Dear LPG readers,

I found myself in a predicament the other day, and having found a solution or two, I would like to share. 

As we age, happy and special occasions that we get all dressed up to the nines for come around a bit less often. For the ladies, they usually mean a new outfit, but we men are generally not quite as fashion-conscious.  

I have been lucky enough to have three beautiful daughters. On many occasions back in the day, I remember the first hint of an impending wedding invitation, formal dinner and dance, or the day they all decided that we needed a trip to the ascot races evoked.  The chat about what the best outfit would be for each one would start months in advance.  They would be followed by extensive verbal planning before the resulting shopping expeditions, and I defy any husband of the late 20th century, especially those with daughters of a certain age, not to have found themselves at the end of an argument where what they were going to wear was called into question.  At the time, it would all go over my head because I knew that on the day, my wife would have everything I needed to be immaculately attired and all laid out for me in good time if she wanted me to look the part.

Now that I am retired and live alone, those discussions are easier to deal with over the phone.  They don’t happen often, and the girl’s orders about what it would be appropriate for me to wear have become suggestions I tend to ignore a bit more.

On the rare occasion that a family event happens these days, I only require a couple of days’ notice to get my best suit out and down to the dry cleaners before such an occasion, and then it is a case of waiting for one of them to pick me up.

The other day, I found myself with an hour’s notice, but when I got to the top button of my trusty dress shirt, it went through the buttonhole, came out the other side, and popped right off and down to the floor.     

I will admit that the inconvenience of the timing aspect of the occurrence did provoke one of those mutterings that I was glad no one else had to hear.  But I had a bit of time, and although it has been a very long while since I have had to sew a button on myself, I remember the principle.  I am also organised and know precisely where the sewing kit will be, so I got to work.

That was when genuine frustration kicked in.  I found myself unable to get the thread through the eye of the needle.  I don’t have hands that shake, and my eyesight is not that bad, but I can’t remember ever having so much trouble.  I aimed and missed so many times that I frayed the thread, cut the thread, licked the thread, and dropped the needle repeatedly.  I soon came to the realisation that needles are a lot more challenging to pick up these days, and blood was drawn before I succeeded, resulting in some more four-lettered mutterings before one of my friends phoned.  Believe me when I say that having to leave the task at hand to answer the phone made me feel even more annoyed, but now that I look back, I am grateful for the interruption. 

By then, I was genuinely frustrated, and even though I knew there would be no real sense in telling him of my immediate problem, it was all spilt out.  I was glad that I did though because, as unlikely a candidate as I thought he would be when it came to being the bearer of a solution to such a problem, he told me a little secret that I would like to share with anyone, man or lady who has found, or who might see, themselves in a similar situation.  He mentioned rubbing the needle over the thread in the palm of your hand, and I had no idea what he was talking about until he sent me a YouTube video, which made all the difference.  It worked!

When I think of the frustration I felt for just a few minutes, which seemed like an eternity that day, I am reminded of the New Testament scripture Luke 18:25. I now truly understand the needle-threading answer that Jesus offered a young man who asked him a question about how to do a challenging thing.  

I need to pass on what I was told that day because it is a skill you might never need, but a quick look at the secret of an easier way of threading a needle now might seriously come in handy one day when you least expect it...

IG, Bellingham

IG offers us the secret he learned…

(►►►)   (►►►)     (►►►)   

 (►►►)     (►►►)

… and the bible reference out of interest…

(►►►)