# Puzzling Days in the MMP **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Tags:** mmp\ **Created:** [November 2, 2026, 8:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puzzling-days-in-the-mmp/1034335 "2026-11-02T08:31:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 7
**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:** [November 4, 2026, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puzzling-days-in-the-mmp/1034335/121 "2026-11-04T14:01:43Z")
Good morning! The votes are still being counted in many places, but the results apparent thus far are stunning. When I went to bed last night, they were saying the US House of Representatives is firmly in Dem control. Several firsts were in the results. First Native American governor, first black woman governor, first Muslim in the US Senate. Looking at the S. Carolina map, not one of the House seats was looking Republican. **FCMom,** modern apple trees are rarely grown from seed. The trees are almost always grafted onto a variety with a sturdy root system, but uninteresting fruit. If you plant a Gala seed, you’ll get a tree that might fall over before it bears a lot of fruit. It’s complicated, and I’m not qualified to answer it competently. Gotta go, it’s time for breakfast. ---
**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:** [November 4, 2026, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puzzling-days-in-the-mmp/1034335/122 "2026-11-04T14:02:25Z")
Good morning. Congratulations to all of you all who don’t live in a dog-shit state where the DNC couldn’t be arsed to spend any money. I’ll be over here, packing my bags for The Camps. ---
**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, 2026, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puzzling-days-in-the-mmp/1034335/123 "2026-11-04T14:17:33Z")
> [@scareyfaerie](#): > > Taking a job with ICE would not earn you any respect from elsewhere ☹ Yeah, I saw who the job was with (with whom, was the job?) and noped right out of it. ---
**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 4, 2026, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puzzling-days-in-the-mmp/1034335/124 "2026-11-04T14:25:23Z")
Even WV did better than I expected. Some counties actually voted to give their schools more money. I’ll be buying my weed in VA from now on, I’ll just have to plan better so I’m not running out in the middle of the month. I hope poor Bob is feeling better soon and that he’s only going to need one round of anti-itch drugs. George was having skin problems and one round of Apoquel fixed him right up. Of course, George doesn’t go outside which limits his exposure to a lot of allergens. **Flyboy** I agree with your highly intelligent wife about ICE. Had you considered working for them I’d be playing that famous **[Petty song](https://video.search.yahoo.com/yhs/search;_ylt=A2RRe0evPetqAwMAEtMPxQt.;_ylu=Y29sbwN1cy1lYXN0LTEEcG9zAzEEdnRpZAMEc2VjA3Nj?hspart=ata&hsimp=yhs-001&type=type9087534-aal-151007-151008¶m1=151007¶m2=151008&grd=true&p=don%27t+come+around+here+tom+petty&fr=yhs-ata-001&turl=https%3A%2F%2Ftse2.mm.bing.net%2Fth%2Fid%2FOVP.svrHRVvCeC0xRSWUlnjh6AHgFo%3Fpid%3DApi%26w%3D296%26h%3D156%26c%3D7%26p%3D0&rurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Dh0JvF9vpqx8&tit=Tom+Petty+And+The+Heartbreakers+-+Don%27t+Come+Around+Here+No+More+%28Official+Music+Video%29&pos=01&vid=504030ea3eaf28d7fdd2feb7d73167de&sigr=BZjZ_VU0a28X&sigt=SGEInMG3VzmE&sigi=PhAbty92_cnt)** to you. I do hope you find something better suited for you soon. **Bright tree** , I hope your are felling better. Do you have any cultured or fermented foods handy, your gut would probably like some now. > [@missred](#): > > Holy cow! I’m doing the happy dance. I kinda expected Texas, Georgia totally surprised me. The first ever black woman governor, who would have imagined that happening in the deep south? Lets hope they don’t fuck this up, they won’t get another chance. I’m going to another funeral today. One of Harry’s GDIL’s rescue chickens didn’t wake up this morning. She took it to the livestock vet in Madison who told her that the poor bird was just worn out, factory chickens age fast. (She was really worried that it was contagious.) Chicken will be buried in their pet graveyard and I will go an show respect to GDIL’s compassion. ---
**Author:** ![Filbert](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/filbert/32/3433_2.png) [@Filbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Filbert)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2026, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puzzling-days-in-the-mmp/1034335/125 "2026-11-04T14:31:46Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > 1. What will you be doing? > 2. Why? > 3. Finally, and very importantly, how do I ensure this never, ever happens to me? 1. Visiting brother and assorted nieces in the small to tiny range. 