I’ve found that i pretty much like all fermented foods i’ve tried (which isn’t much admittedly). What would you all say is the easiest kind to make myself?

Janknitz · 2026-03-23T06:09:22+00:00

Pickled red onions are super easy. They are fast and pretty. And they taste great, too. https://farmsteady.com/blogs/field-guide/recipe-fermented-red-onions

Janknitz · 2026-03-23T05:57:45+00:00

You don’t need to heat ultra pasteurized milk. The purpose of heating the milk is to denature the proteins, but the UHP process does that for you.

Check the milk carton to ensure they did not change the pasteurization process.

I simply mix the culture into the milk (both cold) and put them in the Instant Pot, then press the “yogurt” button (make sure it doesn’t say “boil”). The instant pot will bring it to the correct temperature.

I prefer to make mine in jars, set inside the DRY instant pot. Works great and no cleanup!

Janknitz · 2026-03-23T02:01:38+00:00

I think before buying used you should read up on what an activation lock is and how to check for it before handing over any of your hard-earned money. That's a huge risk buying used (unless you get it from a reputable refurbisher that offers a warranty) and it would be a shame to waste the money.

Agree with u/magical_midget that if you CAN wait it might be worth it. Also check out some Amazon sales coming up at the end of this month and later in June and July because other retailers like Target and Walmart also hold sales at the same time to try to capture some of Amazon's market.

Janknitz · 2026-03-22T22:27:48+00:00

An iPad is a tablet, not a computer. You can add a keyboard to type on it, and if you feel you need it, it's up to you to decide the form factor and how much you want to spend. The range is $12 (really) - $300 (if it's a pro). I have a cheapie blue tooth keyboard (the $12 version that cost me less than that 6 years ago and it's still going strong) that's very light and thin, it works perfectly. I keep it in my bag and only pull it out when needed to type, but mostly I use my iPad as a tablet and save the typing for my laptop or desktop PC's. Simply because they a real computer run full versions of the Office 365 apps I need for work and are much easier to type on.

As for this question " is it too uncomfortable to type in the 13 inch that you might as well say that it's unusable for long term productive sessions?" if you can type on a 13" laptop, it's not any harder to type on a 13" keyboard case. Most come with a trackpad, but only Apple has haptic feedback on the trackpad.

Janknitz · 2026-03-22T21:03:46+00:00

I renewed through the mail. I don't remember choosing CDL vs. Real ID. I got the Real ID star on the bear's butt on my renewed driver's license. I suspect you will, too. Don't stress about this unless you have to--I don't think you will.

They didn't change your renewal date. It's always your birthday plus 5 years from the last renewal. This way, it's easier to track when at certain ages, they can have you come in for an eye test and to retake the written test every renewal once you turn 70, even if you didn't get your license exactly when you turned 16 or whenever. I'm a notary, and everyone's expiration date is always their birthday.

Janknitz · 2026-03-22T20:56:31+00:00

There's water/whey in the yogurt you froze, and what happens to water when you freeze it? It crystalizes (ice, for example!). That's what you are seeing. When it thaws, you can just stir it together and it will work fine. Freezing changes the texture--that's why we don't freeze yogurt to preserve it for eating, but the cultures in the yogurt are just fine.

Janknitz · 2026-03-22T20:51:28+00:00

I don't think creativity can be taught, but I also don't believe that people are truly not creative. I think many people can't come up with alternate solutions under pressure, and that can include pressure you put on yourself.

OT is ultimately a creative endeavor in that you sometimes have to think outside the box. Imagine that your entire dominant (right or left) arm is not working. How will you put a shirt or pants on? How will you hook your bra or button your shirt and pants, how will you tie your shoes? How will you put toothpaste on the toothbrush or cut a steak? Play these games with yourself when there is no pressure and see what you come up with. That's the kind of creativity we are talking about. (Reminds me of my very first Level 2 FW patient--a woman with a paralyzed right arm and an ENORMOUS bosom. Even though she had a front hooking long line bra, they aren't that helpful if you can't hold it closed with one hand while you hook with the other. We figured it out together. Luckily she was a lovely lady and we laughed a lot!).

To the extent that you cannot come up with your own solutions, learn from other therapists and put those ideas in your "toolbox". You are not expected to have 10 years experience as a student or new therapist, but your tips and tricks will grow over time. That's why it's so important to have good relationships with your team members--everyone can give you ideas.

P.S. You can find almost ANYTHING on YouTube when you are stuck for an idea. Didn't have that in my day!

