# (Old) Gather 'round the fire in the MMP **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Tags:** mmp\ **Created:** [November 17, 2025, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-gather-round-the-fire-in-the-mmp/1024919 "2025-11-17T12:06:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**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:** [November 20, 2025, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-gather-round-the-fire-in-the-mmp/1024919/161 "2025-11-20T15:07:58Z")
Morning all. Micturation got me up at 6am and being a RDOS let me go back to sleep until 8am, so should be well-rested for whatever Thorsday brings. Heard the garbage truck while I was dressing, so will shortly go out and bring that bin in (the recyclable folks are supposed to be here today, but their timing can be…freeform). Have had my big bowl O’Cheerios and an apple so the morning feeding is done. Weather is cloudy but 66F heading to 75F so another easy day for the HVAC. Have absolutely nothing on the agenda, have stopped mail for my trip to my Brother’s next week, also need to let neighbors know I’ll be gone and a couple of other things to tidy up, but nothing major. So let’s see what the night moves were on the MMP… **JtC** , been offered the averaging plan but since I have electric for the AC and natural gas for the heater, they tend to balance out over the year. So far it’s stayed pretty much in my budget so no major reason for me to change it up. > [@Aspenglow](#): > > Ollie does that, too. In fact, the very first time he pushed into the loo, still a puppy while I was taking care of things, he became instantly empathetic and took a dump on the bathroom floor beside me. Me: “Nnnoooooooo!!!” We have, fortunately, overcome this response. Mostly. 😃 😃 😃 And thank you for making me laugh this early in the morning! > [@Aspenglow](#): > > **rocky** , it was. Mostly I flapped the throw the spider was climbing up and made more of a “gaahh!” noise. It had nearly summited up to my neck. I never did locate the damn thing. Well, to borrow from the humorist Dave Barry, look at it from the spider’s POV…there they were, getting some morning exercise by climbing some new terrain when there is a rumbling and a Godzilla-sized monster moves while making a eerie sound and flings them hundreds of spider-feet away! Traumatized it, you did. Probably suffering from PTSD (post traumatic spider disorder)… **Bright Tree** , if your entire internet was out, probably was more of a local thing; I lost mine for nearly a day when a car ran into a tower near her earlier this year (IIRC). **VanGo** , good catch. **boo fae** , sounds like the buck (or in your case, the pound) has been passed to those it belongs too, so congrats on that. **Nettie** , funny, I have heard complaints like that about me sometimes… 😉 😁 > [@AskNott](#): > > I once heard of a car with a vanity license plate that said “4X4X8.” It was, of course, on a Honda Accord. Nice. I once saw a car in St. Louis with a plate that had CATAMT on it…of course, the car was a Mercury Cougar (spoiler) A Cougar or Mountain Lion is also called a Catamount in some places… (/spoiler) **Taters** , I never put out Xmas stuff, but I live alone with little company and spend the holidays at my Brother’s, so no real reason too. Your call as always. **FCM** , M&M’s on brownies…that should be a treat in West Virginia, because that’s almost Heaven… And back to the morning internetting. Take care all. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2025, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-gather-round-the-fire-in-the-mmp/1024919/162 "2025-11-20T15:55:37Z")
> [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](#): > > CATAMT Or the driver might have been a catamite. You never know. ---
**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:** [November 20, 2025, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-gather-round-the-fire-in-the-mmp/1024919/163 "2025-11-20T16:31:27Z")
> [@rocking\_chair](#): > > it has been my experience that a fast dismissal is usually money related. my bet is on misuse of funds. Yeah, but she’s only been here for about a month so that doesn’t seem likely. Could be that she just didn’t like it here, I guess. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/22080_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2025, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-gather-round-the-fire-in-the-mmp/1024919/164 "2025-11-20T18:06:50Z")
How’s the teak work going, you ask?? Bottom of the swim platform before its second coat. It won’t get the shiny finish coat since the 2 that we put on will protect it. [![Imgur](https://i.imgur.com/4XzJXe7.jpeg "imgur.com") ](https://imgur.com/4XzJXe7) The doors to our cabin, also before the second coat. If you’d seen them before (I didn’t take pics then, dammit) you’d be properly impressed. Under the blue masking tape on both sides are white panels that will be repainted. [![Imgur](https://i.imgur.com/7qQQhnI.jpeg "imgur.com") ](https://imgur.com/7qQQhnI) And, no, we don’t have to climb thru a tiny opening. These are at the top of a ladder and there’s a hatch that slides back for access. You can sorta see from [this pic.](https://oxfordyachtagency.com/grand-banks-36-classic/) Anyway, second coat has been applied and in 24 hours, we can put on the first top coat. Which means the doors will be done this weekend and the swim platform will take a bit longer since we’ll be 2 days behind starting the top surface. I’ve made my Thanksgiving schedule - it starts with smoking the first bird on Sunday. I didn’t bother adding a line for collapsing exhausted on Thursday evening. I think that will be self-evident. 🤣 ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2025, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-gather-round-the-fire-in-the-mmp/1024919/165 "2025-11-20T18:14:38Z")
