Comments for Poor Richard's Almanac

Comment on Can you vanquish fleas? by Frater Zee

Frater Zee — Sat, 04 May 2013 19:51:00 +0000

Many flowers and leaves contain natural “aromatic” oils which are repellent or toxic (more or less) to bugs — fleas included. Evergreens, mints, and marigolds come to mind for starters. Ancients back in the day no doubt stuffed such leaves into the bedding of their dogs and themselves.

According to Plutarch (the historian), Homer (the poet) died of “exasperation” at being unable to guess the answer to this (flea-inspired) riddle:

“What we caught, we threw away; what we could not catch, we kept.”

The world’s shortest poem — titled “Lines on the Antiquity of Microbes” — addresses to your question directly:

“Adam had ‘em.”

All this from a pre-internet (1950′s) edition of “Ripley’s Believe It or Not”. Cheers.

Hey, Frater Zee! I know the mediaevals strew their floors with sweet rushes and aromatic herbs, but I’d assumed that was to cover the rotting smell of the bones and other detritus they tossed from their dining tables—and perhaps encourage the breakdown of same into compost—rather than as flea control. (Ironically, a modern restaurant chain, Logan’s Steakhouse, prides itself on strewing its floors with peanut hulls. Hmmm.) Interesting theory, thanks!

Comment on Can you vanquish fleas? by rumpydog

rumpydog — Sat, 04 May 2013 14:51:14 +0000

Jen treats our yard with food-grade Diatomaceous Earth to kill fleas outdoors, then uses products from the vet with us to ensure there are no fleas on us. Fleas can be a huge problem. When we once had an infestation, Sevin Dust swept into the carpet did the trick.

Oh, dear, rumpydog, sorry you had to resort to Sevin. But at least it sounds like, thanks to the DE and other measures, you’re now flea-free!

Comment on Please don’t generalize. by William

William — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 19:45:35 +0000

I have studied Islam since I was 12; this makes it around 30 years of study for me. You make valid points about hatred and acts of violence. Even though I would not seek out people in an act of revenge or hatred, I can not agree with commonality of Islam and Christianity or me. Islam relates more closely with a different ideology. No, not all Muslims are hateful people.

Thanks, William! You’re so right, not all Muslims are hateful people, and the same is true of all people, however hard it is for us to understand them.

Comment on A sip of vinegar. by Daphne

Daphne — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 11:25:33 +0000

I’ve never drank pure vinegar, but I have had shrubs. They were colonial drinks which were fruit infused vinegars/vinegar syrups mixed with hard liquor or carbonated water. But usually I take my vinegar in smaller doses. Like splashed on cooked spinach or kale or used for pickles (and I’ll pickle anything),

Hi Daphne! Some friends gave us a bottle of ginger shrub for Christmas; we’re still working up our nerve to try it. I too love vinegar on cooked greens—that’s the way I grew up eating them. And who doesn’t love pickles? I especially love making hot sweet refrigerator pickles. Btw, I’m so sorry about the horror on the MIT campus.

Comment on Deficiency diseases. by Becca

Becca — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 11:28:09 +0000

What did Dumbledore say? “Do not pity the dead. Pity the living. And above all, those who live without love.”

So true, Becca!

Comment on Great balls of burning mulch! by quarteracrehome

quarteracrehome — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 15:03:24 +0000

Crazy and good to know since I just ordered a ton of wood chips!

Yow! Keep them watered and don’t pile them right up against the house!

Comment on Peeling avocados, making guacamole. by William

William — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 16:54:55 +0000

I’ll stick to the spoon method. Other than having the cannon ball pop out and roll on the kitchen floor, it is far easier and faster to do. Let me know how this alternate method compares to the spoon.

I love’m on plain and on crackers. Never thought of salsa. Have tried a avocado and tomato salad but haven’t found a version I like.

Hi William! I made guacamole last night and, as advertised, the skin on the quarters peeled off cleanly and easily as a banana skin. I couldn’t believe how perfect it was! No more spoons for me. I drained the fresh hot salsa really well, then put some in a bowl with lots of chopped sweet onion and minced cilantro, plus a few splashes of hot chipotle sauce. Once I’d peeled the avocado quarters, I doused them in lemon juice before chopping, then mashing them with a fork, so there was plenty of texture left. Then I mixed the lemon-avocado mash into the bowl with the other ingredients, stirred well to blend, put plastic wrap right down on the surface, and refrigerated it while I made a few other things. Let me tell you, it was delicious! I wouldn’t hesitate to make it entirely from scratch, either, but if pressed for time, this took a whopping ten minutes max and was incredibly good.

Comment on Insulating sliding glass doors. by Insulated Sliding Doors

Insulated Sliding Doors — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 10:11:16 +0000

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Comment on Eating Kleenex. by Another Piece of Cake

Another Piece of Cake — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 18:51:17 +0000

Our society has gone completely nuts! It’s so ridiculous that models feel the need to be so concave that they ingest something that isn’t food. This is what little girls look up to. I’m in agreement – insane. Thanks for your post.

It’s when their thighs are thinner than their calves that I get really creeped out.

Comment on Should you, or shouldn’t you? by Delicate Flower

Delicate Flower — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 19:38:46 +0000

If you head towards the Finger Lakes, let me know. I’m forty minutes from Corning Museum of Glass and can get you in for $5 each. Potentially a limited time offer, as we’re trying to move West.

Wow, thanks so much for your kindness!!!