WIRE

We all know the saying "close to the wire" or "down to the wire" to mean approaching the last possible minute of a deadline.  If you are talking about a trip wire, then close to the wire means you could have almost been done in.  None of us knows how close to the wire we have been with the corona crisis. 

If you are saying, "down to the wire" it refers to a finish line or a deadline that is approaching and you want to get there.  It can also mean that the goal or the ribbon at the end of the race is in sight and you are almost there.  Two different takes.  Who knows where the end of the wire is in this corona confinement. 

In making jewelry, you use a variety of wire, from very soft and pliable to very strong, also called "memory wire".  The soft wire will take on the shape of your neckline and body shape as a necklace.  It won't kink if bent, compared to memory wire that is very hard to bend without the right tools.  It's used mostly for cuff style bracelets or collar style neck wear.  

Wire of different gauge (thickness), shape, and material is designed for a variety of uses.  I once went to the hardware store and asked for chicken wire to use in a paper mache project.  After much discussion, the store clerk finally said, "Oh, you mean poultry mesh!  Whatever, yes.  

Wire is handy because it can be bent and twisted for different uses, but is ALWAYS used to secure something.  Stop and think about it.  Even the little twist ties you get with the garbage bags, or the ones holding all the  parts in place to the packaging are bent and twisted.  Not only is the hold secure for the purpose, but it's relatively easy to release.  And reuse.  

I never understood why wire would break if bent back and forth multiple times.  I was investigating wire that was stronger, but not thicker for wire wrapping stones.  A customer overheard my request, turned to me and  said, "You have to beat it!"  The look on my face was, "What?"  "You have to hammer it." and with that she took me to the entire selection of wire and metal hammering tools and equipment. 

As I investigated through YouTube, I learned that bending a wire back and forth it tempering it at the bend to where it hardens and breaks!  With a piece of leather and a hammer at home I was able to strengthen my wire projects, even with very fine wire. Who knew that when you take a beating, you get stronger. 

It reminds me of the verse, “For whom the LORD loves he corrects; even as a father the son in whom he delights." Proverbs 3:12  The controversial one is, "He that spares his rod hates his son: but he that loves him chastens him sometimes." Proverbs 13:24   

Google says: "spare the rod and spoil the child. old-fashioned saying. said to mean that if you do not punish a child when they do something wrong, they will not learn what is right." Apr 8, 2020  Like training a puppy?  All I know is that I am wired to be much stronger, compassionate, forgiving, and humble from all the beatings I've taken in life.  For which I'm grateful!

​We may never know how close to the wire of getting infected with the corona virus we came.  We are hoping that we are down to the wire of when it will end.  Right now the end for a few restrictions is lifting, so it may be more like 'hurdles' to jump over than ribbons to break though at the end of a race.  We'll see, won't we.   

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