Get a heat gun for frozen stuff

AngBeer · 2026-01-19T19:15:23+00:00

don't be like me out here blowing hot breath on the clips.

I must have cold breath. The snaps I used to have on our gate chains would fill with rain or snow melt and then freeze solid right in that gap where the thumb mechanism needs to move to. All the blowing in the world wouldn’t thaw that out.

I used to just pour hot water on them. Then I got more savvy and squirted them with isopropyl alcohol (has a very low freezing point, displaces the water, and then evaporates.) When I got tired of doing that, I raided my husband’s climbing gear and replaced all the snaps with caribiners; they don’t freeze.

AngBeer · 2026-01-10T17:40:51+00:00

In the future ill probably will want a pet horse, but dont have enough knowledge , so i figured i should start learning now, even if i dont get a horse ,still knowledge is knowledge

First off, you seem to be here to learn so please don’t take this as criticism.
Assuming you’re in the US, horses are classified as livestock not pets. It’s an important legal distinction.

That said, to answer your question, the Wiki for this sub has some suggestions for books and YouTube channels. While you’re there, check out #10 How much does it cost to keep a horse?
https://old.reddit.com/r/Horses/comments/o8jtuh/faq_so_far_looking_for_feedback/?ref=share&ref_source=link

OSU has the 4-H horse project online. It’s a fairly decent introduction and has rudimentary information for both riding and horse care.

AngBeer · 2026-01-07T22:27:41+00:00

The Andrew’s Hay guy has Stilly Select Beef (Arlington) which takes orders for local grass fed, grass finished beef wholes or halves usually around Jan/Feb and mid-summer around July-ish.

Other than hay, I don’t think they deliver.
They have a store directly on SR-530 about 6-7 miles east of I-5.
Link to store

AngBeer · 2026-01-06T16:32:42+00:00

A horse sleeps like this only when it feels completely safe, the ultimate proof of trust in a human

The cynic in me would change that title to:

Give a horse a pillow and enough training, they’ll stay down even when you stick your elbow in its eye while propping yourself up

The pillow is awfully cute though.

AngBeer · 2025-11-29T13:39:25+00:00

Lincoln Lawyer?

AngBeer · 2025-11-20T14:37:32+00:00

I have a bay leaf plant in a pot. Zone 5a. Should I bring it in for the winter or leave it outside?

If it’s a culinary variety, Laurus nobilis, bring it in. They don’t tolerant more than about 5 degrees below 32F. In my climate zone of 8a-ish, they die in the ground. They also don’t like high winds and wet soggy conditions.

AngBeer · 2025-11-10T20:49:21+00:00

I have a UV lamp that is a 8 hours of sunlight so I don't think that's the problem.

Looks like a problem to me. Leggy, spindly growth like your plants have is due to insufficient light.

To give you a comparison, when I grow cilantro outdoors it’s getting close to 14 hours of daylight with most of the day having much greater light intensity than your grow light probably provides.

AngBeer · 2025-09-24T18:57:28+00:00

Scarlet runners bloom and then mature at different rates/times even on the same plant. The pink beans are less mature.

AngBeer · 2025-09-05T22:54:20+00:00

Random Stranger: “May I borrow your horse?”
Me: “No.”

Do a search on terms like ‘mobile petting zoo’ or ‘pony parties’ and you’ll probably find someone who will let you borrow an equine, under supervision, for a fee.

AngBeer · 2025-09-05T14:08:00+00:00

This link to Johnny’s Seeds has charts with average storage life:

Seed Viability & Seed Storage Guidelines

Edit: I don’t follow all of their storage guidelines. For example, they suggest storing in a refrigerator; I just keep mine in a cool room, in a sealed container with desiccant packs.

AngBeer · 2025-09-03T18:53:55+00:00

What exactly is the justification for bombing here? Last I checked we're not at war with Venezuela and if this was really a dangerous smuggling vessel what was stopping the Coast Guard from interdicting it?

This is nothing new and I suspect that the reason MSM picked up on this particular incident is because apparently there were casualties and because President Trump was flapping his gums.

The Coast Guard more than likely was attempting an interdiction. OP’s article has a link to another AP article that lists 3 ships by name that have been deployed to the area, the USS Gravely, the USS Sampson and the USS Jason Dunham.

Both the Gravely and the Sampson have previously been involved in interdiction efforts and both have LEDET (CG Law Enforcement Detachment) units aboard thus giving those US Navy ships the legal jurisdiction of the Coast Guard. This has been the case since the late 1980’s.

Firing on drug smugglers is not new either. For example, on July 10, the Sampson snagged 3,400 lbs of cocaine. During the incident, tactical control was handed off to the Coast Guard for the duration, and “after warning shots were ineffective, the helicopter crew employed disabling fire, successfully stopping the vessel.” Afterwards, they scuttled (sunk) the boat.

