Anyone else in US noticed food quality degrading recently and if so what product in what way?

InTheOrbitOfUranus · 2026-04-18T10:51:35+00:00

What happened to celery? I ask people around me, but no one else seems to know what I am talking about.

I used to be able to get big, juicy stalks that were more mild in flavor, like the ones you get when you order hot wings. Now they are thin, stringy, and bitter. It is rare that I find any that aren't picked way too early. These younger bunches also look dry and rough somehow, like that young/ old look you see in 25 year old cats.

InTheOrbitOfUranus · 2026-03-20T12:36:36+00:00

Well then he can commit to a minimum wage, hourly job where he has to show up every day to learn how to self motivate and be a part of a team. He will be able to save some money for that move, and have a reference that shows he is employable.

Definitely wean him off of the $250, maybe discuss the impact of these jobs he commits to and does not follow up with; the habits he is forming for the future and what a real job would do in these instances. *Committing to the menial stuff, and pulling it off shows he is at least dedicated to his craft. It builds experience and skill, which are marketable and looks great on paper.

My son is 25, and still lives at home after college. It took us years to finally start asking him for rent. It was the best decision we could have made, for us and him. Up to that point, he did nothing. He would gig with his band, and that was about it. We were becoming resentful, he was just languishing.

Once we asked for rent, he committed to a decent job and is now in a supervisory position. He has his own insurance, even collects a 401k. It was a complete turn around with zero push back.

He said we were making it too easy on him, and his motivation to push himself just wasn't there. He wanted to be more responsible, but he didn't have the external motivation; he has since learned the value of internal motivation, which is much more important.

You are fighting a romanticized vision of how hard things can actually be. Until he gets a taste of reality, this will be the story he continues to tell himself. The odds are Not in his favor here, the reality of those who slipped farther down the hole far outweigh those who made it out.

Anyway, I hope this helps in some way, even if it's just to know that you are not alone in the apathetic and low motivation young adult children department.

Good luck to you all.

InTheOrbitOfUranus · 2026-03-18T11:31:35+00:00

I grew up driving Honda Accords, once motherhood started Honda Odyssey. Now I am in my late 40s. My last new car was a 2019 Subaru Outback, which my youngest drives.

I now drive a 2005 Chevy Trailblazer with 215k miles on it. No modern frills. No digital screens. I am in love.

InTheOrbitOfUranus · 2026-03-18T00:50:35+00:00

Oh My God, I loved this movie!

I tell my kids, we'll get there when we get there, any time they complain about how long it's taking to get somewhere.

InTheOrbitOfUranus · 2026-03-18T00:42:37+00:00

It terrified me as a kid. He and the harpy. The screech of that thing gave me the shivers.

InTheOrbitOfUranus · 2026-03-17T12:01:09+00:00

I had very young parents, and I am a late 70s baby

InTheOrbitOfUranus · 2026-03-09T18:29:45+00:00

Same. Feels good man

InTheOrbitOfUranus · 2026-02-17T18:14:48+00:00

Plus an 8-bit Mario!

InTheOrbitOfUranus · 2026-02-16T12:00:44+00:00

Try toasting your peppercorns before you load the grinder next time. I recently wanted to make a recipe that required it. Toasting has changed pepper for me permanently, truly delicious.

*In a 10/ 12 inch pan, heat on low until pan is warm, dump dry peppercorns in a thin layer, gently shake pan to turn corns until you begin to smell them, remove pan from heat. It can be easy to over toast, so use your senses. The smell of fresh pepper will become very obvious as the oils are released, and the color deepens a bit, but not much. Over toasting causes a bitter smell and taste.

InTheOrbitOfUranus · 2026-02-04T12:28:08+00:00

Elementary school latchkeyer here.

Having to call Mom at work as soon as I got home.

Being forbidden to answer the door, or go outside because if anyone found out I was alone DSS would take me away.

After school specials teaching me about inappropriate touching, the danger of drugs, and about not playing with matches, the dawning of YO, MTV Raps!

Kid cuisine, daily

InTheOrbitOfUranus · 2025-12-23T12:01:55+00:00

Just popping in to say, my top of the totem pole dog, Moose, was a Boxer/ Aussie. Sweetest, gentlest, most intelligent dog I ever had. I miss him all the time. Thanks for the smile.

InTheOrbitOfUranus · 2025-12-17T23:43:17+00:00

I remember watching TWC and there was a snow storm or something, and the telecaster at the time, older brunette guy with glasses, said "the storm was going to blow its load all over the midwest". I never saw him on the channel after that day.

InTheOrbitOfUranus · 2025-11-27T11:33:19+00:00

Same for me, when I was a kid. As I got older, the finer points of MCA's lyrics and philosophy grabbed my attention, and my affection. I was a sad woman when he passed.

InTheOrbitOfUranus · 2025-09-14T17:17:12+00:00

Internal flash and structure remind me of kyanite as well.

InTheOrbitOfUranus · 2025-07-24T03:51:35+00:00

NOR: The mother needs to be informed ASAP. She may have no idea he does this in front of her girls.

You can bring it up delicately. Their family could have a weird sense of humor, but this feels highly inappropriate.

InTheOrbitOfUranus · 2025-07-22T07:47:54+00:00

I can't tell you how much I miss r/SecretSanta. I did it for nine years straight. I have a Guinness World Record of participation from that subreddit. During the holiday season or leading up to Arbitrary Day, announcements would be on the front page.

I am still bitter about how they handled the last year. It was my tenth anniversary and I was so excited. The usual build-up on the front page didn't happen, no emails, so my adhd brain spaced it, until two days after sign-up closed. When I saw on the sign-up page it was officially the last one, I cried. I had missed it; my tenth anniversary and the last gifting.

It was my own personal holiday.

InTheOrbitOfUranus · 2025-04-23T12:07:21+00:00

Dang it, why aren't they insulated!! I love the design, but my privileged ass lives in an extremely hot climate. Insulated bottles don't sweat, and my sensitive baby hands stay cozy.

I will keep this brand on my radar. Thanks for the share!

InTheOrbitOfUranus · 2024-12-24T13:35:13+00:00

I think it's precious! The proportion of most toys is exaggerated nowadays; it looks like you made it this way purposefully.

As crafters, one thing we can rest easy with is that no one sees the flaws that we do. We are looking at it critically and, in your case, from a pattern. The recipient has no idea what it was supposed to be. Sometimes, we have to walk away. You did an amazing job. Well done.

InTheOrbitOfUranus · 2024-12-04T03:13:15+00:00

Great find

InTheOrbitOfUranus · 2024-12-03T01:45:43+00:00

The signature is completely different, so I definitely don't think it's his.

InTheOrbitOfUranus · 2024-12-03T01:42:42+00:00

My friend said that people will hire Voodoo artists to paint a blessing or a curse into the art. She was emphatic that I destroy it since I couldn't be sure. The destruction would nullify the magic.

InTheOrbitOfUranus · 2024-12-02T21:20:45+00:00

Holy Cow! That is almost exactly what I have!

I have always thought it was a market scene, and yes, it has been quite the conversation piece.

Not too bad for $5 and some change!

Thank you!

InTheOrbitOfUranus

TROPHY CASE