always thought that was nonsense until I tried it myself

That 5% national recycling rate for carpet is a real eye-opener... I used to assume those smaller piles meant we were doing better. But if most of it is just getting shipped to landfills out of state, that's not progress. Learning that only nylon carpet gets recycled in many programs, not the polyester stuff, changes things. I guess the pile is smaller here but the problem just moved somewhere else.

My grandma had these tiny pepper shakers she said were from the 1800s, wonder if @lilyross knows how common that was.

You say convenience and variety win, but that misses the point. At local swaps, you get advice from people who actually know your soil and weather. Online, seeds from Australia might not even grow in your backyard, and you have no one to ask for help. Learning face to face helps you avoid big mistakes that can waste a whole season. The community you build is worth more than midnight scrolling on Facebook. Plus, swapping seeds in person means you know they're fresh and tested in your area.

Replacing the drain plug on my sink turned into a two-hour mess because I forced it. I wanted it done before lunch and stripped the threads. Had to go buy a new pipe section... that feeling of rushing just makes everything worse. Sometimes you have to walk away for a bit, even if it means the job takes longer. Coming back with a clear head usually finds the simple fix you missed.