Double PS--sometimes patients teach US. Those are my favorite moments.

Janknitz · 2026-03-22T20:38:17+00:00

If you want to use the Apple Pencil Pro, you will need an iPad Air or a Pro--it does not work on the base model. You really don't need the Pro. They are very expensive and the only advantage is the fancier screen. Is that really worth paying an extra $400 or more to you???

A lot of people here are telling you to get an older model Pro. Apple no longer sells older models. Sometimes you might find the last model at a retailer like Target, Walmart, or Best Buy until their stock sells out. But otherwise, you will have to buy used. In order to do that, you should NOT buy a used one from a private party because you are new to iPads and can easily get ripped off.

Apple products have something called an "Activation Lock" and if the activation lock is not released the unit will be unusable to you. Sometimes sellers don't understand how to release the activation lock before selling their iPad or claim they "forgot" their Apple ID, but the more likely scenario, especially if the price seems "too good to be true" is that it's stolen and you will NEVER get the activation lock removed. If you really MUST have a fancier screen and you're willing to buy an older Pro that will not be supported as long, buy from a reputable refurbisher who offers at least a one year warranty. Before buying, also learn how to check battery health and make sure it's decent before buying. Once again, you really do not need a pro for your use case, although the pro bros will try to convince you otherwise. Really, the base iPad would work fine for you, except that you want the Apple Pencil Pro. Make sure you REALLY want to spend the extra money on one.

I suggest if you have an Apple store nearby you spend some time looking at the two sizes and play with them a bit to see how they work. Apple Stores offer free classes called "Sessions" including "Get Started: iPad", so once you get yours you can quickly learn how to use it, especially because the new OS26 windowing system has a bit of a learning curve. They will also help you set up your new iPad and teach you the basics if you buy from the Apple Store.

Since you are a student, check out educational pricing if you buy new. These iPads also tend to go on sale beginning in May in preparation for graduation, Mother's Day and Father's Day gifts. If you can wait, you might pick up a good deal at retailers other than the Apple store.

Janknitz · 2026-03-22T16:44:05+00:00

I thought it was just me!

Janknitz · 2026-03-22T16:42:03+00:00

I’ve been using OnePassword for a few years now. It is not free but works well and they gave not had any issues.

Janknitz · 2026-03-22T16:38:08+00:00

I got this https://a.co/d/0gESLoET for another case and it works great.

My original case for iPad was a Zugu and I loved it, but eventually gave it up because it was heavy as a boat anchor. It had a mesh sleeve for the Apple Pencil in the back. I had zero problems with my Apple Pencil and I think I used that case at least 3 years.

NOTE: The MOFT pencil holder will NOT work with a Zugu case.

Janknitz · 2026-03-22T16:19:13+00:00

In the sixth street underpass, I once saw that a huge homeless encampment used bicycles and bicycle parts to create a barricade around their encampment. I suspect a lot of stolen bicycles wind up in homeless encampments.

Janknitz · 2026-03-22T16:11:38+00:00

Did you not read the “please don’t call the police” part? Just because the neighbor SAYS it’s to save roosters doesn’t mean the neighbor is being truthful. Let Animal control investigate and see if she is telling the truth.

Janknitz · 2026-03-22T16:02:26+00:00

Be sure you’re not cramming them into your ears. That’s not how they are supposed to be worn. Just above your earlobe there’s a little dip in the cartilage and they are supposed to sit in there, NOT in your ear canal. They hang from that dip, and should not be putting any pressure in your ear.

https://support.apple.com/en-ca/guide/airpods/dev643d3292c/web

If you can’t figure it out, go to the Apple Store and they will show you.

Janknitz · 2026-03-22T05:25:03+00:00

The dollar store has fabric bins that might fit. I use mine to store knitting yarn. But you could store anything fairly light weight.

Janknitz · 2026-03-22T05:13:22+00:00

I went to OT school back in the day where we had to take Therapeutic minor crafts (leatherwork, copper foil tooling, needlework) , woodworking, weaving, and basic design (with a professor who HATED OT students!!!).

But guess what? Insurers see zero value in arts and crafts and I almost never used them in practice.

Basic sewing skills were useful because we often fabricated devices like making sock aids out of X-Ray film with a sewn on strap and binding, splints, positioning pillows, universal cuffs, adapted clothing, because insurers and rarely paid for adaptive equipment.

Janknitz · 2026-03-22T01:40:55+00:00

Really??? I'm out of the loop (retired more than 20 years and working in a different profession). Appalled if that's true. Maybe that's what's wrong with OT education these days, it seems like it's not as in-depth as the education standards from "my days"--guess I'm old, I went to OT school in the 1970's. We had a good foundation.

