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Barbara

@calmspin.bsky.social
215 followers 190 following 380 posts

Here for news, plants and art 🇨🇦 Spin yarn to maintain sanity. Also at @calmspin.gander.social bwanhill.ca

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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
Thank you to @chad.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy for the reminder on how to get this information - important to check as if it your ballot is not registered as cast, you can vote at the polls.
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
Thank you so much for jogging my memory on how to get this information. Mine has been cast as well. 🇨🇦✨
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
A wonky looking Relic and a miniature Molly’s Reach for days 2 and 3 of #inktober #ohcanada edition. Just like on @gandersocial.ca here on out I’m going to just post these about once a week.
Close-up of a sketchbook page with part of a yellow Clip Click pen and a Micron pen beside an ink drawing of Relic from the Beachcombers and beside that a miniature boat with a wonky yellow building inside it that says “Molly’s Reach welcome back!”
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Reposted by Barbara
Dustin A. Chacón @lingdustin.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
I've heard people make claims that AI would lead to a new Renaissance, but I didn't imagine it'd happen like this:
Screenshot of a Tweet from Pope Leo XIV. It reads: 

"In this era of artificial intelligence, it is becoming urgen to distinguish human art from what machines produce. There is an ontological difference, even before an aesthetic one, between art and what a machine can generate through statistical calculation based on millions of images created by others. Algorithms lack the spark of humanity. For this reason, the Church wishes to renew an alliance with artists and cultural institutions to safeguard our humanity."
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Surprised by all the #inktober posts on @gandersocial.ca May as well post here too. It’s nice to get back into a bit of quick drawing.
Coloured Click Ink pens and a Micron pen on top of a sketchbook with a sketchy red apple drawn from an actual one in background.
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Reposted by Barbara
Jeromy Farkas @jeromyyyc.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Today, Calgarians came together at The Confluence to mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day. We remember the children who never came home. We honour Survivors, their families and their communities.
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Thank you for working together with our Nations to help build a city I feel proud to be a part of. Thank you also to Chief Travis Plaited Hair for overseeing the programming and to all the presenters for an amazing ceremony.
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
It looks like a warm dark grey? 👌
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Mailed off my vote yesterday. 🇨🇦
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Oh dear. This is bad. Very bad. 🙈
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Thank you for this reply and for the work you do. I appreciate your attention to the important details first! Take good care.
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
@gandersocial.ca are there future plans for being able to post things temporarily? (Like Instagram Stories) In the meantime, am I messing people up by frequently deleting my posts? (I’ve just started labelling them temporary). Thank you in advance for considering this query.
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Wonderful. ✨ I enjoyed catching up on your blog posts this weekend. Your energy for productive creativity is inspiring!
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
I’ve heard of charging crystals… what about spindles? 😅 #handspinning #spindlespinning
Four crossbar spindles, a ring distaff and two turtles of singles yarn, sitting on an oak table, all illuminated by morning light.
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Thank you for that arms descriptor. I had forgotten about that and it just helped loosen the political news stressed-induced shoulder knots. 🙏
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Two episodes have been released so far.
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Do you have tips for having it bloom in the fall? Mine are a solid spring/early summer bloom and then they pack it in.
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
So much heavy news today and North of North Season 2 helped lift the spirit. If you haven't watched it yet, it's so good: the storyline, acting, scenery, earrings/fashion, soundtrack.
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Reposted by Barbara
Jason G. Butterfield @jasonbu.online · 06/09/2026
I’ve been spending a little more time on @gandersocial.ca . The feed feels different. People tell stories. Founders answer questions. Bugs get called bugs. Chapman’s posts about ice cream. I wrote about why that matters to me, and why digital sovereignty is more than where we park the servers.
jasonbu.online
A Canadian Social Network Is Not the Point
Taking a break from algorithmic sludge, and finding a small Canadian corner of the internet that still feels human (actual humans).
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Is he Snowshoe Siamese? His markings look so much like a Snowshoe we used to have.
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
My first, tiny, wonky, tapestry weaving experiment with scrap handspun.
Variegated wonky square of textured handspun yarn woven and finished. Laying on wooden peg loom. Needles and warp cotton to the right.
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Every Saturday I have taken to window shop Woodland Handcrafts’ site. It’s all I can afford. 😂 Lovely spindle and spin. ✨
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Mildly annoyed.
Approximately 6.5cm wonky and textured blue and white tapestry weaving with shreds of yarn and a part woven in white cotton selvage. A metal ruler is in right corner. All resting on oak surface.
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
This was from a few weeks ago. That #tourdefleece spin is still being spun.(!) And I acquired two more Helen Mawdsley cross-bars in the process. 😊
A wooden staircase in dappled light with three crossbar spindles and a ring distaff dressed with spun and unspun fibre in variegated violet/magenta/purple tones.
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
If you get a chance to read Theresa’s writing, please do. Thanks again @fishgottaswim.bsky.social for the copy of The Art of Looking Back. (Card artwork is by Calgary artist, Verna Vogel.)
