# (Old) Tricks, treats, and a brand new month in the MMP **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Tags:** mmp\ **Created:** [October 30, 2023, 11:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-tricks-treats-and-a-brand-new-month-in-the-mmp/992297 "2023-10-30T11:01:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 13
**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:** [November 4, 2023, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-tricks-treats-and-a-brand-new-month-in-the-mmp/992297/241 "2023-11-04T13:53:13Z")
> [@Kitten\_Mitten](#): > > > [@missred](#): > > > > Trying to get warmed up. I may have to raise the thermostat to do it though. > > Perhaps you might try **swampy’s** idea of hot chawklit with a slug of rum. At this point, we’re swinging back the other direction tempwise. Autumn in the mid-south. 😛 > [@Kitten\_Mitten](#): > > : do you use farmer’s cheese for your potato & cheese pierogi? Yes, although in my current location, it’s usually not the same farmer’s cheese that I’d get in a Polish market. > [@Baker](#): > > I’ve been eating more beans, split peas, and lentils lately. I especially love split pea soup You may want to check some Indian dishes out online for lentil curries and the like if you’re not averse to a bit of spice. I made a nice [eggplant - lentil curry](https://www.thefieryvegetarian.com/eggplant-lentil-curry/) last weekend that was pretty tasty and, while having a little heat, wasn’t innard searing. > [@nightshadea](#): > > I remember when Kresge’s was K-Mart’s dime store …we lived about 5-10 minutes from the one downtown in Indiana mom would go every day or so and id get icecream and grilled cheese cause they still had the lunch counter … My aunt usually worked at the lunch counter and actually managed the one near Glenbrook in Fort Wayne. > [@swampbear](#): > > We had a Kress department store in ye olde hometowne, not to be confused with Kresge. Kress was known for ornamental facades on stores. The place is now an events center and is apparently a popular place for weddin’ receptions and such. We also had McLellan’s which had a really big candy counter and sold roasted \< snerk \> nuts. \< snerk \> They were both known as dime stores. Aside from Kresge (which we didn’t have in my county), we had Thomas Dime stores and Harvey’s Dime stores. My Aunt Marilyn and her twin sister Carolyn worked at the Harvey’s the next town over from where we lived. Us kids thought the candy counter was da bomb! Up, caffeinating, breakfasted and fixing to do KP. Sis is on the road and should arrive ~1330-1400. Before she gets here, I’d like to do some work on the patio and prep the plant pots for winter. I’d also like to hit the Dollar Tree for a couple of things and may swing through Goodwill for a minute. Stay safe and healthy y’all! ---
**Author:** ![Taters](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/taters/32/2845_2.png) [@Taters](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taters)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2023, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-tricks-treats-and-a-brand-new-month-in-the-mmp/992297/242 "2023-11-04T13:57:06Z")
Mornin’ everyone. It’s 58F and raining outside. The expected high is 62F, and it’s just going to rain, rain, rain. There will be light rain, heavy rain, mizzle, rain and thundershowers; you get the picture. This type of weather is the prelude to flooding. They haven’t talked about it, but I’ve lived here long enough to know streets will be flooding due to leaves clogging the gutters and drains, soil being too loose and soggy, so hillsides will slide, etc. **peedin,** I sure hope you’re not as sore today. I remember a Kress (S.H. Kress in these parts) in downtown Tacoma. It closed in 1981, but I remember going there and eating at the lunch counter a couple of times. **FCM** , I agree that you should wait to see what Paul says. I made arrangements for a service call/diagnostic on my dishwasher. They can’t get here until the 9th. If I had done it through KitchenAid, I would have had to wait until 16 November. I’m already facing the fact that I will probably get a new dishwasher. I will be surprised if the repair doesn’t cost less than 400 bucks. At that point, you’re creeping into new dishwasher territory, so what is the point of repairing it? I would love a Meile, but with the furnace replacement, I’m not about to spend another 1200 to 1700 bucks on a dishwasher. I’m going to have to settle for something else. I was looking at the Humane Society again and saw Pearl. She looks so scared and lost. I might drive down today. [Pearl - The Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County](https://www.thehumanesociety.org/adoptable-pet/pearl/) The fact that she has the same coloration as Polar is not lost on me, but it’s more the fact that she’s looking so lost. My Black lab mix, Brandi, had the same look about her, and that’s why I adopted her. She’d been shuffled around so much I felt the need to give her a warm, stable home. My son has mentioned a co-worker had a lab that gave birth to puppies. I am mulling that over, too, much as I would prefer a housebroken dog. With puppies, you can train/mold them, and with adult dogs, you’re not ever sure of what you’re getting. Gah, so many colliding thoughts and decisions. Yesterday, I cleaned off the tops of the