years ago and it was wonderful. Other than planning to have No Plans (ie refusing to commit to anything and reserving the right to say yay or nay at the last minute to whatever shows up during that time), I can set down both pen and to-do list and just see what happens. At least that’s the theory. At the moment it also means madly crossing things off said list so it doesn’t weigh me down all month, but I think it’ll be worth it. I’ll miss The Gusset like crazy, but believe we’ll both benefit from a brief break. At least that’s my hope. Have a lovely month and see you soon!