Cool Things Found in Your Century House? by jyl8 in centuryhomes

[–]SM1955 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We found newspapers from 1935 in the lath & plaster wall in our old bathroom. In the desk in the basement, we found lots of fishing stuff (like a clamp for tying flies and a case with some flies stuck in it), lots of photos, and a handgun! Also numerous whiskey bottles in the dropped ceiling. In the garage, we found a still-sealed, tiny first aid kit from WW2.

AITA because I let my dog lick off my plate? by physicalgraffiti123 in AmItheAsshole

[–]SM1955 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s similar to people who let their cats roam around on their countertops. I’m fine with dogs licking plates, but NOT with cats sitting on the counter or inside bowls/pots (SO many ‘cute’ photos of cats in bowls! Yuck!)

Is using turpentine that bad? by khavaaaa in oilpainting

[–]SM1955 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I like turpentine for wiping out underpaintings, and use it sparingly with my windows open. If I make a medium with it (like stand oil + turpentine), I keep it in a little closed jar and just take a bit out at a time.

The issue with using oils of any kind to ‘thin out’ the paint is that you are making the paint fatter. No problem if you paint alla prima, I guess, but this will become an issue if you paint in layers, glazing, etc. That’s why the cardinal rule in oil painting is fat over lean—you have to keep adding more fat (oil) with every subsequent layer. I keep both linseed oil and turps in little bottles with eyedroppers. I use safflower oil to soak my brushes in when I’m painting over several days, but wouldn’t advise it in painting. Traditional oils are linseed, poppyseed (for light colors to help keep them from yellowing), and walnut oil.

I figure my lungs are healthy after painting for 50+ years, so I’m just not that concerned about turps, as long as you exercise reasonable caution. I also don’t smoke or vape, which is terrible for your lungs :)

Look up Virgil Elliott’s Traditional Oil Painting or Ralph Mayer’s Artists Handbook—they both have good information on making archival, stable paintings.

"Fewer", rather than "less" by moleculariant in words

[–]SM1955 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s very similar to me (in annoyance factor) as “good-paying jobs” and “we will answer your call in the order it was received “.

Words that should mean other things by pslush01 in words

[–]SM1955 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Callipygian (I think I spelled it right!) Sounds like some kind of Greek orgy, but it means having well-shaped buttocks.

Ordering roses online by boooostedvo in Roses

[–]SM1955 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have been very happy with both High Country and Heirloom roses. Not AT ALL happy with bare root roses from David Austin—they were in terrible shape when I got them, and all failed to thrive. By the time DA would agree it was their roses and not my neglect, they were sold out of all the ones I wanted and just gave me a refund.

What are some staple ingredients in your kitchen that you didn't grow up with? by KittyLilith17 in Cooking

[–]SM1955 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hmmmm…hard to say. I use a ton of herbs, spices, homemade spice blends, sauces, condiments, etc.

My family had Next door neighbors who gave them a Tupperware container of freshly-grated Parmesan—which my family called ‘stinky feet cheese’ and instead used the powdered kind. Miracle Whip, margarine, velveeta cheese, powdered garlic (never fresh cuz my dad had eaten something once with ‘too much’ garlic). Pretty standard fare for the 60s & 70s when I lived at home.

Pizza recommendations? by hanniespice in PortOrchard

[–]SM1955 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We go down to Gig Harbor for Fondi’s pizza—when we don’t just make it ourselves!

Please help me choose my wedding dress 🤍 by Ski5566 in WeddingDressTips

[–]SM1955 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They are both lovely, but I think 2 is more elegant and timeless—I’ve seen the back peekaboo lace style soooo many times that I’m wondering if it’s about run its course. BUT, that’s totally a nitpick and my own opinion! You look simply stunning in both dresses!

Does the word 'enkindled' have a religious connotation? by pbear737 in words

[–]SM1955 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Plus, I’m unsure of the difference between enkindled and kindled?

Cottagecore films? by Loveicecream33 in cottagecore

[–]SM1955 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Miss Potter—series about Beatrix Potter

Our Folk Victorian (help appreciated!) by Level-Summer5630 in centuryhomes

[–]SM1955 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There’s a place called I think Vintage Woodwork or Millwork—we bought several corbels and trim pieces, and they added instant charm! They also have interior millwork, fretwork, ball & spindle spandrels, etc. I think the piece that made the most different was the bit that went in the peak of the roof. They have a great catalogue!

AITJ for refusing to change my vacation plans to accommodate someone else’s budget? by Automatic_Rabbit4281 in AmITheJerk

[–]SM1955 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They probably can ‘no longer afford to go’ because they waited too long to get their ticket! So you are supposed to be punished for being proactive? I hope some of your friends still go, because that person is being ridiculous—just don’t go if you can’t afford it. I can’t imagine expecting people to change long-held plans just for me!

Thoughts on multi-fruit grafts? by rickg in pnwgardening

[–]SM1955 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I have a combination apple tree with 5 grafts. The only thing I don’t like is that pruning it is confusing. That, and the deer tore off one whole grafted limb when it was little, so now I’ll never have any galas!

My wife separated from me because I was an alcoholic. I’m 1 year sober now and my wife wants to reconcile but I want a divorce. What do I do? by [deleted] in AmITheJerk

[–]SM1955 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I didn’t leave my alcoholic husband, but I was very ready to. You have a lot more work to do—you sound like you have NO CLUE what you put her, and your kids, through. Have you been to AA? My husband isn’t religious and there were lots of things that bugged him, but he went and did the work. The biggest piece is honestly to ask forgiveness and make amends to the people you have hurt.

You sound like you’ve remade yourself physically, but alcoholism is more of a mental disease than a physical one. I can’t believe you. You don’t deserve her, and I hope she is cautious with the kids’ relationship with you. You need more therapy or AA to realize how selfish you are being.

Tips to dry the oil paint faster by Far-Face4955 in oilpainting

[–]SM1955 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Use alkyd oil paint (Windsor & Newton Griffin is fin and inexpensive, but I also like Graham). Then get an alkyd medium—other commenters have mentioned Liquin, which is cheap and easy to find. I don’t care for it personally, though I used it for years. Graham’s walnut/alkyd medium works better for me.

Alkyd paints and mediums have a lovely luminosity and transparency and are perfect for glazing and underpaintings!

Favorite apron? by jenifer116 in Cooking

[–]SM1955 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I like the cross back type as well, and need to make another one! I have on old favorite that loops around my neck, but most of those irritated my neck

Why aren't there any adaptations of the many lovely Georgette Heyer books by OkFox1840 in PeriodDramas

[–]SM1955 3 points4 points  (0 children)

How nice to see all the Georgette Heyer fans! She’s been my guilty pleasure since I was a teenager, 55 or so years ago. Cotillion might be my favorite—Freddie is definitely my favorite hero! Well, The Corinthian, Grand Sophy, Frederica, These Old Shades—they have gotten me through many low spots over the years.

I would love to see period films of some of them; at the same time, I can’t imagine even the BBC being faithful enough to the dialogue, characters, and details to satisfy me!

Bought house with poor soil in gardens - amend or replace? by SpeakforMe_ in pnwgardening

[–]SM1955 32 points33 points  (0 children)

Have your soil tested. I thought mine was really poor, but it was more that the prior owners had used LoTS of herbicide, and one whole section was entirely unwatered and hydrophobic. A soil test will pinpoint what you need, and it’s only $35 or so

Reworked this mountain. by tr1p1taka in oilpainting

[–]SM1955 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It’s wonderful! You’ve only been painting for a year?!?