kitchen cupboards. Can I tell you how much I hate cupboards that don’t go up to the ceiling? Such freakin’ dust traps! Fortunately, the last time I had cleaned up there, I thought to put down foil on the top, so all I had to do was lift off the foil, clean the edges, and put new foil down. Unfortunately, I only did it for the row of cupboards that ran along the wall the stove is located on. The rest were pretty icky. Anyway, now they ALL have foil down on top, so cleaning them in the next couple of months will be much easier. Plus, I washed the few serving bowls I keep up there. If don’t go down to the Humane Society, I think I’m going to bust out the steam cleaner. **nellie** , I have a really good Ego battery-powered blower and would have made short work of those pine needles! I have a bunch here too, but have opted to wait until it dries out a tad bit. I guess I should finish my coffee and handwash dishes. Fortunately, there are only a couple of bowls and forks and a pot. Sigh looks like I’ll be handwashing dishes for a good part of the month, dang it. Everyone take care! ---
**Author:** ![peedin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peedin/32/14095_2.png) [@peedin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peedin)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2023, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-tricks-treats-and-a-brand-new-month-in-the-mmp/992297/243 "2023-11-04T14:06:35Z")
@Taters , I’m just as sore today and cranky. I look at all the bits of things that need to be done that I cannot do. My friend is coming over tomorrow and I will ask her to get the 13 pound jug of kitty litter from the car and put the recycling in the biiiiiig bin. I woke up every 2 hours last night for whatever reason. Tylenol and Naproxen do nothing for the soreness. Yes, I’ll have cheese with my w(h)ine. ---
**Author:** ![Taters](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/taters/32/2845_2.png) [@Taters](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taters)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2023, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-tricks-treats-and-a-brand-new-month-in-the-mmp/992297/244 "2023-11-04T14:15:38Z")
You’re not whining. I’m sorry that you hurt so much. ---
**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:** [November 4, 2023, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-tricks-treats-and-a-brand-new-month-in-the-mmp/992297/245 "2023-11-04T14:36:27Z")
> [@nelliebly](#): > > > [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > > > Basically, dumplings to go with my dumplings, plus some dumplings. Also, dumplings.) > > You can’t have too many dumplings. The world would be a better place with more dumplings. When I become Empress, I shall make you Minister of Dumplings { _slow, formal curtsey with lots of wrist twirling_ } I humbly accept this title. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2023, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-tricks-treats-and-a-brand-new-month-in-the-mmp/992297/246 "2023-11-04T14:55:18Z")
> [@missred](#): > > You may want to check some Indian dishes out online for lentil curries and the like if you’re not averse to a bit of spice. I made a nice [eggplant - lentil curry](https://www.thefieryvegetarian.com/eggplant-lentil-curry/) last weekend that was pretty tasty and, while having a little heat, wasn’t innard searing. It’s a coincedence that you mentioned and posted that recipe. I have a nice eggplant from my BIL, the last from his garden. I often fry it and was also considering a casserole recipe I saw. But this sounds really fun. ---
**Author:** ![peedin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peedin/32/14095_2.png) [@peedin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peedin)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2023, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-tricks-treats-and-a-brand-new-month-in-the-mmp/992297/247 "2023-11-04T14:56:21Z")
MRI just called. I’m going in at 8:30 tonight. Haven’t been out this late on a Saturday in years. And I can go in my jammies! ---
**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 4, 2023, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-tricks-treats-and-a-brand-new-month-in-the-mmp/992297/248 "2023-11-04T16:01:45Z")
So I Mez-ed around, then down to the slides. Short Saturday again, I was out at 0930, even with a walk around to find the hidden stuff. Deb and I smelled something burning while we were finishing up the overgoods, and I smelled again after I got home. Maybe I’m being followed by the Ghost of Arson Past? > [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](#): > > **doggio** , your conversations with Spot always make me chuckle. It’s even better if you imagine him having a Johnathan Hillerman proper English accent. **Taters** , if you do take a chance on Pearl, I know she’ll be happy. > [@peedin](#): > > Yes, I’ll have cheese with my w(h)ine. You’re not whining. Pain sucks. > [@peedin](#): > > MRI just called. I’m going in at 8:30 tonight. : crosses fingers for somethingeasily fixable(with a side of good drugs). ---