Elegant! ---
**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:** [November 20, 2025, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-gather-round-the-fire-in-the-mmp/1024919/166 "2025-11-20T18:24:04Z")
So today, I was running the irregs, doing the 100 Slide and a few other things. Fewer damages today, too. I did my Senior Day shopping, the canned food afterwards, picked up some beer and a few otehr things. > [@scareyfaerie](#): > > Never tried it, does it taste as good as the banana? The giant Chinese dragon with Jerry Garcia’s face seemed to think so. > [@Seanette](#): > > Gotta find out why her output’s smell is nearly as large as she is. Diet change, likely. Spot blew up the litterbox for a few weeks after he arrived. > [@FairyChatMom](#): > > I’ve made my Thanksgiving schedule - it starts with smoking the first bird on Sunday. I Too bad you’re not starting on Saturday, it would be a great way to celebrate the WKRP turkey drop. 🦃 ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2025, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-gather-round-the-fire-in-the-mmp/1024919/167 "2025-11-20T19:03:56Z")
wow! seriously beautiful work! ---
**Author:** ![Die\_Capacitrix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/die_capacitrix/32/9_2.png) [@Die\_Capacitrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Die_Capacitrix)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2025, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-gather-round-the-fire-in-the-mmp/1024919/168 "2025-11-20T21:55:43Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > How on earth did you remember about that? I remembered making them - I was happy to find a tested recipe that calls for oil, as the recipe I have calls for butter. I found my post, and then I found the recipe. > [@Cookie thread for the holidays](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cookie-thread-for-the-holidays/1010444/40): > > [[Album] imgur.com [imgur.com] ](https://imgur.com/a/AaWgef5) Chocolate crinkle cookies. Recipe shared by @JaneDoe42 Ginger Snaps. Recipe courtesy of @silenus Since we went to the Christmas market, neither of are hungry. Smelled good while baking. I got out a pair of nitrile gloves for the chocolate crinkle cookies - much better than getting chocolate dough stuck to my palm… My mom also has elevated eye pressure, but not quite glaucoma, but both her brother and mother (who both have/had lots of medical problems) have/had glaucoma. > [@AskNott](#): > > It was, of course, on a Honda Accord. That’s adorable! Now I want cookies. Or to make cookies. I like cookies. But it’s almost 11 pm and I’m not a RDOS, so I have to go to work tomorrow. But next week is VACATION! ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2025, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-gather-round-the-fire-in-the-mmp/1024919/169 "2025-11-20T22:20:29Z")
Boat’s looking good! Wifey, RN’s Nursemobile (2010 RAV4) is making a noise. ‘Wooooooo!’ It gets louder as the engine revs, and quieter when it idles more slowly. I tried to find out where it’s coming from the top of the engine block, but I didn’t take off the plastic shield. I suppose it could be her alternator. There are no warning lights displaying on her dash. She has an appointment to have it looked at next Tuesday, and she’s using my old Prius. I moved the Jeep to the street, and moved her RAV4 to where the Jeep was. Something is leaking from her car. It’s pretty clear, and oily. It seems too thin for motor oil. It might be transmission fluid. I think that’s a separate problem. It’s been dripping a little for a long time. ---
**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:** [November 21, 2025, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-gather-round-the-fire-in-the-mmp/1024919/170 "2025-11-21T00:56:25Z")
Howdy Y’all! We were bears who brunch and then had a ramble. I was thinkin’ about back roads I used to travel that took me to large and in charge Vienna (pronounced Vi-eee-nah), Jawja. I kinda got lost and we ended up in Marshallville. Oopsie! However, I know how to get from there back to da cave, so it was all good. Bonus cause it was somewhere OYKW had never been. I think I know where I went wrong, so we can try it again later. OK, I could figure it out with google maps or sump’n, but that would not make it a proper ramble. Nappage and day drinkin’ were needed after that. There will be a memorial service at the church house on Sattidy at five p.m. It’s for the mother of a member. She lived in Nigeria. I have agreed to serve and bring chikin sallit sammiches to the reception afterwards. Weird time of day for it, but there it is. Hopefully my **DAWGS** home game against Charlotte will be over by the time I need to be there as it’s an early kickoff. I am told there will be Nigerian food at the reception, so that’s a good thing to look forward to shovin’ in my mouth. This also means I will need to handle candle duty for Sunday before I head back to da cave. Sunday is the last Sunday in Ordinary time and also Christ the King Sunday, so gotta make sure those candles burn bright. My life is just fraught with excitatement! ---
