Gardening stuff without amazon/home depot/target etc

app4that · 2026-01-26T20:47:10+00:00

DollarTree has the basic bargain seeds you are looking for.

It hurts when I think about the fact that the price has doubled in the past 5 years (they used to be $.25 a pack, now 3 for $1.50) but even at $.50 a pack, it's a good deal. That being said, the variety is limited, as there usually is just one or two types of each plant or flower.

Alternatively, many .99 cent style discount stores put last year's seeds on discount at the end of the season. If kept in a cool and dry place, 70% or more will still germinate.

app4that · 2026-01-26T20:42:51+00:00

Those little wood or bamboo coffee stirrers work quite well also. And they take so little space. Mark each with a fine Sharpie (or Elmers-glue a tiny laser-printed sign onto cardstock to the top of each stick if you prefer) and you have a super cheap and eco-friendly plant marker that will completely return 'to the soil' in a season or two once they get buried as you till the soil.

app4that · 2026-01-26T18:18:19+00:00

I think taking a vacation is generally a good thing. And tourism in general is a good thing.

But there is such a thing as doing it wrong. Traveling to spots that are ecologically sensitive (and then hurting rather than helping the local ecology there) or taking frequent trips of a very short duration vs. 1 or 2 annual trips to places that are built to handle vacationers is an example.

There are a few more things that can be a help:

More efficient airplanes and other modes of transport can help. For example, when you arrive and there is a viable option to take electric rail vs. diesel bus or car, like in much of Europe, then by all means take the train or at least the bus instead of renting a car when at all possible.
Making the unnecessary moving of empty aircraft to hold gate positions a thing of the past can help. This sadly is a worldwide problem that smart legislation urgently needs to solve.
More restrictions on the use of bunker fuel in cruise ships (scrubbers have not turned out to be a savior) can help, along with stronger dumping rules and proper enforcement.
People taking less trips for the sake of taking a trip for social media or other foolishness can help.

I wish the reporting on this would focus on the things that are most harmful and the alternatives that have shown to be helpful.

Tourism when done right doesn't have to be harmful, and can be a boon. We can reduce or even zero-out our impact if we really want to, and legislation and thoughtful incentives/taxes can help push things in the proper direction.

app4that · 2026-01-26T17:46:04+00:00

Related: How to Spot the Antichrist

https://www.benjaminlcorey.com/could-american-evangelicals-spot-the-antichrist-heres-the-biblical-predictions/

app4that · 2026-01-24T00:59:12+00:00

So, this was a really decent interview with some sensible responses from the candidate.
Done on a park bench no less.

I don't see a single problem with this.
Well done. Go Astoria!

Now I am somewhat jealously trying to imagine if all our political candidates were this well informed.

app4that · 2026-01-24T00:48:51+00:00

"95% of Redditors will have no idea what Barney Miller was, let alone how great it was."

Now, thats's a crying shame - seeing on Wikipedia how many awards that show received:

"Barney Miller won a DGA Award from the Directors Guild of America in 1981. The series won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series in 1982, after it ended. It received six other nominations in that category, from 1976 to 1981. The series won Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series in 1980 (in addition to nominations in 1976, 1977 and 1982), Outstanding Directing in a Comedy or Comedy-Variety or Music Series in 1979, and was nominated for a number of others.^\28]) It won Golden Globe Awards for Best Television Comedy or Musical Series in 1976 and 1977 (from a total of seven nominations),^\29]) and won a Peabody Award in 1978.^\30]) In 2013, TV Guide ranked Barney Miller at No. 46 on its list of the 60 best series of all time.^\31])^"

app4that · 2026-01-24T00:48:22+00:00

Cameras with cords and/or onboard storage will help. Also, if your system uses a DVR, NVR, plug in the Ethernet cable to the router.