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
💙
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
If you could boost @gandersocial.ca too that would be awesome! 😊⭐️
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Another reason why I can’t yet abandon Bluesky. Monday mirth courtesy @sproudfoot.bsky.social
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
I wish I hadn’t rushed my mail post to you! I have a skein of dark blue thread for sashiko you may have liked!
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Reposted by Barbara
Theresa Kishkan @fishgottaswim.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
theresakishkan.com/2026/08/28/t... Alt text: blue cloth on a clothesline with trees in the background
theresakishkan.com
“The atmospheric distance between you and the mountains.” (Rebecca Solnit)
I’m getting ready to make an indigo vat to dye some lengths of linen and to try to extend the life of two duvet covers, white cotton, which have become a little stained over the years. It did…
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
Directions on how to stay low: techcrunch.com/2026/08/27/b...
techcrunch.com
Bluesky adds an 'algorithmic opt-out' feature for those who don't want to go viral | TechCrunch
Sometimes people just want to post to their followers, Bluesky says.
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Reposted by Barbara
Chris Istace 🇨🇦 @stasherbc.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
For some AI levity, just seen randomly this morning 😆
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
And me: preparing for an autumn of reading (spinning, weaving, knitting and drawing)
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
It’s truly a marvelous book: brave, captivating, eloquent. I look forward to reading more of your works when I’m finished this one!
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Maarn/Sylvia Dahlia. First full bloom. #yycgarden #dahlia
Square cropped photo of bird’s eye view of an apricot/peach/orange classic ball-style dahlia. Green foliage in background.
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Thank you for the repost @mariamesmerised.bsky.social 💙
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Looking forward to getting back to work and filling spare moments with learning new ways to explore creativity.
Wooden peg loom warped with cotton and wip woven tapestry practicing meet and separate using handspun yarn in variegated blue.
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Thank you @fishgottaswim.bsky.social Your novel arrived today and the beginning has immediately transported me back to the social dynamics of my own art school memories. Compellingly written. ✨
An expressive portrait painting in neutral and blue tones illustrates a hardcover novel with the title: The Art of Looking Back - A painter, an obsession, and reclaiming the gaze” by Theresa Kishkan. The book is on an oak table with a red and white mug in the top corner.
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
Awesome! Thanks for sharing. I’ve purchased this pattern too and was wondering about handspun.
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
That’s a beautiful skein. Love the colour and the spin.
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
One benefit of in person interactions: your hands are free to do something else. #handspinning #spindlespinning
Cherry wood cross-bar spindle rests on a honey oak table. Cropped CBC mug and interior details in background.
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
Canadian local to me means interests I relate to and family/friends I am connected to geographically (which can be far away). In the short time I’ve been on Gander, I feel like I’ve moved to a new neighbourhood and been invited to a house party where I’m figuring out who to talk to or just go home.
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
Drought conditions in Canada = one of several factors impacting current conditions: agriculture.canada.ca/en/agricultu...
agriculture.canada.ca
Current drought conditions - agriculture.canada.ca
See the latest real-time status and alerts on Canadian agricultural drought, with regional maps and risk analysis for producers and the sector.
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
Members of Okanagan Indian Band mourn loss of forests and irreplaceable artifacts in wildfire | CBC News
More than just homes have been destroyed by the Bradley Creek Wildfire. The Okanagan Indian Band Indigenous community has also lost irreplaceable artifacts and forests where their great-grandparents p...
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
All this better for me new social media is still hampering creative productivity. Time to be more disciplined with my spare time! bwanhill.ca/2026/08/12/a...
bwanhill.ca
A mental distaff
I’ve been spinning a lot this summer. For portability during travel, spindles have been my tools of choice. In particular, I have been delighted by the cross-bar spindles created by Helen Maw…
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
Interior of BC born, + twenty year transplant to a metropolis on the border of the foothills and prairie… the trail into Skookumchuk Narrows at first appeared dark and foreboding. Shortly; however, I realized how well travelled a trail it was - all to see what was experienced from this watery view:
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
Glad we got to see the Narrows before we left Egmont. What a beautiful area! ✨
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Reposted by Barbara
Gander Social @gandersocial.ca · 06/08/2026
While we’ve been building Gander, people have asked us to make browsers, music players, phones, payment systems, app stores… basically 2/3rds of the internet. We appreciate the confidence. Truly. But we’ve got our hands full. The Canadian Shield Institute mapped out a day without American tech.
canadianshieldinstitute.ca
A Day in the Life Without American Tech | Canadian Shield Institute
What would happen if overnight we suddenly lost all access to American tech? Nobody is saying that we’d ever wake up one morning and find all...
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
At Leighton Art Centre today.
Mix of native and non-native prairie flora within a foothills grassland.Mix of native and non-native prairie flora within a foothills grassland.Mix of native and non-native prairie flora within a foothills grassland.
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
Quiet morning in Egmont. #beautifulbritishcolumbia
Early morning seascape with marina, boats and mountains.
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