"put one leg in a vise and grab the other with a BIG pair of pliers and TWIST that leg out of alignment with the other."

Thanks, Clint. That helps me understand how to get the thimble into the eye of the anchor. I also watched a couple of YouTube videos on splicing the thimble into the anchor line but I think I'll just go with a knot and duct or electrical tape. That's easier for me than splicing since I got arthritis in my fingers.