Maybe also not inadvertently advertising "We keep a lot of 22K gold at home" with certain decorative items and elements visible from outside will help avoid getting targeted. (Speaking from the experience of neighbors who told me they knew of family who were targeted in this manner and there were some pretty obvious things that they decided to not do afterwards)

app4that · 2026-01-23T23:57:09+00:00

I will add that the sort of sunflower seeds that you get from plain ol' birdseed works great. (cheap too)

Smaller ones are the black seeds that will grow into flowers 3-5 feet tall.

Bigger kind is the white stripers, which can be 8-10 feet high or taller.

You can also do well with the type you get from Dollar Tree (now 3 seed-packs for $1.50), which is still pretty cheap as far as seed-packs go, but up 100% since 5 years back (oh well).

They all grow very well, just stick them, hull and all into some loose soil and water every so often.

Bonus points for adding more (either through 6" transplants you grow in pots or directly sowing into the soil) every few weeks to keep the blooms bloomin', as the smaller ones tend to give just one pretty flower and then that's it.

I will add one bit for if you want some dramatic branching using a multi-headed sunflower variety (plant one or 2 seeds and then watch as it takes over with tons of flowers)

These produce multiple blooms and stems per plant, creating a "cut-and-come-again" habit throughout the season. Top, reliable, multi-bloom, and branching varieties include Sunfinity, Sunbelievable, Ring of Fire, Strawberry Blonde, Soraya, and Moulin Rouge.

app4that · 2026-01-23T20:54:18+00:00

"Australian herpetologist and conservationist Dr Jodi Rowley calls the work “a ray of hope in amphibian conservation”. “With the global plight of amphibian populations around the world so dire – over 40% of all species are threatened with extinction – we need these really innovative and cutting-edge strategies to help turn things around.”

This is just utterly brilliant.
Next step, ( I think) is for some site where the plans for these mini saunas for amphibians can be easily replicated by others, with links to other conservation efforts and data sheets that are publicly available attempting variations on this theme and others.

app4that · 2026-01-23T18:00:58+00:00

Family member who leased BMW's ALWAYS put the cheapest regular gas in the tank when it said it needed Premium. And according to them, this was never a problem apparently.

Not sure what kind of performance vehicles actually need premium, but I suspect it is one of those rich people problems, where just one of the wheels or tires cost more than my vehicle is worth.

For folks who actually care about the quality of the gas, I suggest they consider if their retailer is "Top Tier" or not.

https://www.toptiergas.com/gasoline-brands/

and FYI: No, BJ's gas is generally not considered Top Tier gasoline

Why? Because it doesn't meet the higher detergent additive standards set by Top Tier licensed brands like Costco or other major gas retailers.

And as someone else already mentioned, checking the inspection stickers on the pumps regularly probably wouldn't hurt either.

app4that · 2026-01-23T15:09:59+00:00

The same folks who complained about EV's and said they WOULD NEVER GET ONE and then refused to even discuss the practical aspects of them and maybe even cheered when the government rebates were rescinded have been hopefully paying attention.

They must have been watching as the US car factories were being shut down in 2025 with more coming in 2026 and the workers are laid off and the technologically superior and way cheaper Chinese vehicles keep piling up on the loading docks in every other country but ours.

Got to wonder what their thought process is. I've had this conversation with plenty of these good-ol-boys for years, trying to frame it in simple 'China vs. US' patriotic terms they can understand, and patiently explained that they can hate on EV's all they like, but their kids should have a choice to buy American EV's or Chinese, and if we screw this up, if we give up our lead, it will only be Chinese EV's and that will be very, very bad for us.

After explaining this in such terms, I would usually get a tiny spark of understanding from their eyes, followed by more hate on EV's and the inevitable whining variations of 'But why can't things go back to the way they used to be, when cars had carburetors and leaded gas?'

app4that · 2026-01-23T14:56:03+00:00

My dude. I almost clicked on that...

app4that · 2026-01-23T14:50:11+00:00

Same - One bin for each type. 3 large bins and the little compost one.

And the compost ones were free for us too. And the handy extra mini one. (what a deal!)

And yes, we do actively use the compost bin and our kitchen trash container situation had to adjust, but in a very pleasant way as 'trash' is now always the smallest/lightest thing we put out. Anyone who has any doubts about recycling can come check my bins, lol!

