Since this has come up many times in the MMP, I thought I’d share this item that was in today’s 1440 Daily Digest.
California Food Labels
California food labels can no longer include “sell by” dates after a new law went into effect yesterday. Food producers can instead add “best if used by” dates (indicating peak product quality) or “use by” dates (indicating safety). See fine print.
The law aims to reduce confusion. More than 80% of Americans discard unspoiled food due to label misunderstandings, a 2019 survey found. One-third of respondents falsely believe the dates are federally regulated (the exception is infant formula, after the removal of salt in the 1970s led to at least 118 cases of Bartter syndrome).
Nearly 20% of American food waste is due to label confusion, the FDA says. In California, more than 6 million tons of unspoiled food per year ends up in landfills, where organic waste releases more than 40% of the state’s methane emissions, per climate advocates.
California’s laws can have nationwide implications, as companies streamline their products for compliance. See how a toxic chemical law impacted Californians and non-Californians alike (Figure 1).
Thanks for the mention - we’ve often discussed cruising on one of those big-ass sailboats! I’m adding it to my list.
But you’ll still be faaaaaabulous, right?
We’re starting with 76 Ferrets, on the way to 100 if the forecast is to be believed. The a/c will definitely have a workout today and for the next several. Dammit. Dunno what we’ll do today, but it should involve NOT being outside too much.
0730, and we already have 75 of 93 ferrets (with “Heat index values as high as 105”) – 24 of 36 (and “as high as 41”) for you centipede-counters. And they’ve extended the Extreme Heat Warning to include Saturday.
It’s 54F and cloudy. It’ll remain cloudy, with a daytime high of 68F. Again, I’m thankful for the cooler temps, and I hope those of you experiencing triple-digit or near triple-digit heat receive a break soon.
I grew up with Foxglove growing everywhere, so much so that a lot of us just considered them a pretty weed. They still grow wild all over the parks and trails here, and in mostly untouched areas. I thought about adding some to my gardens, and I don’t expect my pups will try to eat them now.
I dunno why, but I thought today was Wednesday. Once again, the days are just speeding by.
JtC, I’m sorry you’re feeling so frustrated, and I get why. I think I would probably feel much the same, and I’m guilty of just doing things “because they’ll never get done otherwise”, too. I am glad, however, that your hubby is trying.
VanGo, Ms. Peach is adorable.
Swampy, I hope your internet is fixed soon. I would have been annoyed, too.
We actually ran out of paint in the bathroom. Those walls just soaked that stuff up. The ceiling has two coats; the walls have one, so we’ll need to purchase another gallon today to add another coat to the walls. It seems like a waste, as we don’t plan on using that color anywhere else, but we’ll need to do it because it’s obvious the walls need another coat.
So, today’s plan is to get more paint, buy some groceries, and then come home and finally finish the bathroom so we can move on to the next space.
Also, I’ll have to keep Maisie drugged up. This week has been hellacious, especially at night, and Maisie was really suffering. I had to give her Trazodone last night, and will probably have to keep doing so the rest of the week. She’s not herself, of course, and it irritates me that I have to do this. She usually likes to go upstairs after breakfast in the morning and sleep next to my husband. She’s sticking to me like glue, though, and I currently have two dogs under my desk as I type, which doesn’t leave much room for feet. Usually, it’s only Buster under my desk in the morning. It’s our routine.
We’re going to my son’s place for the 4th, and I’ll bring either some tater salad or pasta salad. I hope it’s quieter where he lives. We shall see. He said it’s been relatively quiet where he lives.
My daughter and her family fly in late on the 24th. They are shipping booster seats to our house for the kids to use in vehicles. I offered to pick them up from the airport, but they’re getting a rental. I am unsure whether they’re coming straight here from the airport or will get a room and then come here in the morning. I’ll need to find out. I’m excited to see them.
Well, I suppose I should get going. I hope you all can stay cool, and please, take care of yourselves.
Good morning, folks. As usual, it was a slightly warm and humid morning. Mrs Magill joined us. I did get started a little late, as I had hit snooze on the walking alarm. Spike buzzed by us out by the municipal cemetery and shouted, “Hey, I know those people!” When we got home, he was doing his regular hang out on the front porch. He asked if we could get breakfast from out friend’s cafe, so he got his biscuits and gravy, and Mrs Magill and I split a breakfast burrito.
