# (Old) Dark Skies in the MMP **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Tags:** mmp\ **Created:** [August 24, 2026, 8:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-dark-skies-in-the-mmp/1032523 "2026-08-24T08:43:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![pullin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c57346/32.png) [@pullin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pullin)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2026, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-dark-skies-in-the-mmp/1032523/81 "2026-08-25T19:29:09Z")
> [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](#): > > Yes, could you explain that a little more? Never had to water my foundation to the best of my memory. Whatever type of clay/dirt our house is built on tends to contract a lot when it gets dry. So much that the foundation shifts, and if not watered could result in expensive damage. So saith various inspectors and contractors. So we (along with a lot of our neighbors) routinely water the area around the house during the summer. I can actually tell the difference via the closet door I mentioned. This plagued my parents (similar soil, different state) so much that they installed a buried foundation watering system on timers. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2026, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-dark-skies-in-the-mmp/1032523/82 "2026-08-25T20:08:59Z")
Made a batch of blondies this afternoon out of a King Arthur mix. Not bad. I don’t think I’ve ever had one before. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2026, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-dark-skies-in-the-mmp/1032523/83 "2026-08-25T21:18:47Z")
I’ve met with the endo and have yet another evaluation. They’ve drawn blood to get a baseline. Now I wait to hear back. ---
**Author:** ![missred](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/missred/32/14096_2.png) [@missred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missred)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2026, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-dark-skies-in-the-mmp/1032523/84 "2026-08-25T21:56:20Z")
Waiting with you **mollie**. **yanker** , Sis here in Houston has to water her foundation too. The last few years, she’s used water from her rain barrels to do that and water whatever plants that need it. She has 2 45 gallon and a 300 gallon one with mosquito control and gravity connections for a hose. When we get a lot of rain, all three will fill nearly full. She purchased the first two, but BIL designed the big one. I am sad about Dolly. I grew up with her music and saw how much good she did for the folks of Tennessee, as well as the world at large. Like **JtC** , if there is such a thing as an after life, she’s singing with the angels. RIP Dolly. ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2026, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-dark-skies-in-the-mmp/1032523/85 "2026-08-25T22:05:46Z")
Missed the dr appointment. Ride came to the parking lot door in the back. Everyone gets picked up in the front. Finished the metronidazole with no ill effects. 6 rounds of antibiotics since April. Hope Im done for the year. New Rolling Stone was on the shelf at library. I love reading. ---
**Author:** ![JaneDoe42](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/janedoe42/32/14104_2.png) [@JaneDoe42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JaneDoe42)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2026, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-dark-skies-in-the-mmp/1032523/86 "2026-08-25T22:45:49Z")
Do you guys have any idea what happens when you do nothing but sit in your chair for 9 weeks? Just mashing a pot of potatoes kicked my butt and whisking the gravy took MUCH longer than I remembered. I’m still not cleared to pull weeds, though. It isn’t one of my favorite chores but it really needs done soon. > [@missred](#): > > The last few years, she’s used water from her rain barrels to do that and water whatever plants that need it. We had rain barrels, but the last ten years or so all they collected was dust. …argh, now my arm is spasming, bbl ---
**Author:** ![swampbear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampbear/32/467_2.png) [@swampbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampbear)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2026, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-dark-skies-in-the-mmp/1032523/87 "2026-08-25T23:04:24Z")
Howdy Y’all! Laundry got done and put where it stays until it gets dirty again. I went to the produce stand and went a little wild. I got squishes, green beans, purple hull peas, butter peas, and some Vidalia onions. Thus we have snapped green beans and shelled peas this afternoon which counts as major productivity. Never fear, however, nappage and day drinkin’ were also accomplished. We would never slack on our RDOS sloth! **Yanker** fairly often, coffee #2 leads to a #2 for me. Never miss a chance to be juvenile! Glad the state police ruined Mr. Porsche’s day. Now I have [this song](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dM2uzunIXs&list=RD6dM2uzunIXs&start_radio=1) in my haid. **Knotty** ice cream you didn’t like is truly tragic! No wonder you were rattled to the core! > [@Knotty](#): > > It’s Tuesday, gotta wind the clock. > > Is that what you kids are callin’ it these days? I repeat, never miss a chance to be juvenile. > > **Coppertone** hope the eye doc can fix the problem. I see you missed your ride due to some not smartness on the part of transport folk. Hope you can get another appointment soonest. > > **Mollie** HUZZAH fore receivin’ the letter and recommendation! > > **red** appropriate/inappropriate appendages crossed re gettin’ sprung soonest. Glad you liked Sister night nurse. > > **Taters** glad you found the yahd maintenance costs reasonable. It’s a good thing sis and you are doin’. > **MetalMouse** happy coachin’! > > **scud** gotta admit that is a headline one would not expect to see. Sardine herpes is also a new one for me. > > **Herald** Happy Doperversary! > > **JtC** that sounds like a good tribute to Dolly. I haz a huge sad about her death. Yay for the increased weight limit! ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2026, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-dark-skies-in-the-mmp/1032523/88 "2026-08-25T23:22:41Z")
