Norms Bait and Tackle

RAMMEL · August 09, 2025, 06:52:01 PM

Quote from: OnLonelyMountain on August 09, 2025, 03:18:29 PMvinegar plus salt and dish detergent have been found to be as effective as either glyphosate (Roundup type products) or 2,4-D.

Any ratio to that mixture? Just that, no water?
Years ago I worked at the Boyce Thompson Institute. We had some pretty nasty stuff to work with - in the line of research.

Marilyne · August 12, 2025, 12:07:01 PM

Hello to anyone looking in today. It was a slow weekend for me, but things are picking up today, so always looking ahead to better days.
A special greeting to Ciaobella, OLM, Patricia, Mars, Jackie and Rick. Hope to hear from all of you soon.

patricia19 · August 12, 2025, 04:01:30 PM

Good late morning, nothing going on here, I may go uptown, shopping on our last really sunny, 70s day until the 20th.

Otherwise, same old routine.

OnLonelyMountain · August 12, 2025, 10:47:06 PM

Hi Ya'll,
We've been having a period of hot weather since Saturday. Today's high was 93°F. Way too hot for me, and my internet 2nds that. I've continued to cut up blow downs and haul branches to the slash pile. Once the temps get above 80°, I relegated to reading. Its been an Agatha Christie marathon.

Rick, using a 1.5 gal garden sprayer I've added 1/4 - 1/3 C salt, plus 1 Tbl. of fragrance free dish detergent to a gallon of cleaning vinear. You can look on the USDA's website and search for it. They may have a recipe. If not all the salt dissolves adjust that amount down. I remember a time there was a bunch left in the bottom. I'd just guess-timated, I just added another gal. of vinegar and 1 Tbl dish. That batch worked fine too. It burns down everything, so keep it off what you want to grow.

Hello Marilynne! 🙂👋🏼

RAMMEL · August 12, 2025, 10:56:01 PM

OLM - Thanks for the comments on the "vegetation killer".
I have a few areas that need "tending too".

OnLonelyMountain · August 13, 2025, 09:21:20 AM

Good morning Rick. It must be "cleaning vinegar," not table vinegar. Regular vinegar generally has an acidity level around 5-7%. Cleaning vinegar is around 15%, or so. Agricultural vinegar is around 17-20%. I've used it too. It was pretty expensive. You don't have to add salt or dish detergent to that one. The cleaning vinegar mix works almost as well as the ag vinegar. If its blackberry vines, or similar, I'd be inclined to go the extra for the ag vinegar. Glove up and protect your eyes from splashes if you do. Let me know how it goes?

RAMMEL · August 13, 2025, 09:38:49 AM

OLM - Pretty much a City dweller here. No big brush to take care of, just small "weeds" that show up here and there around my typical City building lot that my house is on. Old age (ability) and incentive are curtailing many of my efforts.
When I get inspired I'll try white vinegar. I use that now for certain cleaning.

patricia19 · August 13, 2025, 11:11:06 AM

Rick, "Natural options for non-toxic weed killers include vinegar, salt, and dish soap mixed together, or using boiling water directly on the weeds. These methods can effectively kill weeds without harming the environment or nearby plants."

Some places recommend essential oils, except those are lethal to dogs, cats, and birds.

Ciaobella · August 13, 2025, 11:43:11 AM

Good morning all... I've been a bit down with a tooth extraction done last Wednesday and still experiencing some discomfort. The area turned an ugly black and blue and is now almost back to normal but I think the oral surgeon bumped the inside of my mouth which caused that. Taking antibiotic, rinsing with salt water, Tylenol for the pain, and resting. The prescription was 600 mg. for the Tylenol which I was not about to take so I have been taking two 100 mg. It seems to help. I just simply HATE dental issues.

Our temps have returned to the high 90s which means it's inside for me. The kids are all going back to school this week and it seems like the summer flew by. I want a redo! lol

I've been reading The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis for our book club Fr. Jim is leading. Did a deep dive into Lewis and he was a highly intellectual man, an atheist for awhile, who encountered some spiritual experiences which led him to his belief in God and Jesus Christ. This book is all about Satan and his minions manipulating people into sinfulness and distracting them from prayer and faith. What an eye opener. Can't wait to discuss it with the group tonight. No matter what your belief system it sure gives you food for thought.

Okay you all have a great day and keep cool.