We celebrated Fang’s birthday last night. As predicted, he wanted to go to House of India, where we all gorged ourselves on various masalas, curries, vindaloos, and good naan. He said he wanted a coconut cake. Unfortunately, he said that yesterday, two whole days after the point where making a cake that requires two days in the icebox can begin. His second choice was a cheesecake from Costco, so we swung by on the way home. We went in for a cheesecake - we emerged so, so much poorer. He’s been saving for a gaming desktop, which Costco had one on sale. After Squeaky and I checked all the specs, we declared that the ibuypower was the best buy for the money. We gave him a monitor for his birthday present. Then Mrs Magill saw a portable monitor for a laptop, now she has a second screen for when she’s on the road. She is still working on her goal to build a Bat Cave and have seven monitors for her office. The maniacal laughing is getting unnerving. Anyhow, that was the most expensive cheesecake, ever.
I couldn’t get an appointment on Friday, so I’m taking next Tuesday afternoon. That way, I can wear my new hair to my counselling appointment and to the MTTA meeting Saturday. I’d rather have my sister there, but one again the Jagger principle raises its ugly head.
Ladies, Gentlemen, and assorted others - I would like to introduce my new sleep paralysis demon.
FCM - “Sell by” dates were confusing, and I’m glad to see them go for the more sensible “best if used by” dates. However, I am reminded of this Catherine Tate sketch:
i have 3 alarms set for the work week. 6:30,7,7:30. when the 6:30 goes off i usually put on a podcast and doze. i don’t do the “snooze thing”. sometimes i do go in early for a vendor, mostly i get up on the 7:30, unless i can’t doze. the more odd dreams happen between 6:30 and 7:30.
this morning the alarm goes off. lager yells. it is his something wrong yell. i get up and the water dish is empty. fill the water dish. ask the computer the weather, it is 82f out. i set the timer for 20 minutes and start the get ready for the day thing. i check the fish. the cling film has collapsed on the water. huh, koritza must have tried to get to the tank. odd, her water dish has water. fix fish tank, get dressed, get lager’s meds. timer goes off, i head out.
get to the lobby, there are 3 of us on the shuttle, not unusual for the day before a holiday thing. as i wait for the 8am shuttle to move out, my phone starts to vibrate and chime. odd, my phone is usually on silent… i get the phone out of the backpack. it is the 7am alarm. my brain freezes… how can it be 7? i got up at 7:30? what!!!
turns out i bounced out of bed at 6:30 not 7:30. never noticed the time on the multitude of clocks i have. most of them don’t have numbers and to morning eyes 7 and 8 can look alike.
i get to the office an hour early. as the morning rolls on more coworkers are reporting odd things happening to them as well. i believe that there is some sort of miasma that came with the heat in the area. most of the other odd things are computer related. although one coworker had her car dinged, luckily she was parked and not in the car.
Up, caffeinating, breakfasted and fixing to do KP. After, I’ll get sheveled and head to the Polish grocery.
My dad gave me a list of shelf stable stuff he’d like to have when Sis and I go up at the end of the month. Since he no longer drives, he can’t just head to South Bend for some of the things he likes.
Nonsense, we must have pictures of THE Ollie, no substitutions allowed! Also, very beautiful flowers.
Van Gogh Ms Peach looks like she’s about to give you a run for your money - she’s definitely thinking up something ornery to do.
Swampy how frustrating over the cable line getting cut! What’s the point of having utilities marked if they’re just going to ignore it?
JtC I’m sorry that sounds very frustrating for you both, as I’m sure Hubs wants to help. But definitely come here to vent your frustrations and don’t let it bottle up!
Mollie Can you Face Time or otherwise video call your sister during the wig appointment? It won’t be as good as if she was there but maybe a suitable substitute?
Morning all. Stayed in bed until nearly 8am today, which after a long day Wednesday seemed a reasonable thing to do, then broke fast and did a little internet browsing before coming here (have to get my spider solitaire games in). It’s already 87F outside at 9:30am and will get to 96F this afternoon, so going outside for much of anything is not in the cards. 35-40% chance of rain this afternoon just like yesterday, we’ll see what happens.
lily, had to look up G-BOMBS, I’m good on the G and the S, the others not so much. However, muffins and cookies sound real good…
I’m a quiet man, so a ‘tsk-tsk’ or perhaps a more drastic ‘now see here’ will have to suffice.
VanGo, stay cool.
boo fae, enjoy the long weekend and the music.
Nut, may the problem be easy to solve and the proper clothes shed as soon as possible.
swampy, hope the idiots, err, service folks get back out there and restore your internet today.
