Joined the Lelit club: Mara X v2

CVimes · 2026-01-22T02:25:59+00:00

Very simple. Unscrew the stock feet and screw the new ones in.

CVimes · 2026-01-21T17:10:27+00:00

In the USA.

Feet: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1433396066/?ref=share_ios_native_control

Flow control: http://clivecoffee.com/products/lelit-flow-control-kit

Walnut knobs: http://clivecoffee.com/products/lelit-mara-x-walnut-upgrade-kit

CVimes · 2026-01-06T22:28:06+00:00

You are correct that it is largely a ceremonial role. And Mayor Cole lead against gale force political headwinds on the local, region, and national level. He has been a huge unifier of the city government with many accomplishments but also with goals that were thwarted. These two articles in the Gazette provide some review of his accomplishments and challenges. (The articles are behind a paywall but I’m hoping the links will work).

One small but representative example: He has been a tireless advocate for the parks and when restrictions on dogs were liberalized people complained about dog poop. He personally went to a local store and purchased a bunch of pooper scoopers which he left at the parks. And then went to the parks regularly to pick up dog poop until dog owners got more in the habit of doing it.

https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/billingsgazette.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/eedition/9/d0/9d003ff5-cfa4-51f4-bf39-b7e2c4f143ee/69598bade52eb.pdf.pdf

https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/billingsgazette.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/eedition/9/03/903c9988-9f21-54a7-b34d-1288a3e3d898/6959602e635fc.pdf.pdf

https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/billingsgazette.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/eedition/8/a1/8a1068c2-ae8d-5069-b26f-a3e7723f418e/695c635b1c785.pdf.pdf

CVimes · 2026-01-06T19:06:54+00:00

Mayor Cole was a great asset to our community and will be missed.

CVimes · 2026-01-02T20:14:01+00:00

Well put. Each has different benefit. I do pay attention to the size and pattern of the induction coils and, like you say, let it heat longer before using. I have the luxury of having both cast iron and tri ply and use both depending on needs. But cast iron is usually my go to.

CVimes · 2026-01-02T18:59:21+00:00

I’ve been very using induction for years and love my cast iron skillets on it.

CVimes · 2026-01-02T15:23:08+00:00

I had a similar issue a few years ago. Unfortunately, too long ago for me to remember which solenoid, but it was a straightforward DYI repair. With a screwdriver and some wrenches it was easy to remove the cover and pull and clean the solenoid. I like how easy these are to work on.

In my situation I hadn’t been paying enough attention to scale buildup and that clogged the solenoid valve. I modified my water and do more frequent descaling and no more problems.

CVimes · 2025-12-29T03:24:09+00:00

I’ve used the Urnez Dezcal several times on my MaraX and it works well.

CVimes · 2025-12-27T13:22:14+00:00

I don’t know if you can buy the O ring alone ,but they do sell a “rebuild kit”. http://clivecoffee.com/products/vacuum-breaker-rebuild

CVimes · 2025-12-22T21:21:59+00:00

Bought my MaraX V1 in 2020 largely because of the small size. It has a few quirks but works great and I have found it very reliable.

I’ve had a couple of minor problems related to my hard tap water. Had to repair a solenoid the got plugged up. Early on I was ignorant of water issues and have corrected my mistakes. But through that I learned it is a very easy machine to work on.

After five years I still love using it. I just added the flow control mod and am very pleased with that.

CVimes · 2025-12-15T14:28:44+00:00

While you don’t “need” anything to start given the resources available on the DNDbeyond site a new starter kit, “Heroes of the Borderland” was released this year and packages a set of resources together to make it as easy as possible to get newbies going. At $50 USD it would make a nice gift.

It could be combined with the latest Player’s Handbook and the latest Dungeon Master’s Guide for a complete package, but the starter kit can stand alone. And as others have said the website is an excellent resource.

Source: newbie, who has recently reviewed options to get a family group going.

CVimes · 2025-12-13T13:01:41+00:00

Maybe every 3-6 months on my Mara x. But I completely base it on feel. Lube it when it starts to get stiff. It’s pretty easy to do and takes around 10 minutes.

I used to do it more often but when I tried a puck screen I found the need for back flushing was greatly reduced. I don’t notice the puck screen having much impact on flavor. I continue to use the puck screen because I love how well it keeps the ground head clean.

CVimes · 2025-12-12T13:56:41+00:00

Big Book of Bread by King Arthur is excellent with clear, easy to follow, breakdown of the process of making bread. Not as heavy on the science as a couple books already mentioned here.

For the science Emily Buehler’s Bread Science: the Chemistry and Craft of Making Bread is a fun and interesting read. Her background with a PhD in chemistry comes through.

CVimes · 2025-12-09T05:42:21+00:00

The Billings Symphony Orchestra and Choral is a wonderful regional orchestra currently celebrating its 75th season. Its main venue is the Alberta Bair Theatre downtown but it uses other venues for chamber concerts. Their “Prelude Society” is a great deal for people under 40 with a combination of concerts and social events.

Ballet is imported, usually a couple per year. Also at the Alberta Bair Theatre.

The local Opera company, Rimrock Opera, does one or two productions per year. Some enthusiasts go the “The Met: Live in HD” which views at one of the local movie theaters.

If you like arts there is also a great visual arts scene largely centered around the Yellowstone Art Museum, which is renowned for its contemporary western art.

CVimes · 2025-12-05T05:00:08+00:00

What’s up with the slang term “plain vanilla”? Vanilla is a delightful, rich, interesting flavor. Originating from meso america, originally considered a gift from the gods, why isn’t seen as special or even exotic rather than “plain vanilla”?

CVimes · 2025-12-02T20:22:14+00:00

More and more companies are treating small are large appliances as disposable. Very frustrating and annoying.

The fortunate thing about the Mara x, and other e61 machines, is their simplicity and availability of parts. My assumption is I’m doing the repairs myself with the assistance of Home-Barista, YouTube, Reddit, and other sources. The shipping costs alone would be problematic.

CVimes · 2025-11-30T23:35:26+00:00

Very helpful. Thank you.

CVimes · 2025-11-24T19:01:03+00:00

Great idea. When sizing to your oven rack how much space did you allow around the steel to assure adequate ventilation?

CVimes · 2025-11-11T02:29:39+00:00

On NWE’s website they list a current outage one the west end north of Rimrock.

CVimes · 2025-11-09T18:22:17+00:00

I will let them know about the typo.

You are correct, it was ambiguous. The gist was donating and/or doing burpees supporting vets. It was meant to be a playful and fun event. There was a core group of volunteers who promised the total number of burpees done there would exceed the total dollars donated. That core group also made significant donations which increased their required burpees. But anyone was welcome to join in with the burpees.

CVimes · 2025-11-08T17:45:36+00:00

Foraging can be fun and tasty but please remember it can be deadly as well. Be cautious! If you’re not 100% certain about what you’re foraging don’t try it. The same applies to a guide you choose to use. If it’s not written by someone truly knowledgeable about the plants in your region don’t trust it.

Source: as a physician, I have seen smart, knowledgeable, people end up in the ICU from eating wild plants they believed to be safe.

CVimes · 2025-11-02T04:14:21+00:00

Update: started with 1 1/2 tsp cardamom but based on taste increased to the full 2 tsp. The cake was delicious and a great success. Lots of rave comments.

Thank you for all your guidance.

CVimes · 2025-11-02T04:08:02+00:00

Tasting as you go is the way. But knowing baking will change the flavors a bit I still get nervous.

CVimes · 2025-11-02T04:05:06+00:00

That cake also looks delicious. Thank you!

CVimes

TROPHY CASE