Supper has been ingested and cleaned up after. Roxy is in the basement, Tobias is up here. Ten minutes till jammie time. And theoretically sleepy time 30 minutes after that. This is why menopause was invented - no one should have to deal with littles full time after a certain age. These kids are great, but they require much more energy than I can muster over the long term. OK, gotta prep myself for prepping them for bed. ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2026, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-dark-skies-in-the-mmp/1032523/89 "2026-08-25T23:52:22Z")
Appointment rescheduled for next week. I like the time right before sunset, peaceful. This morn I dreamed I saw Gene Simmons and told him happy birthday; then woke up to see it really was his bd. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2026, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-dark-skies-in-the-mmp/1032523/90 "2026-08-26T00:16:11Z")
Oh 🎶 Jollleeene I haz some tears tonight. ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2026, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-dark-skies-in-the-mmp/1032523/91 "2026-08-26T00:31:29Z")
[quote=“The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat, post:66, topic:1032523”] And I did a little googling, you might have had a mangonada, which is: [quote] 1. **The Orange Part:** Sweet, bright yellow-orange tropical mango ice cream, sorbet, or slush. 2. **The Purple-Red Swirl:** Tangy, salty, and spicy **chamoy** sauce (made from pickled fruit, chilies, and lime) often accented with a dash of **Tajín** chili-lime seasoning.[/quote] I think you found it. Chamoy is the word I couldn’t remember. That was some _weird_ ice cream, at a place called **Tropicana Ice Cream.** Dolly Parton has died. She was a singer, an actress, an entrepreneur, a philanthropist, a comedienne, and an all-around classy dame. ---
**Author:** ![JaneDoe42](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/janedoe42/32/14104_2.png) [@JaneDoe42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JaneDoe42)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2026, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-dark-skies-in-the-mmp/1032523/92 "2026-08-26T00:47:12Z")
I’[m sure there have been many tears shed today. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_stainless_steel_rat/32/5727_2.png) [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Stainless_Steel_Rat)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2026, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-dark-skies-in-the-mmp/1032523/93 "2026-08-26T01:17:42Z")
Evening all. Soccer practice went well, had 7 out of 10 boys there, they were all well-behaved and did the drills pretty well, so hopefully we’ll have a good season. Assistant coach is going to handle most of the paperwork and also ran a couple of the drills, so that looks like it will work out. Hot but not unbearable out on the fields. Home and have consumed fluids and pasta so feeling fine. Temperature is supposed to get down to about 70F so thinking about turning off the AC and opening up the windows tonight. And I have managed to dispose of the pop-up bug from the computer, now we’ll see if I can avoid whatever site gave it to me. And onto the scrolling part of the night… **Oopsie** , my bad English, pants have always gone on right, the shoes being the same color…not so much. **FCM** , same type of baskets, usually I can see which has the underwear and which has the shirts, but sometimes I do mix them up. And glad you are helping the grands out. I’m up to 207lbs, would like to get back to about 200 but as long as it stays below 210 I am satisfied. **Cookie** , college prices have certainly grown in the 50 years since I attended. And good on ya for investing in the kid. > [@dogbutler](#): > > > [@scareyfaerie](#): > > > > Let’s talk about all of the fucking things we can make with kale.” > > You can feed it to pigs and make bacon. Best answer ever to that question. **scudsucker** , in the category of ‘News of the Weird’, I think that places fairly highly. **Oopsie** , strongly considering doing the window cooling bit, but may wait a couple weeks for the temps to come down a bit more. Good luck with the deck. **JtC** , slow but steady improvement is the way to go. **Yanker** , thanks for the information on the foundation, never heard of that before. > [@Chefguy](#): > > Made a batch of blondies this afternoon out of a King Arthur mix Trust the cookies are good, but reading that sentence made me think it could be made into a title of an X-rated movie. **Mollie** , will wait with you. **Coppertone** , hope the re-schedule is soon–and I see it is. I love reading too. I’ve never been a country music fan, but I do love Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5” (and she wasn’t a bad actress in the movie version) and some other tunes she did. And I truly respected the all-around decent human being she was. RIP. And that’s all for now. ---
**Author:** ![missred](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/missred/32/14096_2.png) [@missred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missred)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2026, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-dark-skies-in-the-mmp/1032523/94 "2026-08-26T01:40:13Z")
> [@JaneDoe42](#): > > I’m still not cleared to pull weeds, though. It isn’t one of my favorite chores but it really needs done soon. I’m telling you, you need to find an old row boat, stabilize it, fill it up with dirt and plant there. Repurchase a worn out boat and have a raised bed too. > [@Knotty](#): > > **red** appropriate/inappropriate appendages crossed re gettin’ sprung soonest. Glad you liked Sister night nurse. And she’s my nurse tonight too! ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2026, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-dark-skies-in-the-mmp/1032523/95 "2026-08-26T01:57:58Z")