FCM-, I’ve become almost paranoid on checking food labels for the ‘expiration’ dates, especially living alone so no one else to help the consumption. Would prefer if there was just one standard. If you are interested in the trip, PM me and I’ll try to contact the guy working it for me.
Taters, like you, I usually have to re-calibrate every morning for ‘what day is it’ and sometimes it takes a bit. Best wishes to Maisie.
Mollie, I seldom go to my local big warehouse store (BJ’s) for the exact reason you mention, probably it is customers like us that make them profitable.
rocky, I can remember days like this where I ended up starting 1-2 hours early and wondering where the traffic was. Hopefully the heat and the odd things will pass.
84F at noonish. Late to the party today. Savory oatmeal for breakfast and a peach on the side.
Thursday is housekeeping day by building staff. Sadie hides while the woman is here, then bravely emerges for lunch. She’s now back in her hidey-hole, where she’s been spending a lot of time lately. Changed out her litter box, which was getting pretty rancid.
Woke up pretty achy from yesterday’s exercise session and arthritic pain. Bad hip pain, which I know I have to get looked at in the next few months. Also my right shoulder. It’s also creeping down my back, which should be fun in a few years. Crikey.
The kitchen put together an early 7/4 lunch. Bratwurst, slaw, corn, beans and best of all: free!
Thanks, but no plans just yet. We were talking about going to Key West via the Intracoastal, or up to Maine. That’s as far as the planning discussions have gone. More immediately, we need to make a trek around the Chesapeake to shake out any issues the boat may have, considering we’ve found issues the last 2 times we went out locally.
That’s what happens when you’re out of warranty…
Way too close to the century mark to please me, but we’re home and indoors. I got some measurements on the boat for a couple sewing projects. Before cutting the good fabric, I’ll do a mock-up with some old stuff, then do a fit check and modify as necessary. I tried sketching out a dimensioned pattern, but I’ll feel better making what I think we need. So that’s for this afternoon.
First thing tomorrow, I’ll help FCD tidy his shop. Then we’ll move the shell of the dinghy down by the house so I can scrub the inside and wet sand the outside. And, being Firday, there will be laundry. Oh, and Otis seems to think the gravel is for him to pee upon.
Hot in the building today. We got all the PM packages clerked and on the belt, along with the futures, and the damages. dogbutler: < logs into Multi Factor Authenticator to get damages password > MFA: “66” dogbutler: < kills all Jedi in facility >
And once again, the sort ran late, and there a lot of left behinds from between the 100 and 200 Slides. There was the usual wrecked toilet in damages, plus an ex coffee table, 3 wrecked Home Despot packages, and a 2 pack of Mercedes McPherson struts that went back because the shipper put 2 in a box big enough for 6, and just added a tiny amount of airbags to fill. I was out at 11:15, so not horrid. I did my Senior Day shopping, and stopped at the ABC sto for gin for the weekend.
Me: < pours last of old bag of cat food into Spot’s bowl >
Spot: “I will not eat this swill, feed me from the fresh bag of dry, flavorless bits.”
Me: “No, eat it.”
Spot: “I shall not.”
Me: “Eat. It.”
Spot: “Obstreperous orangutan! Flog yourself, and feed me fresh food!”
Me: “Eat it or starve, we can get another cat.”
Spot: “Harrumph!”
Spot has lost the will to live, and is currently sulking and starving on the bathroom counter.
You should visit Belgrade, too. I hear it’s a great place to do shots.
Just the one time.
But it’s a wet heat.
And way too late to sell him to a traveling circus.
Good news: We’re being let out a couple of hours early.
Bad News: Buttercup the rabbit didn’t eat his breakfast, so my now free afternoon will be spent at the Vet’s.
Howdy Y’all! A quick post to say we now have WiFi! HUZZAH! The techs showed up around one p.m. and got it up and runnin’ again about fifteen minutes ago. BBL for more shenanigans.
That’s the kind of stuff that, when I took care of the parts room for the maintenance department years ago, would have come in in a wooden crate.
{{{mollie, buttercup and family}}}
Now you’ve given me a gnawin’ and a cravin’ for ice cream.
Yay!
I went to the Polish grocery for Dad’s treats, then stopped at St. Christopher’s Thrift shop and MAM’s resale down the street. I didn’t find anything that I couldn’t live without at St. Christopher’s, but picked up some A2 envelopes at MAM’s.