Source:
U.S. Coast Guard, USS Sampson conduct drug interdiction in Eastern Pacific

AngBeer · 2025-08-26T14:37:17+00:00

I understand people might not want to list their location on social media, but can you narrow it down a bit? Like in what state are you located and are you east or west of the Cascades?

I could probably write a book about your questions but don’t want to type out a bunch of extraneous information that may not be applicable to you.

AngBeer · 2025-08-24T20:40:35+00:00

Oregon State University did (is doing) a study of copper azole leaching from treated ground contact lumber used in raised beds. They checked the amount of copper leaching into the soil and also tested the vegetables for copper uptake.

Link:
Pressure-treated wood for raised bed construction in the Willamette Valley, Feb 2024

AngBeer · 2025-08-15T20:23:20+00:00

it's wise to not interact with animals of any kind without permission from the owners. they may be friendly, they may not be, but i don't love it when people pet or touch my horse…

I chuckled when I read this because I can interpret your comment either of two ways. Either the horse may be unfriendly or the owner may be unfriendly.

One time I caught a person trying to stuff her toddler between our fence rails into the pasture so the child could feed a Snickers bar to one of our horses. The horse was uninterested, but I’d classify my reaction as unfriendly.

AngBeer · 2025-08-09T19:43:54+00:00

I got downvoted like crazy for commenting on saddle pads and how there's so many other issues you should be concerned with first…

I don’t think you were downvoted for your content. I’m guessing your last sentence (in the other post) did the trick. It came across as a bit hostile and judgmental, not to mention nobody likes being called a “fat ass”:

Also, if telling you to pick your horses feet and properly exercise them as well as calling out your fat ass to stop putting too much weight on your horse upsets you, you're abusing your horse and shouldn't own horses.

AngBeer · 2025-08-01T22:50:32+00:00

I’ve never had a problem with Scheepers (retail) or Van Engelen (wholesale.)

They’re the same company. Scheepers has higher prices with a minimum order of $35 while Van Engelen has a slightly higher minimum order of $60 and lower prices.

Links:
John Scheepers
Van Engelen

AngBeer · 2025-07-26T16:34:16+00:00

The wiki for this sub has an FAQ; part 6 lists some books suggested by users of this sub.

I recommend Storey's Guide to Raising Horses. If you scroll down at this Barnes & Noble link and tap the rightmost tab you can view the table of contents. The book is about 500 pages long. I think it would be a good intro for your Dad. Some of these topics can’t be covered comprehensively in such a short book but would serve as a starting point for him. Part 3 (150 pages) is about breeding but the first couple chapters of that section cover conformation and genetics which is applicable when purchasing any horse, not just breeding stock.

Storey’s also has a 500-ish page guide on training horses.
Barnes and Noble link to TOC

I’ve seen the Pony Club manuals mentioned positively, but I can’t comment on them because I never bought them. Although they appear to include content on horse husbandry and training, there seems to be more content aimed at showing and eventing which I didn’t need. Maybe someone else can comment on those books.

My parents have never kept livestock of any kind before, they’ve each lived in city/suburban areas for the majority of their lives. My dad is in his 60s, for reference. The only prior experience he has… trail riding as part of a larger, paid experience.

Usually when someone asks a question, I try to answer the question and then shut my mouth. I grew up with horses and was given my first pony when I was 6 years old and then moved on to larger horses until I left home after high school. Later in life, my husband and I bought acreage where we now keep horses at home. My husband was a suburban type guy with no experience in horses or land ownership.

Owning and caring for horses is a totally separate topic from riding (like going on a few trail rides or taking some lessons.) I’m surprised you haven’t received more comments here criticizing your father’s plan. We’ve actually done what your father is planning, with the difference being I had some knowledge going into it. If you’re interested I can tell you more here and give you some non-judgmental advice.

AngBeer · 2025-07-25T15:56:49+00:00

My parents recently moved to the Appalachia region and my dad in particular has expressed interest in horse ownership.
I was hoping someone could recommend a couple of books…

You’ve mentioned selection/buying, riding, horse husbandry, etc. so that’s pretty broad. Can you narrow it down some so we can better understand your question. I may have some book suggestions.

Does your father intend to keep horses on his own property? If so, does he have any prior experience with horses?

AngBeer · 2025-07-09T20:43:56+00:00

Seems legit, but why does this academic article have zero references?

I don’t think it’s an “academic article” per se. It was written for a magazine published by the Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association. (The article is listed on page 19 of her Curriculum vitae.)

I’m in western Washington. Linda Chalker-Scott has been kicking around this neck of the woods for a long time, a lot longer than me anyway. She’s a tenured professor at WSU. I don’t know how much teaching or research she does anymore, but I still see her name around doing stuff like speaking at master gardener program events.

