It’s that time again. You ask, and I pretend to know things and answer your burning questions. It really is so much fun to open my inbox and see the wide variety of questions you guys have. Reminds me that my readers are so diverse and pretty dang awesome. So keep those questions coming and I’ll keep racking my brain for answers.
As always, please pipe up if you have any input or are knowledgeable when it comes to any of the following questions:
“Wanted to tell you I love your blog, AND you should watch this short film Pickle, by Amy Nicholson. I think you would like!”
My best-Nancy
Okay, so these people… are just a wee bit quirky. But I caught myself laughing out loud several times and wondering how many more pet stories could they possibly have? And wondering if I’d ever leave my pet with them. I mean, you can tell they are loving people, but….. Bottom line, grab yourself a cuppa and hit play. It’s totally worth your time. Thanks Nancy!
“Mavis, I know you must spend a great deal of time on your laptop. I need some advice and I know you research products. The college my grandson will attend in August hinted that he may want to consider purchasing a MacBook. Do you have an opinion? MacBook is very expensive. If you can help, I would really appreciate it. I want to purchase the laptop for him, but wasn’t aware I would have to send $1,000.”
Yes, your grandson will need a laptop for college, but I think the real question is does he need a Macbook?
A new MacBook runs between $999 – $2,399. My husband and kids would both tell you Macbooks are the greatest thing ever and they are totally worth the money. I on the other hand, don’t like apple computers and have been using Acer laptops for maybe the past 7 – 8 years. They usually run about $300 and I buy a new one about every 3 years or so.
That being said, I don’t really know much about computers {maybe someone else can chime in}, but I do know about college aged kids. And my best advice is unless you are buying something your grandson specifically asked for {model number, color and everything} I would instead gift him a check in an amount you are comfortable giving with the understanding that the money is to be put towards a computer of his choosing. Computers are a pretty personal thing to most people, they definitely have their preferences, and although you could probably get an older model, or even a refurbished one for less, I would let him pick out his own computer.
Mavis: Thank you for sharing your amazing rug hooking journey. Because of your website and information I was able to learn how to dye wool. I love your hooking studio. Do you have any dye recipe suggestions for an antique black? I am struggling with this one.
Gratefully, Donna
Yes! I’m not sure where the recipe came from as I have had it scribbled on a piece of paper for a gazillion years but here is the recipe:
1/2 tsp. olive green
1/4 tsp. spice brown
1/8 tsp. silver grey green
1/8 tsp. black
The key to getting a good black, is using oatmeal or tan colored wool to start with. And of course, the longer you let the wool soak up the dye, the darker it will turn out.
Hi, Mavis! My husband and I recently moved to our dream home on 6 acres and are finally realizing our dream of having chickens. We decided to jump right in and now have 22 (!!) adorable chicks living in a stock tank in our spare room. While the smell is not terrible (we add pine shavings every day or so), I wondered if you have any tips beyond that to keep the tank from getting too stinky?
~Kelsey
In years past, I’ve used wood pellets and this year the local feed store where I bought my chick supplies was all out so I bought a bag of pine shavings instead. And you know what? I like the pellets better! 😉 Maybe it’s all in my head, but I think there is less of an odor with pellets vs shavings. That being said, 22 chicks in one stock tank is A LOT. And I think it may be the biggest contributing factor to having a stinky tank. Also, instead of adding new shavings to the tank every few days, I would be removing the old shavings and adding fresh shavings every other day to help reduce the smell.
Have a question for me? Submit them HERE and I’ll try to answer them.
Have a great weekend everyone,
~Mavis
AJ says
I second the recommendation to let the grandson choose his own computer! Definitely depends on personal preference and how you plan to use it. And if he’s an engineering major, he may want to rethink getting a Mac because some of the software he needs for class may not be compatible.
As a side note, I hope whoever ends up buying the computer is aware of Newegg.com– my husband and I pretty much always buy our laptops there because they have great prices! 🙂
Deborah says
For the lady that asked about computers . . . I would go with a Mac even though it costs more. You can no longer buy programs for a Windows computer, you rent them by the month. Besides, I’ve had Windows machines and really dislike them. They are always either updating or something. I’d go with a Mac or a Linux machine. Just my personal opinion.
Katie says
I also second Mavis in letting him pick his own laptop. For years I did not like Macs (but I hadn’t really tried them very much, they just weren’t as popular). And my mom bought me Dell computers. They were fine, but became too old rather quickly. That seems to be a problem with windows computers! So even though they’re only a few hundred dollars, it adds up when you replace them often. When I got married I started using my husbands macbook and I actually like it much better. And it is OOOLLLLDDD. So he’s definitely gotten his money out of it. As someone else said, it may depend on what kind of program he is in. If he needs it for any kind of “creative” stuff, then the Mac will be great. If he’s an engineer (as am I) and he needs to download any kind of drafting or other software, it may do better on a windows. I wouldn’t worry about that too much though, most universities have computer labs with all the special software already installed.
Mrs. C. says
You are so right about the chicks! 22 is waaaay too many. i keep no more than 8 in a tank, and move them out for some sunshine by week two like you do. Folks, if the bedding smells like ammonia, you have too many chicks in a small area and/or need to change the bedding mire frequently. Mavis, I also like the pellets. I get mine at Tractor Supply and they are called Equine Bedding Pellets. They are designed to be super absorbent.