Today we’ll go to Mishawaka for my allergy shot and ice cream. Then tonight we’re going to Noa Noa Wood Grill for dinner with extended family to celebrate Nephew’s new job. He’s now doing something or other for his Catholic church, and I don’t know what his job title is.
I wrote that this morning and forgot to hit post, so here it is now.
We’ll be heading back to the boat in an hour or so to fit-check a little cover I just made. I want to avoid that area tomorrow and Sat - traffic is likely to be stoopit. Plus we have stuff to do tomorrow.
My supper is a bowl of generic corn chex with peach yogurt. I had considered scrambling an egg but it’s just too hot. ick. FCD had some leftovers. Otis had his usual.
According to my backyard thermometer, there’s 96 Ferrets out there, but it is mounted in a shaded, sheltered area. I expect any place less sheltered is well into 3 digits. But, yeah, climate change is fake.
Too hot for righteous indignation, so I’ll just mosey over to my recliner till it’s time to head out.
Well, that’s done. Fang came with us and gave Buttercup scratches, so he was a happy bun. He had lost two pounds, which doesn’t sound like a lot, but when you start with five pounds…
While Buttercup was sedated, we were able to feel under his jaw, which was pretty swollen. He was probably in a lot of pain, so it was definitely his time.
Another temperate day here, though this soon gives way to a brief warming spell with temperatures in the mid 80s starting tomorrow. It’s currently 70Ferrets, rising to 76F – though I’ll be surprised if it gets that warm today. Our overnight temperatures hover in the low 50s for the next week. I will get everything done I can in the mornings! Not complaining. I feel bad for all of you suffering under the heat dome.
She is just adorable. Love that pic!
I remember paying money to plant them in my garden in California. They are biennials, so they only lasted 2 years and I’d have to buy new ones. I was astonished when we moved to Oregon and I saw them growing everywhere! My display is modest. One of these days I’ll get a shot of those fields. Show’s over for this year, though.
You have every bit of sympathy from me you need! (Not that it will help much.) You whine as much as you need to, if it helps. I hope you find a more comfortable sleeping position soon.
HARUMPH!!
Even Ollie, who eats everything, doesn’t try to eat them. I’m sure Buster and Maisie would leave them be. Sounds like the painting projects are coming along! And I’m sorry Maisie is being made to suffer with all the racket. Ollie has a vet appointment tomorrow for… things, and I may ask about tranquilizers for him for the 4th, too. I’m not hearing anything, but his hearing is more keen than mine and he keeps jumping up and barking.
Don’t ya hate when that happens?
It’s so thoughtful of you and your sis to do this for your dad. People really miss the foods they can’t have. I know my husband sure missed all his traditional foods from Down Under, so I learned to make a lot of them. It really tickled him. I’m sure your dad will be delighted, too!
LOL, ok, ok. Maybe I can induce him to do something cute tonight. At least I moved the camera to where I can grab it quick! And I’m glad you like the flowers.
metal mouse, I hope you found fun things to keep you amused today as you hid out from the horrid temperatures. Somehow I feel sure you did.
Ollie’s favorite spot is on one of my culinary sage plants. I always pick from the opposite side and wash them well.
These missives are a delight and never fail to bring a smile or a belly laugh. The photo captures the Essence of Sulking Spot. Please never stop! If there were a Collected Stories of Spot publication, I would purchase it.
swampy, happy dance for repaired wifi!
I am so sorry this was the outcome. It sounds like you were maybe a little prepared already? Either way, gentle hugs to you, mollie, and your whole tribe for the loss of a beloved family member.
I just keep working around the place today doing a little here and there, blowing off the patio and cement pad in front of the workshop, changing out a worn-out hose for a much better one stored at the barn, sanding a spot on the house trim that must be repainted soon. Also started a deep clean on the spa, since it’s drained. I need to repair one jet, but I need a part before I can do that. Fortunately, I can do that repair while the spa is filled, so I won’t need to wait to finish up with the clean-and-refill. The little chores never end!
Tomorrow as noted, we have to make a trip to town for an Ollie vet visit. I’ll also stop at a place that engineers ponds, although they seem to be more geared toward decorative ones than farm pond ones. I stopped at a well-known farm store in the area the other day to ask if they had any suggestions, and that was a wasted trip. I’ll figure out something soon. There’s a product that looks promising. Such a dumb problem!
That’s more than enough for now! Enjoy your evenings, everyone.
I’m adding it to my list.
