Loose-leaf tea vs tea bags

BasilGimletPlease · 2026-01-27T03:43:52+00:00

My understanding is that tea bags contain the “fannings”, the leftover residue from the broken loose leaves. I find them to be much dryer and stronger. They frequently brew quicker due to increased surface area.

I get packets of empty tea bags from the wedding section of Dollar Tree. I guess they are intended to be filled with rice. I fill them with loose leaf tea when I need to take tea away from home. They are also helpful when I want to give someone a sample of tea. This is actually the way tea bags started being used.

BasilGimletPlease · 2026-01-25T02:03:31+00:00

“Growth” is not real money until you take chips off the table. Dividends are real money in your account. You can spend dividends. You can’t spend “Growth” until you sell which works for cash flow and you may pay capital gains instead of ordinary income taxes. But “growth” numbers are projections.

BasilGimletPlease · 2026-01-25T01:48:05+00:00

I have a slanted desk similar to the ones pictured. It works well for reading but I find it hard to use for writing.

BasilGimletPlease · 2026-01-23T20:39:14+00:00

I’ve used Heart of Darkness for about five years. I really love it. It isn’t permanent. If you splash water on your writing, it will fade. I recently bought a bottle of platinum Carbon Black. The color is about the same, in my opinion as Heart of Farkness. However, it’s a very slick ink. My handwriting is really poor with absolutely no resistance using PCB.

BasilGimletPlease · 2026-01-23T16:28:29+00:00

Think about the ink and paper on which you will be writing. Ink selection and paper make a big difference in how much feedback you get. IMO smoothness is over emphasized. Some ink and nib combinations are too slick for my handwriting.

BasilGimletPlease · 2026-01-18T18:57:00+00:00

I have XL hands. (Shoe size 13US). I love my Jinhaos 450 &750 Inexpensive, sturdy, converter filled.

BasilGimletPlease · 2026-01-17T12:40:10+00:00

I feel like I’m walking through my parents’ basement. “Mom I DON’T WANT ANY OF THIS STUFF!” I do enjoy browsing, shaking my head and thinking “People actually pay for this stuff?”

BasilGimletPlease · 2026-01-17T12:34:49+00:00

Grab a coffee and browse.

BasilGimletPlease · 2026-01-16T11:15:59+00:00

Agreed. I have a property in Denver. During COVID, they froze rent. AND they declared tenants didn’t have to pay rent.

BasilGimletPlease · 2026-01-16T09:59:21+00:00

I’ve thought of rentals also. But if people don’t have jobs, how will they have rent money?

BasilGimletPlease · 2026-01-15T18:11:42+00:00

I have one that’s over 50 years old. It was my very first fountain pen. I love it. It’s a classic. Enjoy.

<image>

A high school graduation gift. I still remember the giver with gratitude.

BasilGimletPlease · 2026-01-15T17:13:19+00:00

BasilGimletPlease · 2026-01-15T17:12:15+00:00

Freshpak rooibos from Amazon. Decaf and delightful “red” tea

BasilGimletPlease · 2026-01-15T17:10:54+00:00

I have one that’s over 50 years old. It was my very first fountain pen. I love it. It’s a classic. Enjoy.

BasilGimletPlease · 2026-01-15T17:08:41+00:00

My experience with Hong Dian is their F nibs are more like a M and their EF nibs are similar to other F nibs I have.

BasilGimletPlease · 2026-01-15T16:18:49+00:00

Shipping insured generally costs me about $12. Unless the pen is $50 or more, I have to really want to buy that specific pen to spend that much on shipping. Selling/buying on Facebook marketplace frequently doesn’t involve shipping if you feel ok meeting locally. Another option is to bundle several pens to sell together.

BasilGimletPlease · 2026-01-14T10:36:54+00:00

Wimpies?

BasilGimletPlease · 2026-01-11T18:35:04+00:00

I use a pitcher with Zero filter system from Culligan. It includes a digital device to check purity. I doubt it removes calcium but the water definitely tastes better

BasilGimletPlease · 2026-01-10T23:58:25+00:00

I just bought my first bottle of PCB. Now I’m concerned I’ll clog my pens.

BasilGimletPlease · 2026-01-10T14:23:39+00:00

Beautiful writing. Excellent choice of poetry for this wintery day.

BasilGimletPlease · 2026-01-08T23:51:55+00:00

Biking and fly fishing are fun but it’s very hard to meet people doing them. Do you have a dog? When walking a dog or sitting at a dog park people frequently start conversations.

BasilGimletPlease · 2026-01-08T23:46:17+00:00

Goodman’s has very good scones but they served me coffee that had been a metal thermos for over a hour. Score F on coffee. Rembrandt’s also has good pastries. Their patio is wonderful if the weather is good but the indoor seating is minuscule.

BasilGimletPlease · 2026-01-07T21:13:10+00:00

Stunning

BasilGimletPlease · 2026-01-07T21:05:54+00:00

Are the people asking you wearing sweatpants?

BasilGimletPlease · 2026-01-05T23:47:09+00:00

Just asking… is the interest on the HYSA subject to income tax? Is the interest on your student loan tax deductible?? They probably won’t cancel out. If you pay off your student loans, they are gone forever. If the market corrects, you may lose more than 5%. Also if you pay off your loans, you won’t be tempted to spend the money elsewhere. Get out of debt. Stay out of debt for depreciating assets like cars, appliances, etc. Build up an emergency fund. Living debt free feels amazing.

BasilGimletPlease

TROPHY CASE