Recent content by Rosalind

I don't think I am the one who is confused here about courtesy, but yes, I will certainly agree to disagree.

Well, I'm not sure I understand your point. Yes. That's what I said. That in lieu of Americans fulfilling their own needs, we rely on immigrant labor. We haven't been a self-sufficient nation for a very long time now. This is the part I am confused about. Is it better to have your own children...

I don't think everyone is joining the Voluntary Human Extinction Movement anytime soon, do you? We are all very different people with different opinions, no? And clearly this concept of choosing not to have any children is not spread by genetics--it's spread by culture, no? Yes, it is. The...

That's pretty much a perfect example. Thanks, Cassandra! The whole postmodern, "there are no facts, just a bunch of opinions" meme is what makes me give up trying to educate anyone. Why should I try to discover new facts about how the human body works, if it's always going to be "just my...

That's what I'm saying--I CAN'T make $60,000/year in Mississippi. Neither can DH. Jobs in my field, in the Midwest and the South, pay about $10/hour, with a college education and some experience. No kidding. DH's colleagues in Mississippi basically don't have careers so much as they have hobbies...

Pat, bless you for trying. I don't even try anymore, because thus far all attempts at providing expert opinions and educating people in the field of science have fallen flat. See Matt Nisbet's Science article on the significance of framing debates. So far, us geeks have tried to educate...

WRT needing a second income: Hey! I represent that remark! I'm at the point in my career where my time really is more valuable than the more humble uses to which it could be put. That is to say, I can grow food as a hobby, but I do calculate how much time I'll have to spend vs. whether that...

Mostly because schools don't have time to teach everything. I went to private school for HS, and the way they taught finance management was this: You had a school-controlled checking account set up by your parents at the beginning of the year. It didn't have to be your parents' money, you...

It is difficult but can be done. You must keep very firm resolve and learn liberal use of the word NO. Make a note for yourself that you are not the bad guy for saying NO. Compare "amount of money I will have to pay out for auto wreck which may not happen" vs. "amount of money currently paid to...

Hmm. So you're saying if I happened to put it in 4 quart-size canning jars to gel, the wide mouth kind, with a little scoop, that might be a better choice than, say, a one gallon laundry soap container. Think I've got some scrap fabric, I could make oh-so-cute lids for the quart jars too.

You know what, I would imagine (and I have absolutely no evidence for this, it's just a thought) that work-wise and $$-wise it would be more economical to devote acreage to something like milkweed. It makes the same kind of fiber-fluff as down, requires minimal feeding and soil prep, and...

Anyone ever made this laundry soap recipe using half the water? That is, you don't add nearly so much water at the end for a total volume of 1 gallon? Then only use 1/4 c. for each load? I'd imagine it would be somewhat goopier, but would it make a solid chunk or anything? I don't have a 2...

Oh my goodness, I obsess over this. We get lots of ice storms and snowstorms, and I am kinda neurotic about a bare pantry on top of that. Must have at all times: Giant tin olive oil canned tomatoes pasta flour (several types if possible, in small bags) cornmeal yeast baking powder baking soda...

You know what, I did the separating finances thing and it WORKED. But, very important but, it was a two-day door-slamming scream-fest till all was said and done. DH was sure I was going to divorce him or something and was very, very angry. DH is a tattoo artist who is an independent...