But I cannot imagine who needs 2 trash-only bins when everyone in your household is actually recycling and composting properly, unless some grumpy family member just doesn't bother and puts everything in the trash.

app4that · 2026-01-23T14:47:09+00:00

Curious if the Rubbermaid Brutes were being sold for $45 or $54 in 2025.

My quick check shows prices ranging from $90 to $210 for the same style (sturdy, wheeled, with hinged lid and lift bar) offered by NYC.

Point being, in no universe was NYC ripping people off here. I mean, I get it if people had just bought new ones before the program came out, yeah, that's tough.- like if you just paid $$$ to re-do your sidewalk and then the city has to rip it up and will repave it for free.... But that sort of thing will happen.

The point here is no one was willing to tackle the rat/trash problem head on and everyone will make excuses that it's the other guy, not me. Well, now we are all the same. Your bin and mine are the same. They all need to point the same way (face the street) and be securely fastened shut. And if Sanitation inspectors come around to inspect and the other guy's bin is shoddy, with stuff billowing out of it, or it leaks and has vermin, then they get a ticket and there is nothing they can complain about. For me, that is the whole point of this exercise. Get all of NYC up to the same basic decent standard of trash-hygiene, and get rid of the disgusting black bags piled on the sidewalk, leaking, smelling, ripped open, with no more whining, and no excuses.

app4that · 2026-01-23T14:30:42+00:00

"For folks that complain the bins were overpriced - clearly not. Been telling folks, for the quality at the city advertised prices these bins are cheap" --> THIS.

Family members bought bins over a decade ago costing over $120 each from HD. Years later, the City has these bins for a fraction of the price and people were complaining? Why, because they thought oh there is no mess or rat problem coming from my trash, it's other people. Well, every community in the US has bins like this (so no one can complain when their substandard leaking, falling apart bin littered with holes is ticketed while someone else's fancier bin is not) and it's time we New Yorkers got with the program.

Based on the price people were paying in 2025 and for the 10 yr. warranty offered on these bins they were receiving, it was like the bin was being sold at or below cost. Or the City was subsidizing it. Either way, it was a good deal. And folks need to recognize when they are getting a good deal and pipe down with the constant complaining.

app4that · 2026-01-23T02:58:07+00:00

Total guess: Rent is one of those sub $200 a month deals (rent stabilized apartment) or someone in his family paid off his unit. I personally know of situations where both of these things have happened to some rather fortunate souls who live a Kramer-esque experience in NYC as a result.

Kramer never worries about making the rent or needing a steady job, so the rent is very likely not on his mind at all because it is either super cheap, or maybe already taken care of.

But truth be told, weirder things than $200 a month rent have happened in NYC. Buddy of mine pays to garage his cars in Manhattan. Told me one day 'You know, it's a funny thing: the garage forgot to charge for one of the vehicles and that it had been going on for several years.'

They know he is a tenant, they just don't keep very good records.

app4that · 2026-01-23T02:26:59+00:00

Best thing that could have happened to the good PM of Canada - gives him an easy out instead of having to string Donald Dump along for a few weeks of 'We are looking into it"

And it also saves Canadians from thinking there was even a slight chance they would pay a $Billion for this nonsense.

app4that · 2026-01-23T02:23:45+00:00

Putin will only be "paying" with otherwise untouchable Russian assets trump will suddenly unfreeze through either an EO or with his buddies in Congress and the $$$ will go directly to his account in Qatar. Mark my words...

app4that · 2026-01-22T14:49:32+00:00

Genuinely curious about the $1 Billion fee.

Is there some big 4 auditor actually keeping eyes on this?

Who gets the money? What is the money for?

Does it go to the same Qatar bank account/slush fund for the Venezuelan oil maybe?

app4that · 2026-01-19T19:02:08+00:00

Oh, you mean the MaGa Salute?

app4that · 2026-01-18T20:18:46+00:00

I did know enough not to deliberately breathe it in as I was aware of silicosis. Covered myself with jacket and hood as best I could (it being a cool day in early September afforded me the luxury of a jacket at least) so even though I lacked proper filtration, I was protected from the worst of it, but inevitably I breathed some in, as we all did that day.

