There’s something about this time of year that just makes me nostalgic, and I think that feeling accidentally made its way onto the pages of this issue. I didn’t set out to make this issue an ode to all things analog, but I wanted to write about the popularity of “granny” crafts, because there’s an art to getting into one of Rose Yarn Co.’s popular knitting and crocheting classes. (Tip: Get on its mailing list and watch your inbox like a hawk for the store’s monthly newsletter. If the class fills up before you can click through, get on that waitlist because even if a spot doesn’t open, they’ll reach out to you before registration for the next class goes live.) I recently took its Learn to Crochet Class, and it’s been so much fun practicing a brand-new skill.
Then I stumbled across Thompson Watch Repair, a small business dedicated to repairing and restoring vintage watches. I found it fascinating to learn the lore about each model. I can see why watches become both collector’s items and fashion statements.
By the time I sat down with WCCO-TV morning anchor (and Lakeville resident) A.J. Hilton and he started talking to me about his record collection and the importance of owning physical copies of music, I realized our arts and culture issue had become a celebration of days gone by.
I’m definitely not mad about it. While my current watch tells me if I slept well (Spoiler: I didn’t!), it definitely lacks the soul of a vintage Seiko, and on good days, I get to spend a few minutes knitting or crocheting to calm my busy brain. But one thing I accidentally stopped doing when I had children is actively seeking out new music. Chatting with Hilton about music reminded me that I need to dig out some of my old CDs and revive my tired playlists. I haven’t bragged about listening to a band before they “made it big” in decades, and I think I need to rectify that issue.
If you’re feeling that nostalgic, change-is-in-the-air energy that autumn always seems to bring, I hope this issue helps you rekindle an old passion or find a new one.