**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:** [November 21, 2025, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-gather-round-the-fire-in-the-mmp/1024919/171 "2025-11-21T01:38:59Z")
> [@swampbear](#): > > My life is just fraught with excitatement! I would be totally excitated if I was getting Nigerian food as well! > [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > It’s pretty clear, and oily. It seems too thin for motor oil. It might be transmission fluid. That’s not great. Clear is better than sludgy but its still not great. I don’t know anything about hybrid cars but would assume there would be a way to check your tranny fluid level… > [@Die\_Capacitrix](#): > > I remembered making them - I was happy to find a tested recipe that calls for oil, as the recipe I have calls for butter. I found my post, and then I found the recipe. So I made you happy and then you made me happy back! Hurray! Cookies rule! > [@dogbutler](#): > > it would be a great way to celebrate the WKRP turkey drop. 🦃 And yet another happy holiday memory unlocked! As got is my witness… > [@FairyChatMom](#): > > You can sorta see from [this pic.](https://oxfordyachtagency.com/grand-banks-36-classic/) Oh my, very nice work. > [@Chefguy](#): > > Yeah, but she’s only been here for about a month so that doesn’t seem likely. Ignoring the meeting, how many people took the extra step to complain to upper management? Everyone there pays good money to be there, if they don’t like how they are treated, they aren’t stuck there for the rest of their lives, they have choices and can vote with their wallets. > [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](#): > > So far it’s stayed pretty much in my budget so no major reason for me to change it up. As long as you are happy and it is working for you…yeah, no reason to change things. We’ve always been all electric and the mid-summer bills were brutal. > [@FairyChatMom](#): > > All I’ll need next week is fresh broccoli. We had broccoli last night. Hubs also sharpened my knives for me. I’m lazy, I’ll use the rod a few times but I don’t pull out the stones and do a proper job, that’s his job. He didn’t tell me that he had sharpened them but I figured it out really quickly when the knife just dropped through the middle of the bunch and stem like it was butter. I need to start reminding him about his knife sharpening duties on a monthly basis. It will keep him occupied and my fingers blood free. > [@Taters](#): > > I’m sure they’ll go up again with much internal grumbling from me. While you probably will enjoy it, is it safe to have that sort of thing around your pups or are they out of the chewing stage? I do a little decorating, but it won’t happen this year. Jolene is NOT a tame kitty and she eats everything. Except for her treats, she wants them to be offered, but she runs away as soon as Hubs puts them on her placemat. > [@Chefguy](#): > > Sadie had a rare barf event yesterday. Jolene also barfed today. I wonder if there’s something in the air. Well, I’d like to reply to everyone, but I’ve had a long day and have stuff to do before bed. Today was filled with errands and too much walking and not enough sitting around and looking at the forest. Its dark now and too cold to sit on the porch so stitching will have to do. Sleep well everyone. I’ll probably look in before bed, who knows what you folks will be getting up to in the next couple of hours! ---
**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:** [November 21, 2025, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-gather-round-the-fire-in-the-mmp/1024919/172 "2025-11-21T02:02:31Z")
\< lies down for nap \> \< Spot curls up next to me \> \< back muscle twitches \> \< cat yeets self into hallway \> I dreamed something I can’t remember, then woke from that into another dream where work and N.C. State were fused into one building, and I was late for work back in Smalls because there was a huge crowd of alumni in red robes running around, and sorry to the two guys from Shana with cyborg arms that I couldn’t help find their room. But now I’m up, having a Royal Hawaiian, Baked Fried Chicken and cheesy \*\*N.O.T.\*\*s.. Spot is having dry, flavorless bits and tepid water. > [@JaneDoe42](#): > > Jolene also barfed today. I wonder if there’s something in the air. I guess Spot is now on the clock? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2025, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-gather-round-the-fire-in-the-mmp/1024919/173 "2025-11-21T02:16:00Z")
> [@JaneDoe42](#): > > I don’t know anything about hybrid cars It’s not a hybrid. (The Prius is, of course.) ---
