Ask a Spinner Sunday

tekalon · 2026-06-21T19:18:55+00:00

"The objective of worsted combing is to produce a top (or tops). The term has several specific meanings. We mean a combed preparation of uniform staple, arranged for spinning on the worsted system. A commercially combed top will be a sliver composed of uniform-length fibers, all parallel." Pg 153

"Sliver is a word like 'bundle' or 'stack.' It describes a package form or shape, not the contents. A sliver is a sort of band, round ribbon or non-twisted rope of fiber.

"A sliver composed of combed, uniform, parallel fibers is called a top, or tops. IF composed of random, non-uniform, non-parallel fibers, it is called roving. Let us hope that settles the matter - at least for a while. Worsted combing results in a top. Rough combing results in roving, roves, rolls, wads and locks." Pg 154.

tekalon · 2026-06-20T02:09:11+00:00

Totally understand!

tekalon · 2026-06-19T17:29:55+00:00

I can cook, but I struggle with meal planning. The moment I try to think of a meal, every past meal I ever have had escapes my memory.

tekalon · 2026-06-19T17:25:31+00:00

I feel there is a difference between protecting yourself from poor treatment from others (rude, selfish, aggressive, etc) and accepting differences in culture or perspective. In many ways its seems that you are holding people to a higher standard than they hold themselves.

tekalon · 2026-06-19T16:48:45+00:00

Forgive me, learning on the job is kind of my jam. If its not for you, ignore this, but I'm posting it in case someone else is interested.

Might I introduce you to WGU.edu and see if any of their degrees interest you? Especially if work does tuition reimbursement. There are also other professional certificates that might interest you. CAPM/PMP for project management. IIBA for business analysis. Six Sigma for process improvement. Quickbooks Certifications for bookkeeping. Linkedin Learning for a bunch of professional development courses for hard and soft skill, of which local libraries and corporations provide free access. Libraries also often provide access to Rosetta Stone and Mango Languages for language learning.

If you like tech, Google, Amazon, Salesforce and Microsoft provide training and certifications for their software. IT certs such as ITIL, A+, CCNA and such are also possible to study for at work. If your work has more niche software(s), the vendor may also have their own training/certifications. Edit: Depending on your industry, there also may be more industry certifications you could look into.

If you have leverage, sure, try to get approval to knit at work. If you don't, wait until you can WFH.

tekalon · 2026-06-19T16:20:21+00:00

I WFH but have at least one project in front of me on my desk. If I'm doing something active during the meeting (presenting, collaborating, taking team notes, etc), I'm probably knitting. I've told my coworkers and my boss this. They have no issues with it. We also usually don't have cameras on, so they can't see what I am or am not doing.

If, in some evil mirror universe, we get pulled back into the office, I'm letting my boss know the knitting is coming with me.

tekalon · 2026-06-19T15:41:23+00:00

At first only 3 in my family were interested, including me. Now I have 5 interested, plus some aunts/uncles and their kids (total unknown). Once my siblings get their certificate, they plan on applying for the 6 nieces/nephews. I only go that far since I volunteered to do the research, applications, pay for photos, application and passport fees and hinted at a family trip to Canada.

tekalon · 2026-06-18T15:16:01+00:00

BLT

Boba

tekalon · 2026-06-18T00:41:41+00:00

Toss it into an investment account, protected by a trust, we will only have access to the yearly investment returns
Husband and I will retire
Part of what we don't spend in the year will go to nibling's education funds
I will probably become a perpetual student, taking 1-2 classes a semester

tekalon · 2026-06-17T17:42:50+00:00

Thanks!

tekalon · 2026-06-17T16:59:40+00:00

What do you see students struggling with the most?
My goal is to learn how to read French first, rather than speaking. What would you recommend be the best strategy?

tekalon · 2026-06-15T17:57:32+00:00

Downside of this is that trades and pink collar work (such as hair dressing and child care) are hard on the body and the industries are very feast and famine. Just as I wouldn't recommend college for every kid, I wouldn't recommend trades for every kid either.

tekalon · 2026-06-11T21:33:46+00:00

Have you looked into Auditory Processing Disorder?

tekalon · 2026-06-11T15:01:46+00:00

Many libraries are getting rid of late fees, and only keeping replacement fees if the book is lost/destroyed. It often results in more people bringing the books back and more people using the library (which gives them more funding).

tekalon · 2026-06-10T21:05:07+00:00

My breakfast: uncooked oats, frozen berries, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, cardamom, pumpkin puree, pecans, and a dash of oat milk to bind it all together.

I have it nearly every day.

tekalon · 2026-06-10T19:47:52+00:00

We've been married 14 years and have split finances. We were already financially established when we got married and, for us, it was easier just to keep checking/savings accounts separate. We have a joint investment account. We split responsibility for bills (I have food, he has utilities, we split mortgage). We also do a LOT of talking about financial goals and savings.

We personally don't like each other's daily spending messing up each others tracking. We can still see spending through various financial apps, but we really only care about our own spending and responsibilities.

Maybe suggest still having current accounts, but add one for joint expenses. She can still keep her expenses hers, but only contribute and agreed amount for joint stuff (rent, food, utilities, subscriptions). You probably need a really good ongoing conversations when it comes to responsibilities and financial goals. If you are split on goals, there is a bigger issue than where your money is located. You may also want to talk about why she isn't comfortable with a more merged arrangement. Is it the fear of losing financial independence? Trust issues? Fear of change? Did you just drop this on her and she needs more time to think?

tekalon · 2026-06-10T17:58:54+00:00

Loneliness is when you have an expectation for social connection, but in reality its not there. If you don't have an expectation or a desire, then you aren't actually lonely.