OnLonelyMountain · August 13, 2025, 12:57:06 PM

Good morning #2,
Rick, check the label for the % acidity. If your soil is acidic it might work. Table vinegar, weather apple cider or white didn't work in alkali soils. I've used boiling water, as Patricia mentions, it caused cracks in my pavement.

Ciaobella, sorry to hear that. Face and jaw pain is debilitating. I use homeopathic arnica for bruising, swelling and pain. It thins lymph, which carries away the old blood of the bruise and speeds healing. It generally is effective in complete healing in a couple of days. The swelling, bruising and pain is improved within 20 minutes. Its non-toxic. No side effects.

MarsGal · August 13, 2025, 06:27:03 PM

I don't recall coming across arnica. What I used was comfrey. I just picked a leaf, wilted it a little like you de spinach, and wrapped it around the bruised area using a bit of gauze wrapping. A little bulky, but it worked well.

Marilyne · August 13, 2025, 07:22:30 PM

Good Afternoon to everyone. So good to see our members returning, after a brief hiatus. I'm wondering why everything went silent for a few days, but will likely never find out?

Ciaobella, so sorry about your dental extraction. Sounds like a bad one, but will soon heal. I'm so glad that your dentist didn't tell you to take ibuprofen/Advil. Tylenol doesn't give as much pain relief, but is better for you in the long run. I saw my gastroenterologist recently, and he advised me to throw away any ibuprofen/Advil, that I have here at home. I've been reading a lot of negative things about it. Best to stick with Tylenol, even though it's not as effective against pain

OLM and Mars, plain white vinegar has worked well for me in getting rid of the weeds that pop up in the cracks on the driveway, and other walkways. I haven't sprayed it on the lawn weeds, in the backyard. Too many of them . . . in fact more weeds than grass. We just keep it mowed, and it looks okay.

OnLonelyMountain · August 15, 2025, 01:10:43 PM

MG, Arnica Montana is a well know herbal, topical remedy for bruises, strains and sprains. Its a large yellow daisy like flower with a brown center, heart shaped leaves. I harvest the flowers and make an oil infusion using organic olive oil. When thats ready I melt a little organic beeswax, some organic coconut oil and add some of the infused oil. Its a great salve. I either put it in a tube dspenser or jar. However HOMEOPATHIC Arnica is safe to ingest and works even better, especially for RA, gout and inflammation. Comfry used to be called "Boneset." Its a pretty amazing herb too. Its great for "bone repair." I also have the homeopathic form of that: Symphytum.

Ciaobella, How are you feeling today?

MarsGal · August 15, 2025, 02:32:58 PM

OLM, this is what I call boneset. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eupatorium_perfoliatum Never heard it applied to comfrey, although comfrey has been called knitbone. Similar difference.

This is what I know as comfrey. https://www.ruralsprout.com/grow-comfrey/ I had the wide-leave kind with the purple flowers. The picture next to paragraph 4. looks like mine. I had the wide-leaf kind.

Ciaobella · August 15, 2025, 09:48:16 PM

Thank you all for the suggestions on the bruise. It is actually gone now, and I am for the first day pain free!!! Homeopathic plants are interesting, I have never known of any of those mentioned. I am quite impressed with the knowledge you have.

Marilyne, I spoke with my gastroenterologist yesterday at my appointment and she said Tylenol for certain. Luckily, I think I am finally past the need for any pain meds. When you use the white vinegar for your weeds do you mix it with anything else? I would love to give this a try.

Not to talk politics... but I have to say I am moderately excited for a possible peace agreement with Putin and Zelinski. Let's pray it can happen for the world.

OnLonelyMountain · August 16, 2025, 09:18:29 AM

Good morning,
MG, I enjoyed both those links.🙂 In the Materia Medica of homeopathic remedies Symphytum O. is referred to by both boneset and knitbone. I was particularly fascinated by doctors use of it as a cast, much like a plaster cast and the recounting of where it was used to heal even older severely broken bones that had gone unhealed for long times. These were accounts out of Europe where it has long been in use. I don't have the herb. Though I think I've seen it growing here. I'll look for it next spring when things are flowering. Here is some interesting comparisons of Arnica to ibuprophin, https://www.plantmedicines.org/2025/01/does-arnica-really-work.html I noted that several sites said the plants can cause skin irritation. I haven't found that to be true for me, even with my hyper-sensitivity, when harvesting the flowers. Though I don't touch the rest of the plant.

