Scarf with a Scar

In my virtual absence, I have composed several posts in my mind.  I am waiting for the invention of the microchip that will transfer them seamlessly to my blog.  Until then, here is the first, and most pressing one:

Today was another chilly walk to work (about 1.5 miles), but one that I thoroughly enjoy.  I wear J. Crew black hiking boots (from about 20 years ago), a glossy navy down jacket with a zip-up turtleneck collar, a navy beret (comme toujours) and a lime/light-green paisley pashmina for a scarf. 

The pashmina is a favourite of mine, as it is an odd enough color combination to be both arresting and unsettling at once.  I wear it both outdoors and indoors.

As today was particularly chilly and snowy, I zipped up my jacket completely about five minutes into my journey.  When I got to work, however, the zipper would not move. 

A quick inspection in my mirror revealed that I had zipped the pashmina into the zipper (really underneath the widest part of the zipper) and I could not dislodge it.

As I had about 15 minutes before I had to greet my public, so to speak, I tried to remove the scarf from the zipper; when that failed I tried to remove it from my neck.  Failure again.

I did not wish to strangle myself in my office by attempting to climb out of the turtleneck puffer while still wrapped in a scarf.

So I (gasp) took my scissors and cut my favourite pashmina out of the zipper.

After my public appearance, I inspected the damage and entered repair mode.  At home I knew I had some beautiful ribbon from the textile designer Laura Foster Nicholson, so I shall sew a sliver to my wounded pashmina, scarring the once flawless scarf.

But I shall keep in mind something that my grandmother taught me while painting: don't fret about mistakes; incorporate them into your work and it will be all the more beautiful and unique.  That's my plan.

Have gentle readers ever improved something via a mistake/accident?