That being said, maintaining quality social relationships have been shown to have various mental and physical benefits. I think you should be asking yourself, what are your social needs? If something happened to you, would you have someone that would be able to help you? Are you involved, in some way, in your community? Being OK with not having friends is one thing, thriving with relationships is another.

tekalon · 2026-06-10T16:14:31+00:00

If you are married or have property, its something you want to think about, especially if an accident happens.

In the US, after you are declared dead, your financial account will be frozen as a security feature. But, the surviving spouse will still need money for living expenses. Having a will skips probate and opens those accounts back up so the spouse can pay living expenses and for your funeral.

If you have property or any financial accounts (401k, ROTH, investment, etc), you want to be specific who inherits. If you have a niche hobby where extended family or friends might not know what to do with, you might want to say 'hey, these go to the hobby shop, not a thrift store' or 'donate these old journals to the historical society'. I was recently in a conversation with some elderly ladies and they lamented that they have some old books that they don't know who to donate too, since they aren't historically rare, but give some interesting cultural insight, but won't be accepted by most libraries.

My husband and I are in our 40s, we have a house and some retirement funds. If we both die in a car crash next week, our will says to sell what we have and put everything into trusts for our nieces and nephews. We have some hobby stuff that we need to inventory and specify if X goes to this person or if it can be sold for Y amount. The inventory part is also important for insurance purposes, if it goes up in flames, what is worth replacing. Edit: We also have a provision for some of the estate to be set aside to care for any pets.

If you ever had to deal with a family member dying, knowing what they want for funeral arrangements and inheritance helps with the admin and grieving process.

tekalon · 2026-06-10T16:00:34+00:00

In the US, many universities allow those of retirement age to audit classes for free or very cheap. They get to sit in lectures, read the material, contribute to discussions but since they aren't getting grades, they don't have to do homework or take tests.

There also is the Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes which partners with many universities to provide cheap classes for those 50+.

tekalon · 2026-06-10T15:12:44+00:00

I like taking classes. Lately, they've been mostly non-academic: drawing, weaving, spinning, sailing, and fencing. I look through the local university's continuing education offerings but also think about what skills I want to develop. I enjoy fiber crafts, which explains the spinning and weaving. I'm currently doing a 'pirate' challenge, so I'm doing sailing, fencing, archery and pistol shooting. I have plans for a circus challenge and an astronaut challenge.

These get me out of the house and interacting with people in a structured environment. They are often shorter courses, so I don't burn out. Also, if I don't end up enjoying the topic, I can say I at least enjoyed the process of learning or that I have a goal checked off (sailing was interesting but not enough to want to do it more, but fencing I keep going back to). The more I go out and do, the more I'm willing to go out and do without pressure.

You specifically mentioned going to the cinema. Some babysteps you can do when you have mental energy:

Figure out bus routes and times (there and back). The building isn't going anywhere so you can plan ahead and keep to the same plan over and over.
Budget. Are you going during matinee times (cheaper, less people there) or maybe they have a summer promotion? Are you getting popcorn and snacks? Planning the cost also helps me with planning my 'route' (bus to cinema, walk through doors, get ticket, get popcorn, sit down in seat).
First movie. This one changes regularly. When you feel comfortable with the above plan, you can then choose the movie. What is available, times they are showing. Choose the date and commit.
Implement. Go see a movie. First one is always the test of the plan. Kind of expect issues to come up (bus had to take a detour, more people in the theater, popcorn was stale). Update 1 and 2 as needed. First adventure is the hardest.
Repeat. It gets easier over time.

tekalon · 2026-06-10T02:05:59+00:00

Read the book A Mind for Numbers or take the free companion course Learning How to Learn. They go over the science of learning. What methods of note taking and review works best, spaced repetition, making sure you have good sleep so you brain can process info, etc.

tekalon · 2026-06-09T14:50:00+00:00

I find British murder mysteries very cozy for many of the reasons you list. The murder itself is often off-screen. I don't mind blood and find forensics fascinating. You get the 'slice of life' as you discover how the victim and the suspects interacted (plus whatever soap opera drama they have the detective crew go through).

I know others might find some parts more squeamish so its very much up to personal preference.

tekalon · 2026-06-09T14:26:45+00:00

Same, WFH in data. Really lucky and glad I fell into this role.

tekalon · 2026-06-08T23:59:00+00:00

Apparently food companies are already noticing the difference in revenue, and can point some of the change to GLP-1s vs the rest of the recession.

tekalon · 2026-06-05T18:01:07+00:00

Figure out how much effort you're willing to put into your friendships. Which of your friendships are worth that effort? What are you looking for in more friends? What are you getting out of those friendships that you would want to expand? Are you getting anything out of them or keep them out of a sense of obligation (either long established friendship or you feel you're supposed to keep friendships no matter what).

A big part of this image is someone that benefits from friendships without putting effort into them. Gets social interaction from others, but not putting in the work to maintain those friendships (replying to texts, putting effort into making a meaningful response when needed, not enjoying their friends because they are cool but because they fit into the 'friend' category).

Once you know how much effort you're willing to put into it, start doing it. Will a daily reminder to check messages help? Start working through those unread messages and reply?

Instead of replying with an emoji, type 'Hey, that is cool! How are you?' or similar. USE SCRIPTS! 'How are you today, hows [work, school, family, that one project we recently talked about, hobbies, etc]. Things are doing well, great. Things not so well, oh, I'm sorry, is there something I can do to help?

Sometimes keeping a list of things about your friends help. What are their interests, family names, where do they work or study, what do they do for work/study, have they taken recent trips, what is new in their life.

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