OnLonelyMountain · August 16, 2025, 09:39:16 AM

Good morning Ciaobella,
Here is Martha Stewarts recipe for vinegar weed killer. I don't use that much salt. I found it didn't all dissolve in the solution with the first gallon; I added another gallon of vinegar and more dishsoap and continued spraying. It was fine. https://www.marthastewart.com/8114733/diy-vinegar-weed-killer-guide

Homeopathic medicines are made with many substances, not just plants. Substances that are toxic are rendered not toxic due to the extensive dilution, the healing properties are retained due to the succussion. Arsenic, as homeopathic arsenicum is an excellent remedy for treating toxic exposures, where the symptoms match.

Glad you're feeling better.

Marilyne · August 22, 2025, 12:56:45 PM

Hard to believe that Summer is almost over. It does seem like the shortest Summer that I can ever remember. School starts here on Monday, the 25th, followed by Labor Day, the following weekend.

For the first time I can remember, I have no family members who are still in school? The grandkids graduated from college, and are now mostly settled in Silicon Valley Tech jobs. The great-grands are all out of high school, except for the baby of the family - three year old Casey. He's our grandson's only child.

The only family news of interest, is that our oldest grand daughter and family just moved across the country from California, to Nashville, TN. Her husband's company was transferred there from Silicon Valley. Only one of their three kids has gone with them. The other two will stay here for college or work.

Ciaobella, like you, I had high hopes for the meeting between Putin and Trump. As predicted, Putin has no intention of a peace agreement, so nothing will change in the near future. I have some hope of an agreement between between Israel and Iran/Hamas, but that doesn't look very promising either.

OLM, I still have a mental picture of you "cleaning the forest", with a rake and a broom! ha ha I know you have other more important things to attend to now. I just hope that you're feeling better, and that everything will work out in your favor for your health.

OnLonelyMountain · August 22, 2025, 11:34:36 PM

Good evening everyone,
Marilynne, 😂 sometimes I feel its not that far off. Picking up after these trees is so reminiscent of picking up after my kids when they were little. There are just so many more of them. Though the last couple ofdays I've switched to fence mending as archery (aka poacher seaon) begins on the 30th. I had a couple of sections that needed repair. I've pounded fence posts, mended broken barb wire and replaced broken or weak support sticks. I have a couple more days worth of that kind of work.

I'm still working on trying to find an Environmental Illness MD who'll see me over video. I had one decline because my condition was "beyond her level of expertise." I have one still to respond. My lawyer hasn't quite committed yet. He has 3 parts that must come together. So far we have 1 of the 3 confirmed. I keep working on it, after I finish my outside stuff for the day.

Its nice that you'll still have a couple of the grandkids nearby. Its hard when they move away. 😕 It did seem like a short summer. It was one with the least forest fires so far. Currently only 3 large fires remain in our region.

Have a good night all!

Ciaobella · August 23, 2025, 04:03:28 PM

Good afternoon, all! Yes, I feel like the summer was far too short especially with such extreme temps I feel we got so little time for enjoying it. We are now in the mid to high 70's so while I am enjoying the cooler temps unfortunately it's feeling more like Fall hearing the noise of the katydids.

Maryilne, great grandkids graduated? Wow! I have only one great grandchild and he is 3 yrs. old. My youngest grandchild is beginning her Freshman year so we still have 4 years of sports and school activities to keep up with. Our schools began the second week of August.

I'm still not losing hope with Putin and Zelinski, but I think it's going to take much longer than we expected. They both have agreed to a sit-down face to face meeting so we shall see.

OLM, it is nice to hear this summer has been the least number of fires. I hope you will find a doctor to help you, and your lawyer is able to get everything to bring your case together. Have you ever considered writing a book? I find your life to be very interesting and lots of knowledge for others who suffer from the same conditions as you.

OnLonelyMountain · August 23, 2025, 11:25:49 PM

Good afternoon to you, Ciaobella! Thank you for your good wishes!

That is a very kind thing to say. Actually, I've thought that the rest of the people here, including you, should be the ones writing books. You've all lead such amazing lives! I love reading about the interesting things that everyone does and the way, as Jane says, that each one makes their day special in their own way.

I used to write a blog, "The Toxic Injury Adventure." It was full of trials and tribulations. When I bought this place it was a good place to end on a "happily ever after." I still journal every day. It doesn't seem all that interesting to me. Most of it is redundant. I cut wood a lot. 😁 I'd rather be spinning and knitting, get back to gardening, canning, making herbal medicines and doing art. And sharing those things with others who do them too. Only I have so much manual labor to do that when I sit down, I'm too tired to spin, let alone do any of those other things. 😴 That and manual labor is hard on my clothes, so lots of mending.