Carrie says
Kelsey, with that amount of chicks I would agree with Mavis and change the entire bedding at least every other day. It will get stinky real quick especially as they age and their poops get bigger. I only had 3 chicks this spring and my office turned into a stinky dusty mess every week.
Maria Campbell says
Sand in the biddie tank. Sand absorbs. Sand dessicates the poo and allows you to scrape it up and dispose of it in compost or outside. Not down the toilet.
Sand is soft on the chicks feet and will keep their nails and feet clean.
Sand is cheaper than dirt–pun intended– and can be dumped outside when you are done. Plain old boring construction sand or play sand (not the kind with colors) or even what you get out of yard if you live in sandy situation.
The trick to controlling odors in any animal situation is controlling the poop. Clean it out, get rid of it.
Sand.
Angela D. says
Another vote for SAND!!!! We’ve been using it on the floor in our coop for over 5 years. We can scoop it clean, like scooping a cat litter box. Occasionally we remove a section of packed down sand and replace it. I am referring to construction-grade sand that was delivered in a dump truck, not bags and bags of play sand for a child’s sandbox.
In our poop boards, beneath the roosting poles, we use PDZ, which is technically for use with horses. It, too, is easily scooped to keep things fresh. I have recently seen that the PDZ company now makes the same/similar product for chickens, so I guess the word it out!
Cathy says
Totally off topic, but since it’s Friday, I wanted to suggest a movie I recently watched on Amazon Prize, “Pretty Old.” It’s a documentary on the Ms. Senior Sweetheart Pageant which takes place annually in Massachussetts. It was a sweet film, and totally made me miss my grandma! And, it made me want to make a pilgrimage to someday watch the pageant live! 🙂
I don’t know if the pageant is still currently running, but it’s a sweet movie with neat backstage and insider info on the pageant. I LOVED the support, camaraderie, and celebrity status that each contestant had. Two thumbs up.
jennifer says
I also second Mavis’ recommendation about the computer: let the student choose his own. I am a mom of a college student AND I’m a college student, AND I’m surrounded by techie types that use their computers for all sorts of different things. They are as custom as a collection of makeup or a favorite recipe for cookies. I’ve used Windows based computers all my life and my school uses Macs (the PC’ers have to learn the functionalities of Macs).
Nancy D says
My mother bought my nephew a $800 laptop for a graduation present to take with him to college. It was stolen from his dorm room. His second year, he chose to rent one of the “high-end” laptops from his school and loves it.
Whichever product you choose, please seek out dorm insurance and make sure all the necessary documentation is completed. Make a list and take photos of each item showing identifying marks. (I later found out my nephew kept this list and photo record on the laptop that was stolen.)
Dorm insurance is very reasonable, often with policies around $10-$20 a month. Google “college student insurance”.
Ann says
Back to the tick issue, here’s even more reason to protect your family and your yard/garden with supplemental fencing of a deer-proof height: https://www.bizjournals.com/bizwomen/news/latest-news/2018/05/diseases-from-tick-mosquito-flea-bites-have.html?page=all
Suzanne says
For the laptop, I think it really depends on his major. If he’s going into an artistic field, he may need a MacBook because a lot of the programs are built specifically for that. For some majors, most everything will be windows based. And for a lot of majors, it’s totally personal preference. Unless the university has a specific reason why they want him to have a MacBook, I would either figure out what works best for his area of study, or let him pick his own.
Robin says
I would get your grandson a gift card to the Apple store in whatever you’re comfortable with. If he wants a Mac odds are his has other Apple items like an iPhone or iPad and they all integrate together or “talk” to each other. He should def buy it at the Apple store because there is a free AppleCare warranty he would get automatically. PLUS since he’s a college student if he buys it himself he will get a discount. I think that promo starts in mid summer. Def go Mac though especially if he has an artistic major.
Chellie says
My daughter needed a macbook for her major, research psychology. When she went to grad school they gave her a new, better, more powerful macbook, so I got her old one. I would just give the amount of $$ you’re comfortable with though.
Jennifer says
About the computer – some majors required programming that is best for a Mac or it could be that Macs are more compatible to what the school uses. Definitely find out WHY they want a Mac and go from there.
Athena says
Haha that was the cutest video! I’m with you no no macs. I really can’t do or understand apple anything. Never could work an Ipod and Iphones are beyond confusing to me. Give me windows and android all the way!
Linda says
Re an apple MacBook. Many people do not know that Barclay Bank offers a Apple credit card and your initial purchase on the card qualifies for no interest for a period of time-6,12 or 18 months depending on the purchase price. With your grandson, you could give him the money you feel you can afford and he could use it to make payments on his apple MacBook. Other family members could perhaps give him money for Xmas and birthdays to also use for payments on this MacBook. This will get him what he wants, help him make payments, with no interest and also help him build a credit score. Everybody wins!
Julie says
Oh my gosh, that short movie was hilarious! Those people are a total kick. My favorite story was about Peanut the cat (the chalk outline of him made me laugh out loud!)
Lace Faerie says
That was a funny, quirky video. I, too, laughed out loud in several spots. Her laugh is contagious! She reminded me a my dear Mama who always said God sent her animals no one else would love so she could love and care for them. She once bought a hairless rat from the pet store because all the other rats were picking on him. He had bites all over his naked body and she nursed him back to health. She had a special soul that animals sought out. Wild birds would come to her and sing, squirrel and chipmunks would come over and chatter and prance around for her attention. Without her ever offer food to them. it was an amazing gift.
Mavis Butterfield says
LOVE!