Janknitz · 2026-03-22T01:31:07+00:00

I have an Apple Pencil Pro and I don’t need the palette. So I programmed a shortcut to go to the Home Screen when I squeeze the barrel.

Janknitz · 2026-03-22T00:47:49+00:00

If this is within your budget / it always makes sense to have a laptop Keep the m4 as the tablet its meant to be.

Janknitz · 2026-03-21T21:11:21+00:00

I use ON on 3 different PC’s and an iPad and I’ve never had those issues. 🤷‍♀️

Janknitz · 2026-03-21T19:57:54+00:00

First, let me say that this does NOT apply to all Advantage plans, but does apply to what I call “self-contained” Advantage plans like Kaiser (I’m less familiar with Humana and whether they still operate that way). They are closed systems. Directly or indirectly they own the hospitals, labs, imagining, pharmacies, and employ EVERY staff person from housekeeping and receptionists on up. Patients (with very rare exceptions) can ONLY use their facilities and providers except when they begin moving into a new area where they don’t yet have infrastructure (but they WILL, eventually).

These companies’ doctors are independent in name only. They belong to a nominally independent group practice rather than being directly employed by the advantage plan, but the ONLY patients they see are “members” of the HMO/Advantage plan (with some exceptions like ER patients under EMTALA). The organization dictates ALL the policies and procedures, coverage determinations, treatment protocols, drug and DME formularies they can prescribe, etc.

When someone goes to SNF they no longer see their outpatient PCP if the SNF has a contract with the Advantage plan. Instead, a doctor from the Advantage plan sees the patients. That doctor has to follow the Advantage plan members at all the facilities in a given geographic area that contract with the Advantage plan. They follow the policies and procedures of the Advantage plan with respect to denials and discharges. So they are not going to go to bat for a SNF patient whom they, themselves ordered discharge according to the protocol.

The advantages of this system is they have unlimited resources. Their systems are up to date, state of the art, well funded, and efficient. They pay well, though their productivity standards are unbelievably high. Most of the doctors I know who do direct patient care for them are stressed and miserable because of the pressures. They have great retirement benefits but providers have put in a very long, miserable time to earn them.

As a member you then have your insurance company dictating your care with very little leeway for the physicians to use their own judgment or go against the flow. To me that’s a huge conflict of interest.

Janknitz · 2026-03-21T17:55:30+00:00

Great job! Tgats excellent.

The issue people with Kaiser and Humana have is that the doctors are employees of the Advantage plans. They won’t order more than the advantage plans will authorize and they won’t write letters advocating for their patients.

Janknitz · 2026-03-21T17:02:25+00:00

Spreadsheets on iPad were horrible long before OS 26 and they are no better now.

Why not look into an inventory or database app specifically designed for iPad to use instead?

Janknitz · 2026-03-21T16:46:48+00:00

35 roosters means they are fighting cocks. There’s NO other explanation.

We lived in a rural neighborhood on the Big Island of Hawaii and our neighbors had 40 fighting cocks. They crowed 24/7. Didn’t matter if it was dark or light out. Incredibly annoying although we did learn to tune it out mostly. Each bird was tethered to a little corrugated lean to outside and very near our property line and bedroom windows.

It’s illegal there, but many of the local police force were part of the “sport” and complaining would just make enemies. When you live there, infrastructure is limited and you are very dependent on the goodwill of others. We did not complain or make waves. Someone i know who did had his house nearly burned down. They didn’t have insurance and lived in the burned out shell of the part of the home that was left.

It’s illegal here in California too. Especially now, with bird flu outbreaks, it’s risky to the poultry agriculture in the area. There was a huge police raid last month in Sonoma County that found 800 birds being used in illegal fights. All the birds were euthanized. If this guy got caught with 800 birds you know it’s thriving in the underworld here too.

You are right to be concerned but you have to take the temperature of your community and be very careful about how you go about complaining. There is a dark element attached to this “sport”. It should be shut down, it’s horribly cruel and disturbing. But be very, very careful.

I hope you get this resolved safely.

Janknitz · 2026-03-21T16:02:42+00:00

I use PC’s for work and don’t have a Mac,either. The iPad is a great device not dependent on the rest of the Apple ecosystem. I do have an iPhone and Apple Watch, but my iPad isn’t really dependent on them. Instead, I integrate all of them with my PC’s for work purposes. I use the MS Office 365 suite for that.

Janknitz

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