I’ve been on a couple of star party campouts in the Lewis and Clark National Forest, about the darkest skies you’ll find in North America. On one of those campouts, I somehow ended up tending the astronomy club’s 20" telescope. Now, that was some seriously amazing astronomy. ---
**Author:** ![dogbutler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dogbutler/32/428_2.png) [@dogbutler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dogbutler)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2026, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-dark-skies-in-the-mmp/1032523/96 "2026-08-26T02:18:15Z")
Up from naptime. Having a Manhattan, and Redneck stirfry. I have a sad over Dolly. 💔 > [@scudsucker](#): > > News headline here in sunny South Africa. That is a doozy. 🍾 🍰 🥳_ **HAPPY DOPERVERSARY HERALD!!!** _🥳 🍰 🍾 > [@Mollie\_Magill](#): > > Some Carolina grad must have designed Vanderbilt Medical Center. It makes zero sense. 😆 > [@swampbear](#): > > Glad the state police ruined Mr. Porsche’s day. Now I have [this song](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dM2uzunIXs&list=RD6dM2uzunIXs&start_radio=1) in my haid. I was thinking more [this](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvV3nn_de2k). > [@Chronos](#): > > On one of those campouts, I somehow ended up tending the astronomy club’s 20" telescope. Now, that was some seriously amazing astronomy. Indeed. > [@missred](#): > > And she’s my nurse tonight too! ❤ ---
**Author:** ![The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_stainless_steel_rat/32/5727_2.png) [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Stainless_Steel_Rat)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2026, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-dark-skies-in-the-mmp/1032523/97 "2026-08-26T04:06:40Z")
It’s 11pm and Slumberland beckons, so late night final time. Nothing new to report outside of several You Tube videos watched. Steve Marsh is a Scotsman that travels a lot but prefers walking around places and going where his feet take him (like I do) so I watched him make Leeds, England interesting. And WIRED You Tube has a playlist called Tech Support, which is actually a subject matter expert on a particular topic answering questions and I enjoy the heck out of most of them. **red** , glad you get a repeat performance by Night Nurse. **Time God** , that must have been a spectacular astronomy night. **doggio** , I usually drive about 62mph in 55mph zones, and am often one of the slower drivers… And need to visit the smallest room in the house and perform the necessary duties before bedtime. Catch y’all tomorrow. ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2026, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-dark-skies-in-the-mmp/1032523/98 "2026-08-26T05:27:46Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > It’s a good use of the money, though. I’d rather invest in their futures than in some megacompany that I don’t care about. You’re my kind of grandparent! ---
**Author:** ![dogbutler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dogbutler/32/428_2.png) [@dogbutler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dogbutler)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2026, 6:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-dark-skies-in-the-mmp/1032523/99 "2026-08-26T06:48:40Z")
Up, caffeinated and sheveled. Off to heave. It’s currently 63 degrees Ferret Height(17.222 Centipedes), but the heat is back today. > [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](#): > > And need to visit the smallest room in the house and perform the necessary duties before bedtime. Human sacrifice? @susan [Sumerian date cake](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XI-2jLUI24)(served in an inferior copper pie plate?) ---
**Author:** ![scareyfaerie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scareyfaerie/32/3135_2.png) [@scareyfaerie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scareyfaerie)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2026, 8:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-dark-skies-in-the-mmp/1032523/100 "2026-08-26T08:44:53Z")
Morning, mumpers! It’s currently 17c/62f with a predicted high of 24c/75f and cloudy. Weather app says " All the fucking clouds can go and fuck all the way off." Surely not, we’ve had some cooling rain this morning! **doggio** anything involving bacon can only be a good thing. **Happy Doperversary, Herald**! **JtC** good news on the increased weight limit, you’re making excellent progress! **Mollie** everything’s going in the right direction for you! Will sit and wait alongside you and **red** 🙂 **metalmouse** I admire anyone who can make Leeds interesting! I irked yesterday, made spagbol for dinner, made campus food and then went to the gym for two classes. I was worn out by the end of the second one but glad I did both. I’m all signed up for next week too. Dinner was scoffed, dishes washed, cats fed, and some tellybox stuff watched before I went to bed. I was sad to hear about Dolly, I’m not a big country music fan but I admired her talent and her tenacity, as well as her sense of philanthropy. I hope her good works will be continued, especially when it comes to kids and books. I have stuff to do today but I am hampered by the Overthinker at work. Aside from the fact that she’s been in the ofifce for half an hour and hasn’t stopped talking…I asked her about entering marks of zero for work that wasn’t submitted by our 7th August deadline, and entering updated marks for things that failed on late penalties. She said she’s swamped and hopes to have that done by next week, which puts a spanner in my plans to get a lot of my scrutiny reports completed before then. I offered to help but apparently it’s too much bother to explain what needs to be done. WTEF?? I am going to have a strong cup of tea and go upstairs to check the museum door is unlocked as we’re using that for an exam this afternoon. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-dark-skies-in-the-mmp/1032523.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-dark-skies-in-the-mmp/1032523.md?page=6)