I had a website for awhile too. I did share all the knowledge there It was called "The Holistic Chatterbox." Everything holistic for people and their pets. I had several moderators that shared too. It was a lot of fun. Before both of those things I volunteered for 10 years for a 501 (c)3, the MCS Beacon of Hope. The founders were wonderful people and worked tirelessly to help and support people suffering with toxic injuries. They provided safe clothing, blankets, purifiers, hotel and food vouchers, raised money for toxically injured people in desperate need. We found safer places for people to stay, ran a TI suicide hotline, educated, counseled and petitioned governors for recognition. Those were a long time ago, back when I had solid internet access.

My oldest grandchild is 12. 🙂

Good night everyone!

RAMMEL · August 24, 2025, 09:31:09 AM

Good morning anyone ---

After reading here a bit an old saying comes to mind. "The grass is always greener ... " I wish I was able to do some of those things I did years ago, but now I just read about them.

phyllis · August 24, 2025, 10:53:24 AM

Me,too,Rammel. And, all the equipment such as weaving loom, embroidery frames, sewing machine, rug frames, etc sit unused and taking up space in the spare/storage room. Just clutter now.

Marilyne · August 24, 2025, 01:55:51 PM

Phyllis - I'm hoping that some day, in the future, some lucky lady will buy or inherit your rug and embroidery frames, plus the weaving loom and the sewing machine. They will be used, and loved once again by someone!

OLM - Thankfully, our fire season here in Northern Cal, has been the lightest in many years. Mostly brush fires that have been brought under control very quickly. We've had one that's been burning for weeks near Calistoga, but hasn't done much damage. As long as the wind stays calm the fires can usually be contained. However, we still have September and
October to get through before we get any rain, and that's always our peak fire season.

Rick - Good to see you checking in. Like you and Phyllis, I wish I could still do the things I could do, even a few months ago! Now I feel like an observer, just watching the World go by. Everything is moving too quickly!

Ciaobella - What fun it would be to get together with our three year old great-grandsons! I'm sure they would have great fun playing together, but being as we live two thousand or more miles apart, I don't think that will ever happen! That's the main problem with having cyber-friends . . . so many of you I would love to meet in person and spend time with, but always knowing that it is not to be. Maybe someday, in another time and another place? 🤔

Ciaobella · August 26, 2025, 11:53:08 AM

Phyllis, "weaving loom, embroidery frames, sewing machine, rug frames, etc sit unused and taking up space in the spare/storage room."

I have to say I have knitting needles, crochet hooks and tons of yarn that was sitting in my attic for years and lo and behold, this past Christmas I decided to make some Christmas bulb covers with the yarn and enjoyed picking the crochet hooks back up again. I gave them as Christmas gifts and my kids and grandkids marveled at them.

When Covid hit I saw a post from Pro Medica asking for volunteers to make face masks for the hospital staff and patients, so after years of never touching my sewing machine I got it out, dusted it off and sewed masks for not only Pro Medica, but I did them for family, friends, neighbors, elder care centers, women abused shelter center, nurses, restaurant staff, schools, and even got a request from a friend who wanted to surprise her sister who was going to get married and she asked me if I could make masks for the bridal party. For the bride I used white satin material and added some toile lace to one side. It came out so beautiful and for the rest of the bridesmaids and matron of honor I did black masks since the wedding colors were black and white. Then for our 50th Anniversary I made masks for myself and hubby I've kept as a keepsake of us renewing our vows during Covid which the restaurant allowed us to have our celebration with a limit of only 20 people. Considering my immediate family consists of 14 and the Deacon and his wife makes 16, I was able to include only 4 others. I had gotten infectious hepatitis A right before our wedding back in 1970 and had to cancel our big church wedding and got married with immediate family at my mother's house so for our 50th having yet another health situation we just accepted what it was and carried on. My old sewing machine ended up breaking while making the masks and had to buy a new one, but it felt good to use it once again.

Hang on to those items, you just never know who will find a good purpose for them one day.

OLM, you just never cease to amaze me with all you've done and knowledge you share. Yes, I am an aspiring author and have had a few things published in our local newspaper and the Library of Congress, but that novel is still waiting to be written. I've given it several attempts, but my emotions seem to get in the way of what I feel I need to write about so who knows.