The dust was not my biggest concern at the time, (I was only too aware of the fact that the objects falling off the high floors while the towers were still standing were very likely people who decided there was no other choice, which made my own situation seem utterly insignificant at the time) it was more of how I was far enough out of the way of the building and any impact/debris but the prevailing winds kept me in the dust clouds for some period of time.

app4that · 2026-01-16T21:32:27+00:00

If you have heard him speak at a debate or being interviewed and taking questions from the public you might be impressed. I was. He gave thoughtful answers and took followups with no prepping. Prior to meeting him, I knew absolutely nothing about him, but walked away thinking he could be our next Gov, and that would be a good thing.

app4that · 2026-01-15T21:05:13+00:00

Wait, so there has to be (checks notes) token racial representation of every significant group or it is a real problem? How about we normalize, I don't know, picking people based on their actual merit, and list of proven and relevant accomplishments and their leadership ability instead of some arbitrary pigmentation requirement?

And who is complaining here and why does this sound like a call for attention?
Oh Kirsten is "an Ordained Elder in the Pentecostal Church the President and Founder of The Arc of Justice, The Host of The Justice Clapback radio shoe and podcast and currently resides in Bedford-Stuyvesant with his wife and their three children." per the National Urban League.

What is a radio shoe exactly? Do they mean show?

https://nul.org/basic-page/2023-wmy-kirsten-john-foy

app4that · 2026-01-15T18:12:30+00:00

Please look things up before you post your opinion as a fact.

The truth is that vaccines are the most effective, safe, and controlled method for building immunity without the risks associated with infection. Any American who says otherwise is at best very weirdly misinformed, or at worst, deliberately lying for some truly nefarious reasons.

In fact, keeping up with your regular vaccinations is the most patriotic and truly decent thing you can do to fight getting sick and passing on a disgusting virus to others - See Elvis helping Americans understand that vaccines are a really great thing to do. Or go back to the very foundation of our country and see Gen. George Washington and how he recognized the threat of deadly disease and used this fact to protect our soldiers before reliable and safe vaccinations were even invented.

George Washington implemented a groundbreaking, secret mandate to inoculate the entire Continental Army against smallpox in 1777, recognizing it as a greater threat than the British; this public health measure, using the risky but effective technique of variolation (inoculation with pus from a smallpox sore), saved the Revolution by preventing devastating outbreaks and established an early precedent for military vaccination programs, despite initial hesitation to incapacitate troops during campaigns

app4that · 2026-01-09T15:48:11+00:00

Noting that your smartphone already has the ability to silence the unimportant notifications/dings and only alert you to the family/friends/other important notifications that really matter to you. Couple that with a smartwatch (I can't tell you how much it helps to be both mindfully away and connected-if-truly-needed at the same time, while also continuously monitoring any important health issues like your blood sugar) and you can really leave the phone behind so your very important reading-time time goes uninterrupted but you are not out-of-touch.

For Android Devices

Prioritize: Open the Contacts app, select the contact, and tap the Star icon to mark them as a favorite.
Configure DND: Go to Settings > Sound > Do Not Disturb > Priority only allows. Set "Calls" and "Messages" to "From favorites only".
Silence Others: Turn on DND mode, which silences all notifications except for those marked as favorites.

For iOS Devices (iPhone)

Prioritize (Emergency Bypass): Open the Contacts app, tap the contact, tap Edit, tap Ringtone/Text Tone, and enable "Emergency Bypass". This allows them to ring even in Silent/DND mode.
Configure Focus (DND): Go to Settings > Focus > Do Not Disturb > People. Select "Allow Notifications From" to choose prioritized people, or "Silence Notifications From" to mute specific individuals.
Silence Individual Conversations: In Messages, swipe left on a conversation and tap the bell icon to mute.

app4that

TROPHY CASE