When I was young, we were pretty poor (lower middle working class). Mom made “maple” syrup from sugar and Mapleine flavoring. It was fine. The store stuff made with corn syrup tastes bad.
The original loops were made of a cotton blend, I think. I bought a kit when I was in my thirties (nostalgia) and the loops, yes of varying sizes, looked like they were cut from rejected women’s nylon of various colors.
“I always clean up the beach when I leave.” I’m not sure you should have said it that way, Poppy. It could mean the beach becomes cleaner when you are no longer on it.
I loved making those potholders! I’d work out how I wanted the colors and then weave the loops. Sadly they all wore out or were lost over the years, or I’d still be using them.
I would like to point out that turkeys do not fan their tails except in mating displays, or occasionally aggressively. However, first- and second-grade teachers have lied and conditioned us all not to recognize a turkey without that tail-fanning.
Anxiety is worse than depression. It hurts more.