Welcome to The Spindle, where we spin you a yarn about the historical ephemera, hobbies, and random hyperfixations keeping us up at night. Whether you’re seeking crafting tips, tales of women who changed history, or weird pop culture takes, we have something to prick your curiosity.
Pour yourself a cup of tea (or something stronger), sit down, and stay for a while. There’s plenty of reading material.
A Holiday Prescription
Seasons Greetings, Everyone! My name is Dr. Theodosia Marigold Hartwell. I recently moved to Spinster’s Row to establish a small therapy practice combining modern natural philosophy with ancient wisdom traditions. Mr. Percy Underleaf serves as my indispensable right hoof, managing my schedule and putting clients at ease. It’s exciting to
Woke Fonts 101: The Secret Agendas Hiding in Your Typography
As you may have heard, our nation’s dear leader and his minions decided to wage yet another totally necessary war — this time, on Calibri, the sans serif font that is apparently woke AF. How is Calibri a radical example of DEI and why is it, in the words of
Preserve the Profession of Nursing: Fight Back!
Recent changes from the Department of Education have downgraded the classification of many healthcare providers. Nurse, nurse practitioner, physical therapist, and physician’s assistant will no longer be classified as “professions.” It should come as no surprise that the roles deemed to be no longer “professions” are more often held by
Cozy Movies to Recharge Amid the Holiday Chaos
During this time of year, there’s no shortage of listicles featuring holiday-themed comfort movies to watch. Yes, The Muppets Christmas Carol is a classic if you adore a Dickens x puppets crossover, Love Actually is worth a hate-watch especially if you read Lindy West’s brilliantly hilarious essay “I Rewatched Love
Creatures Like Krampus (and Why We Love Them)
Winter feels like the world’s longest practical joke. The sun clocks out early, supplies shrink, shadows stretch, and suddenly everything feels very “Please don’t tap the glass, the humans are hibernating.” So perhaps it’s no surprise that winter is also the season when cultures across the world conjure up creatures;
Amelia Earhart, Anne Lindbergh & The Nazi Question
Amelia Earhart, Dorothy Putnam, Dan Schaeffer, Betty Brainerd, Anne Lindbergh, and Charles Lindbergh The Company We Keep: Amelia & Anne Lindbergh I awake in a panic. What if Amelia was a Nazi? I don’t want to uncover that about my heroine. But by the transitive property of friendship, she certainly
A Steeping World of Whimsy: A delightful mix of tea, puns, and joy
I came across The TeaBook the other day and nearly giggled myself out of my chair. Their pun-y packaging had me cackling like Violet Crawley discovering Wi-Fi. I think they’ve brewed the perfect cup of humor and pop culture, steeped in literary brilliance. If you’re someone who loves a good cuppa
Why Books Make the Best Holiday Gifts
As the world tumbles into its glittering tangle of holiday traditions — Christmas trees twinkling, menorahs glowing, Kwanzaa candles shimmering, and cozy secular celebrations brewing — we also enter that time-honored season of giving… or, if we’re being honest, strategic shopping with a dash of panic. Lists are drafted, budgets
Cold Weather Recipes to Wow Your Friends and Family
It always feels like once the autumn equinox has passed, we slide directly into cozy season. Suddenly, instead of summer picnics and barbecues, we’re being invited to Friendsgiving potlucks and soup swaps (IYKYK). We all have our favorite recipes for this season but in case you’re seeing to try something
Mushrooms are the answer
What do you call a mushroom that makes music? A de-composer. This is of course a joke, but the truth is mushrooms are excellent decomposers. (If you like mushroom jokes and puns, this Parade article has 57 more.) A mushroom is actually the fruit of a fungus, most of the
Soundtrack of Rebellion: Protest Songs That Shaped Generations
Protest music can serve as the connective tissue between generations; a rhythm of rebellion that refuses to age. Whether strummed on a dusty guitar, screamed over electric distortion, or pulsing through a bass drop, these anthems transcend genre to deliver one timeless message: enough is enough. These songs do more
Melancholic and Ghostly Road Trips for Autumn and Winter
With over 4.1 million miles of public roads, it’s no wonder that the road trip has become an all-American pastime. Earlier this year, we published a list of motorcycle routes for sunny days, but what about travel plans for that time of the year when melancholy coats our highways and