**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:** [November 21, 2025, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-gather-round-the-fire-in-the-mmp/1024919/174 "2025-11-21T02:21:04Z")
Oops, got confused. The tranny dipstick should be towards the back of the engine and probably on the right side. It wouldn’t hurt to check it tomorrow when it warms up. > [@dogbutler](#): > > I guess Spot is now on the clock? Watch where you step in the morning. ---
**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:** [November 21, 2025, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-gather-round-the-fire-in-the-mmp/1024919/175 "2025-11-21T02:23:38Z")
> [@JaneDoe42](#): > > Ignoring the meeting, how many people took the extra step to complain to upper management? Everyone there pays good money to be there, if they don’t like how they are treated, they aren’t stuck there for the rest of their lives, they have choices and can vote with their wallets. Unknown. A memo was distributed today rescinding the pet fee for existing tenants and eliminating the monthly charge completely. It was sent by the building manager from Chicago who also said that her decision to collect money was not approved by the home office, so perhaps that’s what sparked all of this. ---
**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:** [November 21, 2025, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-gather-round-the-fire-in-the-mmp/1024919/176 "2025-11-21T02:26:17Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > It was sent by the building manager from Chicago who also said that her decision to collect money was not approved by the home office, so perhaps that’s what sparked all of this. Hmmmm. I wonder where the money was going to go if the building manager didn’t know what was going on. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2025, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-gather-round-the-fire-in-the-mmp/1024919/177 "2025-11-21T02:27:58Z")
> [@JaneDoe42](#): > > The tranny dipstick should be towards the back of the engine and probably on the right side. It wouldn’t hurt to check it tomorrow when it warms up. I’ll try to remember. Gotta wrap Wifey’s birthday presents (her birthday is the 24th), run the dishwasher, and take her out to Birthday Dinner tomorrow. ---
**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:** [November 21, 2025, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-gather-round-the-fire-in-the-mmp/1024919/178 "2025-11-21T03:06:57Z")
And a good evening to thee. Fairly boring day, some gym time and got the garbage bin back in the garage (recycle folks didn’t make it today so it sits out by itself on the curb). Got a rain shower this afternoon so was in no hurry to be outside during the day. Have a small shopping list for tomorrow, being that I’ll leave Wednesday for Brother’s so don’t need that much to dispose of. > [@Chefguy](#): > > Could be that she just didn’t like it here, I guess. It appears the feeling was mutual… **FCM** , fine-looking work there. **Flyboy** , hope the car issue isn’t to bad. Found some You Tube vids for how to program my Palisade, so am slowly working my way through that (at least I am confident (alright, semi-confident) I can get the cruise control to work/ **swampy** , you sound like my dad, who when my Mom complained that in his rambling he had gotten us lost, he’d always say "I’m about to find a road I know here pretty soon’ and he always did. And that’s about it, need to get back to the tackleball game on Amazon, it’s actually pretty good tonight so may stay with it to the end. Catch all y’all tomorrow. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/22080_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2025, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-gather-round-the-fire-in-the-mmp/1024919/179 "2025-11-21T03:44:31Z")
We went for sushi for supper. It’s too $$$ to go often, but soooooo yum! Since then, it’s been hard-core chillage. Laundry first thing tomorrow and more teak finishing after. Since we’re not in a rush, the marina crew are doing other jobs while our boat sits. So we’ll have about a month to do some work ourselves while it’s indoors. First will be cleaning all the stanchions. Then we’ll paint the window trim on the outside. And, **FCD** is hoping SIL and our visitor can help him get the swim platform installed or at least set up in place. Assuming it’s finished by next Firday. And now, I think it’s sleepy time. ---
**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:** [November 21, 2025, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-gather-round-the-fire-in-the-mmp/1024919/180 "2025-11-21T03:46:50Z")
Little things can make your day. I was standing in line at Dollar Tree with my needed 1.50 bottle of dishwash liquid. The young, poised man in front of me had three big earrings on one ear so I said, “Nice bling.” He thanked me. Then said, “Is that all you’re buying?” Yes. He then paid for it for me! What a nice thing. It made my day. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-gather-round-the-fire-in-the-mmp/1024919.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-gather-round-the-fire-in-the-mmp/1024919.md?page=10)