**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 4, 2023, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-tricks-treats-and-a-brand-new-month-in-the-mmp/992297/249 "2023-11-04T18:44:15Z")
We started feeling COVID symptoms a week ago, Thursday. Nine days ago. No trouble breathing through my nose, but I have viscous snot. I cough occasionally. I just took an (expired) antigen test, and I’m still infected. ---
**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 4, 2023, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-tricks-treats-and-a-brand-new-month-in-the-mmp/992297/250 "2023-11-04T19:19:37Z")
Howdy Y’all! OK, I found a new favorite kolledge team name today. I have always been fond of the University of California at Santa Cruz Banana Slugs and the Pittsburg State University (Kansas) Gorillas. Today I learned of the Campbell University (Nawth Keerliner) Fighting Camels. It is now my favorite kolledge team name. Not just camels. **FIGHTING** Camels! I just had to share. ---
**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:** [November 4, 2023, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-tricks-treats-and-a-brand-new-month-in-the-mmp/992297/251 "2023-11-04T19:36:00Z")
Howdy all. Good news and bad news. My first Covid test was unambiguously negative. To be done again tomorrow before I joyfully hop, skip and jump over for a day with grandkidlets. Still undecided whether it’s time for me to start wearing a mask during this respiratory ills season. Wish I could find a mask printed with…”fighting ignorance since 1973. It’s taking longer than I thought”. My 🏈 Cornhuskers just finished losing to Michigan State in our **shoe** ’s home territory. It takes two to dance and we’ve only got defense so far. Damn good defense, but you still have to hang onto the ball when it’s your turn and _somehow_ move it in the right direction. Not the end of the world~still 3 more chances to become bowl eligible. ---
**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:** [November 4, 2023, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-tricks-treats-and-a-brand-new-month-in-the-mmp/992297/252 "2023-11-04T22:03:07Z")
Those of you who follow me on FB saw that our water heater blew its circuit breaker this morning. We did some troubleshooting, but had to go get MIL, after doing a quick pits-and-butt wet washcloth in place of showers. After the BDay lunch, **FCD** and I got 2 new heating elements, 2 new thermostats, and replaced them all. When we refilled the tank and turned on the breaker, we saw smoke coming out of the top - the wires bringing power into the unit were melted!!! One of the wire nuts was just a glop of red plastic. Helluva installation job they did back in June of 2021! Looks like we’re lucky we didn’t have a fire!! Also looks like maybe the elements were fine, so we have spares. I just ran down there - the pipe at the top where the hot water comes out felt warm - that’s a good sign! Fingers crossed… If we have hot water tonight, I’ll cancel the service call. The birthday lunch was LOUD thanks to a certain toddler. I think MIL was overwhelmed. But we had a nice time. When we first got there, SIL brought Tobias over to my side of the car as I was getting out. The kidlet bent down, looked past me, and said “Pawpaw!!!” So we see how I rate. I managed to control myself and not eat any rolls, dammit. I ordered the herb crusted chicken - it was really good! Added salad and broccoli and diet coke. Go me! And I just finished a yogurt. Not the day I’d planned, but it’s looking liek a good ending, so yay! ---
**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 4, 2023, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-tricks-treats-and-a-brand-new-month-in-the-mmp/992297/253 "2023-11-04T22:19:25Z")
The gutter guys are putting up the new gutters. A problem was in back. A post that supports the catio roof is too close to the house. (There were smaller gutters up there when it was built.) The guy said we needed to move the post. He was serious. Nope. So he put the gutter up there and did as well as he could. Other than that, the other gutters look nice. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2023, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-tricks-treats-and-a-brand-new-month-in-the-mmp/992297/254 "2023-11-04T22:56:05Z")
For high schools I like the Frankfurt Indiana Fighting Hotdogs. He’s a very fierce looking weiner dog. And my own university. We are Washburn University of Topeka, and we are the Ichabods. The school was founded in 1865 and admitted everyone, including women and people of color. It was called Lincoln College for the president, but a few years in was struggling financially. A guy back east donated $25000 to the school. His name was Ichabod Washburn. ---
**Author:** ![Paintcharge](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/paintcharge/32/7946_2.png) [@Paintcharge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paintcharge)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2023, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-tricks-treats-and-a-brand-new-month-in-the-mmp/992297/255 "2023-11-04T23:00:45Z")
I went to, what was then NCSA, NC School of the Arts. The fighting pickles. Being an arts school we didn’t actually play any other schools at anything, except maybe disc golf… ---
