The pockets of coveralls

 One of the puzzles of life is how baling twine collects in the pockets of coveralls. Here’s what Verlyn Klinkenborg has to say about it: 

It’s hard to describe the emergency that a length of bailing twine would fix, but you’d know one if you ever rode into one.

 

If you’re a certain kind of crofter or householder, you ride into most of these emergencies yourself, rather than call for help. And so odd bits of twine, wire and hardware tend to collect in your pockets, along with an assortment of tools, nails, screws and staples.

Sometimes you try to organize your pockets. But poorly stocked pockets are useless in an emergency. And if you carry everything you might need, you find that you can’t sit down when you finally get to your easy chair.

Yesterday, the dog barked, pointing out some horrific problem at the back of the place. When I investigated a saw the raccoon, intent on coming in from the cold.

My pockets were stocked and ready for trouble. But there are emergencies that bailing twine won’t fix.

• Source: Verlyn Klinkenborg, The Rural Life; Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 2003, p. 10.