2. They will probably end up picking my nursing home. 3. You’re a continent away and they’re not your nieces, you’re probably safe. **Mooom** , I’m not sure on that one, the variety should all have the same amount of potential seeds, but whether they develop or not depends on how effective the pollination is; how many bee visits they get, how compatible the pollen is and timing stuff. Getting no seeds at all is unusual though, most apples have some, otherwise the fruit doesn’t normally develop at all- the hormones triggered by the seeds developing are normally required for the fruit to properly develop. I don’t grow Gala, though they did grow it at the orchard I spent a summer at, so I et a lot then and haven’t been able to face 'em since. _Actually_ the root systems that are normally used for apples nowadays are generally not very robust, they’re smaller. Old school apple trees are so huge they’re really difficult to manage and especially to pick the fruit at the top, so the modern rootstock varieties grow shorter plants instead. They produce fruit when they’re younger, you can plant 'em closer together and overall you can get more usable fruit from the space with less faff. Supposedly my irk account has been approved to be unlocked again, but HR and IT aren’t talking much, so it’s still locked. ---
**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, 2026, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puzzling-days-in-the-mmp/1034335/126 "2026-11-04T14:31:56Z")
Good morning. It’s 39F, dark, and mostly clear. The forecast calls for mostly cloudy skies by late morning, a daytime high of 56F, and rain showers starting around 5:00 p.m. I’m glad I got the yard done yesterday. **Bright Tree** , I hope you’re feeling much, much better today. For that matter, I hope all of you with tummy problems are feeling better today. **BBBoo** , that sounds like a really long day. JBats, poor Bob. Yes, Apoquel is stupidly expensive. Both of my labs are on it, and I would love to find a less expensive solution. For me, the real solution is finding the source of their allergies, but that would mean no treats, no people-food scraps (meat and vegetables), and so on. Not realistic since I have to keep reminding Mr. Taters to go easy on the snacks. My vet gave me some wipes to help with the paw licking. Maybe your vet has something similar? I am feeling cautiously optimistic today. I think we all know why. I wish some things had gone a little differently with a state initiative, but people were baffled by bullshit, again. Ah well, I tried to do my part. **JtC** , poor lil’ chicken. At least the last part of its life was good. Today’s plans include dusting and vacuuming. Maybe some laundry, too. My son told my husband he and Zeus were planning to come up this weekend, but I got a note from him on Messenger saying something had blown up with the state accounting system and it’s all hands on deck, even though he has nothing to do with the accounting system. He is, however, in charge of billions of dollars, so I guess he has to be sucked into helping. He didn’t say whether he was going to come up, so we’ll see. Anyway, for now, it’s time for some more coffee, and probably some more internet perusal. Please take care of yourselves. ---
**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 4, 2026, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puzzling-days-in-the-mmp/1034335/127 "2026-11-04T14:54:47Z")
Morning all. Up early but spent awhile catching up with the election news (it seems like it was fairly important…). Rain outside now and looks to be continuing into the afternoon, so outdoor time will be restricted. Fortunately there is nothing that needs to be done outside or errands to run, so maybe some gym time and maybe not. We may make it to 70F (67F now) so still comfortable. And catching up with the Morning Mumper Missives… **VanGo** , there is obviously a intelligent and logical reason they don’t have keys and I am sure you’ll understand perfectly once she explains it (and yes, I am being sarcastic..). > [@peedin](#): > > **FCM** don’t be upset, it has happened to me, probably more than once. So, Mumper naming you ‘wet one’ was spot on? 😉 (Lord I apologize…) **Wet one** , Ouch, hope the hip is feeling better, but brownies make everything better. Take care of yourself today. **J-Bats** , hope whatever Bob is allergic too departs with the hot weather and the less-expensive medicine helps. And Boo! (not our Boo) to the vet tech for messing up and not owning it. **Bright Tree** , great advice for **J-Bats**!! We Mumpers are a sharing community. Fell better today. **Flyboy** , standing up for your principles is a great thing. Good on ya. **BBBoo** , interesting, while Nebraska (I think that’s your home state) stayed Red, almost every county, according to NBC news, saw an increase in percentage of votes for the Democrats (same for Alabama). Guess people got out to express themselves this year. **Nut** , ‘being a climbing frame for tiny screaming people’ is one of the best lines I have read in many a day. Thanks for that. **swampy** , safe traveling, looks like about a 3+ hour drive to get from your place to the other place. **boo fae** , thanks for the encouragement, the first experiment will be today in a couple hours. And yeah, I imagine you weren’t the only displeased customer at the gym that day. **rocky** , can think of little worse than a faulty alarm in a 10±story building. Trust that it was nothing of consequence and hope Koritza is feeling better. **FCM** , we’re getting the rain now, it’ll be heading your way soon. Happy bulbing! **shoe** , glad your feeling better but no relapses now! **JtC** , I hope they give the chicken a 21-cluck salute. And that’s all for the morning report. Y’all take care and have a good Hump Day. ---