**Author:** ![Kitten\_Mitten](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b782af/32.png) [@Kitten\_Mitten](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kitten_Mitten)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2023, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-tricks-treats-and-a-brand-new-month-in-the-mmp/992297/256 "2023-11-04T23:02:53Z")
> [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](#): > > my team come back from 0-1 down in the last 12 minutes to win 2-1 Congrats **MetalMouse** and soccer team!!! That’s awesome. Good luck in the Saturday games (that may already have happened). > [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](#): > > Montgomery Ward In my community it was called Monkey Wards; I don’t know why. > [@Taters](#): > > put down foil on the top That’s a great tip; I’m going to share with our daughter as the flat she moved into has kitchen cupboards that don’t go up to the ceiling. Worked 4 hrs then hurried home to watch my Spartans finally win a Big Ten game. It was Senior Day (last home game) so I’m very glad for them. While they still had a lot of penalties, they didn’t turn the ball over at all. The other team (sorry BBBoo and hippie) turned the ball over 3 times. And the best thing is that it didn’t appear that there were any serious injuries for either team, IIRC there was only one injury timeout and it appeared to have been somewhat minor. Washed dishes, made Hubs lunch, now need to filter water and figure out something for dinner. That’s my exciting Saturday night. ---
**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:** [November 4, 2023, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-tricks-treats-and-a-brand-new-month-in-the-mmp/992297/257 "2023-11-04T23:10:13Z")
> [@Kitten\_Mitten](#): > > In my community it was called Monkey Wards; That’s what my mom always called it. We have hot water again!!! The company that installed the water heater is going to get an email from me tomorrow. I’m to tired to deal with it today. But it appears we were darn lucky there wasn’t a fire. And **FCD** isn’t impressed that the power line they ran from the breaker box to the water heater is aluminum wire - solid aluminum at that. But he did his electrician magic (OK, so he’s a mechanical engineer, but he knows his way around wiring, too) and the water heater is working. So huzzah!! I’m exhausted. I’m gonna recline. ---
**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:** [November 4, 2023, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-tricks-treats-and-a-brand-new-month-in-the-mmp/992297/258 "2023-11-04T23:14:23Z")
> [@Kitten\_Mitten](#): > > In my community it was called Monkey Wards; I don’t know why. Mine too. I don’t know why either. > [@Kitten\_Mitten](#): > > The other team (sorry BBBoo and hippie) turned the ball over 3 times. > [@Kitten\_Mitten](#): > > And the best thing is that it didn’t appear that there were any serious injuries for either team… > > That is indeed something to celebrate-thanks for pointing it out. Your Spartans and **swampie** ’s Dawgs both won, so the tackleball following Mumpers are running at least 50% happy today. We Cornhuskers 🏈🌽 have had much worse game days in recent memories certainly. If we end up at .500% or better for the season I’ll be a happy Husker. Either way I’m proud of them. Hey, **doggio** you have a collitsch 🏈 team near and dear to your heart so we can all either cheer or groan in sympathy with you? **metal mouse**? ---
**Author:** ![Paintcharge](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/paintcharge/32/7946_2.png) [@Paintcharge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paintcharge)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2023, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-tricks-treats-and-a-brand-new-month-in-the-mmp/992297/259 "2023-11-04T23:14:26Z")
**FCM** I agree with FCD that solid aluminum wire is not the best for that application. Glad the water is hot again. Just don’t let the smoke out of the wires. ---
**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 4, 2023, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-tricks-treats-and-a-brand-new-month-in-the-mmp/992297/260 "2023-11-04T23:22:08Z")
> [@Kitten\_Mitten](#): > > In my community it was called Monkey Wards; I don’t know why. According to some dude on the Internet: > **[Where did the name monkey ward come from for Montgomery Ward? - Answers](https://www.answers.com/Q/Where_did_the_name_monkey_ward_come_from_for_Montgomery_Ward)** > > In 1938 as part of their expanding catalog,pets and pet supplies > were offered. > and among the pets offered were Caching monkeys. Of course it > was very unique > to have exotic animals available. So Montgomery Wards became > known as the monkey store...... > In 1938 as part of their expanding catalog,pets and pet supplies were offered and among the pets offered were Caching monkeys. Of course it was very unique to have exotic animals available. So Montgomery Wards became known as the monkey store… Monkey Wards A [1974 newspaper article says](https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-akron-beacon-journal-monkey-ward-nic/37025042/) ‘Monkey Ward’ was a nickname thought up by jealous retailers. I’ve always assumed that ‘Ward’ referred to a wing of a [mental] hospital, and that the inmates were ‘Monkeys’. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-tricks-treats-and-a-brand-new-month-in-the-mmp/992297.md?page=12) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-tricks-treats-and-a-brand-new-month-in-the-mmp/992297.md?page=14)