Rick, the fact you did get to experience all those things in your past you sit and remember and read about now is a treasure in itself. So many only wish they would have done them when they could.

Maryilyn, I am certain our two 3 yr. olds would have a blast together. My little Haze aka Prince Charming is the joy of my week. I'm slowing down and he's getting faster. lol We've been spending our Fridays with him since he was 3 months old and I know we have just a year or so to go since he will be going to Preschool. Why do they have to grow up?

OnLonelyMountain · August 26, 2025, 03:58:01 PM

Hello everyone,
Today is a sick day for me. I'm not sure what got me. My best guess would be somebody's loose dog. People bring them out here to run them on the road. They let them out of their vehicle and drive off. The dogs, more or less follow. If the dog detours into my property their flea, tick and vaccs get me. No fence repair or wood cutting today. I did get a positive response on one of my inquiries for the impending pesticide spray.

Ciaobella, loved your post, all you did with handmade Covid masks and the crochet ornaments! I have a similar problem writing. The emotions get in the way.😢 So appreciate your insights and wisdom!

Phyllis, I too have a standing floor loom, a spinning wheel, 4 sewing machines:1908 treadle, a cast iron white, a Wards 1979, and an upholstery machine, waiting for me to return. I miss them. My hooks, needles yarn, drop spindle, sewing kit, x-stitch supplies all travel with me. ☺️

Marilyne · August 26, 2025, 06:04:33 PM

Ciaobella, What a pleasure to read your nice long message this morning! You have certainly made good use of your sewing skills over the years, and especially providing masks during the Pandemic for the hospital staff and others as well. That Black and White wedding must have been spectacular! I'm sure the masks you made for the bride and groom will be unique keepsakes from their wedding, that they will always cherish. I'm glad they went ahead with their wedding, in spite of Covid.

Also good that you celebrated your 50th wedding celebration, even though you had to have a limited number of guests. So many weddings and special events were cancelled here in California. It makes me sad to remember that other happy occasions like graduations, proms, special birthdays, vacations and holidays, were not celebrated for such a long time.

OLM, So sorry that you are sick today, and suffering from something that you can't easily identify or control. I guess there is always someone, somewhere, spraying a pesticide that could have blown in your direction? I can't imagine someone letting a dog out of the car to run loose like that! When will you be going back to your home to spend the rainy and cold months?

I remember when we lived in the Tri-Cities area, that it was extremely HOT during the entire month of August and into September. Then we moved to Army housing near Richland, and it turned bitter cold during the Winter. The housing was like living in cardboard boxes. Probably old recycled Army barracks? Impossible to heat. It was a pretty sight however . . . along the banks of the Columbia River.

OnLonelyMountain · August 27, 2025, 09:32:03 AM

Good morning Marilynne,
I used to survey in that weather. I remember summer surveys in 115°-120°F, and winter surveys as low as 20°F. It sounds like the army housing was pretty similar to camping in an RV. I always say, "camping in an RV is like camping in a tin can." I leave here when the snow comes steady enough that it threatens to trap me. Hopefully the spraying has been over for several weeks.

People run their dogs like that on the road in front of my farm too. I once had a couple of horse back riders, with their dog doing the same thing. They didn't pay the slightest bit of attention to what their dog was up to. It was clear behind my house, harassing my chickens through the wire. SMH. They did not appreciate my confronting them, or their dog.

Marilyne · August 30, 2025, 12:32:09 PM

Hello to everyone looking in this morning. It 's been quiet on the message board this week, but always hoping thing will pick up once again, as they have in the past. Quiet, sunny and cool here in Northern CA this morning. It does feel like Fall, even though it's not official for a few more weeks.

Yesterday, Aug 29th, was my Mother's birthday. She was born in 1909, so that's about 116 years ago? She died in 1975, at the age of 66. That seems so young to me now . . . younger than my older daughter, who is now 67.

Hope you will all enjoy a pleasant Labor Day Weekend. Try to set aside the turmoil going on in the World, and just remember better, happier days in the past.

Vanilla-Jackie · August 30, 2025, 01:22:54 PM

Marilyne...
yes that is young, my father also passed at age 65 & a half...My mother was also an August baby, if i remember right, it was the 8th...She passed just touching 62, ( her funeral was the day before my daughters Birthday ) mother was 5 years older than father...Strange feeling that i have now overtaken both of them in age...When we were young, people in there 60's seemed old...

Yes, switch off our tv's, dont watch the news...

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