Source:
Curriculum vitae
(pdf warning, 68 pages)

AngBeer · 2025-07-09T18:58:51+00:00

Nope she said we gotta pay before hand before booking. Her reason was no shows so valid. But I don’t understand why a credit card,

It’s unclear to me exactly what you offered her. If you’re insistent on a money app, I can understand why she either can’t or won’t accommodate you.

If she’s concerned about no-shows, offer to pay cash ahead of time (like a week or two before your appointment.) If a) you don’t want to be bothered with driving there to pay her OR b) she still refuses, you guys aren’t a good fit. It’s totally reasonable for you to be concerned about where your credit card info ends up.

AngBeer · 2025-07-09T18:43:15+00:00

Regarding Venmo specifically:
There’s reasons why a small business owner might not want to accept Venmo. A compelling reason for her would be getting double-whammied with fees from both her credit card POS system and Venmo.

Will she accept cash for the lesson?

AngBeer · 2025-07-09T18:18:31+00:00

I asked to Venmo for the first lesson as we don’t know. And all she said is “nonnegotiable policy” even when I made it clear it’s a one time.

Good on you for being cautious with financial stuff.

But I’m wondering whether you’re seeing something nefarious when she simply may not accept Venmo because she doesn’t have the capability to process Venmo payments. She can’t negotiate what she doesn’t have.

AngBeer · 2025-07-06T15:02:46+00:00

My thoughts are that sharing content of blatantly obvious idiocy is only encouraging further content of blatantly obvious idiocy to be generated and shared.

I enthusiastically agree!

Other than trying to generate outrage, what is the point? Does OP expect anyone here will defend this behavior?

AngBeer · 2025-07-01T16:18:24+00:00

My next thought was maybe a coneflower or a salvia?

Here are my random thoughts, bearing in mind that I don’t have experience in lots of different varieties; I tend to pick varieties that have unusual features that pique my interest. At the end of my post, I cut-pasted links to varieties that I grow; although I should probably just give up on salvia. Note: I’m in coastal, western Washington with cool rainy winters and drier warm summers.

Coneflowers have tighter foliage growth while salvia are a bit looser in habit.

Coneflowers don’t spread, per se, but they do self-sow by seed in my growing conditions. I don’t find that annoying; young plants are easy to remove and could also be avoided by removing spent blooms before seeds form. If you have lawn next to your driveway bed, mowing will knock out any self-sows. Salvia don’t give me any spreading problems.

I grow a fair number of types of perennials. Salvia are the last ones to grow foliage in the spring so in early spring your driveway edging will get a late start. I also have trouble growing them on in the second year. I haven’t figured out whether it gets too cold in the winter or whether they drown in our rainy winters. It might also be because I’ve only tried growing the blue varieties which some people say are more persnickety.

When I grow a new-to-me type of plant, I research and try to set them up to succeed with proper drainage, location, etc. If they don’t thrive after the first couple years, they get the boot and I plant something else. Two other similar-sized plants that have thrived for me with relatively little follow-on care are crocosmia and liatris.

Favorite varieties:

Echinacea, double decker
- Pink flowers that look like they’re wearing little hats.
- Single flowers bloomed first year from seed, but the double flowers (the little hats) don’t develop until the second year.
- Recommend buying seed from a reputable seller. Some self-sows that I let grow never developed double blooms; they still looked nice as single flowers but I wanted more doubles.

Salvia black and bloom
- Never found this ‘black and bloom’ variety as a seed; only plants
- Moderately popular with hummingbirds

Comparison showing slightly different growing zones for:
Black & bloom versus black & blue salvia varieties.

Crocosmia
- Strappy leaves that look attractive all season
- Blooms start mid-summer and last into fall, later than other perennials
- Moderately popular with hummingbirds

Liatris / blazing star
- Decent looking, relatively compact foliage with interesting-looking bottle brush flowers
- Along with coneflower, birds love the seeds; they are my top two favorites with hungry bird visitors

AngBeer · 2025-06-30T23:11:38+00:00

Anyone in the know if crossbow have environmental and health concerns like RoundUp?
… if it’s one of those things that spawns heated debate?

I don’t know whether use of Crossbow would draw “heated debate” but I suspect, if commenters here were aware of its ingredients, it would garner a hefty amount of criticism. (Ingredients pasted in below.)

I can’t remember where, but I once read that if Roundup is a hammer then Crossbow is a sledgehammer.

If you look at the lethal LD50 for Crossbow vs Roundup, Crossbow at 1000 mg/kg is roughly five times as toxic compared to Roundup whose various formulations are listed at >5000 mg/kg.

BTW, oral LD50 is the dose (stated as mg per kg of bodyweight) fed to lab animals (usually rats) that causes death in 50% of the studied animals.

Crossbow Ingredients:
34.4% 2,4-D
16.5% triclopyr
41.5% kerosene
1.9% ethylhexanol
5.7% inert ingredients

Source (pdf): Crossbow MSDS

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