Like Pearls Slipping Off A String

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This is a lovespoon. They’re found in several cultures worldwide, particularly in Scandinavia, but most famously in Wales (that photo is a Welsh lovespoon) and, from at least the 17th century, they were given as gifts by a suitor to his intended lady. They’re supposed to be carved from one block of wood, and decorated with various symbols which have slightly nuanced meanings, all basically a variation on ‘you’re rad, want to get wed?’

Because marriage in poor, rural parts of Wales was often more akin to cohabitation at the time (i.e. you didn’t really have a big ol’ legal ceremony, you just sort of said ‘we’re married now’ and shacked up together) a lovespoon could act as a wedding ring of sorts; you’d put your goshdarn heart and soul into carving it and you’d give it to the dame you sought, and if she accepted the spoon, then you were essentially wed, or at least bound together in a meaningful way. It’s assumed that they were initially supposed to be at least somewhat functional, because people did in fact eat with wooden spoons back in the day, but they’re now purely decorative. And hoo boy, can they be decorative. These are some of the ones on display at St Fagans Museum:

Nowadays, they’re generally mass produced, and tend to look more like this:

- Increasing SSI benefits to at least 100% of the Federal Poverty Line (at the moment, this would be an increase of about $3000/year. That would be REALLY HELPFUL.)

- Increase the asset limits for SSI and SSDI - which haven’t been increased in more than 35 years. Right now if you have more than $2000 at any time, you lose your benefits.

- Marriage equality for disabled people! - For people on SSI be able to get married without losing our benefits! (As it stands right now, you can lose your benefits even if they suspect you’re ACTING like you’re married - the “holding out as married” rule.)

I’m about out of spoons tonight, but go read it! If even SOME of it gets passed, it could be really good!

This is in contrast to the Republican position, which is *checks notes* “If they’re going to die, they’d better do it, and decrease the surplus population”.