**Author:** ![SCAdian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scadian/32/3292_2.png) [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2026, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puzzling-days-in-the-mmp/1034335/128 "2026-11-04T15:23:56Z")
> [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](#): > > And now if they had a airport for old Heinkel bombers… Apparently the ~~Confederate~~ Commemorative Air Force no longer have their He-111. ☹ > [@Filbert](#): > > today they were spreading vast swathes of salt all over the outside area at the back of the flats They were having flashbacks to Carthage? > [@Filbert](#): > > I expect they will be back in a couple of days with leaf blowers to remove all the leaves, having just salted them Are salt leaves a good substitute for salt pork in recipes? > [@Mollie\_Magill](#): > > When **Fang** seventeen, he could show up at the pharmacy for a vaccination solo. Not anymore. I had to run there, so the pharmacist could give him the shots. Isn’t Fang the one in the Army? Why aren’t they giving him his shots? _The Music Man_ was the school musical when I was in 12th grade. > [@JaneDoe42](#): > > WV had an proposed amendment to require ID to vote. I voted NO! Why? ID is required here for in-person voting, so the checker can cross your name off the list. > [@swampbear](#): > > **MOOOOOOM** you cradle robber! Just what I was thinking! 😃 > [@BippityBoppityBoo](#): > > Two women got in line more than half an hour or more before we opened and many of today’s voters waited in line an hour when usually it is at most a couple of minutes wait. We had three people waiting when we opened. Set up ten booths, but I think the most we had occupied at any one time was six. {{{Brighttree}}}} > [@peedin](#): > > I took Advil at the Barn and just took ibuprofen. I thought Advil _is_ ibuprofen. 63 ferrets at 0956, out of a predicted 67. Sunny today, but supposed to be rainy from tomorrow afternoon through Saturday morning. Went to bed around 2130 Monday night. Woke up a couple times to pee, and then was awakened by Lady SCAdian a little after 0430 to get ready to go to the polls. Not as busy a day as I’d expected – only 790 in-person voters for our precinct, in addition to all the early voters and mail-ins. Don’t remember exactly what time we all finished, but it works out to around $17.75 an hour. I spent the day handing out stickers – really fancy ones this time round, instead of the “I voted” plus US flag we normally use.. Some guy with a press badge and a camera took a picture of me; presumably he was from our sort-of local paper (it’s actually from the next town over), but I didn’t ask. And I can’t read the on-line edition of the paper because a subscription is required, and I refuse to pay that much money just to read maybe two articles a month. Looks like you blue people won everything here in CT. I even voted blue this time – maybe not the first time I’ve ever voted for a Dem, but close. I still remain suspicious of anyone who _wants_ to run for an elected office. ---
**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 4, 2026, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puzzling-days-in-the-mmp/1034335/129 "2026-11-04T15:29:00Z")
> [@SCAdian](#): > > Why? ID is required here for in-person voting, so the checker can cross your name off the list. I explained in the blurred out part 🙂 ---
**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:** [November 4, 2026, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puzzling-days-in-the-mmp/1034335/130 "2026-11-04T15:32:58Z")
> [@SCAdian](#): > > > [@Mollie\_Magill](#): > > > > When **Fang** seventeen, he could show up at the pharmacy for a vaccination solo. Not anymore. I had to run there, so the pharmacist could give him the shots. > > Isn’t Fang the one in the Army? Why aren’t they giving him his shots? I missed a verb in the first sentance. **Fang** is indeed the Army’s problem now, but when he was seventeen, the State of Tennessee would allow him to get a vaccine without parental consent. Too many kids were asking their pediatrician for Covid vaccines. ---
**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, 2026, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puzzling-days-in-the-mmp/1034335/131 "2026-11-04T16:01:46Z")
> [@rocking\_chair](#): > > Koritza got sick in the pram. She does get motion sick. A neighbour helped me get them up the stairs to the 10th floor. Poor Koritza and poor you, having to schlep your kittehs up all of those stairs. > [@Mollie\_Magill](#): > > Good morning. Congratulations to all of you all who don’t live in a dog-shit state where the DNC couldn’t be arsed to spend any money. {{{Volunteers}}} Y’all did flip some state house seats though. I see that Rutherford County (where I used to live) has pretty much gone blue. Up, caffeinating, breakfasted and fixing to do KP. Still infusing, given that I failed to open the valve on it. Dammit! Today’s a home day, as infusions are being delivered and require signature. Y’al have a great day! ---
**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, 2026, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puzzling-days-in-the-mmp/1034335/132 "2026-11-04T16:26:25Z")
> [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](#): > > **BBBoo** , interesting, while Nebraska (I think that’s your home state) stayed Red, almost every county, according to NBC news, saw an increase in percentage of votes for the Democrats Yep it sure is. I haven’t looked at our local results in any depth since I came home from election work last night. We didn’t get done counting ballots until 9:30pm so it was a 14 1/2 hour work day and I’m still brain dead. It’s very exacting work because you can’t make any errors and yet you are working with….well, 600 not necessarily well informed people who are aren’t always the best listeners. Yesterday was nonstop, barely breaks to run to the bathroom. My team of 5 was a good team and worked well together for being new to each other-I enjoyed all the human contact and conversation. Even though Nebraska stayed red there was good progress made in some local offices and referendums. Toddler steps. ---
**Author:** ![SCAdian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scadian/32/3292_2.png) [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2026, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puzzling-days-in-the-mmp/1034335/133 "2026-11-04T16:28:53Z")
> [@JaneDoe42](#): > > > [@SCAdian](#): > > > > Why? ID is required here for in-person voting, so the checker can cross your name off the list. > > I explained in the blurred out part 🙂 So what do those laws say? And what does racism have to do with it? ---
**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, 2026, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puzzling-days-in-the-mmp/1034335/134 "2026-11-04T16:30:07Z")
> [@SCAdian](#): > > I thought Advil _is_ ibuprofen. It is, just more expensive brand name. There are some Advil combo formulations that add in Tylenol but straight Advil is only ibuprofen. ---
**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 4, 2026, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puzzling-days-in-the-mmp/1034335/135 "2026-11-04T16:37:47Z")
Scrolling back to things I meant to address: > [@JaneDoe42](#): > > Have you ever gone out and tried to look in your windows? IF the bedroom lights are on and IF the bedroom curtains are open and IF I stand in a specific place and IF **FCD** stands in a specific place (not right next to the window) the most I can see of him is maybe mid-chest and up. But from the road, you can see there’s a window - that’s about it. And we mostly leave the bathroom door open and that covers 3/4 of the bathroom window. Heck, even in the living room with lights on and blinds up, the most you can see from the road at the end of the drive (about 100’ away) is that there’s a window with lights. The lot slopes up from the house to the road (except for the driveway) so plants and raised ground shield virtually all front windows. > [@swampbear](#): > > **MOOOOOOM** you cradle robber! At least I no longer have to hear “You’re in your 70s and I’m in my 60s!!” Tho I seem to recall someone delighting in reminding me that I’m 6 months and six days older than he is… > [@dogbutler](#): > > And I love the Otis shaped rug pic on FB. You’d not love it so much if you had to step over it in a rush to the bathroom!! > [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > Cupcakes all around! I wanted to get a fancy cupcake for **FCD** but I wasn’t willing to drive 10 miles each way, so he got some key lime pie from the freezer case. He liked it, so there’s that. > [@scareyfaerie](#): > > **Mooom** hope your insides have decided that was enough excitement for one day! That one unpleasant episode was it. I wasn’t feeling sick or anything, but obviously my system wished to rid itself of something… and it did. I’m pretty sure it was from overindulgence at Texas Roadhouse. > [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](#): > > **FCM** , we’re getting the rain now, it’ll be heading your way soon. Yay!! We can use it. Teeter has bottled Coke products for Buy 2 Get 3 Free, so I’m about to head that way. I’m also taking **FCD** ’s spare specs to get the nose pads replaced. And I need to get kitteh litter. I mentioned Ziva horked - she had the good graces to deposit the hairballs at the edge of her feeder, so no mess on the rug. Yay! Anyway, off to run errands. ---
**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, 2026, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puzzling-days-in-the-mmp/1034335/136 "2026-11-04T16:48:18Z")
> [@SCAdian](#): > > So what do those laws say? And what does racism have to do with it? The first section (maybe a page) explains about the racism in Voter ID laws. > **[The Impact of Voter Suppression on Communities of Color](https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/impact-voter-suppression-communities-color)** > > Studies show that new laws will disproportionately harm voters of color. Federal legislation is necessary. ---
**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, 2026, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puzzling-days-in-the-mmp/1034335/137 "2026-11-04T17:06:25Z")
> [@BippityBoppityBoo](#): > > > [@SCAdian](#): > > > > I thought Advil _is_ ibuprofen. > > It is, just more expensive brand name. There are some Advil combo formulations that add in Tylenol but straight Advil is only ibuprofen. Thanks. I can never remember. Ibuprofen works best for me. Hip is SORE this morning. But the joy from the elections cancels it out. ---
**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 4, 2026, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puzzling-days-in-the-mmp/1034335/138 "2026-11-04T17:09:48Z")
Another foggy, rainy day, but I’m in a good mood this morning. Except for the fact that the HVAC system has reverted to A/C mode. 🙄 Also, one elevator is out of service while they repair it. But nothing will sour my mood today. Maybe tomorrow. Can’t wait to see the late-night reactions. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puzzling-days-in-the-mmp/1034335.md?page=6)